Where do collectors hail from? (2 Viewers)

[1879fanatic]

Brad,
You could have been a brewbanker! Mike

 

[theBaron]

Good idea

 

[sammy719]

I'm from the great state and the capital of the confedercy,Richmond, Virginia U.S.A., I recently moved to the Grand canyon state of Arizona, not much snow these days ha!!!...sammy

 

[theBaron]

Ooh, ouch! Aren't folks down there actually prouder to call Virginia a Commonwealth?

Prost!
Brad

 

[sammy719]

Ooh, ouch! Aren't folks down there actually prouder to call Virginia a Commonwealth?

Prost!
Brad

Yes you are correct, alot of people still prefer to use the term commonwealth, sounds to British to me ha!! as I quote Seinfield (not that there is anything wrong with that) sammy

 

[theBaron]

Yes you are correct, alot of people still prefer to use the term commonwealth, sounds to British to me ha!! as I quote Seinfield (not that there is anything wrong with that) sammy

I think of that, every time I hear someone in the media refer to the "State" of Pennsylvania. I think, "We're a Commonwealth, dammit!"

There are actually four Commonwealths among the 50 states, anyone else know the other 2?

Prosit!
Brad

 

[UKReb]

I think of that, every time I hear someone in the media refer to the "State" of Pennsylvania. I think, "We're a Commonwealth, dammit!"

There are actually four Commonwealths among the 50 states, anyone else know the other 2?

Prosit!
Brad

Massachusetts and the blue grass state I think......could be wrong on the last though but I'm only a Brit.

Reb

 

[theBaron]

Massachusetts and the blue grass state I think......could be wrong on the last though but I'm only a Brit.

Reb

Very good! You may be only a Brit, but so were we, once, and it shows in our political lexicon.

That's why we have counties, too, in every state but Louisiana, where they're parishes, because of the French.

A beer for you, prost!
Brad

 

[panda1gen]

Very good! You may be only a Brit, but so were we, once, and it shows in our political lexicon.

That's why we have counties, too, in every state but Louisiana, where they're parishes, because of the French.

A beer for you, prost!
Brad

As a true brit what is the blue grass state?

 

[thebritfarmer]

I think it's Kentucky

 

[theBaron]

As a true brit what is the blue grass state?

That would be the Commonwealth of Kentucky, cousin, home of some fine bourbon whiskey!

 

[panda1gen]

That would be the Commonwealth of Kentucky, cousin, home of some fine bourbon whiskey!

Thanks, if I may push my luck, what is blue grass and what do you mean by a Commonwealth? Why not a State?

 

[Njja]

Thanks, if I may push my luck, what is blue grass and what do you mean by a Commonwealth? Why not a State?

That is an excellent question since it is the 50 states of the United States..

......and each State has 2 senators. Exactly what IS the difference?

 

[UKReb]

Thanks, if I may push my luck, what is blue grass and what do you mean by a Commonwealth? Why not a State?

Hi Kev

As none of our American colleagues have answered I'll have a bash but remember I too am a Brit so this maynot be 100% accurate but it's darn close.

Commonwealth came to us through the Anglo Saxon word commomweal-meaning sound and prosperous state. As you know Cromwell designated Britain as a commonwealth after the disposing of a "corrupt" king.

I believe it was Virginia who decided to call themselves the Commonwealth of Virginia as being independent of King George and England and the term and State became synonymous. It slowly lost it's meaning in a democratically governed nation and the idea to be a state or to be a commonwealth in the US became identical. But the 4 Commonwealth States decided to keep their title.

Kentucky being called the blue-grass state is just down to the particular smooth and lush meadow grass they have in abundance and if the grass is allowed to grow to it's maximum height it bursts with small blue flowers at the end of the grass stalks.

Now if this Brit is wrong and its a bit of a cheek answering a US question I'm sure one of my American friends will put me right.
Reb

 

[damian]

Hi Kev

As none of our American colleagues have answered I'll have a bash but remember I too am a Brit so this maynot be 100% accurate but it's darn close.

