AVR-Chat

Ted Smith wrote:
> Hi Don,
> I am sorry to tell you but many Australians do react to the continual
> use of "Down Under" by inhabitants of the Northern Hemisphere.
> 
> Funnily enough, if an Aussie says it, there is no offence felt but
> just watch the faces of Aussies when a "Yank" says it. (Common
> reaction is "not another self opiniated Yank")
> 
> Whereas the Aussie is not really offended (we are too good natured for
> that), it in effect downgrades the respect an Aussie has for the
> utterer of the words.

I wouldn't agree. You rarely hear a foreigner say "from down-under", and
when you do, makes you think they have some clue of the local slang.

The "not another self opiniated Yank" really applies when a USAan says
something all too common like "we've got the best such-n-such in the world".
Utterances like "best democracy anywhere" evoke responces like "yeah right,
the best money can buy".

> It unfortunately infers a level of superiority when said by a
> northerner. There is also a similar problem with racial and religious
> terminology.
> 
> In these days of political correctness, it would be better if it were
> not used. Use "Over There" instead as we would when refering to USA.
> 
> After all, when I am happy, being a hetrosexual, I can not safely
> refer to myself as "gay" any more. 
> 
> If the world maps had by chance originally been drawn with South at
> the top I would be surprised if the incumbents of the North would
> still call themselves "Down Under".