ARmy Rumour SErvice

Originally Posted by Brotherton Lad

Funnily enough, in the mid 90s, there was a marked tendency for NCO instructors to use the word 'invariably' to mean 'sometimes'.

I imagined somewhere in the Army's training establishments (maybe MOI or BITS or whatever it is called this week) was a bloke with a cruel sense of humour.

MOI in my time. I gained the impression, during the 1980's to 1990's, that there was a tendancy to stop using plain English and replace it with complex phrases. Perhaps to make one's role seem more significant? A precursor to today's consultants in all disciplines?

Originally Posted by Rodney2q

Three of the chaps I knew in the Corps fell into that category. It didn't seem to do their careers any harm.

In any case, the ability to speak bullshit while maintaining a straight face is essential. You'd be surprised how many officers fall for it.

Rodney2q

Absolutely! Fluent Bullshit is a definite winner. However it is important to choose the correct dialect. Bafflesbrains is more desirable (and carear enhancing) than the more common Makeitupquick, but I believe Nocufftootough (often incorrectly thought to be a variant of Bafflesbrains) is considered to be the best bet.

Rousing myself from my elderly person's slumber and barely pausing to take offence at the OP's blanket dismissal of retired Corps members, I'd note that if the Army wants you to have a language, in my experience, it's usually the one you haven't got, so hurrah for another course.

Realistically, if the OP's looking for a head start on The Next Big Thing, I should look at Urdu, Arabic, Swahili or one of the many Somali dialects. All will stand you in good stead in Bradford.

African French could have it's uses as we decide to start another Scramble for Africa and keep the yellow hoards out of it.

you don't need any foreign languages; simply speak louder in English.

Originally Posted by CRmeansCeilingReached

you don't need any foreign languages; simply speak louder in English.

Doesn't get you a discount though abroad.

My BBC "Speak Greek" tape worked wonders in Cyprus and on holiday on some lovely Greek islands (that and letting the Germans go first to be served by the lovely elderly baker, and then proudly saying "Good Morning, I am British!" in Greek. Cheap baklava for two weeks!)

Originally Posted by ooooh_matron

African French could have it's uses as we decide to start another Scramble for Africa and keep the yellow hoards out of it.

Too late. I went looking for office space in Nouadhibou last year and every last inch had been snapped up by little people busy raping the Atlantic.

Originally Posted by Whiskybreath

Too late. I went looking for office space in Nouadhibou last year and every last inch had been snapped up by little people busy raping the Atlantic.

Good point. Mandarin is very useful in Africa, if only to know what the little bastards are saying about you while they're taking your pants down and raping you (in a business context, versteht sich).