Rhyming Slang
Rhyming Slang
(OP)
In a thread in Pat's Pub, someone referred to Americans as "Septic". When the term was questioned, it was explained that "Septic tank" rhymes with "Yank", so to refer to a U.S. citizen it is appropriate to just say "septic". Another individual said that it was common and no offence was intended, and claimed that "at least half" of Americans would take less offence with being called "septic" than being called "yank". I assumed that he meant that people in the states that left the union in the 1860's would resent being called "Yankee" and that he thought those states represented half the country (instead of about 30%) and that attitudes in those states were somehow homogeneous.
My question is, how would other Americans feel about the choice between being called "septic" or being called "yank"?
My question is, how would other Americans feel about the choice between being called "septic" or being called "yank"?
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.





RE: Rhyming Slang
RE: Rhyming Slang
Lighten up David, it'd just fun. No malice anywhere. The Australians have many terms for us Brits that could cause offence, if we really wanted to be offended.
- Steve
RE: Rhyming Slang
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Rhyming Slang
RE: Rhyming Slang
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Rhyming Slang
RE: Rhyming Slang
I doubt 1% of Americans would understand the "septic" reference. I used to work for a British company and am somewhat familiar with their odd rhyming slang but I never heard that one used. There was a lot of good natured bashing of each other's countries and culture so I would have expected it to come up. Perhaps it is a more recent development.
Americans from all states are used to being called Yanks oversees, it dates back to the Great War or perhaps earlier. I don't think anyone takes offense to it no matter which side of the Mason Dixon line they live on. It's quite another matter to be south of said line and be called a Damn Yankee. That's a Yankee like myself who has moved south and won't leave. You never hear the term Yank in the south.
The southern term I still find amusing is "The war of Northern Aggression" referring to the US Civil War (1861-1865). You won't find that in any Yankee text book. It's still being fought down here.
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RE: Rhyming Slang
Depends solely on the person who hears/reads it. I have one neighbor who would consider either word to be a term of brotherly love. He'd think it implies a relationship that is freindly enough to toss barbs (darts?) at each other, even if the tosser is a complete stranger. He's a good guy.
I have another neighbor who would immediately chamber a round in his Walther PPK and set out looking for you if you weren't already nearby, no matter which word. Heaven help you if your skin is not the same color as his, or your language is not American English. He's a bad guy. We give him a wide berth.
I personally enjoy when a Brit refers to us as "The Colonies."
Best to you,
Goober Dave
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RE: Rhyming Slang
RE: Rhyming Slang
I'd be fine with it though I say that as a fairly new Septic/colonial.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Rhyming Slang
I was 12 years old before I knew damyankee wasn't one word :)
RE: Rhyming Slang
"Sorry"???????????? I don't have an agenda here, I'm just interested in reactions, I really couldn't care less what those reactions are,
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.
RE: Rhyming Slang
metsaw/heard while travelling through Europe, the analogy would be quite fitting; but as Pat mentioned before, it's only the brash, loud ones who are noticed & remembered. The good, normal ones just blend in.RE: Rhyming Slang
When I was in officer's training in the Army the Major who taught Military History was from the South and while he pretty much stuck to the approved material, when we got to the Civil War, he made sure that all of us knew that there was much more to the story than what we had learned in our 'Yankee' schools and that while he never denied that the Union had legitimately won the war, you could tell that this remained a tender issue with him and I assume his family and the other people whom he grew-up with. But even the 'approved material' described the Civil War as being the result of the secession of the Confederate States and the Federal government's response to preserve the Union, NOT as an attempt to abolish slavery, as many high school text books had put it.
BTW, I also worked for a British company for 14 years and at times we did enjoyed the manner in which our co-workers from across the sea mis-used the 'English' language.
As George Bernard Shaw has been credited with saying (although some claim that it was Oscar Wilde and others say Churchill): 'England and America are two countries divided by a common language.'
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
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RE: Rhyming Slang
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Rhyming Slang
I have The Sweeney box set and still like Minder. Both good viewing for those studying us Brits and our weird habits and language.
- Steve
RE: Rhyming Slang
gary -> Gary Glitter
council -> Council gritter
Should be enough to get the meaning.
- Steve
RE: Rhyming Slang
RE: Rhyming Slang
The term "yankee" is derived from the names "Jan" and "Kees". Two very common dutch names.
So "yankees" are originally a bunch of Jan's and Kees's, or a bunch of Dutch immigrants.
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RE: Rhyming Slang
Ah, you mean the Canadians?
[Ducks and runs]
RE: Rhyming Slang
Fortunately, he never figured it out, and assumed that I was being friendly.
RE: Rhyming Slang
Good luck,
Latexman
RE: Rhyming Slang
Sompting, way to pull the thread further into the bread & butter.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Rhyming Slang
Good luck,
Latexman
RE: Rhyming Slang
I am currently reading Gone With The Wind, written during the 1920's. Margaret Mitchell had a ear-full of Civil War stories. Old fiction provides you a fascinating look at the contemporary culture.
--
JHG
RE: Rhyming Slang
RE: Rhyming Slang
RE: Rhyming Slang
Guess I'll have to get you a cold one over in the pub for upsetting your delicate sensibilities.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Rhyming Slang
As an American living in southern states, I have never heard the term septic or the rhyme context mentioned. I think I'd tend to view it as an insult whether the rhyme was explained or not.
I would not be offended at being called a yank by someone overseas. (ok, I did grow up in the north if that makes a difference, but I doubt my lifelong southern friends would be offended either)
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(2B)+(2B)' ?
RE: Rhyming Slang
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(2B)+(2B)' ?
RE: Rhyming Slang
The use of "Yank", however is just a slang colloqualism, no different than "Aussie" or "Brit" in my opinion. Definitely not derrogatory to me.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Rhyming Slang
You mean "compliment" (it is the language forum). I don't like "septic" either, but consider the source. When I'm called a "Yank", I just assume ignorance and make the correction.
RE: Rhyming Slang
Just words. No nastiness involved, or even implied. I grew up in Cornwall, the land of the infinite cousin chain (like Norfolk), so aspertions are my daily diet.
- Steve
RE: Rhyming Slang
Is that like a West Virginia family tree - no branches? Do you go to family reunions to pick up women?
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RE: Rhyming Slang
And yeah, there's not a lot of forks in some of the family trees where I grew up.
- Steve
RE: Rhyming Slang
I'm gradually inventing my own language and will be patenting it soon...
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Rhyming Slang
RE: Rhyming Slang
On the other hand, perhaps there was too much forking around.
RE: Rhyming Slang
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Rhyming Slang
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.