MetaFilter posts tagged with uk and british

SWEDEMASON

flatluigi — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:35:03 -0800

The Works of Swede Mason: "Jeremy Clarkson," "Get in the Back of the Van," "Jungle All The Way," "Bill Wyman's Metal Detector," "Put the Lotion in the Basket, *" "Got The Sucka," "The Gobshite, *" "Squashed Thingy," "Spare Me The Madness," and the pair of tracks based on Neighbors deaths "Coffee And Croissants" and "Todd....Dead." note: starred tracks have NSFW audio. mp3 downloads can be found here.

Wait - there was life before motorways?

HaloMan — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 07:31:24 -0800

A less glamorous anniversary passed with little fanfare yesterday: 50 years since the opening of the first stretch of the humble British motorway, the 8-mile two-lane Preston Bypass, which now forms part of the M6. The occasion was celebrated by the official opening of an 5.8 mile M6 extension, closing the "Cumberland Gap", allowing commuters to make the entire 400 mile journey between Glasgow and London by motorway. The total length of motorways in the UK totals around 2200 miles.

Caring Too Much

chuckdarwin — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:19:57 -0800

Lillian Ladele, a Christian registrar, has won her discrimination case after refusing to conduct same sex civil partnerships. " Islington Council cared too much about the "rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual" community, the panel ruled. "

And you thought discrimination was a thing of the past...

krautland — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:34:39 -0800

Say you do a job and retire in or before 1996. Your coworker retires after 1997. Coworker gets six times more pension and you're asked to leave the country. Sounds unfair? Not to the British Government. Gurkha have been serving in the British Military for close to 200 years but still aren't given equal rights. Some of them aren't even allowed to stay in the UK following their service. They're hoping their protesting in London this week will change that. Daily Express. Last March, the UK Government said that all the Army’s Nepalese fighters who retired after 1997 would be entitled to pay and pension equal with the rest of the Army and would be allowed to settle in Britain. For those who retired before 1997, their pensions remained six times less than their British counterparts and they still have no automatic right to stay in Britain. They are campaigning to be treated the same as the other Gurkhas.

James Hewitt Jr

chuckdarwin — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:08:30 -0800

The 'bullet magnet' is back. I can't believe that the British press kept a secret for so long (10 weeks is a miniature eternity in journalist time). It was supposed to last six months... I also can't believe that the odious Drudge has broken yet another big story. Was it all just a PR stunt? I'm sorry for the lateness of this post. I really can't believe it didn't make the blue before this.

Video Chronology of The History of British TV Comedy

Foci for Analysis — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:38:57 -0800

