Now apologise for America, Britain told

[Mikey]

Nobody's saying that it's not a toilet. What we're saying is that it's less unique in its toilet-ness than comedic hyperbole would have you believe.

[Reliant121]

It's a national thing. You took the mickey out of Wisconsin and for the life of me i have no idea why. Same story for New Jersey really, its just national stereotypes.

[Mikey]

took the mickey out of

OK, what? I've heard Gordon Ramsay use that turn of phrase, so I assumed it was a Scottish thing. Is that the same as "taking the piss?"

[Captain Seafort]

You took the mickey out of Wisconsin and for the life of me i have no idea why.

Really? Given Wisconsin's most notorious resident I find that surprising.

[Graham Kennedy]

took the mickey out of

OK, what? I've heard Gordon Ramsay use that turn of phrase, so I assumed it was a Scottish thing. Is that the same as "taking the piss?"

It's the polite version. Also known as "extracting the Michael."

[Reliant121]

You took the mickey out of Wisconsin and for the life of me i have no idea why.

Really? Given Wisconsin's most notorious resident I find that surprising.

We mock catboy because he's a moron

[thelordharry]

BTW, that guy in the plaid car would - in most cities and many suburban extensions in America - be quickly assisted to assume room temperature for being a complete poser, not wearing colors, and tricking up a car like that without either "rizzies" or a cold-air. He'd probably get a broken malt bottle in his liver just for throwing signs like that.

The difference is that in Essex he would be treated as cool.

So you and Graham are from Liverpool, right? (as are my family) but I don't automatically think of you as a Harry Enfield Scouser

Calm down, calm down

[thelordharry]

Nobody's saying that it's not a toilet. What we're saying is that it's less unique in its toilet-ness than comedic hyperbole would have you believe.

Well put, Mr Michael.

Besides, in the context of this discussion, name one British seaside town that isn't full of 'the working classes' British seaside towns were MADE for the working classes, surely!!!

In this specific example, Southend on Sea, I very clearly remember a time when it was an alright place to be. Tacky, yes but alright. Then, as the years went by it became somewhat of a magnet for social housing and East European immigrant settlers. That's another topic of conversation entirely though....

[IanKennedy]

So you and Graham are from Liverpool, right? (as are my family) but I don't automatically think of you as a Harry Enfield Scouser

Calm down, calm down

Where did you get our school photo from?

[mwhittington]

This sort of thing:

Wow, so, Essex is just like Mississippi, or Kentucky? Seriously, there are parts of Missouri where the guy in the car would be treated like a god. I'm from there, I would know. And at the same time, if he ever drove through St. Louis, he'd get a 9mm. enema.

[thelordharry]

Why is it assumed the 'Burberry' car owner is from Essex? The car is parked in the West End, near Piccadilly, London

[Graham Kennedy]

He's probably from Essex and on his holidays or something.

[thelordharry]

Back from stealing hubcaps already, Graham?

[Mikey]

Back from stealing hubcaps already, Graham?

No, if he were stealing hubcaps then he'd probably have some on the friggin car. I can't bring myself to call it "Burberry," as I don't want to sully the name of a formerly-majestic outerwear manufacturer.

[Mikey]

BTW... in that first pic that Ian posted; is that meant to indicate that there is, in fact, no sunlight whatsoever in Essex? That girl would make an albino look like Daryl Dawkins.

PPS - the fact that the car has steel wheels is itself an indicator that he's about as "gangster" as my late grandmother. Maybe less... she was from Elizabeth.