tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781329426295611964.post4915766010621367739..comments2009-04-06T16:42:38.077-05:00cyurkaninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544849696034906766c_yurkanin@yahoo.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781329426295611964.post-47578769398606641302009-04-06T16:42:00.000-05:002009-04-06T16:42:00.000-05:00Thanks, swallows, for adding that. I also understand that among French Candians it's pretty normal to do the same thing, without a second thought as to what they're saying.cyurkaninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544849696034906766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-781329426295611964.post-73418786378870399812009-04-06T14:17:00.000-05:002009-04-06T14:17:00.000-05:00I had just read this in Caesar last night: “...there is a certain eagerness of spirit and an innate keenness in everyone which is inflamed by desire for battle. Generals ought to encourage this, not repress it; nor was it for nothing that the practice began in antiquity of giving the signal on both sides and everyone's raising a war-cry; this was believed both to frighten the enemy and to stimulate one's own men.” Caesar, The Civil War, III. 92. He thought Pompey made a mistake by ordering his men to stand still and wait for Caesar's charge at Pharsalus.<BR/><BR/>Your post also made me think of Galdos' description of the Battle of Trafalgar. Spaniards blaspheme constantly when they are angry or surprised or exhilarated. Galdos said in battle God's name is shouted endlessly: some of the cries are these blasphemies, others are curses on the enemy, still others are the pitiful prayers of the wounded and dying asking for help or forgiveness.100swallowshttp://100swallows.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com