Comments for Project Britain News Blog

Comment on Who was the last Queen of England? by Philip

Philip — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 07:27:32 +0000

Using Google Translate recently, I kept coming across the term ‘spud’ or ‘spud up’ when trying to translate kitchen implements. In British English a ‘spud’ is a potato, but there is no verb to ‘spud up’. Could you please let me know what these terms mean in American English?

Comment on Mum or Mom? by gerard

gerard — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 17:00:54 +0000

I am from Northan Ireland and here as funny as it is we say ma for mum and da for dad.

Comment on Bank Holidays by projectbritain

projectbritain — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:23:37 +0000

St. Lubbocks Day is the August Bank holiday. Sir John Lubbock, later to become Lord Avebury was responsible for the introduction Bank Holidays.

The Lubbock family owned High Elms in Farnborough, Kent. In the 1900 hundreds the 3rd Baronet (sir John Lubbock) was given the title of Lord Avebury.

A banker, politician, author and scientist, Sir John Lubbock was instrumental in introducing 30 Acts of Parliament including The Open Spaces Act and The Wild Birds Protection Act. However, it was for the introduction of Bank Holidays that made Lord Avebury famous, so much so, in fact, that the Daily Telegraph newspaper suggested that the August Bank Holiday be called St Lubbock’s Day!

Comment on Poppies and Remembrance by Steve

Steve — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 09:59:13 +0000

I enjoyed reading and learning about your Remembrance Day pages. Its something that today’s younger generation don’t understand or appreciate as much as those who witnessed WW1 & WW2. Reading your website brings it it to the forefront of your mind and makes you thankful for what we have.

Comment on Poppies and Remembrance by Robert

Robert — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 08:01:51 +0000

I found the site very interesting, although being 47 yrs old. I still think it is very important to teach the children of today just what there relatives went through,to give us a safe future. The poems on the site are really heartfelt considering i can remember as a child hearing my father crying at night because of nightmares he was having,because of the war, and seeing his brother killed by a mortar.

One thing that I don’t understand though is today, I have heard our soldiers called boys and girls,yet over sixty years ago they were called men and woman, I think some people seem to forget that sixty yrs ago they were only children as well, but they still gave their lives for their country, that is why we must never forget them, and what they did for us.
It is a good site.
GOD BLESS.

Comment on Poppies and Remembrance by Larry

Larry — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 13:03:08 +0000

We shall always remember them with pride, where ever they lay, for their courage,valour and self sacrifice!
May god bless them and grant them eternal rest.

Comment on Bank Holidays by Dave

Dave — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 13:04:51 +0000

I found your site while searching for a reference to St. Lubbock’s Day.

My boss (last name Lubbock) challenged us to find out what St. Lubbock’s Day was, he is of Scottish descent I believe. Do you have any idea what St. Lubbock’s Day is and what it celebrates?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Dave

Comment on Mothers’ Day by Oksi

Oksi — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 15:09:34 +0000

In Lithuania the Mother’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May

Comment on When should we use the word British? by Maud

Maud — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 13:35:15 +0000

I was interested to hear recently that we can call the British flag Union Flag as well as Union Jack. Apparently, it is ok on dry land to say both.

It was 400 years ago today that King James VI of Scotland – James I of England – announced by Royal Proclamation the introduction of what was to become the Union Jack. You can read more about the history and the meaning behind the colours on our website.

In America, you are not allowed to use the national flag as part of any clothing, you can’t hang it on the ceilings and you can’t use it on napkins. In Britain, it is common to see our national flag stamped on anything from bedspreads to items of clothings including underwear. The Union Jack is not something we pay any formal homage to to retain our validity as citizens.

“The Union Jack represents the country as a whole, but also a community of individuals, with shared values and a long and often troubled history. It symbolises our ancient freedoms and traditions; the Crown in Parliament, trial by jury, habeas corpus, the presumption of the innocence and freedom of speech, our defence of the weak and defiance of the mighty.”
George Courtauld author of The Pocket Book of Patriotism.

Comment on Can you help me with a Superstition? by Mary

Mary — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 13:53:19 +0000

It is said to be bad luck luck to drop salt because it used to be very expensive and used for medical reasons.

To counteract this bad luck you must through it over your left shoulder into the eyes of the demons, who were meant to lerk behind your shoulder!!!