JerryBaumchen 1,468 #1 September 16, 2011 Hi there, I'm currently reading VALLEY OF DEATH by Ted Morgan, which is about the siege at Dien Bien Phu. In it he writes: 'Over the course of the war, from 1947 to 1954, 288,000 cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chancres were recorded. Many men were repeatedly infected. Upon landing in 1945, the French were given a million English condoms (the French word for condom means "English overcoat").' So, true as to term 'English overcoat' or not? JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sacex250 0 #2 September 16, 2011 QuoteHi there, I'm currently reading VALLEY OF DEATH by Ted Morgan, which is about the siege at Dien Bien Phu. In it he writes: 'Over the course of the war, from 1947 to 1954, 288,000 cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chancres were recorded. Many men were repeatedly infected. Upon landing in 1945, the French were given a million English condoms (the French word for condom means "English overcoat").' So, true as to term 'English overcoat' or not? JerryBaumchen Capote - "Overcoat" Anglaise - "English" Capote Anglaise - "Condom"It's all been said before, no sense repeating it here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #3 September 16, 2011 Quote 'Over the course of the war, from 1947 to 1954, 288,000 cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chancres were recorded. Many men were repeatedly infected.... Apparently, at least some of the natives were friendly."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 280 #4 September 17, 2011 French and English like to blame things on each other. English overcoats vs. French letters -- all the same thing. And there's the English vice (caning usually, sometimes homosexuality) vs. the French vice (fellatio according to some sources). Then there's the French disease (syphilis). Some terms were used for different things at different times by different people. Other societies get treated with suspicion. Apocryphal or not, "Wogs begin at Calais!" It is interesting to find out about armies of old, how many of their casualties came from battle, from disease, and from STD's. The battle casualties aren't always the largest proportion though out much of history. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,468 #5 September 17, 2011 Hi ryoder, Quote Apparently, at least some of the natives were friendly. It also says in the book that Ho Chi Minh sent infected women to have sex with the French army so as to remove them from the battlefield. All is fair in love and war. Or maybe both at the same time. JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #6 September 17, 2011 Quote Hi ryoder, Quote Apparently, at least some of the natives were friendly. It also says in the book that Ho Chi Minh sent infected women to have sex with the French army so as to remove them from the battlefield. All is fair in love and war. Or maybe both at the same time. JerryBaumchen Supposedly the CIA ran a brothel in either Laos or Cambodia targeting the NVA/Viet Cong during the 60's for the exact same reasons."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,596 #7 September 17, 2011 QuoteIt is interesting to find out about armies of old, how many of their casualties came from battle, from disease, and from STD's. The battle casualties aren't always almost never the largest proportion though out much of history.Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripple 0 #8 September 18, 2011 QuoteQuoteIt is interesting to find out about armies of old, how many of their casualties came from battle, from disease, and from STD's. The battle casualties aren't always almost never the largest proportion though out much of history. Its normally RTAs isn't it?Next Mood Swing: 6 minutes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Abedy 0 #9 September 18, 2011 Quote So, true as to term 'English overcoat' or not? Well, at least the English seem to be very relaxed when using 'em or suggesting their use: Watch this. BTW: One of the many synonyms (or euphemisms? ) for "condom" is "Pariser" (male Parisian) in German. A little old-fashioned, but still understood. "English overcoat" wouldn't be connected to "condom" but "overcoat" (in its meaning of "Überzieher") would, though. Most people of my age simply don't connect "English" and "Sex", you know. Reminds me of a movie "No sex please, we're British" (Clicky) But this stereotype has faded away and younger Germans will rather envision Katie Price than Maggie Thatcher when it comes to British sex Funny how other nationalities are used for nicknaming certain things (mainly derogatory as in "French disease" or "Spanish disease")The sky is not the limit. The ground is. The Society of Skydiving Ducks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
