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Trivia ~ Traditions
LOVE AND MARRIAGE
The strange but true history of some wedding traditions - from kidnapping to sword fighting
In ancient times men from Germanic tribes, such as the Goths and the Vandals, would often capture their brides-to-be from a nearby village.
No flowers or candy were necessary—just a strong accomplice for this job only the "best man" would do.
Carrying the bride over the threshold?
Well, remember the young maiden was not a willing bride and some persuasion was sometimes necessary.As for the bride standing to the left of the groom?
The reason for that is the groom needed his sword hand free to fight off the arrival of members of the bride's family who might fight to reclaim her. That's also why the best man stands with the groom; the tribe's best warrior was there to help the groom defend his bride.
So much for romance….
The western tradition of crossing the first and second fingers as a way of "attracting" good luck is a holdover from the early history of Christianity, when there was great tension between Christians and non- Christians (called Pagans by early Christians).
Early Christians believed that it was important to honor their faith by making the sign of the cross, which is done by touching the body four times. But in the presence of Pagans this act might have given offense or even incited violence. So instead they made a "cross" by unobtrusively crossing their fingers, and many people still do it today.
Xs at the end of a letter signify kisses?
In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, Documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous.
Tips in restaurants originated in old England, a box was put by the entrance and patrons put coins in it to insure promptness, thus tip.
People clink their glasses before drinking a toast?
It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink. To prove to a guestthat a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour asmall amount of his drink into the glass of the host. Both men would drink itsimultaneously. When a guest trusted his host, he would thentouch -- or clink -- the host's glass with his own.
"You couldn't hit the side of a barn." That's still a pretty serious taunt in rural America, not just because a barn is a big stationary target but also because it's likely to be painted a bright red. But why red? So the cows will know when to stop? Because barns were considered "hot" places, used for romantic liaisons by rural youth?
The reason is actually far more prosaic. In the late 18th century farmers, especially in the northeastern United States, found that they could protect the wood in their barns from the rough winter weather by coating it with a mixture of skim milk, lime, and iron oxide, which is red. By the beginning of the next century that color had become a tradition.
And I thought it was because barnyard language made some people blush.
It seems an odd tradition to put flowers on a person's grave. Is it so that your relatives will see that you were a good person and went to visit Aunt Mable?
Actually, it is what remains of an ancient belief that it was necessary to provide comforts for the dead and give them gifts so that their spirits would not haunt the mourners. I suppose leaving an electric blanket seemed a bit odd, so people just stuck with the gifts part of the equation.
How/ when did the tradition of carving pumpkins begin?
For most of the general population it is known as Halloween and is a night for dressing up, telling ghost stories, having spooky parties, trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving. What most people don't know is that Halloween is actually based on an ancient Celtic holiday known as Samhain (pronounced "sow wan"), which means "summer's end". It was the end of the Celtic year, starting at sundown on October 31st and going through to sundown November 1st. Celebrated for centuries by the Celts of old, it is the most magical night of the year. It is the Witches' New Year, and the Last Harvest.On this night, glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits. Burning lumps of coal were used inside as a source of light, later to be replaced by candles.
When European settlers, particularly the Irish, arrived in American they found the native pumpkin to be larger, easier to carve and seemed the perfect choice for jack-o-lanterns. Halloween didn't really catch on big in this country until the late 1800's and has been celebrated in many ways ever since!
WILL YOU PLEASE STAND
Please rise… and hear how the National Anthem came to be played before ball games.Babe Ruth and The Red Sox are playing the Chicago Cubs in the 1918 World Series. In Boston, a dispute arises over—guess what—money. Players strike… refusing to take the field. Fans in the stands grow impatient.
This is during World War One, and some wounded veterans are in the crowd. Finally, the players agree to play ball for the sake of the vets.
The happy Red Sox owner has the band strike up The National Anthem… the first time it's known to have been played before a ballgame. The wartime fans respond enthusiastically and a new tradition is born.
In 1939, retailers lobby President Franklin Roosevelt to move Thanksgiving a week earlier. They want to lengthen the Christmas shopping season.
FDR thinks that'll help the economy… so he agrees!
But many are angered by the decision—and it becomes a political hot potato. 23 states decide to celebrate on one date and 23 a week later. Texas and Colorado, unable to decide—celebrate on both.
Roosevelt finally admits he's made a mistake and returns Thanksgiving to it's original date.
Congress passes a law setting that date in stone… so no one will ever again mess with Thanksgiving.
Father's Day is the holiday on which there are the greatest number of collect calls made in the United States.
"Jingle Bells," a popular Christmas song, was actually written for Thanksgiving. The song was composed in 1857, by James Pierpont, and was originally called "One Horse Open Sleigh".
In the Middle Ages, the belief that birds chose their mates on St. Valentine's Day led to the idea that boys and girls would do the same. Up through the early 1900's, the Ozark hill people in the U.S. thought that birds and rabbits started mating on February 14, a day for them which was not only Valentine's Day but Groundhog Day as well.
Japanese bowing carries different meanings at different angles?
* A bow at an angle of five degrees means "Good day" (simple greeting).
* A bow at an angle of fifteen degrees is also a common salutation, a bit more formal it means "Good morning."
* A bow at an angle of thirty degrees is a respectful bow to indicate appreciation for a kind gesture.
* A bow at a forty-five-degree angle is used to convey deep respect or an apology.
For many young women the walk down the aisle at their wedding is still one of life's high points. But if they get married in a church, they really don't walk down an aisle. The aisles are the lanes along the side. It's the nave that takes them to Mr. Right.
Now the question is: Will he turn out to be a knave, as well?
Dining etiquette in Japan is tricky. It is considered extremely impolite to pour one's own drink when eating with others you pour your companion's drink and your companion pours yours. On the other hand, it is considered normal and nonoffensive to make loud slurping sounds when eating noodles in Japan.
During the Middle Ages, almost all beef, pork, mutton, and chicken were chopped fine. Forks were unknown at the time and the knife was a kitchen utensil rather that a piece of tableware
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