BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap

Subject: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Whippet
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 05:35 AM

Hi I'm new to all this !! but to start me off does anyone like me think that Morris Dancing is just a waste of space !! I mean what do all those blokes think they are up to waving hankies about surely they can get into other pervy pursuits like cross dressing or something

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: IanC
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 05:39 AM

Each to his own, Whippet.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: MC Fat
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 07:28 AM

What about the stick dancing and rapper folks they look hard they do but as for Scratch ?

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST,Skipjack K8
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 07:41 AM

Whilst I defend your right to free speech, Whippet, and sneakingly agree with you, that was a pretty negative maiden speech. Get your feet under the table before you alienate yourself. Welcome, anyway.

Skipjack

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: John P
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 08:42 AM

If you don't like Morris dancing, don't do it. Don't watch it. And especially don't bitch about it. What's the point?

What do you like?

John Peekstok

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST,French Guest
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:01 AM

Excuse in advance my English If I make some mistakes but I wanted to reply this:

A friend of mine introduiced me to Folk Dancing and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. He used to practice Morris Dancing and to see his interest I wanted to discover it.

Last year by chance I assisted to a festival and had that opportunity to see what Morris Dancing is. I utterly enjoyed myself, it was wonderful to see all that coordination. It was a particular atmosphere where joy music and rythm were mixed.

Being narrow minded that is crap!

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From:
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:03 AM

Morris dancing is just drinking in fancy dress:-)

We put on a colourful show for the public, we enjoy ourselves and we get pissed. Nowt wrong with that!

Now if someone can explain what's so facinating about watching 22 men kick a leather clad pig's bladder round a field...:-)

Scott (Sticking (pun intended) with Morris dancing)

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: English Jon
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:09 AM

Presumably this thread should be "Isn't Morris dancing crap"?

Watch your spelling, punctuation and capitalisation, Whippet.

And no, it isn't. It's just not as good as Rapper or Longsword.

EJ

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Marymac90
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:14 AM

Dear French Guest,

Your reply was wonderfully refreshing. I used to enjoy contra dancing before my knee went bad, and I understand what you're saying about music, rhythm, and movement completely. I miss it very much, but it's got way too much pivoting on the right knee for me to put my knee at risk. I really appreciate your positive attitude, and hope you become a member of mudcat soon!

Marymac

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Snuffy
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:20 AM

But we don't really enjoy it - we just do it to annoy people like you.

it's nice to know we succeed sometimes.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: MC Fat
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:26 AM

My mate Ken says he only does it so he can wear the jewellery

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: IanC
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:27 AM

EJ

You got anything against regional aphorisms? I'nt is fine by me. Bit of snobbery here, I fancy.

;-)
Ian

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Bagpuss
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:33 AM

English Jon- Whilst whippet's use of "i'nt" may have simply been an error as you suggest, when I first read it I presumed (s)he was using it to imitate the common spoken form, as in the "Int milk brilliant!" catchphrase from The Fast Show. If our American friends can use *ain't*, then we can have *int* if we want!

Having said all that it probably was just a typo.

And I'm just waiting for someone to resurrect the debate about the anti-semitic nature of morris dancing again....

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Bagpuss
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:36 AM

Ian C - great minds think alike (and fools seldom differ). Let me know which you are...

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:44 AM

I saw the morris dancing at Whitby, I like it.john

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 10:31 AM

Very educational.......I wasn't aware there was a KKK klavern in the UK.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 10:35 AM

Hehehehe....

All I can say is that with all that 'fertility' they are flicking about with their hankies, etc, PLUS their capacity for alcoholic beverages, then cross-dressing is hardly the kind of alternative pursuit that Morris Dancers would follow if the narrow-minded were to succeed in turning the unwashed masses against it....

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST,Paul in Hull
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 10:36 AM

Hmmm..wonder why it did that...the previous posting WAS me....

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST,French guest
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 11:17 AM

Thank you Marymac

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: English Jon
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 11:53 AM

IanC - if it's a regional aphorism, surely it should be "I'n't"?

Anyway, name a region of England that capitalises Verbs, e.g. Dancin (should be dancing, or dancin' if we are to allow abbreviations). Come to think of it, the noun "crap" is usually lower case too, methinks.

So, Jus' Call me a Ped'nt.

I still think Rapper is much more fun.

EJ

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Bagpuss
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 12:03 PM

English Jon's a Ped'nt, English Jon's a Ped'nt....

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Bagpuss
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 12:13 PM

Just a small point: The contraction of shall not is usually written shan't, not sha'n't. Written English doesn't follow nice easy rules all of the time.

Oh and it is quite commonplace to capitalise the initial letters of the main words in a title.

