Looking for a Colonials view

**xena** · 28th January 09, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by CDNSushi

Can someone please educate this poor colonial? I'm not up on my British slang.

What the heck is a Mick? a Taff? a Gren? a Coldcreamer? a Jock?

I understood a total of 0/5 from those words.

This isn't a criticism but merely a general comment: when posting, do realize that there are XMTS members from all around the world who may not understand your local colloquialisms. Then, occasionally I see the odd post where I would have understood it better had it been written in Swahili. (HMm. Could've sworn it SOUNDED like English)...

All the terms are slightly derogatory, so use them wisely. Mick = Irish. Taff = Welsh. Gren = presumably an abbreviation for Grenadier Guardsman. Coldcreamer = Coldstream Guards. Jock = Scot.

Admittedly, it's usually tone of voice and the context that'll get you in trouble over these terms, so if used jocularily, you shouldn't have a problem using them in the future.

All in reference to the Guards Division of the British Army.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 28th January 09, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Courtmount

I can't quite make out his buttons on the Vid, but I think he is either a Mick or a Taff (4 or 5 buttons) not a Gren (1) Coldcreamer (2) or Jock (3). Anyone else with the technology to view a freez frame see any better.

Having had a fresh look at his Bearskin there does not appear to be any hackle which would make him a Jock. Nemo Me Impune Lacessit. Nobody wound me with impunity. You'd think a man from Latin America would have understood the significance of that particular piece of Latin. Perhasp he does now. (''apologies to a former VP)

He's Scots Guards. You can see the thistle on his collar easier than you can make out the arrangement of the buttons on his tunic. According to the schedule posted elsewhere, he is a member of F company...

As the Army is charged with protecting the royal palaces there is no question about the police handing over the surveillance tapes. I'm sure that squaddie's CO had the tapes on his desk before the soldier came off guard.

**Jock Scot** · 28th January 09, 07:18 PM

Yes, Scots Guards.

**David Dubh** · 28th January 09, 10:49 PM

As the big yin would have said about the kids behaviour. "Hangs to good for the likes of you it's a good swift kick up the **** ye need"

**Good Egg** · 29th January 09, 01:47 AM

In this context:

Gren = Grenadier Guards
Coldcreamer - Coldstream Guards
Jock - Scots Guards
Mick: Irish Guards
Taff: Welsh Guards

The Guards have their tunic buttons arranged on Groups according to which Regiment they are in. Grenadiers have one button, Coldstreams have 2, Scots Guards have 3, Irish Guards have 4, and the Welsh have 5. So if you can see the button grouping you know which Regt he is.

Each Regiment also has its own hackle colour and position on the Bearskin (big f off hat sitting a-top a Guardsman) except the Scots Guards who don't have one.

Not so much that you can't speak English, more that you can't speak 'squaddie' (British soldier)

PS Squaddie might be a pejorative if you use it but not when I do. Bit like the 'N' word. Depending on which community you are from as to whether you are allowed to use it or not.

**Adam Pound** · 29th January 09, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by Courtmount

In this context:

Gren = Grenadier Guards
Coldcreamer - Coldstream Guards
Jock - Scots Guards
Mick: Irish Guards
Taff: Welsh Guards

The Guards have their tunic buttons arranged on Groups according to which Regiment they are in. Grenadiers have one button, Coldstreams have 2, Scots Guards have 3, Irish Guards have 4, and the Welsh have 5. So if you can see the button grouping you know which Regt he is.

Each Regiment also has its own hackle colour and position on the Bearskin (big f off hat sitting a-top a Guardsman) except the Scots Guards who don't have one.

Not so much that you can't speak English, more that you can't speak 'squaddie' (British soldier)

PS Squaddie might be a pejorative if you use it but not when I do. Bit like the 'N' word. Depending on which community you are from as to whether you are allowed to use it or not.

Ah, now will some brave soul maybe explain how the number of buttons on your sleeve relates to wiping your nose,

**Good Egg** · 29th January 09, 05:22 AM

Allegedly buttons where put on the sleeves to stop the soldiery from wiping there noses on their sleeves. Unfortunately it does not stack up. As buttons appeared on Officer's jackets first.

**Adam Pound** · 29th January 09, 05:32 AM

Originally Posted by Courtmount

Allegedly buttons where put on the sleeves to stop the soldiery from wiping there noses on their sleeves. Unfortunately it does not stack up. As buttons appeared on Officer's jackets first.

Ah see, now you've taken all the fun out of that story

Although you could say they appeared on officer's sleeves first so they could set an example?

Fortunately I was in the Governor General's Foot Guards so the few buttons didn't hurt too much.

**Good Egg** · 29th January 09, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by Adam Pound

Ah see, now you've taken all the fun out of that story

Although you could say they appeared on officer's sleeves first so they could set an example?

Fortunately I was in the Governor General's Foot Guards so the few buttons didn't hurt too much.

There was a Lt BT Lee who joined us in Hong Kong from the GGHGC and a friend of mine, Alfred Lai (we went to Sandhurst together) who joined the GGs after emigrating to Toronto. He a bleep now.

**Adam Pound** · 29th January 09, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by Courtmount

There was a Lt BT Lee who joined us in Hong Kong from the GGHGC and a friend of mine, Alfred Lai (we went to Sandhurst together) who joined the GGs after emigrating to Toronto. He a bleep now.

Man Hong Kong ties everyone together. My adopted cousin is from Hong Kong. My uncle adopted him while stationned there with the Scots Greys. Cousin ended up joining the Paras. Graduatiing picture looked kind of funny...tall para, tall para, tall para, Simon a good foot or so shorter.

Did well in the Paras.