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[Larry S.]

Hi,

I'm offended mildly disturbed by the American term "enlisted men". To me, it seems to imply that they are there under duress, and/or, that officers are all volunteers.

602

Umm... no....

An "enlisted" person is someone who voluntarily joined the military.  Draftees are those who were conscripted. We haven't had the military Draft since 1973.

All officers are volunteers except for times of war - just like draftees.  Officers that are drafted typically had very specific training, such as doctors, lawyers and so on.

The terms just denote the difference between rank structure.

I've often thought that the British use of the term "other" was a bit odd.  To me it makes it sound as if any rank "other" than an officer is some how "less".  You have "Officers" and "Others" - makes it sound snobbish. 

https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-people/ranks/

Perhaps it's due to the tradition that the British officer corps, like most European countries, use to primarily based the entrance qualifications on the grounds of being a member of the aristocracy. 

[Porkscratching]

You make good points about the British, there has always been ,( tho maybe relaxed a little recently) the 'class' system in all areas of life, and institutions like the army particularly indeed overly so.. Much comedy has been performed poking fun at this whole thing..I'm thinking of the John Cleese, Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett sketch from the 60s as a good example.
At least the British are good at laughing at themselves and their own absurdities !

[Fluffle-Valve]

I just had to find it.

https://youtu.be/9tXBC-71aZs

[Porkscratching]

I just had to find it.

https://youtu.be/9tXBC-71aZs

[Larry S.]

You make good points about the British, there has always been ,( tho maybe relaxed a little recently) the 'class' system in all areas of life, and institutions like the army particularly indeed overly so.. Much comedy has been performed poking fun at this whole thing..I'm thinking of the John Cleese, Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett sketch from the 60s as a good example.
At least the British are good at laughing at themselves and their own absurdities !

LOL  That's one of the main things I LOVE about British comedy!! 

Here in the US we use to be able to poke fun at each other and make fun of ourselves...but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore sadly.  EVERYTHING, including situation comedies on TV, seems to have to have some sort of lesson attached to it instead of just having fun for fun's sake.

[Larry S.]

I just had to find it.

https://youtu.be/9tXBC-71aZs

ROTFLMAO!!!! 

For some odd reason Downton Abby came to mind.

Here in the States the TV show "House" was a big hit and still has a huge fan base in syndication.  My brother is a trauma PA and is a huge fan.  He hates it when I remind him about Hugh Laurie's career on your side of the pond, especially when he dresses in drag!

[Porkscratching]

There seems to be a fashion at the mo for US shows to use Brit actors but make them do phoney American accents..
I think, if its an American character why not just get an American actor...

[Larry S.]

There seems to be a fashion at the mo for US shows to use Brit actors but make them do phoney American accents..
I think, if its an American character why not just get an American actor...

Agreed.  On the other hand...how many British shows are out there wherein Brits play Roman's (or some other group of people) instead of using Italian actors or actors from that area they are portrayed as being from?   

[Porkscratching]

Ha! Doubt there's many fluent latin speakers in equity !
I guess its ok as long as they can do a convincing phoney American accent, unlike the reverse case, say Dick van Dyke as 'Bert' doing a 'bloimey Mary Boppins'..attempt at cockney, which always amused me greatly ! 

[Larry S.]

Ha! Doubt there's many fluent latin speakers in equity !
I guess its ok as long as they can do a convincing phoney American accent, unlike the reverse case, say Dick van Dyke as 'Bert' doing a 'bloimey Mary Boppins'..attempt at cockney, which always amused me greatly ! 

I wasn't meaning "Latin", I was indicating using Italians, since they are from Italy, to play Roman parts.  How many Italians didvtge BBC use in speaking parts for "I, Claudius"?  There were some used in "Caligula" though!

Actually, speaking as an American, Hugh Laurie, as well as several other British actors, do a fairly good job at creating an American accent.  There are several American accents and I can think of a handful that are so difficult to understand to begin with it's almost impossible for Americans to create them.  First ones that come to mind - Back Bay Bostonian, Bronx/Queens, Appalachian, Cajun, East L.A., Minnesotan and so on.  People from those areas are often confused with foreigners from other countries when in other parts of the US.  For a general purpose "Amarican" accent they sound pretty good.

Hugh Laurie, as well as several other British and Australian actors do such a good job that when they speak in their native accents many Americans are startled and surprised to find out they are not Americans.  I can't remember the name of the actor, but he was on a very popular show here during the '70s and '80s, and I believe he was from Wales.  The first time I saw an interview with him I was floored, I had no idea he wasn't from the US!!  His accent was so thick the interviewer asked him to switch back to his American accent because too many people couldn't understand him!!  LOL

[Fluffle-Valve]

One of the worst for me was Mel Gibson trying to be Scottish in Braveheart. I thought it was a great film, but for his accent. It wasn't Jock enough for me.

[Porkscratching]

I wasn't meaning "Latin", I was indicating using Italians, since they are from Italy, to play Roman parts.  How many Italians didvtge BBC use in speaking parts for "I, Claudius"?  There were some used in "Caligula" though!

I know..i was only "pulling your leg"  !
  Funnily enough tho, we were talking only the other day about Latin and Italian, wondering how close they were, and could Italian speakers basically understand Latin conversation, (other than the normal church stuff we've all come across..)
So you see we have very intellectual discussion over a pint, don't cha know..

[Porkscratching]

One of the worst for me was Mel Gibson trying to be Scottish in Braveheart. I thought it was a great film, but for his accent. It wasn't Jock enough for me.

I'll see your M.Gibson and I'll raise you.. the bloke in 'Highlander' trying to do Scottish..

[Fluffle-Valve]

I'll see your M.Gibson and I'll raise you.. the bloke in 'Highlander' trying to do Scottish..

He spoke better in Tarzan. lol

[Porkscratching]

He spoke better in Tarzan. lol

You can't go far wrong with.."Ugh..".