[OT] Blog Chain

A blog chain is a serious of posts across several blogs, investigating loosely related ideas.

Razib started us off from Bangladesh, speaking about the economic downturn and resulting job losses of employment and income.

Benjamin related this to the feelings on Australian day--where economic pressure intensified the worst strands of racist nationalism.

Fresh Hell spoke of the down sides of Virginia's past, but also the promise of a future with America's first African American president.

Wendy discussed how racism can be persistent in casual stereotypes and comments.

Madderblue discussed just how weird old sayings and idioms can be.

And Kat discussed how sayings can go wrong, especially between countries.

I an a New Zealander and living in the UK and US I have learned to just keep talking and let the idiom fall where it may. But it does seem like the easiest territory to go wrong in is unintended sexual euphemism. I have learned not to say booty, rubber, or "I'm easy". I do wish the Americans would meet me half way when it comes to fanny packs and "hump day." ;)

And on a slightly more serious note I really struggle writing in American English where 'they' is not accepted as a gender neutral singular, and use of male pronouns is still accepted as covering men and women. Sigh.

Edited to add: see also this addition to the discussion from Bartholomew