# "Freedom Fries?" Give me a fucking break! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 11, 2003, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644 "2003-03-11T20:18:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/101 "2003-03-13T03:55:20Z")
> [@](#): > > A Frenchman wants to use the term “Le weekend?” > > “Non!” > > Not allowed. Not on your life. 1. I presume you also have problems with the Spanish, the Catalans, the Germans, the Swedes, and everyone else with state-sponsored linguistic academies. 2. Actually, “le week-end” is the official, Académie-approved term in France. In Quebec, we usually say “la fin de semaine,” but journalists and others attempting to be correct/Francophilic/snotty will say “le week-end.” ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/102 "2003-03-13T04:00:22Z")
Also I wonder where you get the idea that the “proscribed” terms are somehow prohibited. Not even the OLF has that kind of power. They just set a standard. Various people might be required by their employers to follow that standard, or some other one, but that’s no different from any other stylistic guide. Do you think they’re confiscating newspapers, or what? ---
**Author:** ![k.os](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@k.os](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k.os)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/103 "2003-03-13T07:14:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by matt\_mcl \* > \*\*Also I wonder where you get the idea that the “proscribed” terms are somehow prohibited. Not even the OLF has that kind of power. They just set a standard. Various people might be required by their employers to follow that standard, or some other one, but that’s no different from any other stylistic guide. Do you think they’re confiscating newspapers, or what? \*\* Ben non! Y t’crissent une couple de coups de strappe pis y t’font promettre de pus le faire. 😛 I’m just very amused at the idea of someone from the OLF going around trying to enforce proper french in comon conversations around Montréal. For some reason I see a nervous breakdown happening sooner than later for the poor individual appointed to that task…😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/104 "2003-03-13T07:37:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RexDart \* > \*\* > Well, it isn’t like they had to legislate it. Some guy just happened to have the power to do it, so he did it. Having a press conference about it is a little silly, but unlike most of what they do up on Capitol Hill, this particular bit of silliness didn’t end up costing anybody millions of dollars. Although if anybody could find a way to budget a million dollars to reprint a few dozen menus, it’s the US government. \*\* I agree. I mean, come on. Who here WOULDN’T be tempted to do something silly and lighthearted in a similar situation? We’re only human, even the people in power. And as **RexDart** said, it’s not like it’s going to bleed the coffers dry or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/105 "2003-03-13T07:48:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \* > \*\*So, **Sublight** did your boycott work? \*\* No, after conferring directly with the electorate (my mom telling me not to be such a dumbass), it was resolved that a course of swapping insults about Jimmy Carter on the school playground with my friends would bring about a speedier resolution of the matter. The hostages were released soon afterwards, and my leadership decision was vindicated. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/106 "2003-03-13T12:26:46Z")
**matt** , ferchrissakes relax already. If there are deficiencies in my knowledge of the nuts-and-bolts of how the French language is regulated, or indeed my knowledge of how mild or extreme that regulation is, I am more than happy to defer to your no doubt greater understanding of the subject. Fact is, there are always, in every language, those who wish to “preserve” a certain purity, and those who think this stifles the language and prefer to allow change to happen freely. It is my understanding that the powers that be in France (not sure about Canada) tend towards the former attitude much more than is the case in English speaking countries. No, I don’t think they’re confiscating newspapers. No, I don’t think you’ll get your arse hauled off to jail for using loan words. I’m just saying that this sentiment does exist, and I happen to disagree with it. ---
**Author:** ![MSU\_1978](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@MSU\_1978](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MSU_1978)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/107 "2003-03-13T13:20:09Z")
The whole “let’s rename everything French” movement can be summed as follows: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! My friend disagreed with me! WWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhHHHH He can’t be my friend anymore! WWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/108 "2003-03-13T15:07:02Z")
Fucking propaganda… “freedom fries”? What of the Big mac? How about “corporate franchise foreign invasion burgers?” Or how about Ford? How about “gas guzzler’s fun toys?” ---
