Happy American Independence Day, Everyone! Here is some red, white and blue for you:
Red:
White:
and Blue:
Red:
White:
and Blue:
Red:
White:
and Blue:
Photo credits: (RED) this little raspberry … by jude. (WHITE) Pearl Winter White Dwarf Hamster via Wikipedia. (BLUE) name our puppy // Done! by chadmiller. (RED) Baby Fox by these are only words. (WHITE) Polo the Chow 20 byadrianrhys. (BLUE) 黑枕逆彩 by John&Fish. (RED) Stolen puppy, riding home by Glynnis Ritchie. (WHITE) Anerable white kitten sent in by Karen M. via Piccat. (BLUE) Poison Dart Frog of the blue variety by ucumari.
{ 90 comments }
Hey United Statesians, have a snorgleable holiday!!
Wow that red birdie is a beauty!! Eye poppingly bright! Blue birdie too, can I have a whole room full please?
Wow, what an amazing-looking frog! Happy 4th of July, my Yankee neighbours!
Now go outside and barbecue something!
What a redonkulous display of patriotic Qteness! Thanks, Meg!
Say it again, Mr. Froggie! By the way, all cute little cuddly wuddlies but that top bird is absolutely stunning!!
I gotta agree with the frog.
ummm, how about Hell YEAH instead . . . .
Oh yeah Meg, on my way! Hope you’re headed for some grilled something too!
OMG so cute!
WOW, I THINK THIS MIGHT BE THE BESTEST LITTLE GROUP I’VE EVER SEEN YOU GUYS PUT ON HERE….IT’S SO APPROPRIATE FOR TODAY. HAPPY FOURTH TO EVERYONE…..
Meg, you make (those of us who are IN America) us
Proud to be an Amerikun ….. !!!
Those are som nice lookin critters AND Phenomenal Photography !!!
Hope you’re finding adequate compensation today for not being able to snuggle animals (darn, allergies are a curse, anyhow…)
You make the (Cute) Universe a better place !!
Goodness … I never thought I’d see the f-bomb in a CO rollover. Ya know there are some people who bring their kids to see this site
Definitely the highlight of the day!
(The white kitten is burned on my retinas for all eternity like some blazing, incandescent firework of anerability…)
Cutest/prettiest/cuddliest/stunningist display of patriotism ever!
Loved the f-bomb, icing on the cake:)
And now, The Star Spangled Banner, as heard from the percussion section.
Oh, say can you BOOM, CRASH
By the dawn’s early BOOM, CRASH
What so proudly we BOOM, CRASH
At the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright BOOM, CRASH
Through the perilous BOOM, CRASH
O’er the ramparts we BOOM, CRASH
Were so gallantly streaming? 3 &
1…2…3…
2…2…3…
3…2…3…
4…2…3…
5…2…3…
6…2…3…
7…2…3…
8…2…Oh,
BOOM BOOM BOOM
BOOM BOOM BOOM
BOOM BOOM BOOM
BOOM BOOOOOMMMM; BOOM
BOOM BOOM BOOM
BOOM BOOOOOMMMM; BOOM
BOOM BOOM BOOM
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Always been proud to be an American, but such Qteness just makes me all a-quiver! Happy Independence Day, fellow ‘Murkans!
Candy Duncan, then it wouldn’t be a reference to Team America.
Freedom is the only way, YEAH!
I swear I thought the rollover on the frog was going to be “Play Ball!”
Yeah, not a fan of the F-bomb actually… not exactly cute if one’s child visits this site! But thumbs up on the RW&B animals!
enjoyed the “Percussion Section” version of SSB
This site isn’t intended for children, and the chances are good they’ve heard the F-bomb by the time they’re in the 2nd grade.
And, as sas said, Team America reference.
oh. never mind. (said in Emily Littella voice).
Where are Amy and Dixie when I need them??
Whoo hooo! The CuteOverload F-Bomb! Great way to round out the perfect cute tribute to American Patriotism!
And, if you wish to have all of the colors at once:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.stainedglassphotography.com/asst/mad_bluebird.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.stainedglassphotography.com/asst/mad_bluebird.htm&h=600&w=591&sz=88&tbnid=rmKydE4svWXuXM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3DMad%2BBluebird&usg=__l759Ff3j6WVj7wzejLtIdvaglHk=&ei=otBPSr2INoXYtgO0vOGqDQ&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=3&ct=image
I love the 4th of July without fireworks! Just big bass drums.
Theresa- how do you stay on pitch so nicely? What happened to the tinkle, tinkle, tinkle of the wind chimes?
‘Fuck’ is just as good an English word as ‘estivation’, ‘otherwise’, or ‘lemur’. Let’s revel in this fabulous language that we’re lucky enough to share, just as we celebrate all the other great elements of American culture.
