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The Hodge Podge Wiki Waki Zippity Do Da Thread

by Steven Wagenheim
9 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
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Anything goes here folks. Share whatever you like.

I'll start it off with a little known fact from 1971. I was 13 at the time that
this happened.

It was September 30, 1971 and it was the last game the Washington
Senators played before moving to Texas and becoming the Texas Rangers.

Well, did you know that the game did not end in proper fashion?

The fans stormed the field before the last out so the Senators ended up
forfeiting the game to the New York Yankees.

It's true...Look it up.

Okay, your turn. Like I said...anything goes.
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    During one of the battles of the 100 year war (can't remember which one) between France and England, the French threatened that after the battle, they would cut off the bow fingers of the English long bowmen.

    After the English won, although being greatly outmanned, they showed their bow fingers mockingly to the French survivors. The signifigance of this is that the bow finger is the middle finger, and this event is considered the birth of "fipping the bird".
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      During one of the battles of the 100 year war (can't remember which one) between France and England, the French threatened that after the battle, they would cut off the bow fingers of the English long bowmen.

      After the English won, although being greatly outmanned, they showed their bow fingers mockingly to the French survivors. The signifigance of this is that the bow finger is the middle finger, and this event is considered the birth of "fipping the bird".
      Is flipping the bird what I think it is? Not heard that before and I as know you're always right Kurt, I'm a bit nervous to enter this one but....this is from urbandictionary.com...

      Rude English hand sign that derives from the middle ages. During the 100 years war the French would cut off the middle and index fingers of any English bowman so as they could never shoot again. The English would taunt the French by showing their fingers, so as to say "I can still shoot you Frog!" although todays meaning is more or less "f*** off you t***."
      Hence...



      Is that flipping the bird?
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      Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

        Is flipping the bird what I think it is? Not heard that before and I as know you're always right Kurt, I'm a bit nervous to enter this one but....this is from urbandictionary.com...



        Hence...



        Is that flipping the bird?
        Close...But just use the middle finger.

        And as an ex cab driver, I want the thank the Brits for one of the great inventions of all time...
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        • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          Close...But just use the middle finger.

          And as an ex cab driver, I want the thank the Brits for one of the great inventions of all time...
          Good grief, I never even knew we made that up. I knew about the V sign (and I'm not referring to victory here) but the middle finger too.

          You see Kurt, we've brought so much to this world!

          Ok, well these are false etymologies from Wiki to explain the origin of f*** off (sorry to degrade your thread Steven but Kurt started it and you said anything goes )...I've had to "star" some bits out but it's quite funny...

          If a couple were caught committing adultery, they would be punished "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge In the Nude", with "F***IN" written on the stocks above them to denote the crime. Another theory is that of a royal permission. During the Black Death in the Middle Ages, towns were trying to control populations and their interactions. Since uncontaminated resources were scarce, many towns required permission to have children. Hence, the legend goes, that couples that were having children were required to first obtain royal permission (usually from a local magistrate or lord) and then place a sign somewhere visible from the road in their home that said "Fornicating Under Consent of King", which was later shortened to "F***". This story is hard to document, but has persisted in oral and literary traditions for many years; however, it has been demonstrated to be an urban legend.
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          Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    If you can't open a jar of pickles (or whatever) tap the side of the lid on the floor then try again and the jar will open easily.
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    "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Scientists have found microorganisms called prokaryotes, that exist in extremely salty water can exist in salt crystals with fluid inclusions for Millions of years! They live off nutrients given off by dead algal cells called eukaryotes which are trapped with them in the fluid inclusion and by slowing their metabolysms. Each algal cell can support the survival of one prokayrote cell for around 12 mil years by providing glyceral, a carbon compound.
    Findings from Death Valley, California reveal 10,000 year old live prokaryotes. 25 - 40 million year old prokaryotes were found a bee preserved in amber -- and in New Mexico, 2,000 ft (609 meters) underground in a cavern they have found bacteria that has survived in suspended animation for 250 MILLION years!

    Studies on this phenomenon is expected to be used in searching for life on Mars, as well as to search for more deposits on earth.
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    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
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  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    But why is it called "Flipping the Bird" ?

    I had assumed it arose from the act of flipping bird crap off one's coat or some such...
    Would the bowmen be referring to the arrow as "the bird"?
    and the showing of the "flipper" the middle finger?
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by MoneyMagnetMagnate View Post

      But why is it called "Flipping the Bird" ?

      I had assumed it arose from the act of flipping bird crap off one's coat or some such...
      Would the bowmen be referring to the arrow as "the bird"?
      and the showing of the "flipper" the middle finger?
      Flipping the bird is I assume because it looks like an upside down bird.

      The French wanted to cut the index finger and the forefinger off the English bowman, that's why they showed them to the French. I think you'll find that flipping the bird came along a bit later than the 100 year war.

      Flipping the bird is just the middle finger salute. I think you'll find the V sign is from the hundred year war because they clasped the arrow with the index and forefinger, hence the picture of Churchill.
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      Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

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  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    I recently saw...

    To Kill a King:

    Merry ole England circa 1649...

    Cromwell and the "Roundheads" have routed the royal forces and deposed King - Charles the 1st.

    They try him for crimes against the nation, convict him and then execute the king and then establish a republic with Cromwell as the Lord Protector of the realm.

    After Cromwell dies, the republic falls apart and the King's son, Charles 2nd, regains power and orders that Cromwell's body be dug up.

    Cromwell's dead body is hung for all to see in London.

    Cromwell was play by Tim Roth and the King was played by Rupert Everett.

    TL

    Ps. I spotted Roth in a restaurant in Georgetown D.C., circa 1996 and wanted him to give me that pissed-of, get in your face thing that he does so well, but I thought better of it.
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    "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. -- Mark Twain

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