Latest news with #Anglo-Saxon
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Trump knew what the (expletive deleted) he was saying
President Donald Trump is now a truly historic president. He said 'f—' on national television. Very deliberately. Referring to Israel and Iran, the full quote was: 'They don't know what the f— they're doing.' Maybe. But he did. I don't wish to be overly prudish here. Most of us engage in the use of this particular word from time to time. A 'common Anglo-Saxon rejoinder' is the way a philologist would define it, and it is common. In fact, I had to call my editor to gently inquire as to San Francisco Chronicle style regarding f—. 'F—' is the preferred style. Not 'f***.' Please make a f—ing note of it. Next. Ever been on a golf course? Watched your team lose? Stub your toe? You've likely said it. Don't lie. If you are, you're f—ing with me. Trump's deployment of the F-bomb while simultaneously making a statement about bombing is rich, like Fordo enriched uranium rich. Naturally, the use of profanity by national political leaders in private is well-known. In 1962, in response to steel industry CEOs lying to him about not raising prices, led President John F. Kennedy to say, 'My father told me that all businessmen were SOBs, but I never believed him until now.' This casual remark led to a little firestorm among businessmen and anti-profanity Americans. Later in 1962, Kennedy was said to remark during the Cuban Missile Crisis after getting dressed down by some congressional leaders, 'They can have this f—ing job.' 'Perhaps apocryphal,' as they say, but likely true. Kennedy was in the Navy after all, where this sort of linguistic laxity was a common occurrence. When Oval Office tapes of President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal were released, the transcripts were rife with the phrase 'expletive deleted.' This led to a lot of tut-tutting among the easily offended, and really dinged up Nixon's image. Was anyone really surprised that Nixon used that kind of language in private? No. He was in the Navy, too. The thing is, he never used that language in public, on camera, and neither has any president, ever. Until now. Trump has been flinging around 'hell', 'damn', 's—', 'bastards' and variations thereof for years. Biden also has been known to say 'hell' and 'damn' in public speaking as well. Biden's most famous foray into the F-word was when he described Obamacare as a 'big f—ing deal' on a hot mic at a White House ceremony in 2010. Indeed it was, but a hot mic moment is way different than Trump deliberately screaming it over the Marine One rotor noise. As president in 2022, Biden was caught on another hot mic after an event with Gov. Ron DeSantis. He told the mayor of Fort Myers Beach that 'no one f—s with a Biden.' Again, it was a definite Scranton Joe moment, but it wasn't said before a bank of microphones as a public policy pronouncement. Perhaps if Biden had said this during his catastrophic debate performance with Trump, it might have helped. During the 1976 presidential campaign, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller was photographed giving the finger to a group of hecklers who had been giving him the same digital riposte. Did you expect him to fuhgeddabout it? He's from New York. Gimme a f—ing break here, pal. Astute political observers may have also noticed an uptick in public use of profanity in the past few years. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., said to the group in 2019 that 'we're gonna impeach the motherf—er,' which drew a lot of critical commentary. Had she said it on the House floor, the parliamentarian would have 'taken down' the remark and stricken it from the record, a capital/Capitol crime. It's now common to hear governors, senators, and representatives say 'hell' and 'damn' on television. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who, shall we say, is charmingly tart in private, is also known to say 'hell' and 'damn' in public a lot, but he also strongly objected to former San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly's New Year's resolution to say 'f—' at every board meeting in 2010. In the House of Representatives, rules say that 'the context of the debate itself must be considered in determining whether the words objected to constitute disorderly criticism or do in fact fall within the boundaries of appropriate parliamentary discourse. The present-day meaning of language, the tone and intent of the Member speaking, and the subject of the remarks, must all be taken into account by the Speaker.' Depends on who the House Speaker is, I guess, but Speaker Mike Johnson, an evangelical Christian, seems like that guy who says 'heck' and 'golly' a lot. The thing about the use of the word 'f—' is that the bar is lowered, yet again. It isn't just Trump, although not to be a stick in the mud, using the F-word in public is, at baseline, yet another thing we have to explain to our kids. When President Bill Clinton was caught in flagrante with not-Mrs. Clinton, one of my kids walked around the house saying, 'Listen to me … I did not have etc.…' That I had to explain anything like that to a child was, well, f—ed up. Nixon was right. Presidents should delete at least one of those expletives going forward, people. Unless they stub their toe.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Tiny UK seaside village named among best in Britain after 5-star rating
This charming seaside village along the Jurassic Coast has garnered an impressive reputation for its tranquil shingle beach, fishing heritage and coastal walking paths A new survey has ranked one secluded location in Devon as one of the best seaside villages in all of Britain. Situated along the famous Jurassic Coast, this village is home to a shingle beach with an impeccable view of the sea. The UK's consumer champion, Which?, has revealed the results of its annual seaside survey which highlights the best coastal destinations in the country. The survey ranks seaside destinations based on a few factors, including the quality of beaches, scenery, food and drink offerings, accommodation, tourist attractions and value for money. While the first-place spot was secured by Bamburgh in Northumberland - for the fifth year in a row - the picturesque village of Beer came in at a close second. Beer received a destination score of 84 percent with five-star ratings for scenery. Beer experienced a remarkable jump