BennyTec

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Falkland Islands Geography Stubs

Can you cast your eye over Category:Falkland Islands geography stubs please? These are all articles on locations in the Falklands which are too short (hence the "stub"), or were until recently. You obviously have a good knowledge of the islands, so you can probably improve quite a few of these. --MacRusgail 18:11, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

Will do, I live in the Falklands and was brought up in Fox Bay, hence my interest. Because I live there My POV might sometimes be a bit skewed on political isses but I will try and keep my edits as factual as possible..... ;) I have been meaning to get involved and start improving the Falkland stuff for a while, particularly the geography although you seem to have made a great start. Thanks for the hello.... BennyTec 20:23, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

Thanks. I have included Spanish names on a lot of articles - this isn't to push a political agenda, but because they're often quite different to the English names (not even translated or cognate). You can probably flesh out a lot of them. I've been trying to improve and/or create Falkland Island articles which don't involve either the war or the claims, since there's plenty of information on that out there, but not much on the islands beyond that, or the islands' history in other senses. Anyway, there's a list of stuff which could be added, like the former railway someone mentioned elsewhere, or a list of lighthouses in the islands, or the islands' wildlife. --MacRusgail 20:55, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

Completely understand about the Spanish names, sometimes is can be a firey topic! I have a couple of friends here who will probably get stuck in to this as well, we just need to get around to organising ourselves!!! The more info on Wikipedia about the Falklands which isn't solely war related the better as far as I am concerned, it is an important part of our history and the liberation is hugely important to us but there are so many other stories to tell. It is difficult to know how much historical detail to add in some cases, should it just be what is interesting? I saw the railway thread, it is a great little story which should definitely be told. The tracks have all gone and have largely been used on Jetties around the islands but the foundation is all still there (it has been used as a vehicle track), when you walk along it you can still see the odd sleeper and pick up some of the original nails (terminology???) the original engines are still in existance as well althoug in a terrible state of repair. As for the wildlife that is a huge topic which must get worked on.. the wildlife here is unbelievable! Plenty to do. BennyTec 23:05, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

I've added some information which I've referenced from Wigglesworth's "Falkland People". It's hard to get hold of books here about the islands which are not guide books, but my local library has a copy of "Falkland Shores" which is a good sailing guide. I have added a lot of information here and there, but it's trying to get it backed up. Quoting "X Guide to the Falklands" doesn't look great. --MacRusgail 17:41, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

Yeah I saw that, I've been completely snowed under recently so haven't had a chance to get any updating done! Fakland Shores is outstanding, I know the author, an excellent chap and "Falkland People" is quite entertaining! I do not 100% understand what constitutes "verifiable" or not... As I live here can I be taken as a source? If not then if I was to write an article somewhere else could that be quoted as a source? I am sure this has been discussed at length somewhere... BennyTec 18:01, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

Nah, they never take that for a source unfortunately, but it's perhaps sensible considering some of the things that people make up on here! Verifiability seems to be a problem on wikipedia full stop - it's what it's most criticised for, especially the articles on pop culture. If you can quote something vaguely academic, they can't really get at you. Surprisingly the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica has some interesting tidbits in it, like the design of the governor's house, and that the residents of Goose Green were mostly Scots at the time. --MacRusgail 19:43, 27 August 2007 (UTC) p.s. Been very busy elsewhere on wikipedia... trying to get a decent article together on all the significant Scottish islands is not easy...

Origin of the Term "Benny"

The origin of the irreverent nick name given by UK servicemen to the Islanders is a common misconception. Its origin stems from the woollen hats commonly worn by the Islanders in 1982, these were reminiscent of the hat that was habitually by the character Benny in the UK soap Cross Roads. Unfortunately the character was a bit dim-witted and over time it came to be thought of as an abusive nickname. That led to an edict from the CO in the Islands that the use of the term was to be dropped forthwith. It was replaced by the term "Stills", short for "Still Bennies". Trouble is, as with a lot of folklore, I don't think this is written down anywhere so how do you point to a verifiable source. Justin A Kuntz 12:25, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Very good question, I know the origin because I live in the Falklands and have been a "Benny" since 14 June 1982 ( or more acurrately I guess a few months after!) :). In reality the use of "Stills" was for a very short period in the late eighties and Benny is in common useage these days. There are people here who object to it but personally I rather like it, it gives us "Benny Fishery", "Benny Dorm" etc and at the end of the day it is in jest. As for verifiable source, I can vouch for the origin does that count!! --BennyTec 16:26, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

I can cite sources who were members of 3 Para in 1982. I just find it interesting how what was originally a term largely of affection came to be viewed as a term of abuse. Justin A Kuntz 20:54, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Interesting, I did not know it actually originated during the war, I always assumed it came about shortly after. I think unfortunately there are some civilians here who took offence and some members of the military who used it abusively. As always though it is the actions of the minority which bugger things like this up! Most Bennies are perfectly happy with the term. --BennyTec 21:12, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

It could be that it may have originated slightly later, the guy I'm thinking of has done several tours of the Islands. What do the Islanders think of the term "Kelpers", my understanding was that they considered it something of an insult. Justin A Kuntz 07:43, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

hmm, are you sure he was 3 Para then, not many 3 Para lads have done tours here since 82? The term Kelpers is thought of in similar terms as Benny, those that dislike Benny tend to like Kelper and vice versa. Personally I am not overly keen on the term Kelper because Argentines refer to us as Kelpers and it is frequently used by them in a derogatory manner. I would rather have a nickname given by British troops who liberated us, but there are plenty who disagree with me!! :) --BennyTec 15:03, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

I'll ask on Monday, its a guy I work with. Justin A Kuntz 19:20, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

Falkland Islands work group

You will probably be interested in taking part in this... Falkland Islands work group --MacRusgail (talk) 20:16, 11 July 2008 (UTC)

365

Ian Strange, The Falkland Islands, 1983

Ian Strange includes an anecdote that mutton is referred to as 365, its an old book reprinted after the Falklands War. Do I take it from your revision of Falkland Islands English its an obsolete term (or did the author make it up)? Justin talk 09:06, 12 June 2009 (UTC)

It's maybe something like a joke between a couple of people. --MacRusgail (talk) 11:21, 12 June 2009 (UTC)