My 2 cents.
On the 4th, a big shoutout to all the CO fans from everywhere else. May we always agree on teh qte!
Freya- my favorite word in the English language is ‘caterpillar’, thank you for reminding me of it! As I recall the F-bomb is German for rape, yes? So, no it isn’t as good, IMHO. Not that it is German, but that it is so violent. IMHO. We agree on teh qte, as Fluffy (also one of my favorite words), so rightfully proclaims!
Gorgeous photos. Thanks, Meg. Happy 4th.
Loved the little effer, loved it ALL!!
That frog is amazing. Would anyone mind if I take that little white kitten?
MUCH better than the Kieslowski ‘Trois couleurs’ film trilogy, but now have the ‘Team America’ song earworm. Love the first ‘White’ blorp.
Happy 4th, Yanks!
Sorry, 2nd ‘white’, 1st blorp
Sorry, Kar, it is on the way to my house (and hands).
Katrina, I’m not sure if ‘f***’ means rape in German, but my understanding of its English meaning is somewhat different. I had thought it was a good solid Anglo-Saxon word (there’s your germanic connection maybe?) for plowing, originally, and eventually being applied to, er, other acts of fertilization. I don’t think it’s generally considered as specifically referring to rape. So– a strong old-fashioned word that packs a lot of punch. Wonderful for imparting a decided emphasis to any phrase. When “oh my, yes indeed!” just doesn’t cut it.
And yes– LOVED the submish, from finch to frog. Hoppy Fourth, everyone!
Happy 4th of July!
And I see that Ed. is exercising his freedom of speech. Heh. I believe this is a CO first?
I can’t believe no one’s mentioned the astoundingly BLUE eyes (and wrinkled, worry expression) of the puppy in the third picture! I am in love!
Katrina – I’ll admit that I know very little German, but a cursory Google search turned up nothing that suggested that the word “fuck” was German for “rape” – from what I could tell, it seems like the Germans use the word just as Americans do: as a slang vernacular for “sex”. It isn’t in and of itself intrinsically violent (though, like American slang, it can connote violence.)
Historically, the word “fuck” has been used in various Germanic languages since the Middle Ages – it first shows up in a poem in 1500 – with much the same definition and usage as it has now. It is theorized that it may have its origins in Latin, with the word “facere”, meaning to make or do. Carl Jung would like you to believe that it originated with the High German word “pfluog” (pronounced as “fuk”) meaning “to plow” (euphemism obvious).
I think any word with such a rich etymology deserves at least a LITTLE respect.
Hover text for the win!!!
Although I have no problem with it, Meg probably could have chosen to use something like *&%$ or F— if she had so chosen (or Teho if he did it).
But yeah, it’s kind of a Team America thing.
So lick my b— and suck on my b—-. (Look up the lyrics if you can’t fill it in).
And really, peeps. The site is and always has been “PG-13.” If your kid can read the f-word and know what it means, then they’ve already heard it. It’s just a word. Words aren’t nearly as damaging (nor as enlightening) as we make them out to be.
I also remember – way back in school – learning that “f*” meant to fertilize in a divot. Ok, I’m not articulating it right, but it related to sewing seeds – the farmers used to f* their fields – meaning that they’d create the little divot then plant their seeds along the divot. I remember learning this when we read Geoffrey Chausser, and I SWEAR, I could NOT have invented this from my own imagination. SO, there may have been some evolution of the word, as it does relate to fertilization, and planting of seeds, but for some reason, I think it had a fairly mundane origination, and through the creativity of mankind, became a much more colorful word.
Ok, so I thought English class would never come in handy, but on this wonderful 4th of July, I can thank the American School System for endowing me with that little piece of trivia…
Celebrate our great country!
Best hovertexts ever! And yes, Yellow Cat, I was expecting a “play ball!” in there too.
WOW!!! I love this collection of photos. Just perfect for the 4th! Thanks, Meg.
No, ‘fuck’ is not the German word for rape. ‘Rauben’ is the German word for rape. There are quite a few disturbing etymologies for words we consider quite harmless, but I don’t think that’s the focus of Meg’s hovertext, so let’s just think about Team America: World Police and go outside and blow shit up.
Oh my gosh, I want that little blue frog, I don’t care how much it poisons me. I want it to sit in my hair.
I lol’d at the frog rollover. But I lol at most of those things. Good stuff. And come on guys…its only a ‘bad word’ if you use it in a hurtful manner. Go ‘merika!
oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountains majesty above the fruited plains…. America, America, God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea…………….
Thanks for the wonderful tribute Meg and Theo. Happy Independence Day to all!
Happy 4th of July, you Yankee cute-seekers!
PS
I believe the English f word is considered by most etymologists to be a simple twist on the German word fick, which means the same thing. Not as colorful as For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge etc but more plausible.