Bagpuss (proud to be a pedn't)

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 12:15 PM

The Morris community respect your right to your pitifully ignorant opinion, You must therefore respect our right to consider you a total wanker, it is up to you to confirm or deny this by your subsequent postings. JohnB

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 01:12 PM

I used to think so
This year I went to Sidmouth for the first time and one of the most enduring memories is the morris dancing teams from one end of the Esplanade to the other. The huge crowds watching didn't think they were crap, and after a couple of days neither did I. They were there entertaining people, through rain and hot sun. By the end of the week I wanted to be a stick weilding black faced Shropshire Bedlam or an Ouse Washes Molly Dancer. Lifes too short to be cynical about everything and one thing about most of them Morris dancers is they are far fitter than me and without the beerbelly.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 01:42 PM

I went to Whitby for the first time, I saw lots of different Morris Dancers there, this was the first time I had seen real Morris Dancers,(I had only seen it on tv before that).I noticed that all the Dancers and all the people watching them enjoyed it, and on the Thursday night they were showing members of the public how to do it,I did not join in because I am unfit and my knee is knackered, but everybody liked it.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Gareth
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 01:47 PM

Actually Morrs dancing is a bit like amature Rugby Union - 80 minutes of semi athletic activity in funny clothes befor one gets down to the serious business drinking and singing.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Deda
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 02:11 PM

I'm a relative newbie and I love International folk dancing of all kinds. I love dance, full stop. It's not so far removed from loving music. Morris dancing is delightful, if you just let yourself be delighted by it. It's as much fun as a good square dance or a polka or a jitterbug, or watching Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Mr Red
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 02:30 PM

Whippet
I personally have never danced any morris and probably never will but I will defend the right of any morrisbod (&/or bodess) to prance around waving there software, espcially if there are 10 of them with a stick and a sword in their hand.
AND just what is all this about very personal tastes in satorial orientations? Huh?
AND You might as well come clean - what is your stand on BODHRANS? Eh? EH?
you'll find there are at least two of every kind here on the Mudcat so any opinion will evoke someones ire but it helps to have a few positive opinions, if you want to enjoy.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Podger
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 02:30 PM

All dancing is fun. I prefer dance styles that allow one to grab hold of a woman now and then. But all dancing is fun.

If you capitalize Morris then you should capitalize dancing. Something to do with 'agreement' I think.

Podger

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST,Steven G.
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 02:32 PM

Anytime I hear Stan Rogers song "The Idiot" I can just picture Morris Dancers dancing to that tune. I believe I read somewhere's that they actually dance to that tune. I never seen them dance before, but I was at a couple of website that are devoted to Morris Dancing, and it was "quite" a interesting site.

As someone said "To each his own" Let them dance until the sun goes down and goes up.

Steven G.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: brid widder
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 03:03 PM

Morris dancing is indeed a fertility rite...my luvverly hubby dances...he does grab hold of me now and then podger...consequently I'm expecting our fifth child, so I beleive it to be effective...why don't you give it a try whippet,or if as your name suggests you have a rather slight, ladylike figure you might prefer garland...I'm sure your local team would make you welcome

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: 2 in harmony
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 03:19 PM

High energy level, coordination, rhythm, interaction, and so on make Morris Dancing a uniquely enjoyable treat. Why not open your mind, develop an appreciation for dance in general and then take a look at Morris Dancing again. With your degree of sensitivity to dance, your next thread may be "Isn't Music Crap" Sorry, but such negativity begats negativity.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Morticia
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 04:38 PM

Think about it, Whippet.Sides of ten or so stick or sword wielding, heavily drinking nutters...I'd rather have them out dancing where I can keep an eye on them, wouldn't you?
"Dance, dance, when I give the word.
And never mind the people who say we look absurd"

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: smallpiper
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 07:36 PM

I'nt Morris Dancin Crap - well no actually it i'nt! It gets on my tit ends somtimes and sometimes it doesn't but like many afore me 'ave said each to his own. I notice whippet has been very quiet since 'is initial postin'

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 08:15 PM

Criticism of Morris Dancing from "Blackadder":

Edmund: Morris dancing is the most fatuous tenth-rate entertainment ever devised by man: forty effeminate blacksmiths waving bits of cloth they've just wiped their noses on. How its still going on in this day and age I'll never know.

Not MY opinion, though. I've never even seen a Morris Dancer, but I'm a huge fan of effeminate blacksmiths.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST, Paul from Hull
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 08:28 PM

*G* Now THERE is a mental image I could have done without!