in popularity over the last year, according to Which's results. The village ranked in 18th place last year, but has come to be widely lauded for its quiet charm and budget-friendliness. One surveyed Which customer said: 'Beer is charming, with beautiful coastal scenery and is full of history.' Beer is a fishing village with a history that can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era, when the settlement was still known as Bearu (translated, 'The Groves'). Today, the village's fishing heritage is made clear by the boats resting along the beach and the offering of fresh seafood in the local restaurants. Located along the edge of the South West Coast Path, it promises avid hikers a wealth of paths to explore. The South West Coast Path National Trail itself stretches for 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset. Millions descend on the path each year to venture through the dramatic headlands and sweeping valleys and take a much-needed rest by a river estuary. One of the most popular paths is the coastal walk from Seaton to Beer for its expansive views of the Jurassic coastline. Another popular path is the 4.5-mile trek from Beer to Branscombe. Keep in mind the path is considered moderately difficult, but weary hikers can always opt to hop on the local bus back to Beer. Backed by white limestone cliffs, Beer beach is known for its relative seclusion and coastal views. The shingle and stone beach may not be ideal for sunbathers but it is beloved by paddleboarders and canoers. The beach huts and cafes rent out deckchairs for those interested in lazing around or watching fishermen at work. The Beer Fisheries Shop and Heritage Centre near the beach is worth a visit. Despite being a predominantly pebbled beach, linked rubber pathways overlain on the stones make the area more accessible and easier to traverse. Keep in mind that while you are permitted to swim in the water, the beach is known to descend quite steeply into the water and is best-suited for confident swimmers. There are a few other local festivals and events that travellers may want to consider planning their visit around. One of the most famous annual festivals in the village is the Beer Regatta, which is over 100 years old. The week-long event will feature rowing, sailing and motorboat tournaments as well as an itinerary of family-friendly and fundraising activities. The 2025 Beer Regatta will take place from Saturday, August 9 to Friday, August 15, with the main Regatta Day scheduled for Thursday, August 14. The Beer Blues Festival is another event to add to your calendar. For a full weekend in October, the village will be celebrating the best of blues with live performances accompanied by delicious local food. The 2025 Blues festival will take place from October 10 to October 12 with full weekend tickets available for £40. While you're in the area, you can also check out another Devon destination highly rated by Which. Less than 10 miles along the Jurassic Coast from Beer is Sidmouth, best-known for its Jacob's Ladder beach. Visitors rated Sidmouth five stars for food and drink, scenery and accommodation. The average stay for one night in Sidmouth was £160. One respondent called Sidmouth 'a thoroughly charming, thriving English seaside town'.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
The historic Hampshire town where Amanda Holden grew up
Some of these have big cultural or historical significance, or maybe have links to famous people. Bishop's Waltham, which is not too far away from Southampton, is where TV and radio presenter Amanda Holden grew up. The market town has plenty of historical background for people to explore alongside nearby walks and well-regarded pubs. Why is Bishop's Waltham worth visiting? According to the Visit Winchester website, Bishop's Waltham is a "vibrant and historic market town set in the glorious Hampshire countryside". It started off as an early Anglo-Saxon settlement sometime between 450 AD and 550 AD, before being burnt to the ground by the Danes in 1001 AD. However, the settlement grew steadily after that, and Bishop's Waltham Palace was built there in the 12th century. Visit Hampshire adds: "An important residence of the powerful Winchester bishops, the palace hosted many royal visitors including Mary Tudor while she waited for the arrival of her future husband, Philip II of Spain, prior to their marriage. Visitors can explore the ruins of Bishop's Waltham Palace (Image: Jeff Hatton/Camera Club) "The palace was destroyed in 1644 under Cromwell's orders but the extensive ruins are worth a visit today." Additionally, the town has a Norman church in St Peter's, a number of restaurants housed in 17th and 18th-century buildings and independent shops. These include the gift shop Tashinga, Josie's coffee shop, the grocer Hylands and the No.60 Coffee and Wine bar. Meanwhile, options for pubs include The Crown Inn, The Bunch of Grapes and The Barleycorn Inn. What are house prices like in Bishop's Waltham? According to Rightmove, house prices in Bishop's Waltham have had an overall average of £401,725 over the past year. The majority of properties sold were terraced houses, selling for an average price of £310,112. It added: "Overall, the historical sold prices in Bishops Waltham over the last year were 8% down on the previous year and 14% down on the 2022 peak of £466,861." Amanda Holden's links to Bishop's Waltham Amanda Holden, 54, is a presenter and actress who is known for being a judge on Britain's Got Talent and co-hosting the Heart Breakfast radio show with Jamie Theakston. She was born in Portsmouth and spent much of her childhood in Bishop's Waltham. Amanda Holden grew up in Bishop's Waltham (Image: Newsquest) At the age of nine, she joined Bishop's Waltham Little Theatre Company, and she attended the nearby Swanmore College. Fans came to see her when she returned to Bishop's Waltham back in 2013, where she was signing copies of her book, No Holding Back. This took place in the Hylands Store, which is a shop where Holden worked in her teenage years. Recommended reading: Speaking on her return at the time, she said: 'I burst into tears at one point when I saw a girl that used to live at the top of my road. It's just been ridiculous. 'There has been a lot of people who are in my book here today and it's like I have summoned them up. 'Then there were people who I didn't recognise at first so I have basically just said 'Do I know you?' to everyone.'
