Request explanation of unfamiliar term

[Calthrop]

I live very largely "under a rock", and readily admit it: with matters as they are "near and far" -- I find this a necessary strategy against the temptation to commit suicide: possible eschatological consequences of which, bother me. Thus, a lot of modern-day expressions and concepts pass me by.

I acquired recently from a charity shop, a book (first published 2013) by Ian Moore: A la Mod -- My so-called tranquil family life in rural France. I had never previously heard of Ian Moore; but have gathered from parts of book's content, that he is a quite well-regarded comedian. I like rural France, but on the whole dislike comedians -- especially "nowadays" ones -- I resent the sense which I get, of being beaten over the head by them to make me acclaim them as screamingly funny: I'll decide for myself what I do or don't find funny, thank you very much. Hoped that the two factors might balance out. In the event, found the book slightly entertaining, but basically "meh"; got to about a third of the way through it, and then "abandoned ship" -- book is on its way back to the charity shop whence it came.

In the text, as well as in the title, Mr. Moore makes many references to his being a "Mod"; but I failed to pick up any context, as to what that signifies on this scene. It seems as certain as might be, that it has nothing to do with sub-optimally-behaving 1960s scooter-riding teenagers. Would be grateful for explanation of what the expression means, as per this post's content as above.

 

[AlterEgo]

Google is your friend!

 

[Calthrop]

This will sound mad; but at present, my equipment doesn't do sound. Can anyone furnish an explanation in writing?

 

[Gloster]

I think it is just the latest version of hip, with it, trendy, etc. But as I am not any of those I may be wrong.

 

[BrandanM]

On the front cover of the book, the letter O in the title 'A la Mod' is represented as the RAF style roundel favoured by the Mod movement of the 1960's.

 

[johnnychips]

This will sound mad; but at present, my equipment doesn't do sound. Can anyone furnish an explanation in writing?

In the interview he said a Mod was someone who is macrotolerant but micro intolerant. So he would support minority rights, but be incensed by someone wearing a suit with trainers.

 

[Giugiaro]

In the interview he said a Mod was someone who is macrotolerant but micro intolerant. So he would support minority rights, but be incensed by someone wearing a suit with trainers.

So basically a forum moderator that is okay if everyone and their mothers are involved in heated off-topic discussions but will ban permanently anyone that uses the word f***.

That's basically the description of Youtube nowadays...

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

La France profonde? Formidable!

Perhaps the author decided himself what "mod" means. In your situation, I really would have kept the book, even part-read.

 

[E27007]

I think the author is using "a la mod" ,as a pun for the restaurant menu phrase, " à la mode” which describes beef with wine sauce.

Perhaps the author is making a pun on the French who describe we English as Rosbifs, "Roast Beefs".

 

[Gloster]

I think the author is using "a la mod" ,as a pun for the restaurant menu phrase, " à la mode” which describes beef with wine sauce.

Perhaps the author is making a pun on the French who describe we English as Rosbifs, "Roast Beefs".

I think that ‘les Rosbifs’ is a bit old fashioned. One quite common alternative nowadays is ‘les F**k-Offs’.

 

[Calthrop]

Thanks, everyone, for thoughts and comments.

On the front cover of the book, the letter O in the title 'A la Mod' is represented as the RAF style roundel favoured by the Mod movement of the 1960's.

I saw that on the cover -- added to my puzzlement. Favoured by the scooter-riding folks sixty-odd years ago?? As our French "frenemies" like to say, "faut pas chercher a comprendre".

In the interview he said a Mod was someone who is macrotolerant but micro intolerant. So he would support minority rights, but be incensed by someone wearing a suit with trainers.

Seems barking mad, to me -- but as said earlier, all this is stuff with which I'm not in sympathy.

La France profonde? Formidable! Perhaps the author decided himself what "mod" means. In your situation, I really would have kept the book, even part-read.

(my bolding) -- A la Humpty Dumpty -- just hope that he paid the word generously for its services ... I still have the book (immediately to my right, as I now type) -- maybe I'll hang on to it, in the hope of its ultimately making sense and being cherished; but, breath not to be held ...

I think the author is using "a la mod" ,as a pun for the restaurant menu phrase, " à la mode” which describes beef with wine sauce.

I got the pun -- didn't think it a very good one; but as above, wasn't looking for wit to my liking ...

I think that ‘les Rosbifs’ is a bit old fashioned. One quite common alternative nowadays is ‘les F**k-Offs’.

A nice parallel to what we hear of from past centuries -- French soldiers in opposition to ours, calling our guys "les Goddams" -- the French, being overall more religious than the Brits, were part spooked / horrified, part admiring, that our fellows were so tough and devil-may-care that they casually and repeatedly called upon their deity to consign them to eternal damnation ...

 

[BrandanM]

On the front cover of the book, the letter O in the title 'A la Mod' is represented as the RAF style roundel favoured by the Mod movement of the 1960's.

I saw that on the cover -- added to my puzzlement. Favoured by the scooter-riding folks sixty-odd years ago??

Yes.

The red/white/blue roundel symbol is synonymous with the scooter-riding, parka wearing Mod movement that originated in the UK in the 1960's.

I think it may have been adopted and popularised by the group The Who initially and then carried forward by others.

 

[Calthrop]

Yes.

The red/white/blue roundel symbol is synonymous with the scooter-riding, parka wearing Mod movement that originated in the UK in the 1960's.

I think it may have been adopted and popularised by the group The Who initially and then carried forward by others.

Thanks for the above info. To be honest -- thought prompted in me thereby is, "people are weird" !

 

[E27007]

Thanks, everyone, for thoughts and comments.



I saw that on the cover -- added to my puzzlement. Favoured by the scooter-riding folks sixty-odd years ago?? As our French "frenemies" like to say, "faut pas chercher a comprendre".



Seems barking mad, to me -- but as said earlier, all this is stuff with which I'm not in sympathy.



(my bolding) -- A la Humpty Dumpty -- just hope that he paid the word generously for its services ... I still have the book (immediately to my right, as I now type) -- maybe I'll hang on to it, in the hope of its ultimately making sense and being cherished; but, breath not to be held ...



I got the pun -- didn't think it a very good one; but as above, wasn't looking for wit to my liking ...



A nice parallel to what we hear of from past centuries -- French soldiers in opposition to ours, calling our guys "les Goddams" -- the French, being overall more religious than the Brits, were part spooked / horrified, part admiring, that our fellows were so tough and devil-may-care that they casually and repeatedly called upon their deity to consign them to eternal damnation ...

Let us remind ourselves of the Battle of Agincourt of 1415. The numerically superior French Army were destroyed, the casualty ratio 10 to 1, by the might and power of the English Longbow, The French had boasted, in victory, they would cut off two fingers from the right hand of every Longbow Archer, so that he could never draw a Longbow again, Taunting the French, the Archers held aloft their right hand , two fingers in the time honoured V-sign.

 

[Gloster]

Let us remind ourselves of the Battle of Agincourt of 1415. The numerically superior French Army were destroyed, the casualty ratio 10 to 1, by the might and power of the English Longbow, The French had boasted, in victory, they would cut off two fingers from the right hand of every Longbow Archer, so that he could never draw a Longbow again, Taunting the French, the Archers held aloft their right hand , two fingers in the time honoured V-sign.

Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be true. Where the v-sign came from is unknown, but it is probably nothing to do with Agincourt, although nobody can be absolutely certain. Lots of scholarly hours have been spent on this, but the only conclusion they can come to is that they would have expected to find hints, but they didn’t.