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Old 02-16-2004, 20:42   #1
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Origin of the phrase "nous défions"

I am interested in the origin/history of the phrase "nous défions", which is associated with SF. I have conducted online searches, but with negative results. I know a little about it, but would like confirmation and a better understanding. I've most often seen it on SF artwork and 'unofficial insignia' clothing items.

Thanks in advance.
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Old 02-16-2004, 21:12   #2
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"We dare"
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Old 02-16-2004, 21:21   #3
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"We defy"

"We dare" is "Osons", which I believe is the motto of Canadian airborne forces. A number of French units whose heritage goes back to the WW2 SAS use the related "Qui ose, gagne", or "Who dares, wins."
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Old 02-17-2004, 00:42   #4
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Mott Lake, late '70s, Project Bluelight; which later became the SOT Course.

I have no idea who in Bluelight had the idea; or if it came from elsewhere. I remember seeing the motto publicly on T-Shirts AFTER Bluelight stood down and became a school house.
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Old 02-17-2004, 16:50   #5
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Oops, you're correct AL, 'we dare' would be 'osons'. My bad. 'Nous defion' can also be translated as 'We challenge'.
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Old 02-20-2004, 16:07   #6
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Razor, Airbornelawyer, Tracy:

Thanks for the replies and information.

The info I was given was that the term was used by WW2 French resistance movements. It was adopted by OSS elements that worked with the French, then carried over to SF when those same OSS elements founded SF from the ashes of OSS.

Below are some examples of artwork, patches, and clothing items w/ the design.

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Old 02-20-2004, 16:16   #7
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Good thread TRUST
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He knows only The Cause.

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Old 02-24-2004, 22:32   #8
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Nous Defions Mola

Once I get my stuff out of storage this weekend, I will post a mola from Panama in our favorite motif.
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Old 02-25-2004, 23:02   #9
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Quote:
Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc
Good thread TRUST
Thanks NDD, and thanks for the opportunity to be here.

Cazador 01,
Ok, I did some research and now that I know what a 'mola' is I'm looking fwd to having a glimpse.

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Old 02-26-2004, 20:24   #10
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Hi,
As a French speaking Canadian I am able to ''translate'' the signification of ''nous defions''.
This is hard to explain, but this is a mix of ''we dare", "we threaten", "we defy".
This is not just daring, but also defy and challenging everything.
"Nous defions" sounds like an arrogant challenge to everybody and everything.

Hope it helped
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Old 02-26-2004, 20:37   #11
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Quote:
Originally posted by Desert Fox
Hi,
As a French speaking Canadian I am able to ''translate'' the signification of ''nous defions''.
This is hard to explain, but this is a mix of ''we dare", "we threaten", "we defy".
This is not just daring, but also defy and challenging everything.
"Nous defions" sounds like an arrogant challenge to everybody and everything.

Hope it helped
Many THANKS for that !!! Yup, that Title definitely FITS !!!!
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Old 02-26-2004, 20:49   #12
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Damn straight.
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Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.

Still want to quit?
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Old 12-23-2004, 16:12   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Desert Fox
Hi,
As a French speaking Canadian I am able to ''translate'' the signification of ''nous defions''.
This is hard to explain, but this is a mix of ''we dare", "we threaten", "we defy".
This is not just daring, but also defy and challenging everything.
"Nous defions" sounds like an arrogant challenge to everybody and everything.

Hope it helped
Thank you.

There it is.

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Old 01-16-2005, 20:34   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Razor
Oops, you're correct AL, 'we dare' would be 'osons'. My bad. 'Nous defion' can also be translated as 'We challenge'.
Somewhere I've got my "Nous Defions" patch. If I can find it, I'll scan it and post the pic.

For now I'm gonna try to post a pic of SFODA-522, when we were instructors at Mott Lake, SOT-D.

OK, having trouble with the pic-error message says my pic is too large-don't know how to reduce it.

If anyone can host it, I'll send the pic by email. If it works, I got pics from SOAR past and Crhistmas pics from SFA ChXV, featuring COL Bob Howard, MOH, as guest speaker!!!

So alla y'all 'puter wonks hep a Brutha out!!!!!!!
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Old 01-16-2005, 21:16   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
You can send it to me at XXX@XXX and I'll post it for you in your original post.
Thanx Bro, Shot Out!!!!!!!!

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