UPDATE 5: You know, I think the Japanese are handling their early exit from the World Cup in a much healthier fashion.
Oh, and in the Wiki theater of operations (see below), the frontlines appear to be quite fluid at the moment. And I’ve been linked as a source. Great.
UPDATE 4: You could always join the fun over at the South Korea page of the World Cup Blog. Jesus, and you thought my comments section was bad…
UPDATE 3: Jeff in Busan not only offers some sharp commentary on this mess, but also mixes in some hilarious images. The money shot—and I’m not informed enough to say whether I agree with it entirely—is:
1. The average Korea is completely clueless about the technical rules of the game.
2. The average Korea doesn’t care about the rules and just expects to win at all costs.
3. If Korea loses, then it must be someone else’s fault.
4. Koreans don’t stop to consider that that one call (ultimately correct) did not affect their standing in the World Cup finals in any way, shape or form.
5. It is unfortunate when referees follow the rules if it means a call against Korea.
Read the rest on your own.
Oh, and comments have been enabled.
UPDATE 2: Amazing. Over at Naver.com, the most looked-at piece is a Kukmin Ilbo story on FIFA blocking access to its official homepage from Korea. In the comments, we have netizens demanding—yes, you guessed it—an official FIFA apology, demands accompanied by the usual complaints about “whitey disrespecting Korea.”
In the No. 2 most looked-at piece at Naver.com, Yonhap reports on the intense cyber-debate on a possible rematch with the fondue-eaters. Yes, there apparently are netizens who think the demands for a rematch are a bad idea… or at least unrealistic.
Finally, we got team captain goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae continuing to bitch about the result, this time saying that FIFA need to “wake up” to how it ignored the sweat and effort of Korea’s men in red, who worked hard for this once-in-four-year moment.
UPDATE: Well, this is certainly an original form of protest.
ORIGINAL POST: My Daily reports that the demands of Korean football fans for a rematch (see my previous post) against Switzerland continue, with the FIFA homepage being flooded with protests from Korean netizens.
FIFA has reportedly blocked access to its homepage from South Korea. As of 1:00 p.m. Korea time, this appeared to be the case.
Some netizens, as reported earlier, are also trying to muster 5 million protests posts within a 24-hour period in the mistaken belief that this will force FIFA into granting a rematch against Switzerland.
Other netizens are putting their effort into teaching others why the second Swiss goal was unfair, utilizing a flash animation on the offside rule produced by FIFA itself.
Now, there are no FIFA regulations pertaining to “5 million protests,” and it’s virtually impossible for Korea to force a rematch with the Swiss. However, Korean Football Association president Chung Mong-jun, on his way home from Germany, expressed strong misgivings about the officiating in the Switzerland match, and revealed he was thinking of issuing an official protest with FIFA. This would indicate follow-up measures, such as sanctioning the match’s referee, would likely be taken.
Oh, and I just checked, and it seems Korean netizens are taking their war to Wikipedia. From the selection on Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo:
He was the referee in the Korea – Switzerland game, and he awarded the Swiss a goal even though Rodolfo Otero raised the offside flag, most players, including two defenders who were following Alexander Frei (Jin-Cheul Choi and Jin-kyu Kim), stopped playing. Korea at the time was losing 1–0 and needed a win to advance to the next round. The ball was put into the path of Alexander Frei after deflecting off Lee Ho’s foot. According to some commentators, this made the offside void and so Elizondo’s decision was the right one. Others still thought Frei was offside (FIFA regulation states deflections don’t count as possession, ergo the pass was clearly offside.[4]) Korean coach Dick Advocaat was livid to the point that he had to be restrained.
He disappointed many koreans with his unethical call. The flag wasup AS THE CAMERA CLEARLY SHOWED but failed to say anything other than giving 5 korean players yellow cards.
Another misjudgement, though as not as controversial but could possibly have changed the game, was 42 minutes into the first half when Swiss defender Patrick Müller intentionally touched a Korea corner kick with his hand inside the penalty area, but there was no whistle to be heard. The same situation happened again for the second time 8 minutes into the second half. Despite the Korean players raised their hands both times complaining about the play, the referee did not say anything.
