Comments on: A Translator’s Guide to Boatang & Demetriou

By: bellagerens

bellagerens — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:59:16 +0000

Well, I dunno, Kev – you’re the only libertarians I’ve ever met who regard being an anarcho-capitalist as a negative quality.

But hey, I’m glad you like it. I’m not one of those who say your blog isn’t worth reading – in fact I enjoy it. Don’t get your knickers in a twist about having the piss taken, though; it’s all in good fun. And Chris didn’t write it! Since you seem to know him so well, I’d have thought you’d realise that gentle mocking isn’t exactly his style.

By: Kevin Boatang

Kevin Boatang — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:50:01 +0000

Ah, classic. I did like

“S/he is an anarchist
I am deliberately exaggerating someone’s view”

Mainly because your hubby stated on our site that ‘I am an anarchist at heart’. Always very strange when people that are openly anarcho-capitalists very suddenly become not anarcho-capitalists because they’ve been called anarcho-capitalists!

It’s also nice to see the constant mention of readers, how many etc. Because that’s what it’s all about isn’t it. Also slightly ironic being posted here.

I dunno, we ask a few awkward questions of people and this is what we get! By the way, if Chris is going to spend a night writing this, maybe he should just post it on his own site.

Keep it up Bells

By: Longrider

Longrider — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:36:42 +0000

Er, no it isn’t poshifying anything. The expression pre-dates Shakespeare as do many of the popular terms he used. Terms that are used in language on a daily basis without the user being aware of the etymology. And so what? While the etymology is interesting, it isn’t essential for understanding. When someone says “therein lies the rub” we know exactly what they mean, therefore the objective is achieved – a thought has been accurately communicated. Language changes and adapts, making the original source an interesting diversion even though the context subtly changes with time. That’s why we can now start a sentence with a preposition and cheerfully split our infinitives. None of this is poshifying anything, it is merely language evolving.

If I have one criticism with people using popular phrases, it is the danger of cliché. In that, I’m inclined to agree with George Orwell – never use a long word where a short one will do. Use plain English and if you can chop out a word, do it. Avoid using an expression that is already in popular use.

By: Mr Rob

Mr Rob — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:02:26 +0000

ancap: noun, abbr. An anarchist whose philosophy fortunately allows him/her to own a large house.

By: Hrothgar

Hrothgar — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:35:27 +0000

Those who praise democracy and blame its victims for its failings would do well to read some de Tocqueville. I think they would find the last few chapters Democracy in America an enlightening read.

I would also like to poke some fun at snobbish writing habits as Mr Rob has done.

I find it amusing when mediocre writers allude to Shakespeare without really understanding the meaning of what they’re ripping off. A favorite seems to be “…therein lies the rub” and its variants. Never mind that what Hamlet said was “…ay, there’s the rub” which is a reference to an imperfection on the ground that would serve as an obstacle in a game of bowls. It’s very silly to try to poshify this Shakespeare quote by prefixing “therein lies” onto something that was a reference to a game in which you throw chunks of wood at other chunks of wood.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:06:19 +0000

I don’t give a fuck
I am a lone-wolf hero-martyr

I thought that was a necessary pre-requisite for politic bloggerdom?

By: Private Widdle

Private Widdle — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:51:46 +0000

Excellent stuff.

By: The Nameless Libertarian

The Nameless Libertarian — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:56:48 +0000

There’s nothing quite like baiting other bloggers; it is quite a rarity to see it done in such an entertaining way.

By: Old Holborn

Old Holborn — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:05:08 +0000

You forgot

“What is the point of Old Holborn?”

We’ve been doing this blogging thing for ages yet nobody reads us, the wankers.

By: Constantly Furious

Constantly Furious — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:36:00 +0000

Ha! Genius! Two more to add:

It is my considered opinion that …
I just read in my Dad’s copy of the Daily Mail that …

..and for Commenters:

You occasionally write excellent posts.
I don’t come here very often: is it always like this?