Damian P

Perhaps if I highlight this enough times it might sink in?

Perhaps if I highlight this enough times it might sink in?

I used to be on an internet forum where an Australian regularly used the term seppo as an insult to Americans and I didn't even know why they were using it as such.
In the UK it's just cockney rhyming slang, which is sometimes tongue in cheek but rarely offensive -although James Blunt might disagree! Fairly sure the OP was just using the term in it's British context.

I'm just amused that someone who decried another poster for being irrational and emotional in their reply ended up being rather OTT in his own. Do calm down, it does terrible things to one's health.
By the way, I'm also Mexican-American, and being called a "seppo" is nowhere near being called a "wetback." Trust me. Do you have a lot of experience with living in the UK? I'm curious. I mean, we should never seek to turn people away from posting in regional sub-fora, but it seems, well, rather odd that someone with an Australian flag in their profile would come in and make pronouncements about what British slang means.
Further, your comment about the Queen calling the President a "seppo" is bizarre. There is a time and a place for slang, and quite clearly a formal function is not that. Are there circumstances when "seppo" is an insult? Of course! But here, and in this context, it is not.
And if you're unfamiliar with the phrase "in a loving way," well, I guess I can't help you with that.
PS: the Urban Dictionary is not an infallible source. Sorry.

Absolute #######. I'll tell you what's offensive - you coming on here trying to compare Cockney rhyming slang (and that's ALL it is) with vile, racially derogative slurs. How dare you . It could be "wooden plank" or "higher rank" and the meaning would be the same something that rhymes with "yank." Absolutely NOTHING more.The fact that it's "septic tank" is a totally moot point. And you are BANG out of order for insinuating otherwise.
It is, AussieNemesis. Absolutely nothing more. I'm afraid your countryman is an imbecile.

I'm an American too, and spent most of my adult life until recently in the UK. I had never heard the phrase until I moved there, and I'd hazard that most of my compatriots here in the States have had no exposure to the term. Coincidentally, I had to explain it today to a friend. It merited nothing but a shrug.
The Urban Dictionary may say what it likes, but I've never *personally* had it said to me in any situation that was more than gentle ribbing. YMMV. But to state that it is equivalent to "wetback" or the n word is frankly wrongheaded and ignorant of context and general usage.

Absolute #######. I'll tell you what's offensive - you coming on here trying to compare Cockney rhyming slang (and that's ALL it is) with vile, racially derogative slurs. How dare you . It could be "wooden plank" or "higher rank" and the meaning would be the same something that rhymes with "yank." Absolutely NOTHING more.The fact that it's "septic tank" is a totally moot point. And you are BANG out of order for insinuating otherwise.
It is, AussieNemesis. Absolutely nothing more. I'm afraid your countryman is an imbecile.

I've never really subscribed to this theory. Yes, getting here legally is time-consuming and expensive, but once here, also affords you the means of going about your daily business without always having to look over your shoulder, and having to deal with the constant threat of discovery/deportation.
Folks that are so desperate to come here that, for example, picking fruit for a pittance represents a better opportunity than anything they have at home (not forgetting the extraordinarily risky business of jumping the border in the first place) have nothing but my sympathy - irrespective of the costly and drawn out way that I got here.
If Uncle Sam wants to keep them out, then he needs to do a better job at the border. Because once they've made it here, then good luck to them - God knows they need it.
Just my "progressive liberal" (LOL @ any non-tea party types being dubbed that) opinion, of course.

*Bump*
Right, so I know I have an interested party that's been PMing me about this, but I thought I'd share this experience with all of you in case anyone else is in the same boat (or will be in the future).
As previously mentioned earlier in the thread, the IRS Kansas City office is, as of 31st March, a verification centre (see earlier posts for all the garb on that). I entered the IRS office, was issued a ticket, sat in the waiting room as per norm. One of the IRS officers then called me over, and I explained to him exactly why I was there. I should mention that after my H&R Block tax return experience, and noting the fact that this particular office had only been offering this service for 3 days, I was a little apprehensive as to the officer's knowledge - needn't have worried. He was VERY well versed in the whole procedure, and, it should be noted, was mightily impressed with MY knowledge of the process!
I handed him my wife's passport, the biographic data on which he compared to the info on the W-7 form. He then asked to see my driver's licence. I handed him the completed federal 1040, the 2555, and the letter signed by both my wife and I stating that we wished her to be considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes. Once he had all the documentation, he asked me to take a seat in the waiting room whilst he "finished" the process (LOL @ USCIS style mysterious bollocks!) He said this would take about fifteen minutes.
After he had finished doing whatever it was he was doing, he called me back to the desk and said that everything was fine, subsequently taking the time to advise me as to what would happen next, namely:
Package sent to Austin
ITIN number created and applied to the tax return
Refund deposited into the checking account indicated on the 1040 (within 8-10 weeks)
With regard to the state return, well, you have to wait for the ITIN to be generated before you can file that (it doesn't go to Austin with the federal return) so you simply need to file an extension with the state office (the guy very kindly provided me with all the necessary info there.)
Et voila. Job done. So the advice here is pretty much the same as when dealing with USCIS - educate yourself on the process, come prepared, dot all the 'Is' and cross the 'Ts', and hope you don't get a clueless arsehole!!
Hope this helps someone.

