Origin of the phrase "nous défions"

[TRUST]

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.
TRUST

[Razor]

"We dare"

[Airbornelawyer]

"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."

[Tracy]

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.

[Razor]

Oops, you're correct AL, 'we dare' would be 'osons'. My bad. 'Nous defion' can also be translated as 'We challenge'.

[TRUST]

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.

TRUST

[NousDefionsDoc]

Good thread TRUST

[Cazador 01]

Once I get my stuff out of storage this weekend, I will post a mola from Panama in our favorite motif.

[TRUST]

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.

TRUST

[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

[Ambush Master]

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 !!!!

[NousDefionsDoc]

Damn straight.

[Doc]

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.

Doc

[TerribleTobyt]

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!!!!!!!

[TerribleTobyt]

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!!!!!!!!