For the past 50 years, The British have made some of the funniest Comedy TV Shows. Come inside for A Video Chronology of The History of British TV Comedy. [Hover over the Wikipedia links for show descriptions. Noteworthy shows highlighted with star (*). All links are double-checked but BBC seems to be on the war path, resulting in removed clips.] 1950s Hancock's Half Hour (1954-1961): Crown Vs Sid James | Assorted sketches 1960s * Steptoe and Son (1962-1974): Upstairs, Downstairs, Upstairs, Downstairs | And So To Bed That Was The Week That Was (1962-1963): Intro | Desmond Leslie Punches Bernard Levin * Not Only But Also (1965-1971): John Lennon | Best of compilation | Father and Roger (better version) | North Circular | Superthunderstingcar Till Death Us Do Part (1965-1975): 1972 Christmas special | Else & Rita are very drunk | Christmas Dinner | Alf gets in a pub fight The Likely Lads (1964-1966): [no clips found] Dad's Army (1968-1977): If The Cap Fits | Menace From The Deep | Don't tell him Pike (and other sketches) Morecambe and Wise (1968-1983): The Original Morecambe and Wise | The Breakfast Sketch | In bed | Several sketches | Eric and the Bee On the Buses (1969-1973): An episode from 1969 | Christmas Duty episode * Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969-1974): Season Two Intro | Dead Parrot Sketch | Spam | Frontiers in Medicine | Argument Clinic | Silly walk | Self-Defense Against Fresh Fruit | How Not To Be Seen | The Funniest Joke In The World * (Spike Milligan's) Q (1969-1982): The Lord's Prayer Epilogue | The Fresh Fruit Song | Kilt Chimes | Sandwich * The Benny Hill Show (1969-1989): Hospital | The Life of Maurice Dribble | 1978 episode | The Lover | Casanova 1970s The Two Ronnies (1971-1987): Fork handles | Squash match | Crossed Lines | Opticians | Swedish Made Simple/FUNEX Are You Being Served? (1972-1985): No Sale episode | A Change is as Good as a Rest | By Appointment episode * Love Thy Neighbour (1972-1976): Getting the bedroom suite Last of the Summer Wine (1973-): First Contact | 30 years of Last of the summer wine Porridge (1973-1977): Illegal Game Night | What's a Rilk? | Gentleman Prisoner | Stealing Pineapple Chunks Rising Damp (1974-1978): Things that Go Bump in the Night | A Body Like Mine | Come On in the Water's Lovely * It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1974-1981): The Curse of The Sadhu | The Road To Bannu | Lofty's Little Friend | My Lovely Boy * Fawlty Towers (1975-1979): The Germans | Basil Snaps | Too Much Butter | I Speak English | How to manage your staff The Good Life (1975-1978): from The Green Door episode | Margo V Jerry | Margo loses it! * The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976-1979): Title Sequence | Grot | Weekend Safari Trip | Ravioli | Forces of anarchy Open All Hours (1976 and 1985): [no clips found] George and Mildred (1976-1979): All Work and No Pay | House for Sale | You Must Have Showers To the Manor Born (1979-1981): Raising Money | After The Funeral | Watch The 2007 Christmas Special Episode * Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979-1982): Gerald the Gorilla | Darts | Barry Manilow | The Judge | General Synod's Life of Christ | Songs Of Praise | Bathroom Plan 1980s * Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister (1980-1988): How's the Environment? | The Empty Hospital | Complete Confidence | Planes, Trains and Boats | A Clear Conscience | Former PM's Memoirs | Who Reads the Papers Hi-de-Hi! (1980-1988): Bad Acting? Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003): Time On Our Hands episode | May the Force Be With You * 'Allo 'Allo! (1982-1992): The Season One Pilot | Dance Of Hitler Youth | The Nicked Knockwurst episode The Young Ones (1982-1984): Neil's Letter | Exploding Kettle | Entrance | Teetering Crockery * Blackadder (1983-1989): Lord Flashheart | Amy and Amiability | MacBeth | Flashheart Redux | The Cavalier Years Special | General Hospital | Private Baldrick singing Spitting Image (1984-1996): Never Met a Nice South African | Madness sing Our House spoof | Every Bomb You Drop | Princess Di sings Morrissey Chance in a Million (1984-1986): [no clips found] * Countdown, but never had the chance to play? Check out this well-made Flash version. It's just one of the classic British game shows made interactive at wedigtv.com, which also features The Price is Right, Family Fortunes, and Blockbusters. Caution: Heavy Flash video, commercial breaks, and some of the UI takes a bit of practice. Via.

Iran has shown the British what kind of people we really are: without honour and without shame, writes David Cox in The Guardian.

hoder — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 07:55:03 -0800

Our shameless culture, by David Cox (The Guardian): Iran has shown the British what kind of people we really are: without honour and without shame. The Sun, the now officially approved disseminator of British military information, notes that navigator Arthur Batchelor was "tormented" by being called "Mr Bean". Understandably, he had to cry himself to sleep. Perhaps President Ahmadinejad feared that the goody bags might just prove a step too far. But no, they were gratefully received, in a response that aptly captures the infantilisation of a people that once ruled much of the world. Navigator Batchelor has however since complained that the quality of his own bag's contents was not what he had hoped.

Arrested British sailors were gathering intelligence on Iran while on UN mandate?

hoder — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 04:46:15 -0800

Releaed British navy commander: We were gathering intelligence on Iran (Watch the interview)
Tony Blair: The sailors were on a legitimate UN mandate
The Observer: The MoD confirmed last night that the Iranians had made the claim that they had become interested in Cornwall's activities after learning about it on British television, but denied the decision to allow the ship's crew to be interviewed while on active duty had jeopardised the mission.

Photo: Seized British sailors after release

hoder — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 08:49:24 -0800

Photo: Seized British sailors after release

Borag Thungg Earthlets!

Artw — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 09:55:59 -0800

30 years of thrillpower! British weekly comic 2000ad celebrates it's 30th aniversary. Previously discussed here, current Tharg Matt Smith interviewed, special birthday Prog. Splundig vur thrigg!

Spotted dick will never stop being funny.

SassHat — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 20:43:41 -0800

No spotted dick until you finish your bubble and squeak! An American girl eats her way through the UK, detailing her adventures tasting such traditional delicacies such as haggis and scotch eggs.

A soldier speaks out

A189Nut — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 16:07:56 -0800

Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt has given an interview to the Daily Mail in which he says that the presence of British troops makes the security problems in Iraq worse . The General won the MC aged 22 in an action in Northern Ireland, so he presumably knows a thing or two about insurgency, never mind courage. Mr Blair has agreed...

Dot-comservative party?

greycap — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 01:33:21 -0800

Webcameron. David Cameron, leader of the Conservative party in the UK, reaches out to the Youtube generation.

Intelligent Design goes overseas...

badlydubbedboy — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:00:47 -0800

BBC News: British unconvinced on evolution "More than half the British population does not accept the theory of evolution, according to a survey. Furthermore, more than 40% of those questioned believe that creationism or intelligent design should be taught in school science lessons." Nice to know that the maxim for the UK being five years behind the US still holds true, more or less.

