http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071115/wl_asia_afp/lifestyleaustraliachristmasoffbeat According to the AFP, Santa has to say "Ha ha ha" now instead of "Ho ho ho" in Sydney, Australia. So, it's Ha Ha Ha Happy Holidays now, is it? Sounds like Santa has a speech impediment. You better watch how you chuckle from now on ... Hee hee hee... Susanna
I want to do work in the garden. Where's my hah. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Hah-ly Ghost. Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Hah-Hahs. Capital of Tasmania: Hahbart. There's the fox. Tally hah.
Pathetic - the quest to become politically correct in order not to offend anyone has gone beyond the norm... once again, the pendellum hath swung from one side to the other, without hovering in the center.... No longer can be celebrate Christmas by sending Christmas Card - no such thing it appears, though a card to wish folks "Happy Holidays" is readily available. Sad.
From the article, "One disgruntled Santa told the newspaper a recruitment firm warned him not to use 'ho ho ho' because it could frighten children and was too close to a US slang term for prostitute." It is not offensive in Australian English, only in American English. And even in the USA it seems the terms usage is limited to those paragons of virtue and morals known as rappers, gangstas, and other assorted hoodlums. [ sarcasm ] Scene: A suburban shopping mall in December. Santa: Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas! Little Girl: Santa, why do you call me a prostitute? Santa: Ha, Ha, Ha! Merry Christmas! Little Girl: Santa, why are you making fun of me? Mall Manager: You're fired! Scene: Little Girl runs crying to her mother. [ /sarcasm ]
Yes, to come to think of it the Australian "ho ho ho" sounds different than the American "ho ho ho". I think the rappers should be offended because the Australian 'ho ho ho' sounds way too wimpy and shouldn't even be compared to the American version. Susanna
Perhaps we should re-name the garden hoe. Otherwise, gardeners might be offended at what people might call them.
Just as I posted at another site: What about when someone at a square dance calls out "Ho Down"? Will some people panic thinking their sister has been shot?
Yes that bring to mind the old expression " That's a long row to hoe." Are we now thinking of a garden/lots of work or just a very long street? Gavin
Reminds me of an old LP record I once had. I forget whether it was _Pardon My Blooper_ or _25 Years of Recorded Comedy_. But there was this scene w3ith these people at a country fair and the announcer gets up on the microphone and says, "And this just in, from the gardening competition, Miss Betty Smith was voted the best hoer."
