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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I think he didn't even come close to an answer to the question. IMNSHO French lost the battle for international language of diplomacy when the concept of the Language Academy receded from the English shores. English retained its ability to adapt and French became a fossil.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,624 |
Nah. French lost the battle as the diplomatic language as an outcome of losing the Napoleonic Wars. To the victors, the spoils.
- Pfranz
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Posts: 866
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866 |
Who said that first?
stales
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,692 |
Senator William Learned Marcy of New York in 1832.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,624 |
Looks like you're right dxb. I thought it was Marlowe!
- Pfranz
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866 |
Well Shipmates - it took a few weeks, but finally heard back from the USN on the alleged drinking habits aboard the USS Constitution:
"You are in fact having you leg pulled. This story is perhaps the most frequently spread untruth about the CONSTITUTION and certainly the one I am asked to respond to most often. It makes a great story - emphasizing the ability of our sailors to consume alchohol - but is not only improbable, but impossible.
*While it is true that CONSTITUTION cruised the West Indies during this time frame, it was to protect US shipping from FRENCH privateers, not the British.
*CONSTITUTION was moored in Boston Massachusetts from 10 November through 28 December 1798, which negates the trip overseas.
*Of the vessels engaged with CONSTITUTION during 1799, none of them were British, all were French.
*CONSTITUTION was in port at Prince Rupert's Bay, Dominica between 24 January through 01 February 1799.
One should also note, that the consumption of alchohol on board ship was carefully measured and monitored. Sailors were regulated to rations of rum a day, equaling about a pint total. The rum was guarded by marines and doled out my the ship's Master at Arms.
I hope that this information is what you were looking for.
Respectfully,
SN Tamara Morris, USS CONSTITUTION
So now we know. Apologies to those (any?) that took it as kosher, there did seem to be a question over the whole thing from the outset.
stales
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
A few years ago we had sailors from an American ship and a British ship in Portsmouth at the same time. In course of conversation it emerged that English ships allow liquor aboard .. in Officers Mess, Chief's Mess etc. None on US ships. However aboard the US ships you can get breakfsst at any time of day or night. Sailors all said they liked it when they were moored alongside. Booze and breakfast a "fair exchange." Just a bit of lore. No significance!
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 24
stranger
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stranger
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 24 |
I always thought "proof" referred to the yeast used in brewing. When a brewer -- or a baker -- activates yeast by mixing it with a another substance, such as water or milk, he is said to be "proofing" the yeast. Not sure why it now indicates the strength of alcohol.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Proof meant (and still does in certain contexts) test. It can have a lot of different meanings depending. The exception can prove the rule and find it wanting. The brewer will proof the yeast to find out if it's still alive. The distiller proofs the spirit against a standard and gives it a numeric value based on its relation to that standard. By the time the spirit gets to the distiller the yeast is long gone.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,583 Likes: 1
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,583 Likes: 1 |
Proof meant (and still does in certain contexts) test Exceptio probit reglam or whatever the accurate Latin isThe exception tests the rule ( NOT "proves" )
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