Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Our Vote for Brit Motto: Yanks Who Missed the Boat

Cynicism, humor set the tone

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 16, 2007 7:14 AM CST

(Newser) – British leaders are on the hunt for a national motto to stir the civic soul, the Christian Science Monitor reports. The government plans to survey 1,000 Brits to find a phrase that speaks to national pride. "At least we're not French," "Americans who missed the boat" and "Once Great: Britain," were among the more cynical suggestions sent to the BBC and the Times of London.

Because Britain lacks a national founding moment, an all-encompassing motto is "ridiculous," one expert sniffs. One author, trying to be helpful rather than snide, suggests, that "something from Shakespeare might do the trick." Prime Minister Gordon Brown is backing the motto search at a time when nationalism is resurgent in Scotland and Wales.

Prince Charles is a serious man, why can't his nation have a serious motto? (Getty Images)

Some have suggested using a quotation from Shakespeare. (Archive Photos)

Britain is in search of a national motto. (Getty Images)

Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown. (AP Photo/Toby Melville/pool) (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Scotland's Battle for Freedom Kicks Off

'Yes for Scotland' campaign targets 2014 vote

(NEWSER) - Supporters of Scottish independence are about to officially kick off their campaign to end the country's 305-year-old marriage to England and Wales. The "Yes for Scotland" drive is being spearheaded by Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond, whose party won a majority in Scottish elections last years, reports Reuters . His party wants the independence referendum to be held in 2014, on the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, in which a small force led by Robert the Bruce defeated a much bigger English force. More»

Argentina Olympics Ad Tweaks Britain on Falklands

It shows athlete training there on 'Argentine soil'

(NEWSER) - Argentina isn't afraid to play politics with the Olympics: A controversial new ad shows an Argentine athlete training on the Falklands with the tagline, "To compete on British soil, we train on Argentine soil," reports the Guardian . The 90-second ad also refers to the islands by their Argentine name, the Malvinas. ( Take note, President Obama .) It comes on the 30th anniversary of the war for the islands won by Britain and ahead of the summer Games in London. More»

UK Considers Blocking All Porn Sites

David Cameron wants you to have to 'opt in' with your ISP

(NEWSER) - British Prime Minister David Cameron is considering a move forcing Internet service providers to block all porn unless users specifically request it, the Guardian reports, in a move likely to be vigorously opposed by the ISPs, free speech groups, and teenagers sneaking onto their parents' computers. Cameron will consult on the options for filtering out porn in the coming weeks. The push comes following a parliamentary inquiry into the harmful effects of online pornography on children. More»

London Workers Held Hostage in Bomb Threat

Man arrested in apparent suicide bombing attempt

(NEWSER) - A man has been arrested in an apparent hostage situation in central London that prompted an evacuation and the closing of a major thoroughfare. Police were called to Tottenham Court Road after office equipment was hurled from the fifth floor of an office building, the BBC reports. A man carrying explosives had reportedly entered the building and taken four hostages. He ordered workers to "throw computers from the window," according to an official email. More»

Britain Slides Back Into Recession

Figures reveal first 'double-dip' recession since '70s

(NEWSER) - More bad news for Britain's beleaguered government: The country slid back into recession in the first quarter of this year, according to figures released today. The economy shrank for the second straight quarter, marking the first "double-dip" recession, in which GDP falls before output lost in the previous recession is recovered, since the mid-70s, Bloomberg reports. The British economy shrank 7.1% in the 2008-2009 recession and recovery since has been weak and fitful. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Our Vote for Brit Motto: Yanks Who Missed the Boat

Cynicism, humor set the tone

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Britain

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Scotland's Battle for Freedom Kicks Off

'Yes for Scotland' campaign targets 2014 vote

Argentina Olympics Ad Tweaks Britain on Falklands

It shows athlete training there on 'Argentine soil'

UK Considers Blocking All Porn Sites

David Cameron wants you to have to 'opt in' with your ISP

London Workers Held Hostage in Bomb Threat

Man arrested in apparent suicide bombing attempt

Britain Slides Back Into Recession

Figures reveal first 'double-dip' recession since '70s

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?