The English complaining about natives losing power would be a bit rich, wouldn't it?

I'd make mention of the fact they likely think the English can be British, but they also probably imagine that a good Englishman can eat pork and beef!

Can you elaborate? What does this mean?

It's a long joke about word etymology relating to how many times the Green and Pleasant Land has been conquered:

"Britain" relates to "Briton" which used to mean a Celtic native of the British isles. That is, the people who were there when the Romans showed up.

"English" comes from the Angles, one of the Germanic peoples who colonized Britain when the Romans left. Etymologically, being English and British means you're of a mixed parentage indeed, and rather proves the case that immigrants integrate quite well.

"Pork" and "beef" come from Norman French, "Norman" from the fact they were originally Vikings and French from the fact they settled in Normandy before expanding their holdings in 1066. Again, proof that modern Great Britain is a land of immigrants, strivers, and hopefuls from across the water, going back to time immemorial.

Wow - an in-depth and interesting joke. I'm glad that I asked - I, like your other replier, thought that "Pork and beef" were a reference to religious dietary restrictions, and had assumed that you were making some obliquely-racist claim that England was now controlled by "those people". I apologise for having misjudged you - thank you for the explanation!

>>> I'd make mention of the fact they likely think the English can be British, but they also probably imagine that a good Englishman can eat pork and beef!

> "Pork" and "beef" come from Norman French, "Norman" from the fact they were originally Vikings and French from the fact they settled in Normandy before expanding their holdings in 1066. Again, proof that modern Great Britain is a land of immigrants, strivers, and hopefuls from across the water, going back to time immemorial.

That's not how I initially interpreted that at all. I had figured "can eat pork and beef" was most likely referring to Hindu and Jewish/Muslim dietary prohibitions.

Apart from the gross sentiment that could easily be read from this comment, "natives" do not in fact make up less than 50% of London's population.

This whole story is a terrible fit for HN.

I dunno, what are the recent stats? The 2011 census apparently had 37% [0] of London being born outside the UK. It isn't unreasonable statement, particularly on a trend basis natives might be <50% by now.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_groups_in_London#Ethnic...

What's your definition of "native"?

Obviously, born in the UK. What other definition could there be?

Obviously?

When you talk about "native Americans" you would assume it's more than just being "born there", there would be the assumption of ethnicity and culture included. Likewise with other "natives". Even legally speaking being born in the UK doesn't necessarily make you a British citizen. I am curious why a different definition from what seems to be the norm becomes "obvious" to you.