This was another UNETHICAL and UNREASONABLE call and many many many people in the world hope that these calls haunt him for the rest of his life.
Oh my!
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67 Comments
Do you have any picks of World Cup Elf Girl? I can only find the one that was in the K Herald.
1,2 I want Jeff in Busan to substitute “some” to “average”, it is obvious that he did not take statistical average.
3. Subjective argument with no evidence
4. The call is 50-50 according to Frie who scored the goal. The offside rule is not clear in this case as pointed out several soccer experts. If the game were between the US and Swiss, Jeff would have different view of things.
However, he is correct in pointing out the call does not matter. Even if the goal is disallowed and the Korean team had scored, Koreans cannot advance due to goal differential.
The whole debate is moot.
5. Stupid sarcasm
I just watched a “documentary” on the officials in the world cup. There was some interesting stuff but it was accompanied with passing along what I believe to be misinformation (shocking…i know)
I will add the disclaimer that I may have misunderstood…
Near the end, the show stated that most (many?) foreign magazines, news sources (AP, ESPN etc) were in agreement that it was a bad call. This is quite a contradiction to what I have seen.
In fact, the first story I looked up stated that it was the correct call - and even Dick grudgingly agreed.
Why am I not surprised :/
If want the final word on the World cup, see this arse.
http://bbs.joins.com/content.a.....me=m_humor
Well, you have to admit, the 전반도 poster was funny.
Fifa “Laws of the Game” page 65 item 12.
The shot by a team mate rebounds off an opponent is penalised for playing the ball having previously been in an offside position.
If Frei was offside before the rebound, the Korean touching the ball is not enough to rule him back onside. Therefore the goal should have been disallowed IF he was offside when the Swiss player kicked the ball.
Law 6 - The Assistant Referee.
(paraphrased) the assistant referees duties are subject to the decision of the referee.
This means that the referee can overrule the assistant referee’s calls. He is advised to primarily use the assistant referees in situations where the referee is not close enough or his vision is obstructed.
In this case he was right there and had a clear view. He overruled the assistant referee by not acknowledging his flag.
Law 5 - The Referee
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are
final.
Regardless of arguments, mistake or not, the referee’s decision is final … no further arguments. NO MATCH REPLAYS.
Korea played well, but complaining is sour grapes.
any elf girl?
Jeff rightly says that Korea still would have lost 1-0 even without the controversial call. But the general Korean view of this is slightly different. From what I have read and heard, Netizens are claiming that the last 5-10 minutes are crucial, as that is when they come on strong. The “bad” call threw the Korean team into dizzying frenzy which prevented any goals.
I would partially agree and say that, in the NFL for example, there is a difference if you are down by 1 touchdown or 2 in the last 5-10 minutes. I think that extra score changes the complexion of the game–at least a bit.
hardyandtiny— What? Lee Pani wasn’t good enough for you?
“The “bad” call threw the Korean team into dizzying frenzy which prevented any goals”
That is hilarious.
All this over a stupid soccer game. Holy almighty.
ESPN, the BBC say it was a good call. Even if it weren’t, this churlish reaction is wrong.
“All this over a stupid soccer game” …which provides a fascinating glimpse into one country’s inferiority complex.
i was looking around the net and found this, a final insult:
http://news.naver.com/photo/re.....p;view=all
An inferiority complex about a stupid soccer game? Sweet jesus, altheia! You think this is hockey or Moosehead beer or something important like that? No need to be rude.
Anyway, that’s what I like about Japan: Nothing stops their ongoing appreciation for titties.
우리 나라 남새~~~~!
IT’S MY PLEASURE TO PRESENT
THE WORLD CUP GIRL
http://www.dtemplar.org/girls/shinmina/
Yellow card to Aletheia for #13. Gloating foreigners are no better than angry, whining Korean fans.
em, you should have seen the Koreans go nuts when Anton Ohno won gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Anyway, Korean never fail to amaze me with their childish antics that make look like a nation of retards.