Commonwealth came to us through the Anglo Saxon word commomweal-meaning sound and prosperous state. As you know Cromwell designated Britain as a commonwealth after the disposing of a "corrupt" king.

I believe it was Virginia who decided to call themselves the Commonwealth of Virginia as being independent of King George and England and the term and State became synonymous. It slowly lost it's meaning in a democratically governed nation and the idea to be a state or to be a commonwealth in the US became identical. But the 4 Commonwealth States decided to keep their title.

Kentucky being called the blue-grass state is just down to the particular smooth and lush meadow grass they have in abundance and if the grass is allowed to grow to it's maximum height it bursts with small blue flowers at the end of the grass stalks.

Now if this Brit is wrong and its a bit of a cheek answering a US question I'm sure one of my American friends will put me right.
Reb

I think Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys came from Kentucky. That is where the term bluegrass music comes from.
I stand to be corrected by my fellow forum members if I am wrong.
Regards
Damian

 

[theBaron]

Hi, all,

For "blue grass", I read a reference that told how the early settlers noticed that the grass they found growing in the valleys and fields in Kentucky took on a bluish hue in the right light and at certain times of the year, like dawn in the spring.

And you're all correct about the origin of the word "commonwealth", and its meaning in British political philosophy in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, too. It had a connotation of a society in which more members had an active role in decision-making, and in which any governing body acted for the benefit of all its citizens. Usually that was meant in comparison to a monarchy, or given dynasty within the British monarchy. But right, in our terms now, it's the same thing as a state.

Here's another bit of political trivia: In Pennsylvania, we have only 1 town. Every other municipality is a city, borough, village or township. And that is the Town of Bloomsburg, PA, the only incorporated town in the Commonwealth.

This is why it's called trivia......

 

[Spitfrnd]

Hi Kev
...
Commonwealth came to us through the Anglo Saxon word commomweal-meaning sound and prosperous state. As you know Cromwell designated Britain as a commonwealth after the disposing of a "corrupt" king.

I believe it was Virginia who decided to call themselves the Commonwealth of Virginia as being independent of King George and England and the term and State became synonymous. It slowly lost it's meaning in a democratically governed nation and the idea to be a state or to be a commonwealth in the US became identical. But the 4 Commonwealth States decided to keep their title.
Reb

Just to amplify a bit, for the US states that chose this label, it was intended to emphasize that thier governments were based on the common consent of the people, and not derived from their former Royal charters or grants. Of course the term itself is derived from the reference to the common "wealth" or welfare of the people.

 

[UKReb]

Just to amplify a bit, for the US states that chose this label, it was intended to emphasize that thier governments were based on the common consent of the people, and not derived from their former Royal charters or grants. Of course the term itself is derived from the reference to the common "wealth" or welfare of the people.

Thanks Spit for the additional info-got it stored away.

But my attempt of deciphering of the term wasn't bad for a Brit who enjoys US history more than his own

Reb

 

[Cardigan600]

Thanks Spit for the additional info-got it stored away.

But my attempt of deciphering of the term wasn't bad for a Brit who enjoys US history more than his own

Reb

A statement like that used to get peoples heads on Traitors gate, and the thing I always thought about US guys was that they like us Brits because we had so much history to write about. Put the 300 years of US history against the 2000 years of history the Brits have need I say more Trooper.
Bernard.

 

[panda1gen]

Guys, many thanks, great answers - OK now - what is the difference then between a town, borough, village etc. Anglo-Saxon and Roman derivatives again I think, is that right?

Is there a clear definition? Does anyone care?

In the UK a city is a city because it has a cathedral - relates to status greater than town and episcopal seats/Royal Burghs

After pondering I looked others up:

Village - English - late middle English and old French - collection of buildings larger than a hamlet and smaller than a town - US - minor municipality with limited corporate powers 1888.

Borough - UK - old English - from burgh -

1. castle, fortress or citadel, from 'to protect'.

2. fortified town

3. town possessing municipal corporation and special privileges conferred by Royal Charter, also town that sends representative to parliament.

4. property held by Burgage and formerly qualifying for parliamentary vote

5. part of city outside the wall

the US version????