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Faithless
06-22-2007, 12:01 AM
I've never heard of that term, if it's considered to be regularly used. But some ding dong had to apologize for using it.

According to the article:
A Chinese fire drill is best known as an antic in which everyone in a car gets out while at a stop light and changes seats.
And Chinese are known for doing this? :rolleyes:

Mayor asked to apologize for ‘Chinese fire drill’ remark (http://www.courier-gazette.com/articles/2007/06/21/mckinney_courier-gazette/news/aanews04.txt)

By Brandi Hart, McKinney Courier-Gazette | (Created: Thursday, June 21, 2007 9:51 PM CDT)

McKinney Police Association President Corporal John Woodruff is asking Mayor Bill Whitfield to publicly apologize for his remarks made at the June 5 city council meeting, which Whitfield compared to “a Chinese fire drill.”

Woodruff said the remark could be perceived to have negative racial overtones.

Woodruff said one McKinney police officer and one resident told him they were displeased with the mayor’s remarks, which he made after Council Member Gilda Garza asked a question about her vote on a Collin County Regional Airport issue. Whitfield replied that the meeting is not “a Chinese fire drill.”
...

bluemonq
06-22-2007, 12:15 AM
"Chinese Fire Drill" was first used around the time of World War II, equivalent to the word "clusterfuck". You can attribute this to the Brit pilots who used "Chinese" to describe unskillied pilots. This is a result from older terminolgy, "one wing low", which they felt sounded like (drumroll) a Chinese name.

Faithless
06-22-2007, 12:27 AM
It's always interesting what comes out of any body's mouth as their first choice of words.

I'm glad I'm not that way that "Chinese fire drill" just rolls off so easily in describing some situation.

I still don't get its context of the Mayor's comment.

bluemonq
06-22-2007, 12:34 AM
I am under the impression that the council member broke meeting protocol, and the mayor wanted to express his views on this "chaotic" event.

eos
06-22-2007, 07:47 AM
you know what? unless i'm on crack, i vaguely remember doing this one time.

really stupid.

Adaon
06-22-2007, 10:20 AM
I did this a buncha times. I did it this year.....a month or two ago. Meh.

grimfan
06-22-2007, 01:21 PM
I think it's called a Chinese Fire Drill because it's hectic and pointless, kind of like what the Communist Chinese government might do.

tripostrophe
06-22-2007, 01:25 PM
You all know White Elephant? Well, apparently it's called Chinese Gift Exchange by some: http://www.amazing-christmas-ideas.com/chinese-christmas-gift-exchange.html

Let it be known that I appreciate the author's efforts to have more people call it something less offensive. If I ever need amazing Christmas ideas, I now know where I'll find them! :D

kakashiLAU
06-22-2007, 10:15 PM
[QUOTE=Faithless;515105]I've never heard of that term, if it's considered to be regularly used. But some ding dong had to apologize for using it.

According to the article:
A Chinese fire drill is best known as an antic in which everyone in a car gets out while at a stop light and changes seats.
And Chinese are known for doing this? :rolleyes:



oh, nice looking out Woodruff. *thumbs up*

kakashiLAU
06-22-2007, 10:15 PM
[QUOTE=Faithless;515105]I've never heard of that term, if it's considered to be regularly used. But some ding dong had to apologize for using it.

According to the article:
A Chinese fire drill is best known as an antic in which everyone in a car gets out while at a stop light and changes seats.
And Chinese are known for doing this? :rolleyes:


oh, nice looking out Woodruff. *thumbs up*