Uh, yeah, I know all about the Ohno affair. Can anyone really claim that Koreans are less sportsmanlike than Europeans, who invented football hooliganism, and North Americans, who inflict millions of dollars in damage overturning cars, tearing down lightposts, and smashing up storefronts when the home team WINS a national championship?
By the way, even Advocaat said the offside non-call was a CORRECT decision.
http://worldcup.reuters.com/fr.....68011.html
Was this ever stressed or even reported in the Korean press?
I was so upset about the Korean loss I deleted all my Japanese porn links.
First of all, it does not matter what Advocaat, some staff writer for a newspaper, or an analyst on ESPN says about the call (even within ESPN, analysts would disagree. The color commentator on the live broadcast questioned the call several times.), especially if they are conclusory remarks unaccompanied by analysis. The call/non-call is controversial because the FIFA rule makes room for human judgment, and human judgment is inherently controversial.
Second of all, the players, media, and the fans who are still whining about the game all need to STFU, because it (i) unjustly characterizes all of Korea as a whiny bitch, which could (ii) lead to subtle referee backlash in future soccer matches. In most major U.S. sports, players/coaches are fined and/or suspended if they complained about the referees after the game.
FIFA is in the best position to determine if the standard of officiaiting is unacceptable and, if it determines that to be the case, FIFA has the responsibility and authority to decide how it should be improved. For a nation that places such emphasis on “saving one’s face,” there are way too many whiners who do not understand the impact of their actions.
Just to complete the thought, I am thinking of designating South Korea as the Rasheed Wallace of the world: pretty decent player, but annoying as hell whenever he gets a foul called on him.
The_William_G and Sonagi,
Will you deny that an inferiority complex is behind all this? Sure Canada has one too under certain conditions (i.e. in relation to the US). Pittsburgh, Cincinnatti, etc. have inferiority complexes as well. They place too much stock in their sports teams, and when they fail people over-react, their entire self-worth falters for a while. Fascinating phenomenon.
Oh yes, it is “just a game” (… so let’s drop it, right?) now that Koreans are embarrassing themselves all over the internet, but it wasn’t “just a game” when Ohno won the gold medal in 2002… He has become the poster child for anti-americanism. This kind of irrationality on display by netizens doesn’t come out of a vacuum. There is always something driving it.
My understanding of the offside rule is the following: If player Y passes the ball to player X and player X is after the last defender of the opposing team, then it is a offside.
In this case player Y (can’t recall his name) was passing the ball not to player X (Frei) but to another player (Barnetta i think it was). It was only the attempt to intercept the ball by the Korean player that made the ball go to Frei. Hence, no offside.
That being said, the way the Koreans were playing there was no way, short of a miracle, that they would win.
Plockhoy,
I agree with most of your comments, except equating the South Korean side with Rasheed Wallace. While I consider Wallace perhaps the most over-rated player in the NBA, he still is an elite, all-star caliber player.
‘provides a intersting look into a country’s inferiority complex…’
really? and when italy lost to korea four years ago and then went nuts, was that also an example of a country’s inferiority complex?
the reaction of the koreans says they’re passionate and willing to voice their concerns. that’s what you do when you are equal to the people you’re speaking to.
THEIR CHEATING OUR PROTEST
ps i wonder if the swiss paid some money for their luck. hmmmmmm…
Pawkirogi,
Jesus freaking Christ. Get a grip.
Have you no sense of shame, as a Korean?
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye…”
Given:
1. the far more questionable calls v. Portugal, Italy, and Spain in 2002;
2. the allegations by South Korea’s greatest football player that the current head of the Korean football organization is corrupt, and domestic matches are fixed;
3. South Korean penchant for bribery in sports (most prominently the Roy Jones debacle);
4. South Korea’s generally bribe-driven culture;
it takes a person of an adamantine skin to actually accuse someone of bribery.
