On 20/08/2011 7:02 PM, clipka wrote:
> Okay, what's "Handkante" in English? Let's consult Google... there,
> second entry: "Handkante" on the German Wikipedia; chances are there's a
> matching English entry...
>
> Handkante
>

>
> Hand
>
> Okay, let's go to the English article:
>
> Hand
>
> Hm, no hint on how that particular part of the hand is called.

The edge of your hand. The bit you chop with.



>
> Now what does "jury-rigged" mean? Does it have to do with a jury? Let's
> look it up:
>
> Jury rig
>

Naval term

> Ah... hey, they mention "Jerry" as a pejorative term for German
> soldiers; I always wanted to know where that came from, so...
>

Not necessarily pejorative, short for German. Hans and Fritz were used 
as well. Same as Tommy for English, Taff, Jock and Paddy for Welsh, 
Scots and Irish.

I was taught that Jerry Built was in use well before WWI and it 
referenced a British builder.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/211600.html


> Hey, I didn't know that "House of Windsor" was a name the dynasty gave
> to itself. I wonder why they chose this one...
>
> House of Windsor
>

They were the house of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha but during WWI changed it 
to the House of Windsor as Windsor Castle has been a royal residence for 
yonks.

I Like this:
Upon hearing that his cousin had changed the name of the British royal 
house to Windsor, German Emperor Wilhelm II remarked jokingly that he 
planned to see Shakespeare's play The Merry Wives of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

> Hm, nothing about that, at least not at first glance. But they mention a
> plane - a German bomber plane that could reach London even in WW1;
> didn't know such a thing existed. Let's have a look...
>



-- 
Regards
     Stephen

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