Happy 4th! And can I have the white kitten?
God bless America and all of her red, white and blue critters.
Thanks for the post.
…and unprepared I was for the last bit of hover text, but, yeah! Effin’ A!
That was awesome!
I suddenly have the urge to watch Team America: World Police surrounded by birds and frogs.
This is a good thing.
From Merriam-Webster:
Etymology:akin to Dutch fokken to breed (cattle), Swedish dialect fókka to copulate
Date:circa 1503
Still seems to be speculation, but whatever. I hope you guys had as good a day today as we had on the 1st.
I loves me some pro-America enthusiasm!! Wouldn’t have changed a thing about that post!
I’m betting that the little darlings can teach their parents a new word or two anyway, just from what they pick up at daycare. Or after Sunday school.
Why not prepare the kids for what they might see on the big bad Internets, instead of insisting that the world be nerfed (as if) for their protection?
That white kittain makes me want to take a little post-4th snoozle.
Lol’ed majorly at that last hovertext! My hubbie and I are Americans living in London and we observed the 4th by eating hot dogs, watching an online episode of Homeland Security and then the main feature of Team America. Such a great mockery of …well… everything! “Matt Damon”
I actually have never heard of “Team America”. Berthaservant, I expected better from you. I suspect that perhaps you were quoting song lyrics, as you opften do, and if so, well, fine.
As far a ‘fuck’ goes, that’s what I get for being told by my Merchant Mariner Dad not to use the word that portrays sexual violence against people. Perhaps it is slang. This generation uses words that my generation generally steered away from, seemingly to try to take the sting out of those words? I guess it is a ‘cleansing’ of the language? From “F” to “N” and other words, it portrays to me the violence in our language and does pack a wallop. “S/he is ‘the bomb’, took me by surprise, too. That something could be ‘the bomb’ that now means ‘extra ordinary’ has always struck me as unbelievably crude. Should there ever be another word that jars one as much, well, we’ll be hearing it soon. Please, now tell me that fuck hasn’t historically been used as violent term against women (and men), go ahead. That is has been watered down, fine, but when I was growing up in the sixties and learning my manners, it was a term of violence and a term that most often got used for violence against women. That the English language is evolving, sure, and the direction it is taking, well, make you own conclusion. Crudeness seems to be a hallmark of comedy today, too. But we are what we say, and how we comport ourselves. I have been known to say some dandy swear words- and yes, I said ‘fuck’ when I broke my toe two weeks ago, but I also said ‘ow’ and ‘damn’ and ’shit’ and I was in terrible pain. To use these words in plain old conversation is just lazy when we have the entire English language at our disposal.
Da blueboid a’happyness, the White House – er, Mouse, oh and a red herring…
Ah, it wasn’t much of an f-bomb. More like a stray bullet.
I think, in reality, and CO isn’t Real Life, of course it is highly offensive. It is meant to be. That is its purpose. When it is misused it is inappropriate.
I guess it depends on what you think it’s purpose is.
Oh well, it didn’t cause much fireworks! Yay!
Wait, I love fireworks!
Hope a happy 4th was had by all.
I hope all of my compatriots had a great Independence day, and to all those who have served/are currently serving in the armed forces- thanks!
Arranged in the pattern of the Luxembourg flag.
Big Team America fans here…gotta show the boyfriend that hovertext, he’ll love it.
Love all the furry fluffies too, of course!
America, F- YEAH! Comin’ again to save the mother-#%%$$ing day, yeah!
Happy Fourth on the 5th!
I’m taking the 5th on the nuffing…
My party went well, now I can stop cleaning for a spell.
Oh say can you see?
CEEE OOOO on wick-o-peeeeeeee-(dia). (Congrats Meg!)
…….
oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet waaaaaaaaaaaave,
o’r the land of the cute and the home of the brave.
CO is not yet a publicly traded company on the NYSE. (ooh, good idea?!)
It’s Meg’s site and we come here for her (and to only a slightly smaller extent Theo’s and Not That Mike The Other Mike’s) erudite comments combined with pithy observations and completely redonkulous verbiage.
“But won’t SOMEONE please think of the children?!”
Boo-frakin-hoo!
If your nosicle gets out of joint every time you see THAT word, then perhaps your muzzlepuff should not be using the internets.
First Amendment!
FUCK YEAH!
[You're referring to the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, yes? Which is actually somewhat smaller than the internet as a whole?... anyway, that was pithy. - Ed.]
An homage to the Dutch flag! How sweet!
No, hang on, the French flag. The Croation flag? The British flag. Wait, Ashmore and Cartier islands! Australia!
…
No?
Me So Ronery!
LOL@ Staci’s “Diabeetus” avatar!
What the F is Team America?