@aletheia: “Will you deny that an inferiority complex is behind all this?”
Yes, I do. I have already provided examples of unsportsmanlike conduct often seen in Europe (football hooliganism) and the US (post-game vandalism and violence).
Yes, it was…. and an obscure, ridiculous one that’s basically just in the Olympics to pad the Winter Olympics’ anemic event schedule, at that.
Oh? And what do you suggest is driing it? The Korean education system that promotes nationalism at the expense of history and reality? The ‘uri nara’ goons who do their best to whip up nationalistic sentiment everytime a South Korean citizen chips a fingernail by the fault of a non-Korean? The sports fans themselves, who should display a bit of maturity and emotional detachment by accepting the fact that, in the course of world history, a soccer game is about as signifigant as a gnat’s fart?
Fellow Korean nutizens, we must act before it’s too late! A FIFA official has said that if 5 million Koreans deposit $1 each in a specified PayPal account, then Korea will get a rematch with those sneaky, devious Swiss bastards!
Remember, you must act quickly! Text all your Korean brothers and sisters and let them know about this great opportunity. It’s only a single dollar to ensure that Korean pride is not irreparably damaged by those supposedly “neutral” Swiss cheaters. The proceeds of these “Uri Nara pride donations” will go to a special organization which has been set up by anonymous person in order to protect the special, unique Korean pride worldwide.
remit by Paypal to blueballs@koreanpride.com
OUR REMATCH, OUR PRIDE, YOUR DONATIONS!
JUSTICE IS NOT FREE!
As a Canadian living here in Korea, I feel that Koreans should take some pride in making it to the World Cup! There are about 200+ teams affiliated to Fifa and only 32 can make it to the finals!
Korea, y’all did a good job. Congratulations.
The call/non-call was the decision of an experienced referee. After watching the replay ONCE, I saw what most Koreans didn’t see. The ball was in NO way being played to Frei when it was deflected kindly into his path. He was also in an onside position. It is very normal for defenders to raise their arms and appeal for offside, but they have GOT TO continue playing to the sound of the whistle. (You learn that when you are a tiny tot playing footie) Given the natural reaction of the defenders, and a strikers instinct to just shoot, I think Frei should be congratulated for keeping his cool and rounding off the keeper and scoring.
If you have played football at any level, you will agree with me that a referee’s job is very difficult. He made the right decision in allowing play to go on, and YES, the referee can overrule a linesman (assistant ref) The referee was in a better position to see the deflected pass and therefore instinctively let play continue.
Good job Korea, you played well. Scored 3 goals, got 4 points (not to shabby) However, considering that I have a football fantasy pool on Fifa.com, and seeing how you have shut down acess, I couldn’t pick my players for the Eng/Ecu and Port/Ned games. For this, and only this, I hate you!
I think someone posted this above, not too sure, but watch this and it’ll show you what rational footie fans see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnTNhHr0EA0
Won Joon Choe,
Are you a banana? And, don’t use the name of the Lord in vain. Some people are sensitive about it.
“1. the far more questionable calls v. Portugal, Italy, and Spain in 2002: I watched those game minute by minute. I have been playing/watching soccer for forty years. There was no call that was out of line. Some mistakes, yes. But, no calls that I can pinpoint as bribed.
2. the allegations by South Korea’s greatest football player that the current head of the Korean football organization is corrupt, and domestic matches are fixed; Some are fixed (for good reasons like showing deference to a coach who is old). Not all games. Italy is having the same acquisation. What does this have to do with World cup? Are you set on shaming Koreans, your brothers?
3. South Korean penchant for bribery in sports (most prominently the Roy Jones debacle); Generalization. All professional sports are fixed in some extent. If you think Koreans are the only ones doing it, you have a lot of growing up to do. NBA will probably go to 7 game series again.
4. South Korea’s generally bribe-driven culture; Yes, again you have to realize most countries are like that. Enron, any one? Morgan stanley bought a barge off Enron? Why? To do some financial services on oil barge? F***.
