Cap Mandrake
Posts: 23184
Joined: 11/15/2002 From: Southern California Status: offline
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********SEAC HQ, Imphal, February 12, 1943********* Meeting of all commands subordinate to SEAC. Mountbatten: Right, well thank you all for coming on such short notice. Please feel free to ask question. I want this to be informal but I did want to say a few words to get the ball rolling, so to speak. Firstly, I would like to thank you all for your hard work on Operation Splendid. We have really cracked open the Jap sardine can with... Staffer 1:<raises hand and squirms in his seat> Ummm...ummm Mountbatten:<he is slightly annoyed because he didn't really expect anyone to have the temerity to take him up on his offer of questions right in the middle of bloody patrician pep talk..after all, truth be told, that is why WC sent him, it sure as Hell wasn't to paint all the bloody ships pink, he thinks to himself "bloody commoners have no sense of decorum..still, the chap does have a nice firm bottom..perhaps?"> What is it Colonel? Staffer 1:Sorry sir, but it's you know what. Should we be saying that? It's the secrecy sir. Mountbatten:Colonel, the whole point of secrecy is to conceal the operation BEFORE it takes place. We have the bulk of 12th Army and 200 aircraft ashore at Moulmein. The Japs can scarcely have failed to notice. Now..where was I? Ah, yes, I was saying the whole thing has gone swimmingly. Most energetic! I have spoken with the PM myself. He is delighted. The operation has been so successful, in fact, that, based on evidence form our American cousins, it appears the junta previously in charge has been replaced..sort of a palace coup. USAAF liason:<raises hand. Admiral, Did you just say "jun-ta"? Mountbatten: yes, Colonel, "jun-ta". USAAF liason:Forgive me Admiral, but what on Earth is a "jun-ta"? Mountbatten:Why, a military government..I suppose it generally connotes usurpation by force." USAAF liason:Ahh, I believe you mean "hoon-ta", Admiral. It is from the Spanish. Mountbatten:Colonel, when Spain joins the war perhaps we will worry about that. In the interim we shall speak the King's English in my command. USAAF liason: Very well, sir, then I shall have to ask for clarification. Mountbatten: <patrician vernier beginning to wear thin> On what topic, Colonel? USAAF liason: Well sir, take for example the term for the resolution of a novel, or for that matter, a battle after the crescendo has been reached. Mountbatten: "Day-noo-mah", you mean? USAAF liason: Precisely, sir. Even though it from the French, it is still the King's English. Why isn't it "Duh-now-ment"? Mountbatten: Look, it just isn't, alright? It's "jun-ta" and it's "day-noo-mah". That is just the way it is. Now, could we please get on with the agenda? Staffer 1: Sorry sir, I believe I can answer the Colonel's question. Properly, "denoument" is italicised, indicating it is a foreign word, and, therefore retains the foreign pronunciation. Staffer 2: It most certainly is not! Besides, there is no verb "italicise". Staffer 1: Indeed there is. Staffer 2: No there isn't. It is a untidy Americanism. USAAF liason:<stands abruptly..> Look pal. I'll show you untidy. your face will be unitdy after I get done with you......
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