psikottix wrote:
Sorry, dude!
Sir Walter Raleigh is widely credited with the introduction to this country of tobacco and potatoes. In fact, he introduced neither. The first report of an Englishman smoking is of a sailor in Bristol in 1556, four years before Wally was even born! The term "smoking" comes from the late 17th century, before which it was referred to as "drinking smoke". (Which is why i mentioned it!)
That's brilliant. If I had the technical know-how, a little animated cartoon, possibly leaning heavily on comedy, to carry this point over, would be effective. I don't have that technical know-how. Damn...
psikottix wrote:
Potatoes where known in Spain in the mid 1500's, and almost certainly arrived here from Europe not America, incidentally. It is possible, however, that Sir Walter introduced the spud to Ireland! Unfortunately, they were thought to be poisonous by some (the upper parts are, of course, and the plant itself is part of the nightshade family), and when Sir Walter planted them in his garden his neighbours threatened to burn his house down! (funny lot, the Irish!
)
They're as mad as a bucket of steam the lot of em. I of course feel an unbounding patriotism to steam trapped in buckets and will stand, head erect, proudly singing any anthem the Irish may write, in honour of said steam. Oh, and buckets. I'll also burn the houses of anyone caught smoking potatoes or boiling cigarettes, but I'm a bit odd that way (coff!)...
So. The upperpart of the spud plant is part of the 'nightshade family' and is poisonous? I never knew that mate. I used to pick the feckers when I was a nipper 'n' all. A lot of lads here in the local area would go break their backs for something like £15.00 a day + travel, picking spuds...
psikottix wrote:
All of the above, by the way, is the kind of junk that gets stuck in my head. Can i remember peoples names? Where i live? What day of the week it is? NEVER!!!!!
I blame that blasted Stephen Fry!!!!!
(Rolls sleeves up)
Now you just wait a feckin' minute there Mr. Kottix! Stephen Fry's lovely, what with his Lord Melchards, his tea adverts and his quiz show; QI. He's the new Patron Saint of Ireland and I will roll my sleeves up, faking aggression towards everyone always, at any slight on his glorious name...
'All Hail The Mighty Fry!
All Hail The Mighty Fry!'
(Does little dance around pc and flings confetti everywhere)
I may have that slightly arse-about-face by the way. Other Fryists near where I live say the same thing, but then tuck into loads of bacon, beans, eggs, sausages and sodabread...
Culture! I've never quite worked it out
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