A lesson on Britian for AMERICANS

reply to post by lizziejayne


Never heard of that, although I read alot of English history, not Welsh (although the two often meet).

It does seem, however, that this wasn't a practice sanctioned by the "English" or the Uk Government, but rather done locally, for some reason.. I am no expert though, just going on what I read. Never the less, a horrible practice but those were the days....

Personally, I like all the various languages around, I'd like to learn Cornish as that is where my family hails from and it is closely related to Welsh.

reply to post by stumason


This a great! Hope you'll answer another. Who are the Scots-Irish of American Appalachia?

As a Scottish-American, I respect the Scottish desire to be a free nation, and therefore consider them an independent nation. You know the same way that FIFA does.

reply to post by ladyinwaiting


Lady in Waiting, I welcome you to your Welsh family!

Croeso I Cymru (Welcome to Wales): We Keep a Welcome in the Hillside

reply to post by 23refugee


Haha, not specifically familiar with that particular group of people....

Lets ask Google...

The Scots-Irish heritage celebrated in the Appalachian mountains often seems heavier on the Scots than the Irish, but Ireland had its share of influence on the culture that goes beyond kilts and bagpipes.


The Scots-Irish that settled in the region came here partly as a result of English political and religious domination, as the Scots were "imported" to the Northern Ireland province of Ulster to help tame some of the rebellious spirit of the Irish. The Presbyterian denomination, as well as the Roman Catholic Church, often clashed with the Anglican Church of England, and the echoes of that conflict still rage today between Protestant and Catholic Irish.

As Presbyterians were pushed out of government power, they began looking for religious freedom, and American offered a fresh start both spiritually and economically.

reply to post by kilowogdm1


Thing is, if the desire so much to be free, why did they ask to join the Union in the first place? We didn't conquer them you know.

(Kind of like Texas and the USA)

Also, it's funny that since this whole economic meltdown began, support amongst Scots for independance has dropped markedly, showing that Scots realise they are better off in and not out of the UK.

Never the less, as a "Scottish American" I believe you'd be much like Irish Americans and have a somewhat blinkered and romantic view of what actually transpires on these Islands.

[edit on 3/4/10 by stumason]

reply to post by stumason


I admit, I may very well have an idealized view of the situation. South Carolina is a looong way from the isles.

Although, as a bit of a sidebar... Does anyone know why FIFA recognizes Scotland, Wales, and England as different nations? Always wondered that.

BTW... Had a few this evening. Meant no disrespect in my initial post.

reply to post by kilowogdm1


Essentially, it's because although we're all British, FIFA also recognises we're all different countries.

For example, I am both Welsh and British. I'm proud to be both


[edit on 3/4/10 by lizziejayne]

reply to post by kilowogdm1


We've always played as seperate nations before FIFA even came into being, just the way it was when Football was "invented". There has been talk of a "British" team but there is too much pride at stake now and all the individual nations have their own FA's.

Kind of like in Rugby, just the way it always was, as at the start, only a few nations played the game so they made up the numbes with teams from each country.

But in Athletics and the like they are British, unless in the Commonwealth games that is.... Very confusing for outsiders

EDIT: No disrespect taken chap

[edit on 3/4/10 by stumason]

I already knew all of this, and more. You left out a crapload of useful details. Like the story of Hadrian's Wall, who the Britons really were (Celts) and who the Saxons really were (Germans). You do realize that the English today are mostly German. The real Britons are the Welsh.

ETA: Oh I am from Texas.

ETA 2: And I am half English

[edit on 3-4-2010 by OrphenFire]

[edit on 3-4-2010 by OrphenFire]

I suppose we Americans tend to think in terms of states and country, instead of nation and kingdom. It's is a bit confusing for an outsider.

To think, all this time, I thought of myself as somewhat "in the know" about such matters.

reply to post by Merriman Weir




Im glad you beat me to it.

I was at first insulted that a brother from the UK was stereotyping all americans, believing us ignorant on matters elsewhere. Then I notice you desire to lecture us, and yet you cannot even spell your own country or region of origin.

Typos are not an excuse, as ATS provides instant spell check for those of us who struggle with our spelling

reply to post by OrphenFire


Well, you're quite wrong on that point.

The Anglo-Saxon "!nvasion" is a mostly Victorian idea. It is now understood that the Anglo-Saxons only came over in relatively small numbers as mercenaries for the Romano-British.

After a while, they didn't get paid and basically overthrew the Romano-British rulers and became the Lords themselves. The ones pushed out West were the supporters of the old Romano-British elite and in these area's they retained the old culture.

The common man remained the same in the areas "conquered" by the Anglo-Saxons, however. The exact same situation happened with the Romans before them and the Normans after them.

For the most part, around 70% of the population of England today can be genetically traced to the people who lived here prior to the Roman invasion. The other 30% is made up of Roman, German and Norse DNA=, then later Africans and other immigrants.

Im enjoying this thread, and I'm posting so I can find it later and hopefully read through it in it's entirety. I'm a bit embarrssed to say I know little about Britian's history, but I can tell you that we Americans have always thought of you as our brothers.

-E-

reply to post by stumason


Good point it is the UEurpoeanFA Champions League.

I agree us yankie doodles would definitely watch our teams play in the World Champions League. I think it is not so much that soccer/English football isn't popular, it is just that we know are our teams suck. Why watch the MLS when there are just as many Premier League games on?

I think most of our good athletes play soccer during their youth, but when we get to high school, we have to make a choice between American footbal, basketball, or soccer. It is American football during the fall/autumn and winter, then basketball or soccer in spring and summer. Personally, I chose basketball, as did most of my friends. Our soccer department just wasn't as big.

I have few more questions.

Do most English people hate Liverpool FC? There is just something about them I don't like. I like Torres, but Gerrard, Carragher, and a few others I am not too fond of.

What kind of fish is in your fish nd chips? Cod? Isn't there a better fish?

What do you think of American football?

And, would you consider Tony Blair = to our George Bush?

The OP misspelled "Britain" as "Britian", and then made some kind of slip and said "Northern Island", which I can assume meant "Northern Ireland", or something.. ?

This is insulting on many levels, least of all, to Americans. It's just pompous and ridiculous.

Originally posted by tooo many pills
I have few more questions.

Sure, I quite like this Q&A.. much better than the usual "mine is bigger than yours" we get here...

Originally posted by tooo many pills
Do most English people hate Liverpool FC? There is just something about them I don't like. I like Torres, but Gerrard, Carragher, and a few others I am not too fond of.

Most people outside Liverpool I would imagine! Liverpool is a place that requires a certain kind of taste to like. I'm sure some Scousers would put me right on that though!!

Originally posted by tooo many pills
What kind of fish is in your fish nd chips? Cod? Isn't there a better fish?

used to be Cod, but that's expensive now. Can still get cod, but you can also get plaice, haddock..Any white fish really..

Originally posted by tooo many pills
What do you think of American football?

Too slow and I don't get the whole "offensive" and "defensive" teams concept. Can't the players do both?

Originally posted by tooo many pills
And, would you consider Tony Blair = to our George Bush?

Haha, depends on how you think of Bush. To me and many others, Blair is a "giant male chicken".

reply to post by SyphonX


Yeah, we've got past that now and are actually having a decent discussion...

Care to join us?

reply to post by stumason


I'm wrong about the English being mostly German? I thought the Anglo-Saxons intermingled with the original Britons so much that they were watered down to being mostly German. I stand corrected, then.

reply to post by tac109


You saved who's butt?

Would that be the WAR you turned up 3 years later for?

Thanxs