question about RM

[John_D]

Pilgrim
You have n,t half brought some memories back.One was "Peterlee"
I remember when that estate first stated to be built,the first houses that
went up where built in such a way that the front and back walls where wooden framed,I delivered the first batch to go up. then there was Morpeth, one of my regular runs was to take take Blocks of alum to
Warkworth Pumping station and I used to stay overnight at Netherwitton
where I had a relative, that was when I first had a taste of
Newcastle Broon.

Fond memories

aye

[Pilgrim Norway]

Aye John,

Memories indeed. I had a cousin who ‘Delivered’ the Brown
to all of the’houses’ in the area. In those days the ‘Houses’
were run and owned by the breweries.
As you can imagine – most of them were Newcastle houses.
Having a wet in all houses he delivered to was quite a feat.
( The money was probably gash though).
Happy lad he was......

I see the ‘ansome Rudyard quote above – here’s another ……

Seven long years you loved my daughter
Now you og to Blighty Sah’b….
May the ship that carries you over
sink to the bottom of the Pawnee Sah’b

Don’t think it was Kipling though ….

Haven’t kippled for ages come to think of it…..

Still a happy Gateshead lad though…..

‘Aye

[John_D]

can you recall the title of the poem?

John_D

[Gearjammer351]

Seems the more I read the more questions come up,could someone please explain the terms 'pongo' and 'oppos' -I would appreciate it.

[Andy O'Pray]

Gearjammer, An "OPPO", is ones opposite number, friend, mate, buddy. A "PONGO" is a dirty little brown furry animal which smells, our reference to army ranks.

Aye - Andy.

[Andy O'Pray]

Gearjammer, Further to my explanation of "PONGO" dirty little brown furry animal that smells. I believe it goes back to when the walking out uniform for the British Army was a khaki battledress, whereas the walking out dress for a Royal Marine was No2 Blues, hence (khaki/brown). No doubt some smart ass will correct me on this.

Further to your query about Dick Van Dyke, he was an American actor who tried to play an Englishman in, I believe, Mary Poppins.

Aye - Andy.

[canada]

A definition I came across.
PONGO: used by sailors to refer to infantry. it is based on a primate found in SE asia , which, when subjected to stress, ran in circles and dug holes in the ground to hide!

[Andy O'Pray]

You are possibly correct Canada, I will leave that to my more knowledgable collegues to confirm or dispute.

The word PONGO is a term used by todays RM/RN with reference to all army ranks.

Aye - Andy.

[El Prez]

I've answered this in 'joining the RM'; Pongo comes from the Congolese word Mpongo, which describes an anthropoid ape, an orang-utan or formerly a Gorilla.
Gearwotsit, the Congo is in that heaving dark continent known as Africa; it's formerly a protectorate of Belgium, which is a small country the size of Wales; which is yet another small country within the UK, which is a slightly larger country being devastated by puritanical twats in the Houses of Parliament.
I remain Sirs your embittered deviant.

[John_D]

The word Pongo means gorge, or ravine, where the river bursts through the mountains. To the Machiguenga Indians the Pongo de Mainique is known as the Place of the Bears. Their legend envisions a river demon in the form of a bear that lurks in the rapid, swirling waters of the Urubamba River.

Sumatran Orangutan
Pongo pygmaeus abelii

There are a few variations of the word PONGO the one we use refers to the Army

Aye

[John_D]

The word Pongo means gorge, or ravine, where the river bursts through the mountains. To the Machiguenga Indians the Pongo de Mainique is known as the Place of the Bears. Their legend envisions a river demon in the form of a bear that lurks in the rapid, swirling waters of the Urubamba River.

Sumatran Orangutan
Pongo pygmaeus abelii

There are a few variations of the word PONGO the one we use refers to the Army

Aye

[Gearjammer351]

Shit, Gearjammer, you sound like Dick VanDyke already

Further to your query about Dick Van Dyke, he was an American actor who tried to play an Englishman in, I believe, Mary Poppins

Allright then,I guess my question should have been why?My attempt to use British slang?I don't know(can't remember)if I've seen Mary Poppins so I presume it was a lame attempt to reproduce a Brit accent.I guess if that's the case I'll just forget that and talk like an American and let others ask questions if they don't get it-though I have tried to avoid slang that may not be understood here so it shouldn't be a problem.

Also-thanks everyone for being tolerant of my questions,I know that isn't really what you're here for so I appreciate your patience.This forum is the first contact I've had with any British people aside from my soon-to-be wife and a few people she knows.I will be moving in about three weeks and though I've been to other countries before it's always been temporary and I had a pretty good idea of when I would leave-this could be a permanent situation for me.I feel a bit better having been welcomed in here-by people who have no obligation to be welcoming-it eases my mind about moving to the UK.

[John_D]

as long as you can speak and understand the english language don,t worryabout it,there
are people living in this country who can,t even utter one syllabe of our tongue andthey appear to get along better than us.

as for the different dialects where ever you settle down in this country you will soon be talking like the locals, be it Geordie,Brum, Scouse,
Londoner, no matter where it will come to you but you will never lose you native accent,like I have said don,t worry about it just get on with it,and good luck

aye

John_D

[Pilgrim Norway]

Gearjammer ……

Come on in son – you’ll enjoy it ….

It takes a bit of getting used to, living in the UK.

Remember that manners are always important….
1 – Buy an umbrella
2 – Buy a bowler hat
3 – Remember that it is customary to introduce yourself to fellow
travellers on the ‘tube’
or trains….
4 – Prostitution is banned – However, the girls are allowed to maintain a
relative standard of living by selling small flags on street corners –
now and again – be generous.

Good luck with the dialects – and with the language of the Geordie……

You have a head start lad – you’ve already tried the humour.

Welcome.

‘Aye

[El Prez]

Also-thanks everyone for being tolerant of my questions,I know that isn't really what you're here for so I appreciate your patience.

That's half the fun, helping people out. C'mon in, the waters warm.