BGonline.org Forums

Thank You, Joe!

Posted By: Paul Weaver
Date: Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 7:06 p.m.

In Response To: Of kamikaze plays and Polish primes -- for septugenarians only (joe freedman)

Joe Freedman correctly wrote, "Of course the phrase "Polish prime" is an insult."

Anna wrote, "Use any term you like if you feel comfortable with it. It tells more about you than about Polish people."

Like countless other words, "kamikaze" and "blitz" have been borrowed from other languages and are now bona fide English words. It is illogical and untrue that these two words are as insulting to anyone as the term "Polish prime."

The term "Polish prime" has been commonly used among backgammon players outside Poland for decades. I first heard it soon after I began playing more than thirty years ago. Bill Robertie was familiar with the term and defined it. These facts, however, do not mean it is not insulting.

Some try to defend it by pointing out that it is alliteration. If you like alliteration, then you can say, "Prime and punishment" when your prime forces your opponent to crash his board. Even better, say "Prime and punishment" when your opponent's prime forces you to crash your own board.

The Polish players do not currently use the term "Polish prime" and I am predicting they never will. I wish I could make the same prediction about everyone else who posts on this site.

Messages In This Thread

• Of kamikaze plays and Polish primes -- for septugenarians only
  joe freedman -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 4:14 a.m.
  • Of kamikaze plays and Polish primes -- for septugenarians only
    Bob Koca -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 4:39 a.m.
    • Of kamikaze plays and Polish primes -- for septugenarians only
      Barry Silliman -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 12:51 p.m.
      • Well said, Barry, although "Palin prime" would seem more appropriate
        joe freedman -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 4:59 p.m.
        • Well said, Barry, although "Palin prime" would seem more appropriate
          Barry Silliman -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 5:31 p.m.
          • Well said, Barry, although "Palin prime" would seem more appropriate
            higonefive -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 5:51 p.m.
          • Well said, Barry, although "Palin prime" would seem more appropriate
            Daniel Murphy -- Sunday, 21 November 2010, at 3:58 a.m.
            • Double OT - running up scores in sport
              Casper van der Tak -- Sunday, 21 November 2010, at 8:04 a.m.
              • Double OT - running up scores in sport
                Matt Cohn-Geier -- Sunday, 21 November 2010, at 9:36 a.m.
                • Double OT - running up scores in sport
                  Casper van der Tak -- Sunday, 21 November 2010, at 10:32 a.m.
                • Double OT - running up scores in sport
                  Daniel Murphy -- Sunday, 21 November 2010, at 2:13 p.m.
                • Double OT - running up scores in sport
                  joe freedman -- Monday, 22 November 2010, at 4:53 a.m.
              • Double OT - running up scores in sport
                Michael Petch -- Sunday, 21 November 2010, at 10:39 a.m.
                • Double OT - running up scores in sport
                  Casper van der Tak -- Sunday, 21 November 2010, at 10:55 a.m.
        • Well said, Barry, although "Palin prime" would seem more appropriate
          Stick -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 6:07 p.m.
        • "N" word is more complicated
          Stanley E. Richards -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 7:30 p.m.
          • Using Less Offensive Language
            Bob Glass -- Monday, 22 November 2010, at 10:03 p.m.
  • Of kamikaze plays and Polish primes -- for septugenarians only
    higonefive -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 5:10 p.m.
    • Of kamikaze plays and Polish primes -- for septugenarians only
      Daniel Murphy -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 5:20 p.m.
      • Of kamikaze plays and Polish primes -- for septugenarians only
        higonefive -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 5:45 p.m.
        • Of kamikaze plays and Polish primes -- for septugenarians only
          Daniel Murphy -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 7:59 p.m.
    • Of kamikaze plays and Polish primes -- for septugenarians only
      joe freedman -- Sunday, 21 November 2010, at 6:16 a.m.
  • Thank You, Joe!
    Paul Weaver -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 6:47 p.m.
  • Thank You, Joe!
    Paul Weaver -- Saturday, 20 November 2010, at 7:06 p.m.
  • words
    garyo -- Sunday, 21 November 2010, at 3:11 a.m.