Yup–or Michelle Kwan for another example. Frankly, I was thrilled that Finland won silver in snowboarding last night. It’s not that I wanted the American to lose, but I like rewards and medals to be more evenly distributed (I also dislike shut out games in other sports). Obviously, the medals should go to the most deserving, but I’m not comfortable with the inyourface type of celebrating I sometimes see in Americans.
Yah - we’re actually 3rd in the medal count behind only the US and Germany.
Not bad for a bunch of losers.
Anyone else notice that Mr. Teron has not been back. I think he gets a gold medal in eating crow.
Wake him when it’s over. He needs his rest.
If you think a series of gold, silver and bronze medals for Canada will keep me from being a cranky, vicious, hypercritical, negative old curmudgeon, ya gots another think comin’! I waited six decades to be a grouchy old fart and nobody is going to deprive me of it!
We don’t expect you to stop being cranky, vicious, hypercritical, or negative. We just expect you to admit that you’re cranky, vicious, hypercritical, negative, and in this case, wrong.
“The exception that proves the rule” originally meant “that tests the rule”, back when “prove” meant “test” (as in “proof” in whiskey). It meant “We find out if the rule is effectively enforced when someone attempts to derogate from it.”
The expression “proof is in the pudding” was originally, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating of it”. In other words, if you want to test if the pudding is good, eat some.
But as proverbs often do, it has taken on a new meaning as the original meaning of “prove” has become obsolete.
In its more modern meaning, it is used to signify: “Yes, that exception does appear to counter what I have said, but the very fact that that exception springs to everyone’s mind shows that it is remarkable by its rarity.”
For example, one person says that the Chinese are generally short. Another counters that one of the tallest men to ever play professional basketball is Sun Mingming who stands 236 cm (7’9").
While such a height would be remarkable in a man of any race, we especially note that he is amazingly tall “for a Chinese”. He sticks in our minds because he is such an exception in a group that we generally expect will be short. The exception does not really “prove” the rule, but then proverbs never make perfect sense.
When I used the expression in its modern sense, I KNEW some pedantic nitpicker would come back at me with that objection. Didn’t know it would be you, though.
I have never pretended to be a nice guy. I am a despicable old fart, and I hate you as much as you hate me. Okay, so they won some gold medals. Let’s hope they don’t get so carried away with Canadian pride that they take the damned things out and have them bronzed!
The people who really should be complaining are the Norwegians. They usually dominate the Winter Olympics, but at the moment they are way down in the medal count.
I was away for a few days because I have other stuff to do, Alice. It’s called having a life. Try it sometime.
Personally I’m pleased with what Canada has done, and I think they have a lot to be proud of.
And I’m gld to see Valtron is capable of self-deprecation. That he’s a self-aware grouch puts him head and shoulders above the usual nay-sayers around here.
As for my one irritation about him, other than the fact that it seems like 90% of what he’s posted has been negative, rarely if every what he finds pleasant or hopeful, see above. 
I put them at the top of my messages. If you don’t like them, would you like me to suggest where you can put 'em???
You seem a right dick, you do. And bloody rude to boot.
I demand some evidence that you are really a Canadian.
I think you’re just a rude yank pulling our chain. 
Oh - aren’t you a cute little pudding of a man! What were you doing chasing kids off your lawn and stocking up on BenGay?
They were all out of Ben Gay. They told me some woman named Alice had bought their entire supply. Seems she uses it as a personal lube. It’s the only way she can get her rabbit hole to feel anything after years of over-use with every Tom, Dick and Harry.
I am Canadian enough to know that expressions like “a right dick” and “bloody” are not Canadian. If you really live in London Ontario, then go back to the UK, and do us all a favour.
Valteron,
You deserve a gold medal in Snarking…
Well played for a Canadian Old Guy!
come on! watch any interview of Maelle Ricker and tell me it’s not cute whenever she ends her sentence with a girly giggle. It always brings a smile to my face. It’s an endearing giggle.
I couldn’t stop staring at the weird eyebrows. Why do modern women hate their eyebrows so much?
weird eyebrows? All I can see is her big smile and all I can hear is the giggle at the end.
http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-snowboard-videos/
there are better interviews on CTV’s website but it’s hard to get atm.
Heh - yer funny.
Seriously though I’m by no means an expert on the stuff, but I don’t actually think that Ben Gay would work in the manner you describe.