I’m in love with a big blue frog,
A big blue frog loves me,
It’s not as bad
As it may seem
He’s got rhythm and he’s six foot three.
@CharlieWabba:
Thanks for reminding of those lyrics!! That was one of my all*time favorite songs ‘o’ silliness & I hadn’t thought of or heard it in at least 5 years.
Signed,
Michigan J. Frog
Exotic frogs and Beetles are two of my largest facinations. Amazing colors.
OK, I didn’t get the “Team America” reference either (probably too old), but I still thought it was cute. And yeah, if your kids have ever been on a school bus or a school playground, they’ve already heard the word.
And Michael Claymore is correct, “ficken” is German for “to f***,” which is actually just old Anglo-Saxon for intercourse. Was a perfectly fine word (far) back in the day, and became vulgar only after the Normans conquered Britain in good ol’ 1066 and gave us more “refined” (read “French”) words for it. (See also swine vs. pork, sheep vs. mutton, cow vs. beef) (There’s a reason — servants British, nobility French — why the animals’ names come from Anglo-Saxon and the foods’ names come from French.) (This ends your linguistics lesson for today!)
Fun fact: “Fuck” is a brand of German chewing gum (or at least it was in the 1970s, when I was last there.
We college students all had to giggle and take pictures of the gum dispenser bearing said word, right on the street!
One of the best things about America is something called ‘freedom of speech’.
It’s your blog Meg, you can drop as many f-bombs as you want.
ROCK ON GIRL!!!
Three cheers for the red white and blue.
Does this count as a montage? Just sayin’….
Poifect!
No matter the history of the f-word, this is supposed to be a light-hearted site, so I don’t think we should make it a habit.
(puts on his professorial reading glasses and tweed jacket with elbow patches)
‘F*ck’ is related to earlier Indo-European words meaning ‘to make or do’. It’s a fairly recent obscenity…the old English word was ’swive’. Interestingly, if you were to travel in time back to the year 1000, obscenities would be some of the few words you could understand. For instance ’sh*t’ comes from the same root as ’scat’. ‘Sc’ was pronounces as ’sh’ in the early Anglo-Saxon period, hence pairs such as ’ship’ and ’skip’, or ’shirt’ and ’skirt’ (originally, ’scirt’ just meant ‘clothes’).
(takes off glasses, removes jacket)
Okay, let me get the blue and white puppies. Oh and throw in the white kitten for good measure.
Thank you, Edward and other elucidators, I for one appreciate a neologism when I hear it, the issue for me is the frequency and lack of imagination of those who can utter nothing else. So, Edward, I suspect that ’scatological’ is from the same root?
I did just purchase and watch the movie “The Princess Bride” by way of a suggestion from a Peep, and found the movie enchanting. At least now I’ll be able to understand the references from that. I have an excellent sense of humor, (much of it wordplay), to which a few of our fellow Peeps can attest, but “one doesn’t know what one doesn’t know”, so, for the lack of cultural competence on my part I can only say that I believe that it is to my credit that I do not feel a need to go out and discover “Team America”- from the references here, it sounds like a parody of “The Ugly American”, a character I have tried hard to dispel in working with South East Asian and other newcomers to our country. Edward, you have deserved the blue and white puppies and the white nite-nights kitteh for you efforts. For your erudition, and for taking the time to educate us Peeps, I relinquish the white kitteh to you. Puuuuuurrrrrrrrrrr.
LOL…didn’t see the Team America ref coming…that was a nice reward for the hovertext devotee. Now I’m imagining a version with CO-inspired shout-outs: “Blue Frogs! Puppy Eyes! Caturdays!”
Katrina – then you will chuckle when I say, “You keep using that word! I do not think it means what you think it means.”
@ Theresa for enlightening us on what it sounds like inside a drummer’s head during the Star Spangled Banner. I LOLd. (After singing the whole thing in my head with the BOOM CRASHes.) Makes me wonder what a Sousa march would sound like. Prolly BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM etc.
@ All the non-Americans who’ve wished us a happy 4th of July: Thank you!
Yes, Kristabelle, now I do! Thanks!
I have to disagree with Freya. There is no better English word than ‘lemur’. But
I’m totally with you on the white kitten.
I loved the hovertext, personally, made me SOL (snicker out loud) at my desk. Unexpected, not overused, so had great element of surprise.
Thanks for linking to my fox photo
Great set of cute photos!
I loved the cute puppy and kitten.Just adorable!!!
lol on the blue frog cuz it was left over and wat it said….but i dont remember that part in the song…. lol
Thanks!! I’m over in Iraq and there are no cute birdies or kittens…So this totally made my deployment!! I love the white kitties..I can’t wait to get home and adopte a kitty!
I want to smoosh that Chow Chow’s face, he/she’s so cute =3
Hehe… clever theme!
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