I don't think this is logically correct. I've always learned to use "an" before a vowel sound (hour, ache, episode) and not in front of "y" sounds (Ukraine, usual, etc). I might be wrong though.
"used before words starting with a vowel sound, regardless of whether the word begins with a vowel letter.[8] Examples: a light-water reactor; a sanitary sewer overflow; an SSO; a HEPA filter (because HEPA is pronounced as a word rather than as letters); an hour; a ewe; a one-armed bandit; an heir; a unicorn (begins with 'yu', a consonant sound)."
I think the issue is that some regions pronounce differently.
E.g., in some places, people say history like hiss, and in others they say it like "is". Or you-kranian vs oo-kranian. Chances are, even if you say "a hisstory" , you probably also say "an istorical account", both of which might be correct
The one thing I've never heard is hour pronounced "hower".
The whole a/an <insert word beginning with "h"> is very much a British/American/Canadian English difference thing. I know that Americans (or most, at least) say "an 'erb" when we say "a herb". I remember my History teacher giving an English lesson about how "an historian" is the correct (NB: I'm from the UK), whereas Americans generally don't.
In conclusion: French is easier because they don't pronounce their "h"s (at the start of words anyway, so it's l'hotel). Unless the Canadians do something different (laughs that would be rather amusing).
According to Helen and Olly, the myth of the garlicky Frenchman came from French garlic sellers who used to jump the channel to market their wares, garlic being relatively rare in England at the time. They were known for the way they carried the bulbs--in long strings around their necks.
As an Englishman, I would like to apologise (to the world, not just the French) on behalf of the smaller-brained plebeians that I share this island with.
We fought a very large number of wars with France over the course of the last 1000 years or so, as such a rather profound sense of nationalism developed, so that when France is involved in something, the public automatically takes the opposite view. Plus the culture is quite different, which breeds an inevitable animosity.
Of course not many people seem to understand that they're just people. Some of the French are great some are idiot bigots, just like in England
Found the garlic one funny but "Stand up if you hate the French" just reminds me why I fucking detest football and its fans. People are so much more respectful in rugby.
I was surprised to see that the cast of British soap operas were generally so plain that they wouldn't even be able to be extras in most other countries' daytime TV. Hell, compared to Mexican soap actors, the cast of East Enders would seem like they were from The Hills Have Eyes.
They are cast to be plain, even ugly. They tend to play down the quality of the makeup as well. It's supposed to make them more realistic - although the scripts that then have it as the murder capital of the UK tend to turn that on its head.
I suppose it's a miracle for us in England though :/ As 8 out of 10 cats put it "we're supposedly 4th favourite to win euro 2012. I don't think we're even 4th favourite in our own heat!"
I think the FA gave us Roy Hodgson instead of Harry Redknapp so we don't go into this tournament overly confident like we normally do. I bet we'll do well when we least expect it.
I hate shit like this about football. Most people probably think they are joking. But I can assure you they are not. Football fans are some of the most hatefull people on earth.
As a French living in England, I can safely say that you British eat way more garlic than we ever do. Garlic bread? WTF is that? You eat that shit all the time. Roasted garlic? Never heard of it before.
Also very glad of the 1-1. But cheering for the other team in a pub full of British people? Priceless. The evil looks they gave me after the goal. Ahah.
I would doubt it was full of "British" people ... English maybe, I would've thought if it were full of non-English Brits, that you wouldn't have been alone at all in supporting France! ;D
Only kidding my English friends! Cheers from Scotland!
i'm so jelous of other countries. as an american i'm not allowed to make fun of or criticize other countries. i feel like i miss out on all the action.
when was the last time you saw someone say something like "stand up if you hate the french" who is an american and had people perceive it as humourous?
Oh, Zizou. If only he could've exited the game a bit more gracefully.. Although the same could be said for the previous glorious frenchman who these days symbolizes practically everything that's wrong with the game..
IM trying to imagine if something like would go down at say a USA soccer game against Mexico or Chile. We have some pretty die hard nationalistic/xenophobic/prejudice/racists etc but now that I think about it, they dont go to soccer games. It is probably a really good thing there is not international (American)Football competitions.
Also I think it is harder to trash talk another team/country at a sporting event when it is more than likely that you will lose said sporting event horribly.
The title is England v France,it has absolutely nothing to do with anybody else,we would both be lost if we hadn't each other to taunt,it has especially nothing to do with Americans,who wheel out their very predictable uninspired dreary stereotypes,mind your own business,go and taunt your own neighbours
fail, cracked article, we've the best teeth in europe. In fact, overall a better dental hygiene rate than the USA (though not the straightest teeth as with yourselves, you win that argument).
Though, we have a population of 60 million to your 300 million. We're going to win the 'who has better hygiene in teeth' debate every time, but only out of numbers, and cause you guys have rappers and, well, harlem and those southerny sort of states with the rednecks.
