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little Englander

(422 Posts)
obieone Mon 25-Apr-16 06:46:17

This subject has come up again on another thread.

What is wrong with little Englander? Or big Englander. Or little Welsher. Or big Welsher? Or little Scotlander? Or big scotlander. Or little Northern Irelander? Or big Northere Irelander? Or little Rep of Irelander? Or big Republic of Irelander?

Or little any other nation on earth? Or big any other nation on earth?

thatbags Mon 09-May-16 10:12:30

I don't find it an insult, ab. You'd have to try harder than that to insult me wink. I think some people regard it as an insult and, for the reasons elegran so rightly mentions, it can be. I think if a Welsh or Scottish person says it of an English person, for instance, one wouldn't be mistaken in thinking they were meaning to be insulting. Whether one were insulted or just thought the speakers idiots would depend on the individual at whom it's directed.

Anniebach Mon 09-May-16 10:16:22

I don't agree Elegran, for me a little Englander is a person who cannot accept we have moved on from Britannia ruling the waves , this isn't pride in England or being Welsh , I am proud of Wales and being Welsh , never thought Wales is superior to other countries but equal to other countries , many English people think the same of England . Little englanders either deny history or dismiss it as all in the past , yet celebrate victories in the past

Anniebach Mon 09-May-16 10:18:35

Thatbags, insulting people or even trying to insult people is not for me

Alea Mon 09-May-16 10:21:35

I don't think thatbags specified what she found insulting confused just the principle.
I agree about "kleine Engländerin" being * descriptive* , I was referred to as "die kleine Schottin" but I still found it patronising!
Translated, however, it becomes something else as Little Englander does have a specific connotation and has morphed from referring to anti Imperialist philosophy to its more modern meaning of xenophobic, inward-looking and lacking awareness of or sensitivity to the world outside.
A bit like Donald J's attitude.

PS grumppa how äre yöû gètting øn with yœúr ãccēnts?

Anniebach Mon 09-May-16 10:25:46

Who is Donald J Alea?

Elegran Mon 09-May-16 10:26:17

I don't see any disagreement, ab

I said "called "Little Englanders" for being blinkered about the rest of the world, it is quite different - the "little" applies to their minds and horizons"

You say " cannot accept we have moved on from Britannia ruling the waves" That is included in their blinkered view of the rest of the world.

You also say "Little englanders either deny history or dismiss it as all in the past , yet celebrate victories in the past" Surely that also applies to those who cannot let go of defeats away back in the past too?

We hear at frequent intervals, for instance, about the crushing in the past of other languages, when they have had help to be returned to their rightful place for native speakers. If the English are to shut up about past victories, should others not shut up about the past too and build the present, and the future?

Alea Mon 09-May-16 10:31:30

Oh Donald J. Trump, anniebach, who else?

grumppa Mon 09-May-16 11:05:26

Vielen Dank, Alea; mit den Akzenten geht es nun gut.

Mit freundlichen Grüssen,

Grump von Pa

obieone Mon 09-May-16 11:13:34

3rd paragraph Elegran. Not sure I agree witht that.
The rest I probably agree with.

There may be regional differences to what is meant.

Alea Mon 09-May-16 11:58:33

Can you elaborate on what you mean by regional differences obieone ?

Anniebach Mon 09-May-16 12:02:12

Thank you Alea , true - who else

Anniebach Mon 09-May-16 12:03:47

No Elegran not the same, we celebrate defeats?

TerriBull Mon 09-May-16 12:09:02

"Little Englander" an ephithet applied in criticisms of British Nationalists, English Nationalists or English people who are regarded as xenophobic and overly nationalistic and are accused of being ignorant and boorish" Wikepedia Unflattering characteristics I would have thought, however, according to one GN who has returned to this thread thus far, 93 times, "Little Englander" is not an insult at all.

Overtly nationalistic as we well know, can only apply to the English, how strange because I think one could be forgiven when through reading through swathes of this thread that all roads lead to Wales.

Anniebach Mon 09-May-16 12:15:04

Gosh Teribull, you count posts ?

Elegran Mon 09-May-16 12:18:29

Who said that it was about "we" ? Why take everything as about "we"?

To answer the implied question -

"Celebrate" defeats? No.

"Don't let go of" and carry a grudge for ever? Yes.

Anniebach Mon 09-May-16 12:23:01

A grudge Elegran? What is your definition of a grudge?

TerriBull Mon 09-May-16 12:25:21

Only out of curiosity in this case given the title of the thread. A prime opportunity for English bashing whilst simultaneously extolling Wales, it's language and wonderful people which is synonymous with most of your posts.

Elegran Mon 09-May-16 12:25:48

Banging on about a past injury for ever and a day. What is your definition? I am sure you have one.

Anniebach Mon 09-May-16 12:32:47

I don't hold grudges Elegran so find it difficult to explain something I have never experienced

Anniebach Mon 09-May-16 12:35:21

TerriBull, try reading the posts not just counting them, I do not 'bash the English ' I do criticise some but these thankfully are the minority

obieone Mon 09-May-16 12:53:41

regional differences - differences between regions

Elegran Mon 09-May-16 13:18:17

I don't hold them either, ab, but I do recognise one when I meet it. Looks like you'll just have to accept my definition.

Alea Mon 09-May-16 13:25:36

Please don't insult my intelligence obieone I asked you to elaborate on what you meant, not how many beans make five.

obieone Mon 09-May-16 13:31:29

I didnt know what else to say. I tried googling it but it was no help. So not sure what to put or what to say.

Anniebach Mon 09-May-16 13:33:02

Sorry Elegran, I do not have to accept your definition , I do accept it is how you choose to define it