Laughing all the way to Warsaw

[auld argonian]

I'll toss this in Off Topic, just in case.

As one or two of you know, my surname is Gronkowski. Wear a kilt and have a Polish surname and you will probably get one or two (or three or four dozen) comments from the people that know you.

"Why are you wearing a kilt? That's Scottish! You're Polish!"

(I got thinking about this because of the mention that was made in that wonderful letter about residents of the USA referring to themselves as a hyphenated-American...)

But, because of Xmarks and the veritable surplus of historical information that I have now acquired re All Things Scottish, I can now say:

"Really? Have you ever heard of Bonnie Prince Charlie? Do you know what his mother's maiden name was? huh? Mommie Prince Charlie was Maria Clementina Sobieska, the grand-daughter of King John Sobieski of...wait for it!...POLAND! So there!"

Aha!

Best

AA

[Jock Scot]

I think the Sobieski brothers that published bogus and ficticious tartan pattern books in 1842 claimed to be ,I think, great grandsons of the lady you are talking about.Many of their tartan patterns are still around today.The book of tartans was called "Vestiarium Scoticum".

[auld argonian]

I think the Sobieski brothers that published bogus and ficticious tartan pattern books in 1842 claimed to be ,I think, great grandsons of the lady you are talking about.Many of their tartan patterns are still around today.The book of tartans was called "Vestiarium Scoticum".

I read about them as well...what a couple of con men. I understand that they went about mooching off the nobility for years while they cooked up the "true and ancient" tartans that only they knew were authentic. History is full of characters.

Best

AA

[Jock Scot]

I read about them as well...what a couple of con men. I understand that they went about mooching off the nobility for years while they cooked up the "true and ancient" tartans that only they knew were authentic. History is full of characters.

Best

AA

Yes, those are the chaps that I was thinking about.I have no idea which clan tartans that are worn today are the ones that they concocted.I understand there may be many.Perhaps Matt could enlighten us?Or would that shatter too many illusions?

[Archangel]

Yes, those are the chaps that I was thinking about.I have no idea which clan tartans that are worn today are the ones that they concocted.I understand there may be many.Perhaps Matt could enlighten us?Or would that shatter too many illusions?

and they set the pattern....

Shudder, perhaps it's best to not go there.

In Scotland it's called Shortbread Tin history.


Be proud in your Scottish Polish American tradition.

[auld argonian]

Oh, the Scots are on my mom's side, the Poles are on my dad's.

I just enjoy the way that BPC's mom's nationality derails the folks who get all bent about me showing up in a kilt.

Best

AA

[Bryan]

Heck, my last name is German and I get flak all the time. Scots blood is on Mom's side as well.

[The Wizard of BC]

With your links to Poland and Scotland you are pretty safe while wearing the kilt. Historically there are good ties. So it makes it easy to explain when asked.

But if you think you have it tough at times trying to explain to your friends why you wear the kilt imagine our local Todd who's story can be seen in the link below.

Enjoy.

http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blo.../16/14225.html

Can you say Haggis Dim Sum? UM UM GOOD!

[Archangel]

With your links to Poland and Scotland you are pretty safe while wearing the kilt. Historically there are good ties. So it makes it easy to explain when asked.

But if you think you have it tough at times trying to explain to your friends why you wear the kilt imagine our local Todd who's story can be seen in the link below.

Enjoy.

http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blo.../16/14225.html

Can you say Haggis Dim Sum? UM UM GOOD!

Beauty, thanks for the article.


One small step towards peace in our time.

[macwilkin]

Look no further than the Second World War, when many Poles were stationed in Scotland with the Free Polish Forces that escaped to the UK.

T.