Trimmer was a British writer and critic of children’s literature. Books written specifically for children had only become popular around 1730, and Trimmer helped to define the genre through her periodical The Guardian of Education. Her interest in education came from teaching her 12 children. Devoutly religious, she wrote her own scripture lessons, condemned fairy tales, and supported Sunday schools. What famous children’s author might have been influenced by Trimmer’s work? Discuss
Month: January 2022
odds and sods
An assortment of small, miscellaneous items, especially those that are not especially important or valuable. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Watch the video
Tube Alloys
Though allies, the US and UK struggled to collaborate on the building of the atom bomb during World War II. In hopes of spurring cooperation, members of the UK’s bomb program—which was inconspicuously codenamed “Tube Alloys”—sent a report on their research to US scientists. The report was largely ignored until one of the British scientists traveled to the US. Hesitation by both sides followed, and the fledgling US effort eventually became the Manhattan Project. What happened to Tube Alloys? Discuss
termagant
stuffed
farctated, farctate – A farctated diner is one who cannot eat another bite; if you are farctate, you are stuffed to the gills or bloated from eating a large meal. More…
pimola – An olive stuffed with sweet red pepper. More…
gefilte fish – Not a species, but a fish loaf made from various kinds of ground fish and other ingredients; the first word is from Yiddish, from German gefullte, “stuffed.” More…
pudding – Originally a sausage—the stomach or intestine of a pig, sheep, etc.—stuffed with other food. More…
The Great North American Ice Storm Strikes (1998)
In just six days, the Great Ice Storm of 1998 devastated parts of eastern Canada and the US. Trees and electrical pylons collapsed under the weight of thick ice sheets, leaving millions without power for days—some for nearly a month. Major cities came to a standstill in a state of emergency, maple sugar and syrup businesses were devastated, and 16,000 Canadian Forces personnel were deployed—the largest Canadian deployment since the Korean War. What area was called the “triangle of darkness”? Discuss
Befana Festival
Sometimes referred to simply as La Befana, this is the Twelfth Night festival in Italy where the Befana, a kindly witch, plays much the same role that Santa Claus plays in the US. The festival begins on Epiphany Eve, when the Befana is supposed to come down the chimney on her broom to leave gifts in children’s stockings. In Rome, the Piazza Navona is thronged with children and their parents, who shop for toys and exchange greetings. Bands of young people march around, blowing on cardboard trumpets, and the noise level in the square can be deafening. Discuss
Jeannette Piccard (1895)
American balloonist Jeannette Piccard held the women’s altitude record for nearly three decades. She and her husband initially struggled to fund their ballooning—companies balked at endangering a woman and mother—but in 1934, the pair was able to make a record-breaking flight over Lake Erie. Jeannette piloted the balloon to a height of 57,579 ft (17,550 m), becoming the first woman to reach the stratosphere. She served as a consultant to NASA but later pursued what very different profession? Discuss
odd duck
A rather unusual, strange, or peculiar person. Watch the video
Jomsvikings
Though their existence is debated due to a lack of records, Jomsvikings are said to have been a selective brotherhood of 10th-century Viking mercenaries with a strict code of conduct. According to accounts, each Jomsviking was expected to defend all others—avenging their deaths if necessary—and could show no fear. Reportedly, a Jomsviking was forbidden to speak ill of his brothers, and all spoils of battle were equally distributed among them. What was the punishment for breaking the rules? Discuss