tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post662045923946359004..comments2024-03-29T13:30:56.758+13:00Comments on Anglican Down Under: Memo to self: I am a cretinPeter Carrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09535218286799156659noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-88839683379955302952009-04-25T22:40:00.000+12:002009-04-25T22:40:00.000+12:00'cretin' is Swiss French for 'chretien' and was or...'cretin' is Swiss French for 'chretien' and was originally used as a corrective for people who referred disparagingly to 'imbeciles'/'learning disabled' etc to remind them that these 'least of our brethren' are indeed our brethren in the Lord. So I should be pleased to be called a cretin.<br />Of course, all euphemisms ('idiot' etc) eventually become terms of abuse. This has happened recently to 'gay'.<br />And you can't be too careful! The teacher of French who complains to a latecomer 'Tu es en retard' will now be reported for calling a pupil 'a retard'. Multiple layers of irony there!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com