I hate to sound sensitive, but...

Maybe it is just me, but I don't find "seppo" to be a "humorous" term. I can tolerate it as unintended rudeness when accompanied by a smile, friendly slap on the back and a cold Fosters, but not when it is said with a sneer. It is surely unnecessary to point out that not all Americans are fat and lazy, remote-clutching boobs, and further, McDonalds does a brisk business in Australia and New Zealand. Saturated fats are obviously immune to the Coriolis effect. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

What brought that on? Been reading JC's posts at One design?
They can call him what they want to his back, on the course and off. Doubt they got the kahunas without some back up to say it to his face, and they obviously ain't beatin' him.I also don't think it's McDonalds their accusing us of being full of.
My thoughts are F*** 'em and feed 'em fishheads. But you know me I'm a little sensitive too.
Todd
Certified Seppo, gringo,Infidel.

John

Don't empower them by letting a word get to you man.


Words are only words. Words don't hurt, or offend.

Don't be one of those people sitting around waiting to be offended <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hey, I'm one of "those people" and you've just offended me!

<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Slang terms like that aren't used commonly in Aus anymore despite how we are portrayed in commercials.
Racism (and Fosters <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) just isn't tolerated.
Most Australians dont even know what a septic tank is let alone that is is rhyming slang for the British term Yank.

So you dont have to accept that we Aussies "just talk like that" because we dont, if someone is using those terms it is because they are trying to get a rise out of you.

Darryn

Hi Darryn -

I try not to generalize with broad strokes - I realize not everyone downunder is running around shouting "seppo!!!" I just heard the term a couple of times this season, and then it turned up in a sailing report from the Olympics in an on-line publication that I like very much. From the outside, it seems like an expression that is gaining traction lately. Seems like when I hear it, it is definitely intended in a derogatory way, but laughed off as "can'tcha take a joke?"

Like I said, it is probably just me, but I don't enjoy the inference that I'm full of... well. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Gosh, I'm honestly not sure if should be offended or not! I'll have to admit that I need to have the term explained to me. Then I'll tell you if I'm offended! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'll be sitting around waiting for it...

never heard the term before.

Citizens of the United States of America are colloquially known in some areas as 'seppos' or 'septic tanks', rhyming slang for "yank".

Ignorance is a safe place. Don't "allow" yourself to be angered by those less informed than you. Smile and wave goodbye.

they're just jealous.

100% plagiarized from Ding.

"For those short on street cred.

Seppo - 1) Derogertory word used by the English and Australians for all American nationals. Derived from Rhyming slang (Septic Tank = Yank)
2) Slang for Americans - as septic tank rhymes with yank, but Americans are also full of *NOODLE* like septic tanks"

I think JW has a new nickname!

Wait, you said you didn't like it? Ah, too late.

"Seppo", never heard the term before and I've lived in NZ for 52 years.
Now added to the lexicon.
Has to be derogatory, like "cheese eating surrender monkey."
Not sure where it was used in these forums but disappointing as was the waffle about US sailors not attending events while at war. They would never sail outside the US again! : )
We talk sailing here right?
Seppo is as outta place as N*****R.

Just tell them to have a nice day, pommie...

I love words like this. I'm actually glad to have another one in the arsenal. Being of German decent, my personal favourite is "Kraut".

I don't know of anyone that uses the term Seppo.

US = Yank
NZ = Kiwi
NZ from Auckland = JAFA (Just another [email]F@cking[/email] Aucklander) My girldfriend from Auckland refers to herself as a JAFA.
AUS = Skip or Aussie
GBR = Pom

Seppo? Noodle? That's all you've got? How about, four millions sperms and you were the fastest? Or maybe, you dress like a one-man Wiggles tribute band.

I use Seppo all the time, in the same way I use Kiwi or say its "time to hit the frog and toad". It is slang not an insult, get over it.

I have now asked mates about seppo and they ALL know the word and use it.
I must have had my head up my.....

I have been working or sailing with Kiwis and Aussies for nearly 15 years now and I realized it is just though love gotten out of hand. They are all really great people. Some of the stuff that they have done to individuals on the crews I have raced with would make most people leave the team... I got over it.

I had this video pointed out to me by one of the Kiwis and it explains a lot...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unkIVvjZc9Y

Not for the weak or without sense of humour.

So HTFU!!!

Eh. lacks a few brain cells. But to each his own.
For some real rant humor, try Dennis Leary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDzxAPtNXrQ&feature=related

I would say "seppo" is derogatory, but allowing for not all who use the term knows the origins and the difference in culture, I would not care much about it. There are all kinds of stuff like that being said about both neighbouring countries and countries overseas.

So what do the dutch call norwegians, and why should I care?

Got it - HTFU. Check. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Don't tell me that I stumbled onto catamaran anarchy.

We'll have to start swearing at each other, and have different themes for certain days of the week...uuuummm, tomorrow's Frday guys... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

JW, For a more meaningful discussion on the use of the word word I think you should really post the question to Sailing Anarchy...simply because of the fact that using that word is not a catamaran specific issue.
<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

J

Seppo's, Pommies, Kiwi's, Krauts, Tommies, Yanks, Cannucks, Frogs, Yvan's, Hadji's, Wetback, Redneck, Cheesehead, etc

I think we are all pretty guilty of using our own versions of slang in and out of official publications. A bit weird for a Yank to take offense to being replied to in kind. If we are all denoted by slang names then no-one then we are either all offended or no-one is.

Wouter

Personally this does not bother me and I feel we have gone way to far trying to be PC, but I did find it amusing that this same group recently caught all kinds of flack for publishing a picture of a womens leaner team and used the term rail meat in the article. To me that was a lot more generic/common term and not of an offensive derivation, but becuase there was a woman in the pic all hell broke loose. You think they would have learned something <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

OMG, just because the picture had a woman and she was refered to as "rail meat" along with the men there was a drama, ah geeze?! I'm with Matt, we take ourselves far too seriously.

There will always be someone take offense to a slang comment. I think it is more offensive if directed at an individual rather than a group. It happens everywhere regardless of harmless the intent.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7555728.stm

Cheshirecatman

I kinda like being a "Seppo". It makes me sound like a lost Marx Brother! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

After going thru this thread, "Seppo" isn't sounding all that bad afterall. John, you've made your bones-this may have been a compliment!

We should all put "seppo" on the foot of our mainsails.

I was trying to come up with a good boat name using "seppo".
Then I watched the HTFU video and now I want that on my boat too!

I think I'll start yelling HTFU on the start line, instead of "up up up."