South Wales Guardian
20-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Viking-age jar found by metal detectorist to go on display for first time
The jar is part of the Galloway Hoard, a collection of objects from Ireland, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and as far away as Asia. It was buried near Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway around 900AD, where it remained until it was discovered by a metal detectorist in 2014. The jar is due to go on display at Kirkcudbright Galleries on November 8, near where it was discovered. The 5cm high jar resembles an ornate perfume bottle and is decorated in gold filigree. It is thought to have had an ecclesiastical function within the Catholic Church, as the gold inscription written on the jar says 'Bishop Hyguald had me made'. Due to gaps in church records in the 9th century, finding out who Bishop Hyguald was has proved difficult for researchers, but they have concluded he was most likely a Northumbrian bishop. Dumfries and Galloway was previously part of the medieval kingdom of Northumbria. A further translation of an Old English runic inscription from the arm ring in the Galloway Hoard has been proposed, describing a portion of the hoard as 'the community's wealth'. The jar, found wrapped in linen, was carefully unwrapped over a number of months in order not to damage the item, meaning it is only now available for display. Martin Goldberg from National Museums Scotland said: 'The rock crystal jar is one of the highlight objects from the Galloway Hoard. 'From the beautiful rock crystal itself, originally carved in the form of a classical Corinthian column two thousand years ago, to the incredibly intricate gold decoration added hundreds of years later and including a clear inscription identifying its owner, this one object exemplifies the complex, connected and historic nature of the Galloway Hoard. 'The jar was the subject of international attention when we first revealed the inscription, and it's great to be able to put it on display it for the first time in Kirkcudbright.' Maureen Johnstone, chairwoman of Dumfries and Galloway Council's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, added: 'We are excited to see this important and unique object in Kirkcudbright. 'Dumfries and Galloway Council is very proud of the ongoing partnership with National Museums Scotland which has already produced two superb exhibitions at Kirkcudbright Galleries. 'I have no doubt the rock crystal jar will be a fascinating exhibit, I am looking forward to it.' The Viking Age hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, and the Scottish Government, as well as a major public fundraising campaign.
Leader Live
20-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Viking-age jar found by metal detectorist to go on display for first time
The jar is part of the Galloway Hoard, a collection of objects from Ireland, the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and as far away as Asia. It was buried near Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway around 900AD, where it remained until it was discovered by a metal detectorist in 2014. The jar is due to go on display at Kirkcudbright Galleries on November 8, near where it was discovered. The 5cm high jar resembles an ornate perfume bottle and is decorated in gold filigree. It is thought to have had an ecclesiastical function within the Catholic Church, as the gold inscription written on the jar says 'Bishop Hyguald had me made'. Due to gaps in church records in the 9th century, finding out who Bishop Hyguald was has proved difficult for researchers, but they have concluded he was most likely a Northumbrian bishop. Dumfries and Galloway was previously part of the medieval kingdom of Northumbria. A further translation of an Old English runic inscription from the arm ring in the Galloway Hoard has been proposed, describing a portion of the hoard as 'the community's wealth'. The jar, found wrapped in linen, was carefully unwrapped over a number of months in order not to damage the item, meaning it is only now available for display. Martin Goldberg from National Museums Scotland said: 'The rock crystal jar is one of the highlight objects from the Galloway Hoard. 'From the beautiful rock crystal itself, originally carved in the form of a classical Corinthian column two thousand years ago, to the incredibly intricate gold decoration added hundreds of years later and including a clear inscription identifying its owner, this one object exemplifies the complex, connected and historic nature of the Galloway Hoard. 'The jar was the subject of international attention when we first revealed the inscription, and it's great to be able to put it on display it for the first time in Kirkcudbright.' Maureen Johnstone, chairwoman of Dumfries and Galloway Council's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, added: 'We are excited to see this important and unique object in Kirkcudbright. 'Dumfries and Galloway Council is very proud of the ongoing partnership with National Museums Scotland which has already produced two superb exhibitions at Kirkcudbright Galleries. 'I have no doubt the rock crystal jar will be a fascinating exhibit, I am looking forward to it.' The Viking Age hoard was acquired by National Museums Scotland in 2017 with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, and the Scottish Government, as well as a major public fundraising campaign.