**Author:** ![TelcontarStorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@TelcontarStorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TelcontarStorm)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/109 "2003-03-13T15:33:31Z")
Man, I love keeping these old reference books around the house. **Yo! Lezlers and Brutus** Prepare for an Ignorance Update - The Food Book \* by James Trager Published 1970. Discusses ‘Hot Dogs’ on page 122. > [@](#): > > " The name ‘weiner’ often used for a hot dog, suggests a Viennese origin, but the frankfurter is called frankfurter in Vienna and a wiener in Frankfurt, as if both cities were trying to disclaim it." on page 123. > [@](#): > > "Harry M. Stevens, a concessionaire at New York’s Polo Grounds of fond memory, popularized frankfurters by telling his vendors one chilly day to shout, “Red hot! Get your Red hots!” **samclem** your Yale stuent worked in New York? :eek: Continue on pg 123 > [@](#): > > But hot dogs were not called hot dogs untill 1906, when a cartoonist,T.A.“Tad” Dorgan, showed a dachshund inside an elongated bun. If Dorgan was implying that hot dogs are made of dog meat is cannard." The juvinile aspect of bully behavior, displayed by our leaders is beyond question. And the changing of the menus in Washington is just as freeking silly. All in all, good for another laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/110 "2003-03-13T20:06:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ranchoth \* > **I agree. I mean, come on. Who here WOULDN’T be tempted to do something silly and lighthearted in a similar situation? We’re only human, even the people in power.** Well, if they want to be petty and foolish I guess that’s fine, but they’ve also opened themselves up for some well-deserved ridicule. In short, if the French didn’t have a reason to laugh at us before, they sure as Hell do now. Thanks, boys. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/111 "2003-03-13T21:09:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elelle \* > I’m horrified to find images like[these](http://www.postcardstop.com/showitem.cfm?id=17248): , on the web. It shows how the French have been devious in their means since our colonial days, and only want to make a mockery of Democracy by sending an easily manipulated symbol as a gift. Don’t worry, I’m sure some brave Republican Congresscritter will propose to demolish the Stsatue of Liberty next week. Maybe we’ll put up an oil derreck in its place… ---
**Author:** ![Tuco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tuco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuco)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/112 "2003-03-13T21:17:03Z")
[hijack] I’m really sorry, but I don’t think this deserves a new thread, but is worth a laugh - type ‘French military victories’ into google and press ‘I’m feeling lucky’. Made me laugh. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/113 "2003-03-14T16:34:50Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by TelcontarStorm \* > \*\* > Yo! Lezlers and Brutus_\* Prepare for an Ignorance Update\*\* Thank you for the info **TelecontarStorm** , I stand corrected. And **samclem** don’t _you_ feel silly for being so uppity in your response… Sorry, when people respond to things by starting out with “um, NO!” and the like, it bugs the crap out of me. There’s no need to be pissy towards people who are just asking questions. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/114 "2003-03-14T18:17:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*Don’t worry, I’m sure some brave Republican Congresscritter will propose to demolish the Stsatue of Liberty next week. Maybe we’ll put up an oil derreck in its place… \*\* I’ve been waiting for that one to come down. Not to mention all that offensive French art hanging in the museums around the country! Gawd, they’re everywhere! :rolleyes: _sighs heavily_ ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/115 "2003-03-14T18:21:24Z")
Oh, and **Tuco** , was [this](http://www.brook.edu/views/op-ed/gordon/20021112.htm) the link you got? Pretty funny. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![malaka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@malaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malaka)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/116 "2003-03-14T19:18:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Avalonian \* > \*\*Oh, and **Tuco** , was [this](http://www.brook.edu/views/op-ed/gordon/20021112.htm) the link you got? > > Pretty funny. 🙂 \*\* Googling on “french military victories” returns “Did you mean: french military _defeats_?” On a similar note, check out [http://www.conquerfrance.com](http://www.conquerfrance.com). ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/117 "2003-03-14T19:54:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by malaka \* > \*\*On a similar note, check out [http://www.conquerfrance.com](http://www.conquerfrance.com). \*\* Nice. He forgot one, though… when the British completely routed the French Navy during the American Revolutionary War. Oh… wait. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/118 "2003-03-14T21:27:44Z")
I hear some of the more zealous anti-French people are going to start referring to the French embassy as the “Freedom Embassy” and to France as “The Land of Freedom”. Personally, I think this one is going to backfire. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/119 "2003-03-14T21:31:36Z")
Another decisive, bold leadership decision in the U.S. of A. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644/120 "2003-03-15T03:09:32Z")
**TelcontarStorm**. > [@](#): > > samclem your Yale stuent worked in New York? > > Continue on pg 123 > > ## But hot dogs were not called hot dogs untill 1906, when a cartoonist,T.A.“Tad” Dorgan, showed a dachshund inside an elongated bun. If Dorgan was implying that hot dogs are made of dog meat is cannard." Your cite for hotdog, unfortunately , repeats rather outdated information. 1970 was a long time ago in the world of etymology. In the last 33 years the origins of “hot dog” have been taken back to the 1890’s at Yale. [Cite available upon request]. **lezlers** said > [@](#): > > And samclem don’t you feel silly for being so uppity in your response… I regret _sounding_ uppity. I fucking-well don’t regret posting a correction when I know that my information is _correct_. Your point is well taken, however. I’ll try to always provide a cite from now on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-fries-give-me-a-fucking-break/160644.md?page=7)