'Uncle Sam is a butt' - Chinese state media hits the US where it hurts

When not following Japanese porn stars on Twitter, Xinhua writers are apparently reading up on their school-yard insults. The Communist Party's main online mouthpiece has just published a fantastic editorial in which the US is described as "a butt." Just to assure us that this wasn't a typo, writer Zhu Junqing continues to note that American concern over China's military growth "only makes Uncle Sam a butt."

So how did we get here?

Zhu has a decently capable grasp on English throughout most of the article, and uses two-dollar words with ease. "Hegemony." "Anti-satellite weapons in actual deployment." "Lay foundation to conquer the Congressional obstacle."

Ok, that last one was a bit weird. The entire piece seems to be written by someone who knows plenty of words, and a fair number of sentences, but has never actually talked to an English speaker.

Phrases like "One man may steal a horse while another may not look over a hedge" is profound in its meaninglessness. "Facts speak louder than words" sounds like it makes sense, but this is in an article whose title calls the US "a butt."

Maybe an editor fell asleep and a studious intern, sure that he caught the Americans in the act, decided to write this one up and publish it? We may never know.

In the meantime, kudos, Xinhua. Once again, you've got us reading you.