OK, well I think my next question's fairly obvious!! PM me if you must.

Registered and active????

Just about to see if Alan can successfully slip Kirylam a length - I bet he can't get it up.

Hey, Nich, I just acknowledged my warning. First one in six years (I know, right!!!???) It's not so bad. Come on back now, ya hear?

Hey, Nich, I just acknowledged my warning. First one in six years (I know, right!!!???) It's not so bad. Come on back now, ya hear?

Just emailed Nich, and here's the scoop:
"I was locked out of VJ for 24 hours. It was maybe 2 weeks ago. Ryan H I believe his name is. Could not even read why. No access. It now says I can't post unless I acknowledge the warning. Sod that. Done with VJ because there is nothing I would do inappropriate on purpose. How long have I been helping all these struggling people?
Offended."
So there you have it. Way to go, Ryan.

Just emailed Nich, and here's the scoop:
"I was locked out of VJ for 24 hours. It was maybe 2 weeks ago. Ryan H I believe his name is. Could not even read why. No access. It now says I can't post unless I acknowledge the warning. Sod that. Done with VJ because there is nothing I would do inappropriate on purpose. How long have I been helping all these struggling people?
Offended."
So there you have it. Way to go, Ryan.

Just emailed Nich, and here's the scoop:
"I was locked out of VJ for 24 hours. It was maybe 2 weeks ago. Ryan H I believe his name is. Could not even read why. No access. It now says I can't post unless I acknowledge the warning. Sod that. Done with VJ because there is nothing I would do inappropriate on purpose. How long have I been helping all these struggling people?
Offended."
So there you have it. Way to go, Ryan.

Just emailed Nich, and here's the scoop:
"I was locked out of VJ for 24 hours. It was maybe 2 weeks ago. Ryan H I believe his name is. Could not even read why. No access. It now says I can't post unless I acknowledge the warning. Sod that. Done with VJ because there is nothing I would do inappropriate on purpose. How long have I been helping all these struggling people?
Offended."
So there you have it. Way to go, Ryan.

Just emailed Nich, and here's the scoop:
"I was locked out of VJ for 24 hours. It was maybe 2 weeks ago. Ryan H I believe his name is. Could not even read why. No access. It now says I can't post unless I acknowledge the warning. Sod that. Done with VJ because there is nothing I would do inappropriate on purpose. How long have I been helping all these struggling people?
Offended."
So there you have it. Way to go, Ryan.

I wondered where she'd gone. And you're right - nobody (and I mean nobody) on this forum has done more for folks than her. I shall endeavor to find out what happened.

Just emailed Nich, and here's the scoop:
"I was locked out of VJ for 24 hours. It was maybe 2 weeks ago. Ryan H I believe his name is. Could not even read why. No access. It now says I can't post unless I acknowledge the warning. Sod that. Done with VJ because there is nothing I would do inappropriate on purpose. How long have I been helping all these struggling people?
Offended."
So there you have it. Way to go, Ryan.

Just emailed Nich, and here's the scoop:
"I was locked out of VJ for 24 hours. It was maybe 2 weeks ago. Ryan H I believe his name is. Could not even read why. No access. It now says I can't post unless I acknowledge the warning. Sod that. Done with VJ because there is nothing I would do inappropriate on purpose. How long have I been helping all these struggling people?
Offended."
So there you have it. Way to go, Ryan.

Just emailed Nich, and here's the scoop:
"I was locked out of VJ for 24 hours. It was maybe 2 weeks ago. Ryan H I believe his name is. Could not even read why. No access. It now says I can't post unless I acknowledge the warning. Sod that. Done with VJ because there is nothing I would do inappropriate on purpose. How long have I been helping all these struggling people?
Offended."
So there you have it. Way to go, Ryan.

Just emailed Nich, and here's the scoop:
"I was locked out of VJ for 24 hours. It was maybe 2 weeks ago. Ryan H I believe his name is. Could not even read why. No access. It now says I can't post unless I acknowledge the warning. Sod that. Done with VJ because there is nothing I would do inappropriate on purpose. How long have I been helping all these struggling people?
Offended."
So there you have it. Way to go, Ryan.

I've never really subscribed to this theory. Yes, getting here legally is time-consuming and expensive, but once here, also affords you the means of going about your daily business without always having to look over your shoulder, and having to deal with the constant threat of discovery/deportation.
Folks that are so desperate to come here that, for example, picking fruit for a pittance represents a better opportunity than anything they have at home (not forgetting the extraordinarily risky business of jumping the border in the first place) have nothing but my sympathy - irrespective of the costly and drawn out way that I got here.
If Uncle Sam wants to keep them out, then he needs to do a better job at the border. Because once they've made it here, then good luck to them - God knows they need it.
Just my "progressive liberal" (LOL @ any non-tea party types being dubbed that) opinion, of course.