In article , Tuollaf43
writes
(robert arndt) wrote in message news:9b35beb1.0307312212.2f94
...
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...4%5E401,00.htm
l

Rob

Why does everyone have to use the English channel as a bench mark? Why
not the gulf of tonkin (or whatever).

Because it's the ultimate test of foreignness: English v. French.

It's also a big psychological barrier. The Romans/Angles, Saxons,
Jutes/Normans managed to invade or just get across it and the North Sea,
but no-one's crossed it successfully with evil intent since 1066.
(Except the Aussies coming for the Ashes, of course.)
--
Peter

Ying tong iddle-i po!