"Potter for President"

[dorapye]

No: HPFGUIDX 91136

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Robert Jones" 
<jones.r.h.j at w...> wrote:
> > Siriusly Snapey Susan:
> > Right.  And in the *U.S.* it makes sense, since we have a 
> > president.  But I think the question is, in the U.K., wouldn't 
one 
> > expect a "Potter for P.M." sign?
> 
> 
> Yes.  What in the British school system or government or society 
> would make the students use the word "president"?
> 
> Bobby
dorapye:
Can think of *nothing* in the British school system that would make 
Ron and Hermione use the word 'president'.  It struck me as odd at 
the time. I mean, we are exposed to a lot of American Culture in the 
UK, and maybe JKR was a little influenced by that in this situation..

...just a thought, when Oliver Wood first explains Quidditch to 
Harry, Harry comments: "like basketball on brooms," or words similar 
in effect. Which is strange because, although as a junior school 
teacher I teach basketball (huh!) to juniors as part of our Games 
curriculum, there is no real tradition of it being played outside of 
school, very few clubs, leagues, even school teams rarely exist in 
the UK. It's still considered a minority, American sport over here.

A closer, and more British (though definitely girlie, which is 
presumably why JKR avoided it) point of reference would have been 
netball.

Maybe Hermione also recognised quidditch as "basketball on brooms" 
and so chose a slogan for her banner which was decidedly, um 
American-sounding?

Ah, well, that explanation is as good as any, I reckon, though it 
makes me wonder if JKR, should she ever *closely* scrutinise her 
books to prune the inconsistencies, might have considered 
the "Potter for President" banner as worthy of being snipped!

dorapye