St Patrick’s Day Horseplay and The Donna Syndrome
You’re not Scottish — and you’re not Irish either
Ironically, nothing makes you sound more decidedly American than appropriating another country’s nationality.
How it all began — Or, Oh, I’m Scawdish!
On my first day in Sunny So Cal, back in the 90s, a friendly lady with a nasal Californian accent showed us around our apartment complex in Newport Beach. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, full of youthful vim and vigour, we were delighted with our new accommodations, and could hardly believe the size and comfort of the king sized bed, the cars, or the lovely well-appointed apartments — all with air conditioning, natch.
If I’m honest, it was Costa Mesa calling itself Newport Beach, which I can understand as it probably bumped the rent $200 a month.
As we perambulated, the American lady enquired about my accent. Little did I know this was to be my fate for the rest of my life.
