Deletions on Gransnet

Shippon sounds more likely to be a sheep shed. They are used still on hill farms during lambing season. I guess they can be used for cows too.

Skipton means Sheeptown. It's too far inland to refer to ships as in Vikingskiphuset, the Viking ship museum in Oslo.

Did she call you 'duck' granjura?

I know I'm home again when I hear someone call me duck.

Apparently:
Where does 'duck' come from?
Firstly the word “duck” (a term of greeting, for man or woman) has nothing at all to do with the winged bird of the same name!
It is said to find its origin in the Saxon word ‘ducas’ which was meant as a term of respect; similar to the Middle English ‘duc’, ‘duk’ which denotes a leader, commander; from which comes the title ‘Duke’ and the Old French word ‘ducheé’ - the territory ruled by a Duke.

Do I believe that?

The same article claims shippon as a Potteries word for cowshed, but one of my relatives lives in 'The Shippon' (converted barn) in Devon.

I did notice whitewave's post on the other thread though, mentioned above, where she called a pair of politicians daft buggers which could be a term of affection!!
Surely not ww [still rofl]

I was born near Meir !!

The problem with a verbose forum is that you do not get the inflection of the words. Some Gners seem to take delight in analysing every word and looking at the worst . although, I have to say, I've not seen that lately . I often call my friends " silly old bugger", they are not silly or buggers (ok most of them are old!), no one would take any offence as they know what I mean.

Half a sarny short of a picnic.

A can short of a six pack.

Not the sharpest knife in the box.

Private as in a private BUSINESS Merlot. They can do what they want- and if people don't like it they can opt out. It is not a social service or charity.

When I first lived in the Potteries, the char lady where I worked used to love teaching me Pottery speak. The loouk in the boouk, etc. But everyday she put her head round my office door and said 'go on, say it for me' and I obliged 'go away you silly booogar' and she laughed and laughed- made her day, every day. She'd never left home (Burslem) and anyone living in Hanley was a foreigner, let alone someone living in the Westlands (like us) and from Swizerland. I was the height of exotism

Thick as a plank.

Yes. Daft as a brush!

Daft is a bit northern isn't it?

Language use is so varied in Britain I would see "daft" buggers as a lot softer and more friendly comment than say stupid Buggers.

Daft to me seems almost a term of endearment. I know it was far from that once. Daft and stupid used to mean the same thing.

I call my DGSs "Daft ha'pworth."

ha ha, sorry~!~!

Actually language is weird, because al though I suggested substituting it with idiots, it isn't quite what is meant and everyone brought up in England will now this. I guess cultural content is all.

No!!!!!!!

whitewave
surely you didn't mean to be endearing about those two daft buggers you referred to?

'Gransnet is a lightly moderated site - mainly self-policing'

(From Gransnet Nettiquette)

The moderators don't trawl threads looking for posts which break the guidelines, it's up to members to report anything they feel may do so. Then they'll have a look and make their decision.

GN is a private site

Surely it can't be? Anyone can read what's on here regardless of whether or not they've signed up so they can post.

If anyone is not well versed you could substitute buggers with idiots and get the same meaning.

i think context is all in using the word bugger. It is widely used colloquially and often said without any form of malice but in a playful or endearing fashion.

When used in this way it has entirely lost its original pejorative meaning, and to zap it is to misunderstand this fact.

For instance I called two politicians "daft buggers" well can't say I meant it endearingly but neither did I mean it with the original connotations. Anyone reading it versed in the English language would know exactly what I meant. It hasn't been zapped by the way! Yet

GN is a private site, with paid moderators. At the end of the day, they can delete what they want- and I'd say that generally they are very tolerant and soft on the pedal here. It's a thankless task, and sometimes they just can't win. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

Thanks GN team - you are doing a great job... and you just can't please everyone, all the time.

Are we allowed the expression "playing silly buggers?" To me that, as an expression, has lost any of its original offensive meaning.

(Well I will soon find out if GNHQ are awake.)

Mafioso – what? I did start writing a detective story, which I have never got round to finishing, which involved a sub-plot with a character murdering members of a social forum not unlike Gransnet (but not, of course, Gransnet). So far as I know, nobody has translated this idea into reality.

elegran what a fantastic analogy - that explained things so well .

This has been a good post, demonstrating how some may misconstrue a post and/or responses but, through polite and patient comments, we end up understanding each other and sharing a smile. Cheers to all posters

We may get these posts deleted!

It would be a first for me btw (apart from my own choice).

No thanks!