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Proper Interesting Thread

geoffwp

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I'd always thought it was so called because it was an all day and night vigil where someone was always 'awake with the deceased.
 

Jason H

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The only survivor of the Crimean War was, apparently, a tortoise.
 

IndoMike

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On the subject of death it's not unheard for people to miraculously return to life after apparently dying. As it's a bit of a worry to be buried alive a deceased person was often left to lie in their home for a few days surrounded by family and friends in the hope that there would be a recovery.

And that is why a gathering after a death is called a "wake".
Further to that and according to Google, a wake meant to watch over, to keep vigil , or to guard..
 

Grecian2K

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The only survivor of the Crimean War was, apparently, a tortoise.
Presumably managed to dodge the shell fire?
 

Jason H

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Presumably managed to dodge the shell fire?
Proved a tough nut to crack.

The real reason was, apparently, that when war was declared, Britain used to have Berwick-upon-Tweed appended to its name in official documentation for some reason. However, this practice had stopped by the end of the war, so officially Berwick-upon-Tweed was still at war with Russia until someone closed the loop about 100 years later.

By which time only a regimental tortoise was still alive having been present at the war.
 

Spoonz Red E

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Proved a tough nut to crack.

The real reason was, apparently, that when war was declared, Britain used to have Berwick-upon-Tweed appended to its name in official documentation for some reason. However, this practice had stopped by the end of the war, so officially Berwick-upon-Tweed was still at war with Russia until someone closed the loop about 100 years later.

By which time only a regimental tortoise was still alive having been present at the war.
Chinese whispers innit

"This terrible deed taught us to hold on to Romania"
becomes
"List Berwick on Tweed. Tortoise (the old one) to remain here."
 
Last edited:

Grecian2K

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Top answer there Jason old bean. (even though you are an old Tory Posstot ;)
)
I salute for that sir, you have succeeded in putting the "proper" into this "interesting" thread.
 

Billy The Fish

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More interesting stuff - this time concerning cornflakes which were invented to help eradicate the dreadful problem of gentlemen waking up in the morning with lusty thoughts. Some religious fruitcakes aided by Mr Kellogg came up with the idea that a bowl of breakfast cereal would be the ideal thing to take a chap's mind off his morning glory.

Crunchy Nut Cornflakes maybe........
 

LOG

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Vicars aren't allowed to have moustaches. They can have a beard including a moustache but not a moustache on its own.
 

Spoonz Red E

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More interesting stuff - this time concerning cornflakes which were invented to help eradicate the dreadful problem of gentlemen waking up in the morning with lusty thoughts. Some religious fruitcakes aided by Mr Kellogg came up with the idea that a bowl of breakfast cereal would be the ideal thing to take a chap's mind off his morning glory.
1157

Wotcha kock!
 
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