The longer I live here, the more I learn ... Couldn't resist but let loose with the chantey "John Kanaka" for the benefit of a local German running group (who've heard it before and getting used to the idea that sea chanteys can be sung in landlocked Baden-Wurttemburg). Although most ended up leaving the festivities humming the tune, one concerned German came up to me and informed me that Kanaka is not just a Polynesian term ... apparently it is used as a derogatory term for islanders (off North Germany). Not that this will stop me singing the song, but I'll remember to preface it with a bit more of an explanation.

Cheers,Tschuss

Brian