Blue in Yarmouth

November 28th, 2012 at 8:34 AM ^

I can say it is a pain in the ass. I mean, I can deal with it and everything but it is always the same silly stereotypes that get thrown around and the worst part is very few of those are true. The whole eh? thing is probably the worst. I live in Canada and I can count on one hand the number of times I have heard a Canadian say that. 

restive neb

November 28th, 2012 at 8:55 AM ^

I was speaking to a Canadian once who made the exact same argument, despite the fact that I had heard her use the word a couple times in that very same conversation.  She hadn't even realized that she was using it.  Perhaps it is so automatic that you don't notice it most of the time, but I've heard it numerous times from Canadians despite never living in Canada.  Or maybe Canadians only say it when they enter the U.S., and stop using it as soon as they cross back into Canada, hence the view from Americans that Canadians use it, and the insistence from Canadians that they don't.  Occam's razor tells us that it is more likely that you simply aren't noticing it.

andrewG

November 28th, 2012 at 10:51 AM ^

I was at the Colosseum trying to take a self picture with my wife and a couple of guys offered to take it for us. We talked to them for a few minutes and found out they were Canadian. Never dropped an 'eh' though until they parted with "Enjoy your trip, eh". I chuckled a little bit and heard him say "Dammit, I can't believe I said eh!" to his friend as he walked away.

And just this past weekend I met some Canadians at Joshua Tree who insisted they didn't say 'eh'. They were true to their word... until they got a few beers in them. Then they managed an 'eh' in every other sentence.

ChopBlock

November 28th, 2012 at 3:00 PM ^

Actually, Ockham's razor would actually work against you there. There seem to be two competing positions here:

1) Canadians don't actually say "eh"

2) The OP simply doesn't notice when Canadians say "eh"

You need the additional assumption that he simply doesn't recognize it when "eh" is said for your explanation, whereas the OP wouldn't need such an assumption. In either scenario, we start from the same premise: that the OP didn't hear people saying "eh" in Canada

TL;DR: I'd be more than happy for the Worldwide Mad Deadly Communist Gangster Computer God to take over the world if he would just impose a moratorium on people using Ockham's razor.

Also, "eh" is a very regional thing in Canada. Some parts say it, some don't.

restive neb

November 28th, 2012 at 4:14 PM ^

I was giving two options:

1.  Canadians don't notice it being used.

2.  Canadians only use the word when they're in the U.S.

Of these two, Occam's razor supports mine, because I constructed such a beautiful strawman. 

By the way, two other points:

First:  Of all the things on the internet to be annoyed by, you choose Occam's razor?  Second:   "Occam's razor" is a perfectly legitimate spelling, despite being named for William of Ockham, for those who might read your post as a correction of my spelling.

Edit:  Just for clarification, my pointing out that you missed my joke was not a judgement of you so much as it is of my joke.

ChopBlock

November 28th, 2012 at 5:36 PM ^

The simplest explanation here is that Canada doesn't actually exist. That explains everything:

1) Canadians don't, in fact, say "eh" in Canada

2) Canadians do in fact say "eh" in the US

3) Canadian behavior isn't internally inconsistent as a result of (1) and (2)

4) We have to posit one fewer metaphysical entities (Ockham's Razor), namely Canada.

 

/philosophynerd

 

snarling wolverine

November 28th, 2012 at 7:51 PM ^

I've definitely heard plenty of Canadians say "eh."  However, I've also heard plenty of Americans (from the Midwest, especially) say it as well, so it's not just a Canadian thing.

The real tell-tale Canadian sign is the way they pronounce "about." I don't think I've ever heard an American say it that way.

 

 

kevin holt

November 28th, 2012 at 11:31 AM ^

Actually, moving out of Michigan has taught me that even Michiganders are seen that way sometimes. I've been asked about "eh?" before. And come to think of it, yoopers probably say eh more than many canadians I know.

However, as a half-canadian, I really don't care either way

Erik_in_Dayton

November 27th, 2012 at 10:56 PM ^

My cousin's son, who has special needs, recently got to meet him backstage at a concert through the Make a Wish Foundation.  Bieber appears to have been very generous about the whole thing...Also, I know they were half-joking, but those questions were ridiculous. 

OmarDontScare

November 27th, 2012 at 11:01 PM ^

Is it wrong to think that Stauskas may be our best Freshman? McGary and GR3 are awesome but Stauskas is just at another level right now.

Michigan4Life

November 27th, 2012 at 11:16 PM ^

but GRIII is the best athlete and has the highest upside.  GRIII could've easily avg 20 ppg if he wanted to but he doesn't really demand the ball as much which makes it so much easier for Michigan to put together a cohesive team.  McGary is there for energy, hustle, rebound and defense.

Stauskas is our answer to teams packing in the lane just like Jordan Hulls.  Both can flat out shoot.

michfan4borw

November 28th, 2012 at 1:07 PM ^

But I think all four of GRIII (big dog II), Nik (I hope he kills/snipes against state so I can call him The Green Arrow), McGary and Levert have high ceilings. Spike is solid in his game, but his strength is mental more than anything else; I could see him being an assistant coach under Beilein down the road.  Anyway, I digressed. I just think it's too early to say who will be best.

fwiw, this is coming from a guy who also thinks Horford has the genetics and coaching to be a pro someday too.

GOLBOGM

November 27th, 2012 at 11:03 PM ^

Funny video.. I prefer the youtubes of him draining threes though! Beilein sure can recruit! Looks like Stauskas is going to be great! This frshman class sure is exciting! To be honest Stauskas seems ro be the best one so far -it'd be nuts if that was true especially since the other guys look great!

Tater

November 28th, 2012 at 10:55 AM ^

I won't call any of them the "best," but I will call four of them great recruits.  Everyone has found a role, and they have become a cohesive team much faster than I thought they would.  I really didn't expect the kind of performances they have given the last three games until at least midway through the Big Ten season.

Obviously, Spike isn't on the level of Stauskas, McGary, or GRIII, but I am almost shocked at how everyone has fit in so far.  I remember when the Fab Five came in, and there was a lot of dissent among the older players, and a rivalry between the freshmen and the rest of the team.  

That certainly isn't happening here.  The older players have embraced the younger ones, and the younger ones have found their roles without "stepping on" Burke, Hardaway, or Morgan.  This is by far Beilein's best team, and it should be even better by tournament time.  

My guess is that, by March, Michigan's rotation will trump Indiana's Cody Zeller.