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Sydney Steve · 04-11-2006, 05:23 PM

Non Australians (and especially Jedi Master Fowles), are likely to be interested in this as it pertains to the use of words that may or may not be considered to be offensive.

In Australia there were, (I think still are) active groups of "Old Bastards". These are groups of older men who get together for company , a beer , banter and fellowship , but primarily to raise money for charity.

When you first meet someone from the group the standard greeting if you are a member is "How are You Going You Old Bastard ? ".

Here is a few snippets on the subject.

Like mate, the term bastard itself is not distinctly Australian. What is, though, is our tendency to use it with considerably frequency, and to mean different things by it depending on the context. A characteristic distinctive of Australian English is the way we use words and phrases that could possibly be considered to be offensive in an inoffensive or even affectionate way.

This is remarkably relevant as it deals with the reaction in Toronto to what is not considered necessarily to be an offensive term.

For example, after a hard day's yakka (yakka is Aust. slang for work), in Toronto putting up tents in 1998, one of the authors waltzed over to a group of hard nosed working class Canadians who were enjoying a few beers of their own. He then asked matter of factly whether or not he could "buy a beer off you bastards". One Canadian in particular responded with a glare that would have caused Ned Kelly to think twice and said very slowly in a thick Newfoundland accent, "Them there are fighting words here in Canada". Luckily the situation was diffused, money changed hands, and beer was consumed. Needless to say, the author was glad to be back in Australia, where, within months of arrival, he was pleased to hear one middle aged bloke spot his mate on the street of a small town, break into a warm grin offer his hand and say loudly, "You've had a hair cut y'old bastard!". Great to be home!

The above sourced from: http://www.australianbeers.com/culture/bastard.htm

[ April 11, 2006, 19:10: Message edited by: Sydney Steve ]

04-11-2006, 05:23 PM	#16
Sydney Steve Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Sydney NSW Australia Posts: 300	Non Australians (and especially Jedi Master Fowles), are likely to be interested in this as it pertains to the use of words that may or may not be considered to be offensive. In Australia there were, (I think still are) active groups of "Old Bastards". These are groups of older men who get together for company , a beer , banter and fellowship , but primarily to raise money for charity. When you first meet someone from the group the standard greeting if you are a member is "How are You Going You Old Bastard ? ". Here is a few snippets on the subject. Like mate, the term bastard itself is not distinctly Australian. What is, though, is our tendency to use it with considerably frequency, and to mean different things by it depending on the context. A characteristic distinctive of Australian English is the way we use words and phrases that could possibly be considered to be offensive in an inoffensive or even affectionate way. This is remarkably relevant as it deals with the reaction in Toronto to what is not considered necessarily to be an offensive term. For example, after a hard day's yakka (yakka is Aust. slang for work), in Toronto putting up tents in 1998, one of the authors waltzed over to a group of hard nosed working class Canadians who were enjoying a few beers of their own. He then asked matter of factly whether or not he could "buy a beer off you bastards". One Canadian in particular responded with a glare that would have caused Ned Kelly to think twice and said very slowly in a thick Newfoundland accent, "Them there are fighting words here in Canada". Luckily the situation was diffused, money changed hands, and beer was consumed. Needless to say, the author was glad to be back in Australia, where, within months of arrival, he was pleased to hear one middle aged bloke spot his mate on the street of a small town, break into a warm grin offer his hand and say loudly, "You've had a hair cut y'old bastard!". Great to be home! The above sourced from: http://www.australianbeers.com/culture/bastard.htm [ April 11, 2006, 19:10: Message edited by: Sydney Steve ] __________________ Inventor and highly successful user of the " Reverse Polarity Chick Magnet" ! Female Repulsion Proven for 50 + years !