If you want to make friends with other Americans, go do it. However, don’t trash Koreans on the way. Your children will spit on your face.
Korean team at least did not hurt anyone. I am pretty angry about Dutch team coming in and spiking C. Rinaldo in the thigh.
A dirty play, which was pre-planned before the game.
And, these funking amatures at ESPN were complaining the referee is giving out too many yellow cards. What do these neophytes want to see? Players throwing punches.
After C. Ronaldo got hurt, Portugese went wild. They start playing the person instead of the ball. Very dirty game over all.
FIFA needs to clean up the game. Soon, it will be like pro-wrestling on the ground. It is close to battle soccer already.
Baduk,
You are amusing but not worth a thoughtful reply.
Good day.
Park Jisung was voted as the best player in this World cup (up to now).
http://www.lostnomad.org/?p=3081
Go Park Jisung! Go Korea!
I’m Korean and agree entirely with SONAGI and WON JOON CHOE. Yes, Korea benefited from some poor calls in 2002 (particularly the Spain match, which was about a clear a victory as one can achieve without being handed the win), yes too many Koreans are simply rooting for Korea out of an inferiority complex of sorts, and yes some (too many) Korean fans have behaved disgracefully following the match against Switzerland.
Congrats to the Swiss for having played a good match.
But at the same time I’m disgusted by the gleeful, gloating and frankly somewhat racist hate parade witnessed here, and in other blogs. I don’t have the time to do justice to all the issues at play here, but suffice it to say that ALL fans behave irrationally during the World Cup–in fact, the WC is practically an excuse to engage in willful loss of reason/nationalism/jingoism/.
This is true of Korea, as many have pointed out. It was also true of Italy in 2002, where seconds after the loss to Korea talking heads were assembled on national TV to discuss WHO comprised La Conspirazia (FIFA and Korea for sure, of course, but Japan? THe US maybe?). WHETHER or not a conspiracy existed was never debated; it was simply taken as a given.
The point of all this is not to excuse the Korean fans’ behaviour, but rather to place it in context.
Now, It’s up to Koreans who are 1) fair-minded,) critical, and 3) enlightened to applaud the Swiss for having won. So BADUK, go the hell away, you’re a disgrace. You have the nerve to accuse Woon Jae of being a banana? It is YOU who shames Korea, YOU who feeds the gloating of others, YOU who continues to supply fuel for the smugness of others who think Koreans are just a lot of nuts suffering from blinkered vision. (and hey, let’s say it, there’re lots of ‘em)
But it still isn’t fair to dismiss the entire nation on this (extremely partial) basis.Here’s an example: the Italians took a lot of sh*t for De Rossi’s nasty and deliberate elbow to McBride. That, along with memories of other elbows thrown in previous cups, including against Korea in 2002, prompted a host of catcalls about ‘dirty, greasy Italians’, the usual stereotypes on other blogs.
I thought it was definitely deliberate, but wouldn’t use that as an excuse to damn the entire team, the entire nation (I love Italy, btw) and its fans on the basis of his actions (plus a few others.)
Likewise, everyone here has got to chill out, gain a little perspective.
I do know what you’re going through though, KOEHLER et al. I’m an expat myself, and suffer from the same sort of expat fatigue/irritation wherein you allow a set of observed flaws to serve as the basis for condemning an ENTIRE PEOPLE. Call it for what it is, damnit, and just point out that Koreans suffer from the same blinkered vision everyone else does. Then move on. But the ongoing smugness of your postings, not to mention those of others, doesn’t behoove yourself or others. You’re clearly intelligent, Koehler: use that wit in the service of better causes.
PS - but yes, DO go out or dig a hole and scream about the Koreans, or whichever other country you find yourself in, from time to time. Then leave satisfied and let reason return. To vent anonymously and online may be (in the short term) therapuetic, but ultimately….it’s cheap.
