Comments on: Child's "World War II evacuee" costume http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Gemma http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1645110 Gemma Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1645110 Several commenters seems to be making holocaust references (e.g. red coat, crematorium) which doesn't apply to evacuees. They were sent away in an attempt to keep them safe from the bombs falling on British cities. I was taught that the poor physical condition of some of the inner-city kids on their arrival in the countryside shocked the rural populace and helped drive social/welfare/housing reforms after the war. Several commenters seems to be making holocaust references (e.g. red coat, crematorium) which doesn’t apply to evacuees. They were sent away in an attempt to keep them safe from the bombs falling on British cities.

I was taught that the poor physical condition of some of the inner-city kids on their arrival in the countryside shocked the rural populace and helped drive social/welfare/housing reforms after the war.

]]> By: Ken Williams http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1643337 Ken Williams Fri, 01 Feb 2013 03:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1643337 That implies: comedy - tragedy = time That implies:

comedy – tragedy = time

]]> By: PhasmaFelis http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1643003 PhasmaFelis Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1643003 The American internet has "discovered" this thing about once a year for as long as it's been on Amazon, and every time there's a bunch of folks who don't realize that "evacuee" is not pronounced "Holocaust victim". Remember at the beginning of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, when the Pevensie kids were shipped off to the countryside to escape the Blitz? That's what this costume is. Concentration camp prisoners were not issued little shoulder bags and snappy patent-leather shoes. The American internet has “discovered” this thing about once a year for as long as it’s been on Amazon, and every time there’s a bunch of folks who don’t realize that “evacuee” is not pronounced “Holocaust victim”.

Remember at the beginning of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, when the Pevensie kids were shipped off to the countryside to escape the Blitz? That’s what this costume is. Concentration camp prisoners were not issued little shoulder bags and snappy patent-leather shoes.

]]> By: Sam Pourasghar http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1642544 Sam Pourasghar Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1642544 Impregnated With Glitter? Sorry, I don't like it. Impregnated With Glitter? Sorry, I don’t like it.

]]> By: Wreckrob8 http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1642171 Wreckrob8 Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1642171 Most evacuees were working class, many of whom would not have travelled far from home for more than a few days. My father and his brother and sister were all separated. He was sent from London to somewhere near Newcastle. He never spoke about it. I do not even know if his brother and sister were in the same town. My middle class mother's family had their dining room converted to a bomb shelter which they were satisfied provided adequate protection during the Blitz. No slumming it in Anderson shelters or down the tube and no disrupted education. Building materials were rationed and were not easily available to build even temporary accommodation for those who had been bombed out. The Blitz spirit! Most evacuees were working class, many of whom would not have travelled far from home for more than a few days. My father and his brother and sister were all separated. He was sent from London to somewhere near Newcastle. He never spoke about it. I do not even know if his brother and sister were in the same town. My middle class mother’s family had their dining room converted to a bomb shelter which they were satisfied provided adequate protection during the Blitz. No slumming it in Anderson shelters or down the tube and no disrupted education. Building materials were rationed and were not easily available to build even temporary accommodation for those who had been bombed out.
The Blitz spirit!

]]> By: Monkey_pants http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641971 Monkey_pants Thu, 31 Jan 2013 01:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641971 Move to France. Move to France.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641903 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641903 Having your parents drown in the Brandywine was also a good launch platform for a life of adventure. Having your parents drown in the Brandywine was also a good launch platform for a life of adventure.

]]> By: Jonathan Badger http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641885 Jonathan Badger Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641885 "Empire of the Sun" implied kids in the International Settlement of Shanghai had it best. As a bonus, you get to grow up to be a famous SF writer. “Empire of the Sun” implied kids in the International Settlement of Shanghai had it best. As a bonus, you get to grow up to be a famous SF writer.

]]> By: Monkey_pants http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641847 Monkey_pants Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641847 Fucking Downton Abbey? Is that the porn spoof? Fucking Downton Abbey? Is that the porn spoof?

]]> By: gfish http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641842 gfish Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641842 I'm surprised I never did this as a kid in the US in the 80s. The literature I had access to at the time made it very clear that if you wanted amazing adventures, you had to either go to boarding school or get evacuated during the Blitz. The message was clear -- get away from your parents for life to start. I’m surprised I never did this as a kid in the US in the 80s. The literature I had access to at the time made it very clear that if you wanted amazing adventures, you had to either go to boarding school or get evacuated during the Blitz. The message was clear — get away from your parents for life to start.

]]> By: gfish http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641837 gfish Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641837  Tragedy + time = costume  Tragedy + time = costume

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641763 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Jan 2013 22:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641763 Have you considered moving to Utah? Have you considered moving to Utah?

]]> By: Rebecca weeks http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641707 Rebecca weeks Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641707 We read "Goodnight Mister Tom" and learnt about evacuees at school (UK). I don't remember being at all traumatised by discussing and acting out leaving parents during the blitz. It was an opportunity to think about different lifestyles (city kids having to adapt to life on the farm), growing independence and responsibility, and being thankful that our modern day kids lives were so much easier.  The worst thing about this costume is that it's so damn unnecessary. Tights, dress, coat, gas mask bag from a cereal box and luggage tag the same. Could so easily be made rather than purchased!  We read “Goodnight Mister Tom” and learnt about evacuees at school (UK). I don’t remember being at all traumatised by discussing and acting out leaving parents during the blitz. It was an opportunity to think about different lifestyles (city kids having to adapt to life on the farm), growing independence and responsibility, and being thankful that our modern day kids lives were so much easier. 