The Fenian Raids

Shanachie — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 19:35:16 -0800

During the middle of the 19th Century, a series of factors combined to create a new Irish patriotic movement. This organization was a revolutionary group dedicated to the overthrow of British rule in Ireland. It had its roots in both the United States and Ireland and was popularly known as The Fenian Movement, in honour of the Fianna, the ancient Irish warriors.

Collect Britain

plep — Fri, 04 Mar 2005 07:49:32 -0800

Collect Britain 'presents 90,000 images and sounds from the British Library, chosen to evoke places in the UK and beyond.' Dialects, gardens, sketches, stamps, and all kinds of stuff.

Graffiti that a Queen Mother-#*@!%^ can love!

Dick Paris — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 07:35:03 -0800

Black British Style at the V&A. Now with Create-a-tag!

About English schools

iffley — Thu, 29 Jul 2004 14:49:37 -0800

A guide to the English school system. From the BBC. This certainly explained a few things for me. (And remember, private school = public school)

My dad is cleverer than your dad!

biffa — Thu, 01 Jul 2004 04:17:00 -0800

Top 100 British...Intellectuals? Rock bands, schmock bands. Who are currently the cream of British Intelligentsia? Prospect names 100 of (supposedly) the UK's finest and asks you to vote for your top 5, plus a write-in. The list is discussed further here. Some entrants may make you wonder, some may make you gasp, most you just won't have a clue about!

The world of double entendre

rolo — Fri, 27 Feb 2004 09:07:28 -0800

The recent post that revived the rude ‘Rainbow’ kids show sketch reminded me of the our (that is, British) obsession with comic double entendre - the ability to accept the filthiest things as long as there is a parallel innocuous interpretation. I think it is something to do our love for wordplay and subtext, our innate hypocrisy and the belief that sex is, in fact, rather naughty. Perhaps the prime example are the Julian and Sandy sketches that ran on the BBC Radio show ‘Beyond Our Ken’ from 1964-69. Over Sunday lunch, millions (there was ONLY the BBC in those days) listened to two very camp characters saying outrageous things in Polari (underground gay slang). A much earlier prime example is the great dirty joke (it’s the one in blue at the bottom of the page) that got comedian Max Miller (died in 1963) banned from the BBC for 5 years. A more recent case of innuendo is, of course, Mrs. Slocombe’s pussy. Of course the double entendre can also be unintentional.

NWOBHM!!

jonmc — Wed, 17 Dec 2003 18:50:18 -0800

The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM to cognoscenti) one of the lesser known but most influential movements of the past quarter century. After the innovators of Metal ran out of steam in the late 70's and were stampeded in the maelstrom of punk, heavy metal (and testosterone-soaked delindquents everywhere) found itself in a quandary). A number of UK acts took some cues from the punks, shortened the songs, reigned in the self-indulgence and speeded up the tempo, and upped the relevance and intelligence of the lyrical content, while still retaining the vocal prowess, instrumental pyrotechnics and young warrior energy that makes it Metal in the first place. Some groups became world famous. Others only big in Europe. Some great ones missed stardom by just a notch. Many of these acts have been cited as inspirations by Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Napalm Death and the thrash/death metal hordes, and even many post-punks. An interesting summary for fans, and a good introduction for non-mans who may have to recalibrate their opinion of the genre after checking some of these bands out.

Inland Review letter

feelinglistless — Fri, 28 Nov 2003 13:27:53 -0800

Apparently genuine reply to a letter sent to the Inland Revenue. "I must take issue with your description of our last as a "begging letter". It might perhaps more properly be referred to as a "tax demand". This is how we, at the Inland Revenue have always, for reasons of accuracy, traditionally referred to such documents." [via Orbyn, via Cal]

Britain's Small Wars

plep — Wed, 20 Aug 2003 23:11:50 -0800

Britain's Small Wars since 1945. India, Palestine, Malaya, Korea, Suez Canal Zone, Kenya, Cyprus, Suez 1956, Borneo, Vietnam, Aden, Radfan, Oman, Dhofar, etc. Iraq and East Timor not featured, as yet.

Dizzee Rascal

hmgovt — Tue, 29 Jul 2003 01:49:24 -0800

Fix Up, Look Sharp With stateside hip hop in an unprecedented doldrum, the torch has been snatched up on this side of the Atlantic by 18-year-old Eastender Dizzee Rascal. He's recovering from a stabbing carried out rival fans of a rival garage collective in Ayia Napa, Cyprus. The attack took place a few days before being nominated for the Mercury Music prize. Guaranteed not to be everybody's cup of tea, but he's an interesting character and challenging music make it, and his album, worth a look.