Them cats is lucky i'm decent enough to run them off for their own good, they ain'ta gittin' no awnin's er hammocks. Fer the the love of Pete . . .
A lady of my aquaintence, speaking of accents, had a theory that it would be easier for the speakers of a foreign language to understand English if it were spoken to them with an accent. So. for example, when she had French exchange students living at her house she would speak to them with a French accent.
How do you leeke zee caf'e?
I am going to zee gro'cery. Do ve need Co ca' cala?
It drove her kids to hysterics and I never asked any of the students if it made any difference.
(I know when I spoke French in Paris, it drove the Parisians to hysterics. One waiter's hand shook as he tried to pour zee water. :wink: )
Hey, Setanta. I noticed you used the old "fer the love of pete" expression. What the hell does that mean? I've heard that expression before and have never been able to figure out who this Pete guy was. Would you be kind enough to enlighten me on this matter.
You, find out, Gus, you can let us both know . . . that is strange, and i don't know why that came to mind yesterday. Cripes is a euphemism for Christ, Darn it for damn it--but i've not the foggiest where for the love of Pete comes from . . . perhaps one of our more erudit members will enlighten us. Perhaps the most articulate wabbit known to history will have the answer.
"Pete" - ancient Briton - brutally murdered - strangled - thrown in a peat bog - sort of the British Abel. Honoured and remembered - name corrupted to "Pete" through the ages - for the love of Pete - sweet, really.
You makin' that crap up? There are some gullible, easily-manipulated people on this board -- tread carefully.
Personally, I think it is some sort of reference to St. Peter.
I never make up crap.
You lookin' for the last trump and a trip to the bog?
ooooooooh... I am so scared!
Bring it on, Aussie!
I'm not up on current history. Is Australia still a penal colony? What are you in for?
good behaviour and general adorableness.
put 'em up, ratty.
oh, what are you out for?
Are all Australians descendants of hardened criminals? I suppose there must be some prison guard blood mixed in there, and perhaps some aborigine tossed in for flavor, but would you please give me a composite view of an Australian. I'm not trying to be cruel or hurtful or anything like that. I am just curious and am looking for answers. Who knows? Maybe you were shipwrecked and are the only innocent person left on the island. Maybe you're in grave danger. I just want to help.
Oooooooooooo . . .
Fight, fight . . .
Hey, ever body lookee here . . .
In seriousness, Gus, get a book entitled The Fatal Shore, very informative.
Thanks, Setanta. I will check that out.
I believe they were generally romantic Irish and Scots and French freedom fighters, my ancestors.
There are so many peoples now resident upon our ancient land from many shores that a composite would be hard to find.
Prolly the middle is British, the torso Greek or Italian or Lebanese, the feet Asian, the legs Central European, the arms from some Islamic or Hindu land, the head from new Zealand and the hair Aboriginal.
That was most excellent! Thank you kindly. (how did this conversation go from borderline fisticuffs to polite banter?)
Bunnies is notorious dodgers, which explains why they bounded off into the outback and avoided extermination when they were unwisely introduced there. Our Lovely Wabbit is obviously descended from the most agile among them.
Romantic? they went to prison for being overly romantic? hmmmmmm