The worst thing about this costume is that it’s so damn unnecessary. Tights, dress, coat, gas mask bag from a cereal box and luggage tag the same. Could so easily be made rather than purchased! 

]]> By: Symbiote http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641694 Symbiote Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641694 My grandma (eldest), great aunt and great uncle (youngest) didn't have such a great time. They somehow got separated on the train, and were all placed with different families.  They were in the same small town, but didn't know -- it took almost a year for my grandma to happen to spot her sister while shopping. Unfortunately, my grandma was with an upper class family, and my great aunt with a working class family, so the adults weren't comfortable visiting/seeing each other. (I suspect there's a lot more to the story, but my grandma's never been one for talking.) My grandma (eldest), great aunt and great uncle (youngest) didn’t have such a great time.

They somehow got separated on the train, and were all placed with different families.  They were in the same small town, but didn’t know — it took almost a year for my grandma to happen to spot her sister while shopping.

Unfortunately, my grandma was with an upper class family, and my great aunt with a working class family, so the adults weren’t comfortable visiting/seeing each other.

(I suspect there’s a lot more to the story, but my grandma’s never been one for talking.)

]]> By: mysterymoil http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641589 mysterymoil Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641589 Salacious pose for her. Towheaded innocence for him. Salacious pose for her.
Towheaded innocence for him.

]]> By: GawainLavers http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641508 GawainLavers Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641508 I was wondering if it was that.  Actually hoping it was that, and not fucking Downton Abbey. I was wondering if it was that.  Actually hoping it was that, and not fucking Downton Abbey.

]]> By: Dlo Burns http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641463 Dlo Burns Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641463  Break out the black dye and the whole family can go as ACϟDC  Break out the black dye and the whole family can go as ACϟDC

]]> By: sqyntz http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641419 sqyntz Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641419  war romanticized  war romanticized

]]> By: alfanovember http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641397 alfanovember Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641397 No visible branding?  Harmonious use of color?  Cotton worn close to the skin and wool on the outside?  Shoes suitable for walking further than the parking lot?  That's not a costume, that's how I want my child to dress every day. No visible branding?  Harmonious use of color?  Cotton worn close to the skin and wool on the outside?  Shoes suitable for walking further than the parking lot?  That’s not a costume, that’s how I want my child to dress every day.

]]> By: Jerril http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641398 Jerril Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641398  It's a gas mask box. Or looks like the ones I saw in period dramas from BBC anyways.  It’s a gas mask box. Or looks like the ones I saw in period dramas from BBC anyways.

]]> By: MTDutch101 http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641378 MTDutch101 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641378 That I can agree with, I suppose. That I can agree with, I suppose.

]]> By: manybellsdown http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641337 manybellsdown Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641337 Pink enema bag, sounds more like. Pink enema bag, sounds more like.

]]> By: blueelm http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641332 blueelm Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641332 One of these things is not like the other... One of these things is not like the other…

]]> By: allium http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641331 allium Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641331 So <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Sino-Japanese_War" rel="nofollow">the Chinese version</a> has been out for some time now? So the Chinese version has been out for some time now?

]]> By: allium http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641328 allium Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641328 There's a sort-of-parallel in California, where fourth graders have to build a model of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_missions" rel="nofollow">one of the missions</a> built by the Franciscan Order up and down the coast in the late 18th/early 19th centuries. Any arts & crafts store worth its salt will have a section full of little plastic adobe walls, donkeys, friars, Indian converts, etc. I missed having to do that (although I did have to build a model of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Island_(California)" rel="nofollow">Angel Island</a> in 7th grade for my distinctly above-average history teacher). There’s a sort-of-parallel in California, where fourth graders have to build a model of one of the missions built by the Franciscan Order up and down the coast in the late 18th/early 19th centuries. Any arts & crafts store worth its salt will have a section full of little plastic adobe walls, donkeys, friars, Indian converts, etc.

I missed having to do that (although I did have to build a model of Angel Island in 7th grade for my distinctly above-average history teacher).

]]> By: J Michael Carter http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641285 J Michael Carter Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641285 You all have the wrong attitude; this is the costume from the beginning of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe."  I wonder if there's a Japanese version; my mother-in-law was evacuated to the country from Yokohama. You all have the wrong attitude; this is the costume from the beginning of “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.”  I wonder if there’s a Japanese version; my mother-in-law was evacuated to the country from Yokohama.

]]> By: tw1515tw http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641249 tw1515tw Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641249 The American version will come out in about three years time (like in world wars 1 and 2) ;) The American version will come out in about three years time (like in world wars 1 and 2) ;)

]]> By: TheOven http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641238 TheOven Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641238  The thumbs up baby?  The thumbs up baby?

]]> By: TheOven http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641230 TheOven Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641230 The new version comes with temporary tattoo numbers. The new version comes with temporary tattoo numbers.

]]> By: Ian Simmons http://boingboing.net/2013/01/30/childs-world-war-ii-evacue.html#comment-1641193 Ian Simmons Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=209542#comment-1641193 Go to the link for the boy version above, then hover over the far right sizing option. The image is, erm, interesting. Go to the link for the boy version above, then hover over the far right sizing option. The image is, erm, interesting.

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