The Old Hack

A space for a middle aged writer to massage his ego

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This blog is a continually evolving site. I had originally intended it to be a forum for other writers to share. To read some of my stuff and to deposit their own. I'm glad to say that a number of you still come by and look at my writing, but sadly nobody seemed to want to take the plunge and deposit their own literary endeavours. For that reason I am (at least temporarily) no longer inviting writers but will, of course, still welcome your comments and observations - the more the merrier. See also the section 'Titbits from elsewhere' where I occasionally publish bits and pieces I have come across while browsing and which have caught my interest and/or imagination. I have just started a new page about property in France. That is my 'day job' here in the beautiful Charente and as I'm paying to maintain this site I may as well use it commercially. You can read more of my stuff at Helium.com, where I write when I can, and you can find some other Helium Bloggers here. Keep coming back to see what's new. You're most welcome.

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British Motto? Anybody? No?

I am deeply indebted to Harry Aldridge for allowing me to reproduce the following from his blog, "Curious Snippets from a Cynical Optimist" Harry's writing can also be found at Helium.com

The Beeb is asking readers to send in their suggestions for a British motto, which Gordon Brown is rumoured to be after (God help us!). Here are a selection of the ones sent in so far which tickled me...

"Britain: At least it's not France/Germany/America (delete as appropriate)"

"Britain - all it needs is a coat of paint"

"Smile! You're on CCTV"

"It never rains but it pours"

"Error 404 - Latin Translation Server Gateway Timeout"

"Pandemonium ad Asbo"

"Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A GB"

Have any better ones? I think Uruguay has it nailed with their motto "Libertad o Muerte" (Liberty or Death), although unfortunately this no longer applies to Britain. My own contributions below..

"Britain: Made in China"

"Britain: Weak and Easily Manipulated"

"Britain: Welcome Comrades"

"Britain: We used to rule your ass!"

"Britain: A State of Decline"

"Britain: Vorsprung Durch Technik"

Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 01:38PM by

Colin Morley (editor) |

1 Comment

Reader Comments (1)

'In God we trust. Everyone else pays cash'

September 23, 2007 |

Keith

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This site is owned and maintained by Colin Morley. All original material is copyrighted by Colin Morley. Any material attributed to any other author is subject to copyright by that author or to his or her estate. No material or images from this site may be copied without the express permission of the author. Selected passages may, however, be copied for individual use, or for publication in an academic, charitable or other non profit-making context. Remember that we struggling writers work hard to earn a little money. Please respect that. It's only common courtesy after all. Thank You.