The biggest understatement of all times

[Kraxis]

No he said "bloody ships" not "bloody wrong." "Bloody wrong" would have indeed taken it out of the understatement category, because it was clear to everyone that something was very, very wrong with them at that point.

How the heck could I have missed that...
Anyway, yes it is an understatement, butthe 'bloody' does add a sense of frustration into the words of Beatty. He wouldn't use that word unless he was fuming at the brigde over some poor design. I can easily see it for me that he was actually yelling. But yes, it is still an understatement.

[The Stranger]

english use bloody in almost every sentence

[Louis VI the Fat]

'There is something wrong with our bloody ships today' - Admiral Beatty at Jutland after two of his Battle Cruisers explode and sink

The understatement lies in the discrepancy between 'something wrong' and 'exploding and sinking'.

I believe that after Waterloo, Wellington's despatch was so devoid of superlatives that the American ambassador (I think) thought Napoleon had won.

Alas, the 'understatement' is quite typical of the English use of language. In French that victory would've been announced in pompous, glorifying language. So I can't think of any funny understatement myself.

*Knows that some are now desperately trying to combine 'can't think of any' and 'French victory' into some sort of joke. *

[Adrian II]

*Knows that some are now desperately trying to combine 'can't think of any' and 'French victory' into some sort of joke. *

Yet no one has...

*ready to pop demi Moët et Chandon*

[Red Harvest]

Yet no one has...

*ready to pop demi Moët et Chandon*

This is what pops up when you type "French Military Victory" into Google and hit "I'm Feeling Lucky"

French Military History Humor

Google used to respond, "Did you mean 'French Military Defeats?'" and point to a different page with the same text. No, I'm not making that up.

Anyway, the link is quite ungenerous to the French, and takes some liberties, so don't take it too seriously. It is a funny way to look at history though. Enjoy.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Yet no one has...

*ready to pop demi Moët et Chandon*

I'll share a toast on it with you!

French Military History Humor

And here's a glass of our finest champagne for you too! Straight from the freezer, American style!

[Adrian II]

I'll share a toast on it with you!
And here's a glass of our finest champagne for you too! Straight from the freezer, American style!

At least they got the spelling right in that little piece. Gotta give credit where it is due.

[Red Harvest]

I'll share a toast on it with you!
And here's a glass of our finest champagne for you too! Straight from the freezer, American style!

Yecckkkk. No, I very much appreciate French Champagne. Unfortunately, I admit to having a bit of trouble getting consistency from them...one bottle is heaven, the next is so-so. Spending so much for a mediocre or corked bottle on a special occasion leaves a very bad taste in my mouth (pun intended ) I've actually had better luck with some Spanish brands and even Australian for about 1/5th the price, they can't reach the quality of good French Champagne but they have been more consistent, and they exceed the American ones I've tried (too acidic/tart, too woody, no subtlety or smoothness, etc.)

[Kraxis]

english use bloody in almost every sentence

Not the bloody aristocracy and upper class. To a man like Beatty 'bloody' does signify his rather uncomfortable position.

It is funny, but in Denmark it used to like this too.

A soldier defending Copenhagen in 1807 against the British actually made a rather interesting, and very time-fitting, over-understatement (complex but I will try to explain).

He was in the elite volountary sharpshooter (they were actually civilians). In a sally his buddy got killed right beside him. Then in his fury he stood up, shook his fist at the knave that did it, then proceeded to shoot every single of his 30 rounds at him and finally calmly walked back to the city.
Sadly I can't translate it as a lot of the feeling gets lost in traslation (besides I haven't got the text).

The way it comes off is a sort of "Better than thou, but humble about it." When I read it I didn't know ifI should laugh, cry or be impressed. Then as I read on it turned out that that was the way people spoke, over-understatements.
Surprisingly I haven't seen this among others.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Men Kraxis, der er altid nogle der kan forstar lidt Dansk. Siger det om dansk!

Now let's hope my Danish still makes some sense...