Advice duely noted, but no, thanks, I’m pretty happy using my wit for what I’m using it now. And no, making fun of netizen stupidity doesn’t equal condemnation of an entire people. It is hella fun, though.
Thanks for playing.
“It is YOU who shames Korea”
–Why? Just because I wrote what I see? Because I did not defer to foreigners’ views? Do I have to give in to the suggestion that there were many questionable calls in 2002 because others say so?
I am proud to be of Korean heritage. Are you? Do you always make excuses for being a Korean? Always give a browny points to what foreigners say? There are some Koreans like that. They love to trash other Koreans while giving more weights to foreigner’s views. Think in equal terms, brother. Should I say “Bro”?
“YOU who feeds the gloating of others”
– You want me to be quiet. How does it help? More visitors will be re-inforced in their racistic view of Koreans.
All I am doing is to write as I see it. I wrote before Swiss is a superior team and deserved to win. Read my other comments. You jumping in after just reading one comment shows that you have this superiority-complex to other Koreans(and KoreanAmericans) while inferiority-complex to foreigners.
give me an equal weight, that is all.
Baduk,
For the record:
I am a Korean citizen, and I was born and raised in Korea. I have also worked in Korea. So please do not characterize me as your typical Korean-American card board figure who knows nothing about Korea. You are talking to someone who reads the Yi-jo Sil-lok for fun.
A distinction should be made between two different expat reactions to the OP:
1. Koreans are behaving irrationally over the loss: Marmot’s OP and comments #3, 6, 8, 12, 26, 33, and 34. Judging by news reports, I would agree with this but add that poor sportsmanship is expressed in a variety of ways in many countries.
2. Using poor sportsmanship of Koreans as an excuse to wallow in negative generalizations about Koreans: posts #13, 19, and 25.
There are other types of bribes as well. Read about Italian sex scandal from Telegraph.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new.....xnews.html
One president said, “I am not a crook”. He was a crook.
Another president said,”I have never had a sexual relationship with that woman”. The woman unfolded a garment soiled with his sperms.
People are people everywhere.
This WC seemed to has worse officiating than the last one–they’ve already handed out more cards than last time.
“Korea was robbed!” Well, so was Tunisia when the Ukraine’s Shevchenko dived when no one touched him and got a penalty kick out of it to beat Tunisia 1-0. Where was the line ref? It happened just a few meters away from him.
Some good football, a lot of crappy refereeing–the worst in fact I’ve ever seen.
Sour grapes are hard to swallow. I lived in Italy in 2002 and the Italian media/player/fan reaction was remarkably similar to what we’re observing now in Korea.
Regarding the ajushi standing in the middle of the street in his boxers, let there be no more complaints from Sonagi about a lack of beefcake at The Marmot’s Hole.
Iceberg is talking about this.
http://www.lostnomad.org/?p=3080
“Some good football, a lot of crappy refereeing–the worst in fact I’ve ever seen.
”
I think I have heard something similar for each world cup since ‘82 from at least one person.
Luke Drift: A lot of us expats write about the negative things we see here in Korea because we actually like the place, have Korean friends and would like to see it improve. The Koreans I work and socialize with are not at all like the average Netijen or the guy who dropped trou on the street. Bombarding the FIFA website and other childish acts committed by Koreans reflects badly on the Koreans I know and like, and I cringe every time I see such crap. I believe our esteemed blog host feels the same way (plus these antics make for good hit counts ;-)).
man, it’s getting dirty in here …
the article is about football.
are some korean people overreacting? yes!
was the goal offside? it doesn’t matter, the referee’s decision is final … no take backs!
koreans are no more or no less biased than england will be when they lose and the tabloids go insane, demanding blood and accusing everyone of cheating.
nationalism and patriotism brings out the worst in every country … it’s never the reasonable people whose voices are heard. only the fanatics.
there’s a lot of racist and derogatory remarks in this post. and the prove my point!
“Luke Drift”. Man, that’s a cool moniker. Sounds like the main character from a science-fiction/western movie.