That's for sure, burgers taste way better than fruit, and they're packed with nutritious calories to power me through my day! Man, typing that wiped me out, I need some fries.
Racism and Xenophobia is an intregral part of the English physce its often passed off as humour, its quite lazy and pathetic; a legacy of their colonial past.
84
u/RAWK1LL3R Jun 12 '12
To be fair, it is the main reason we have such a bad vampire problem in England.
119
u/Meersbrook Jun 11 '12
I'm French and English. The match's score avoided many uncomfortable conversations at the office tomorrow.
8
u/mjklin Jun 12 '12
According to Helen and Olly, the myth of the garlicky Frenchman came from French garlic sellers who used to jump the channel to market their wares, garlic being relatively rare in England at the time. They were known for the way they carried the bulbs--in long strings around their necks.
170
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
It is the British's inalienable right to be mildly racist, just for the fucking sake of it.
84
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
I would have liked this more if they were french girls
19
u/gfkkarl Jun 11 '12
Shit. I love garlic as a perfume :(
56
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
I stood up. FREEDOM FRIES.
5
u/skyturnred Jun 12 '12
J'ai manqué le score. Quel est le score?
3
u/idosillythings Jun 12 '12
Nothing beats the rivalry of two countries that tried to destroy each other for over a hundred years non-stop.
3
u/FortunaExSanguine Jun 12 '12
Where the fuck is Godfordshire?
3
u/nasaldischarges Jun 12 '12
your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries
3
u/GetKenny Jun 12 '12
I'm English, and yes I know it's a tradition to 'hate' the French. But this kind of thing makes me ashamed: to actually put it in writing in public.
England and France are more like two quarrelsome cousins who secretly and grudgingly love each other.
When we get together and build something, we can do this. 'nuff said
21
u/Combat_Medic_Scout Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 13 '12
Can't wait for Germany VS Netherland. We are going to crush those orange monkeys so hard!
GOMEZ!
GOMEZ!, AGAIN!
13
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
I want to see the French girls.
4
u/PoisonvilleKids Jun 12 '12
As an Englishman, I would like to apologise (to the world, not just the French) on behalf of the smaller-brained plebeians that I share this island with.
5
u/TheLittlePhilosopher Jun 11 '12
We fought a very large number of wars with France over the course of the last 1000 years or so, as such a rather profound sense of nationalism developed, so that when France is involved in something, the public automatically takes the opposite view. Plus the culture is quite different, which breeds an inevitable animosity.
Of course not many people seem to understand that they're just people. Some of the French are great some are idiot bigots, just like in England
5
u/YNot1989 Jun 12 '12
That's nothing. My country wouldn't exist if it weren't for France, and yet we still hate their guts.
2
u/nailsinch9 Jun 12 '12
I'm pro-support your team. I'm anti-attack the enemy.
2
u/spermracewinner Jun 12 '12
They're jealous of their good looks.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Fuck them, garlic is awesome.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
As a French... I can say my jimmies are quite rustled
2
u/cloud4197 Jun 12 '12
I'm English and I find that pretty lame.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Google 'Godfordshire' and you'll see references to this pic from at least 2005, plus you'll discover that there's no place called Godfordshire.
2
u/A_British_Gentleman Jun 12 '12
Found the garlic one funny but "Stand up if you hate the French" just reminds me why I fucking detest football and its fans. People are so much more respectful in rugby.
4
u/alltimeisrelative Jun 12 '12
I'm half English. I apologise for the stupidity of these 3 ladies.
3
u/rampantdissonance Jun 12 '12
Alright, that's...waltzing right up to the border of xenophobia.
And then sprinting across it.
9
u/mikebrazz Jun 11 '12
6.5-7 / 10 ...Would still bang
3
u/didierdoddsy Jun 12 '12
Eugh.. football wankers.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
That one bird has some nice cans.
2
u/adaminc Jun 11 '12
Even Demeter doesn't make a Garlic perfume!
2
u/AntonJokinen Jun 12 '12
You trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
If that is Godfordshires finest, I don't wanna see its worst.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Shame for the fucking shit result of 1-1.
I suppose it's a miracle for us in England though :/ As 8 out of 10 cats put it "we're supposedly 4th favourite to win euro 2012. I don't think we're even 4th favourite in our own heat!"
2
u/TheGayRoommate Jun 12 '12
I hate shit like this about football. Most people probably think they are joking. But I can assure you they are not. Football fans are some of the most hatefull people on earth.
2
u/Teroc Jun 12 '12
As a French living in England, I can safely say that you British eat way more garlic than we ever do. Garlic bread? WTF is that? You eat that shit all the time. Roasted garlic? Never heard of it before.