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 08:58 PM

I think Whippet may have had a Klavern rally to attend. Any of you over there notice fiery crosses?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:40 PM

Well, as a fair few Morris Sides black up to dance, as part of their costume, & as Sticks arent unusual (& as the 'sticks' are often PICKAXE handles) the 'Clan' might find the pointy bits of their hoods a bit beaten down should they try & hassle THOSE 'black' guys.......*WG*

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST,badlydrawnbow
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 09:53 PM

hallo I don't think Morris dancing is crap. I think people use it as an excuse to get pissed sometimes and less of an excuse to create exciting entertainment...but I've seen some truly awesome Morris dancers in my time and therefore wouldn't throw the hanky wavers out with the bathwater.Nothing beats a teenage Bampton lad jumping as high as he can in tight white pants on the right Mayday with the sun on your back.Sigh...

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Lucius
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 01:56 AM

Beyond crap, I'm sure that it is just a flash in the pan. It won't last. While we're at it who do these classical freaks think they are anyway. Why would anyone give old buggers like Beethoven and Bach a listen at all--and writers like Dickens and Joyce, GIVE ME A BREAK.

Give me Britney Spears any day for something that will last. Well, I'm off to stick my head in a bucket. Can't be too broad minded.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST,Les/Manchester
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 04:26 AM

I think whippet had a perfectly reasonable point. What makes some of us most uneasy about Morris is the explanation that it is a fertility rite of pre-industrial, even pre-Christian, origin, not just rugby and drinking by other means. These same people then practice it in such a way as to beat any sense of ritual or magic out of the dance and its special sennse of occasion.

I seem to remember an article in an EFDSS publication that gave strong evidence that the origin of Morris was in German courtly dances.

People say what ever they like without any need for evidence and they can dance likewise.

But some bits of folk dance/song/lore do go back a long way and affect some of us emotionally in ways that pop, classical and Morris at the end of the pier on a sunny day do not.

Is 'Hal an tow' a Victorian creation or something much older? That Fire ceromony with barrels of burning tar? Northwest Morris in tiny pennine towns is that also Victorian or does it have a deeper heritage? It strikes a strange chord with me.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Green Man
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 04:30 AM

Ere's a man oo obvoisly don't unnerstand iz eritage. Us Engerlish fully realoise the significuns of Murris Darncing. The earliest to me own knowledge recorded dance is the Orn Dance of Abbots Bromley. The significance of the hankies depends on the time of year. In the winter theyre useful for blowin yer ooter. In the summer they represent the spreading of the sperm on to Mother Earth to fertilise Her. Of course the Church are very interested in CONTROL of such powerful PAGAN symbology and so have been instrumental in marginalising the importance of the Ritual aspect of Morris. Whil most English are taught about the Nazi's they arent taught about theyre true heritage. I fully concur with the idea that 22 men kicking a gas filled bladder about is any different. The only difference here is that they seem to get a lot of commercial support.

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: GUEST,Les/ Manchester uk
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 04:39 AM

Abbots Bromley????? Isn't that the dance that was 'improved' by the Vicars wife in the 1800s? The Horns have been carbon dated (can't remember the date) but that doesn't mean people used them to dance with from that date. I guess the stag used them for a while

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Green Man
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 06:14 AM

The improvements have been removed. I bet the Vicars wife got to know the dancers tho..

Its what Morris men do, fertilise things innit?

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Lanfranc
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 06:32 AM

There's nowt wrong wi' Morris Dancing - some of t'silly buggers who gawp at folks doing it, tho', abaht them I'm not so sure!

Can't keep up the dialect - who snuck "Aphorism" into it? I've always thought that meant a neat saying, a quick ripost or a pithy comment, not an attempt to render a dialect in phonetic latin characters.

Always wanted to contribute an "Mfourism" - one of those crafty comments you think of about ten minutes too late, but delivered at speed for once. (A4, M4 - geddit - oh never mind).

Would a miners side that danced with lights in their hats be Wolseley dancers?

Chacun a son rite de futilite!

A short answer to your question, whippet - "NO"

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: John J at home
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 06:33 AM

Re: The Horn Dance....it's on Monday 10th September. Anyone going? I've booked the day of work and I'm looking forward to a good sing / play. BTW Whippet, where have you vanished to???

John J, Morris Dancer (resting)

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 08:40 AM

No its wonderful and fun and my youngest children are already 'dancing out' I will send photos to Pene Azul of Geoff the Duck and ducklings dancing at Whitby!

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 09:47 AM

What about the team that dances in black leather biking gear and uses scaffold poles and pick handles? Manitas taught them (or at least, their founder) all they know... except about bike leathers...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: Dorrie
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 12:24 PM

i love morris dancing but not with (grrrrrrrrrr) horwich meanies picking me up infront of loads of people grrrrrrrrr. But with my dance teams P.A.C it rules

dorrie x

Subject: RE: BS: I'nt Morris Dancin Crap
From: mouldy
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 01:20 PM

Hey, LTS - they're still going, then? Last time I saw them was on Hale & Pace's sketch some years ago: "I'm a Heavy Metal Morris Dancer".

Andrea