I don’t. I just happened to find the nonsense fun, and if the netizens can have a grand old time with this, why can’t I? And besides, if netizen behavior improved, what the hell would I have to blog about?
Yeah, welcome to the Marmot’s Hole. At least I can comfort myself with the knowledge that no matter how bad it gets in here, it’s no comparison to what you’ll read in the Korean forums. Not that I benchmark Korean online discussion, of course…
Robert, isn’t Seoul magazine still distributed free?
BTW, I notice that a common error among non-native English speakers whose native language is Korean is treating “sperm” as a countable noun.
Those of you who are English teachers might want to consider doing a unit on that or something.
Quoth Baduk:
Showing deference to a coach who is old is a good reason to fix a match? Well damn. It’s my birthday tomorrow, so can we get an Australia win?
Baduk sez:
Erm… now this one is funny. The Miami Heat won the NBA Championship in six games… about 5 days ago. Or are you saying that the next finals will go to seven games (again?)
Baduk ranted
Actually, it wasn’t Morgan Stanley… it was Merrill Lynch. And it wasn’t bribery, exactly.
The people who brokered the deal were pretty much all convicted of fraud and conspiracy, rather than bribery. Anyhow, keep up the good work on bringing these ‘truths’ to light. After all, we can’t all win all the time.
The photo of the aggrieved ajosshi in his underwear speaks volumes in support of your statement.
Dogbertt - “Sperm” is a countable noun… “Semen” is not. Take, for example, the following: “There are 2 million sperm in a teaspoon of semen.”
Unfortunately, no.
@Zonath: You proved my point by leaving the “s” off sperm.
@Marmot: Didn’t your boss try the pay route once before only to go back to free distribution?
If we did go with free distribution, it was before I got there. But this is for another comment thread.
Actually, both the American Heritage and the Merriam-Webster dictionary count both ’sperm’ and ’sperms’ as acceptible pluralizations of the word. I only use the former because that is how I learned to use it. And no… just because you don’t add an ’s’ to the end of a noun doesn’t make it uncountable. Uncountable nouns are usually things which are truly uncountable (amorphous things such as water, abstract things such as love…). Some other nouns are considered uncountable although they’re not (such as sand) because of the difficulty of counting them or by convention. Sperm, as far as I have ever heard, is typically treated as a countable noun.
I’m glad you Engrishi teachers are on the ball!
I should have said, the plural of sperm is either (a) sperm; or (b) sperm cells; not (c) sperms.
Another annoying mix-up is misusing “peninsular” for “peninsula”.
That’s kindergarten stuff. Try convincing a Korean English teacher that mashed potatoes are delicious.
I wonder what the result of the game would have been if all the refs were Japanese.
–Remort
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[...] Oh well, it seems on a whole, the Japanese are taking things a lot better than Korea is… Share and Enjoy:These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
[...] As reported earlier, FIFA has blocked access to its homepage from Korea. This has sparked outrage among many Korean netizens, who accuse FIFA of dissing Korea. Some of the more radical quarters of the netizen community are calling for netizens to show FIFA “Korea’s Power ™ as an IT power” by crashing the football association’s homepage by accessing it via third-nation proxies, directions on which they are spreading via online bulletin boards and blogs. [...]
[...] Marmot’s Hole: First article, Second article It seems like there is never a day that goes by without Korean nationalists somehow embarassing their country in the eyes of the world… By Grom, 26. June 2006, 01:56 o’clock [...]
[...] Meanwhile, Korea’s defeat at the hands of Switzerland was seen as a clear case of biased refereeing by some netizens (spurred on by newspaper articles such as this gem in the Donga Ilbo), not quite showing the public-spirited internationalism that some people see in Red Devil fandom. The Joongang Ilbo is one of the few English-language Korean newspapers to have the story, while I hear that much of the other press is talking about how graceful the fans are in defeat. For a discussion of the specific application of the offside rule check out Jeff’s ruminations (though I’m afraid I can’t comment on whether the analysis is correct); the Marmot has some posts here and here. [...]