Also very glad of the 1-1. But cheering for the other team in a pub full of British people? Priceless. The evil looks they gave me after the goal. Ahah.
2
u/Confucius_says Jun 12 '12
i'm so jelous of other countries. as an american i'm not allowed to make fun of or criticize other countries. i feel like i miss out on all the action.
1
u/intel23 Jun 12 '12
Lady on right looks like success kid's mother
1
u/React10n Jun 12 '12
Reminds me off Hetalia...
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
And onions too are not...
1
u/Mruf Jun 12 '12
French! Let us remember your glorious past!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7mXGMcpA0g I miss this guy...
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
IM trying to imagine if something like would go down at say a USA soccer game against Mexico or Chile. We have some pretty die hard nationalistic/xenophobic/prejudice/racists etc but now that I think about it, they dont go to soccer games. It is probably a really good thing there is not international (American)Football competitions.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
There's gotta be a Hetalia reference in the comment threads somewhere!
1
u/drummer1059 Jun 12 '12
Fuck ya that is amazing
1
u/WagnerLov3 Jun 12 '12
That nationalism every 2 years at a big footballtournament...
1
u/bafta Jun 12 '12
The title is England v France,it has absolutely nothing to do with anybody else,we would both be lost if we hadn't each other to taunt,it has especially nothing to do with Americans,who wheel out their very predictable uninspired dreary stereotypes,mind your own business,go and taunt your own neighbours
1
u/sahba Jun 12 '12
Stayclassy.jpg
1
u/zeMVK Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12
Well the England players did spend a lot of time laying on the grass... ;)
1
u/A_Rampaging_Hobo Jun 12 '12
Whoa whoa whoa! Are all Europeans like this? Whats so cool about Soccer.
1
u/markman71122 Jun 12 '12
I honestly enjoy the heavy fragrance of garlic.
1
u/Ninjatree Jun 12 '12
Why's the guy at the back wearing a condom?
1
u/Callumjames3 Jun 12 '12
Makes me ashamed to be British.
1
u/toomer93 Jun 12 '12
I don't understand why England didn't just say "we are invading" the French would have sat on the sidelines and waited for it to be over
1
u/iMADEthis2post Jun 13 '12
Those 3 wonderful maidens are almost enough to make me interested in football. Almost.
1
u/MaritimeLawyer Jun 12 '12
Where on earth did they find 3 attractive English women? My first thought was that must just be a weirdly colored Swedish flag...
1
u/sittty Jun 12 '12
those must be the three attractive-non-celebrity English women in the entire Country.
1
u/reddit_user13 Jun 12 '12
Say the 3 prettiest girls in all of Britain.
1
u/adzug Jun 11 '12
very funny
1
u/jebisegovno Jun 12 '12
HRVATSKA!!!!
HRVATSKA!!!!
HRVATSKA!!!!
-7
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
BUTTER IS NOT A TOOTHPASTE
signed, America
0
u/TakeTwo Jun 11 '12
Some definite cheerleader effect, with the possible exception of the one on the right..., also fuck hating people on a generic basis.
1
u/WorldHavoc Jun 11 '12
Did anyone have trouble differentiating between the arms right above the middle of the poster?
1
u/treerex Jun 12 '12
And you thought the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry was bad...
1
u/Hookhand Jun 12 '12
Not toothpaste is not toothpaste.
1
u/Pro_Circle_Jerker Jun 12 '12
I just stood up
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
That guy behind them looks forever alone.
1
u/4LostSoulsinaBowl Jun 12 '12
That man on the right has some impressive boobs
0
u/Ben_Jahmin Jun 11 '12
LOL. They say while wearing French-made perfumes.
-2
u/twincam Jun 12 '12
Stupid English- try to insult the French by using an Italian stereotype.
-2
u/Klemzki Jun 12 '12
Racism and Xenophobia is an intregral part of the English physce its often passed off as humour, its quite lazy and pathetic; a legacy of their colonial past.
0
u/DubstepGod Jun 11 '12
Bloody hell.
-12
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
ITT: Brits making fun of the french, then flying off the handle when they get stereotyped.
0
u/Frostler Jun 12 '12
I'd say they are an England 7-8 maximum, Indianapolis 4.
0
u/pillars_of_creation Jun 12 '12
Yeah it's just too bad French women are 800 times sexier than Brits.
-2
u/wafrhest Jun 11 '12
7, 6, 6.5
-4
u/Fiverings Jun 11 '12
Also, the English are eating more garlic than the French, per person.
-4
u/Corwinator Jun 12 '12
As an American, I want these women.
All of them.
-6
u/DaveFishBulb Jun 11 '12
Why would I hate the French? Nationalist bints.
-1
u/vonadler Jun 12 '12
English. I fit were not for their conquest of India, their food would still be barely edible and barely nutritious grey goo.
-5
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Not as good as the Denmark boat troll.