Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things

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Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things Page 62

by Charles Panati

Friday the thirteenth in, 13

  number thirteen in, 12, 13

  stork myth, 19

  Noxzema, 228

  Number thirteen, 11–13

  “Nun,” 42

  Nursery rhymes, 182–97

  “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep,” 185

  “Cock-a-Doodle-Doo,” 186

  “The First Day of Christmas,” 186

  “Hark, Hark,” 187

  “Hey Diddle Diddle,” 187–88

  “Humpty Dumpty,” 188

  “Hush-a-bye, Baby,” 183–84

  “Jack and Jill,” 188

  “Jack Be Nimble,” 189

  “Ladybird, Ladybird,” 191

  “Little Boy Blue,” 185–86

  “Little Jack Horner,” 189–90

  “Little Miss Muffet,” 195–96

  “London Bridge,” 191–92

  “Mary, Mary,” 193–94

  “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” 193

  “Mother Goose,” 182–83

  “Old Dame Trot, and Her Comical Cat,” 195

  “Old Mother Hubbard,” 194–95

  “Ride a Cock-Horse,” 184–85

  “Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses,” 196

  “See-Saw, Margery Daw,” 192–93

  “Sing a Song of Sixpence,” 196–97

  “There Was a Little Girl,” 187

  “This Is the House That Jack Built,” 189

  “Three Blind Mice,” 194

  Nut (Egyptian goddess), 16

  Nylon, 129

  Nylon-bristle toothbrush, 209–10

  Nylon stockings, 346–47

  Oak tree, superstition about, 6–7

  Obici, Amedeo, 393

  Odo-Ro-No, 256

  Offenbach, Jacques, 288–89

  Oil lamps, 133–34

  “Old Dame Trot, and Her Comical Cat” (nursery rhyme), 195

  “Old Mother Hubbard” (nursery rhyme), 194–95

  Olmstead, Frederick Law, 282

  Olsen, Andrew, 207

  Opie, Iona and Peter, 182

  Oral contraceptive (the pill), 336–38

  Oreo cookies, 413

  Orpiment, 224

  Oster company blenders, 112–13

  Oxford shoe, 296

  Paint, ready-mixed, 150–51

  Painter, William, 216

  Pajamas, 339

  Panama hat, 309–10

  Pancakes, 406–8

  Panitt, Merrill, 363, 364

  Pantaleone, St., 299–300

  Pantaloons, 300

  Pants, 299–303

  with pockets, 300–1

  suspenders, 301

  Paper, toilet, 204–6

  Paper bags, brown, 107–8

  Paper cups, disposable, 122–24

  Paper towels, 206

  Papin, Denis, 121–22

  Parasols, 319

  Parcheesi, 377–78

  Park, Roy, 410

  Parker Brothers, 378–79

  Parkes, Alexander, 126–27

  Parkesine, 127

  Parry, Sir William, 115

  “Parson,” 41

  Pasta, 405–6

  “Pastor,” 41

  Patrick, Saint, 53

  Peach Melba, 401

  Peanuts, 392–93

  Pennsylvania Germans (Dutch), 70

  Percolator, coffee, 120

  Perc-O-Toaster, 120

  Perfume, 238–42

  Perrault, Charles, 169–76, 178–79, 183, 198

  Perret, Jean Jacques, 215

  Perrins, William, 403

  Perrot, Bernard, 230

  Persians

  birthday cake, 32

  walnuts, 393–94

  Peruzzi, Mario, 393

  Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia, 1

  Petronius, 15

  “Pew,” 41

  Phillips, Charles, 257

  Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia, 257

  Photographic film, celluloid, 127

  Pies, 410–11

  “eat humble pie,” 94

  pumpkin, 65

  Piggy bank, 382–83

  Pilgrims

  Thanksgiving and, 64–66

  wishbone superstition, 6

  Pill, the (oral contraceptive), 336–38

  Pincus, Gregory, 337, 338

  Pins, 313

  Pistachio, 395

  Planters Peanuts, 393

  Plastic, 126–29

  Plates, 82

  Platters, 82

  Pledge of allegiance, 280–81

  Plexiglass, 129

  Pliny the Elder, 232

  Plunkett, Roy, 106–7

  Pockets, 300–301

  Poinsettia, 69

  Polo collar, 304

  Polyester, 129

  Polykoff, Shirley, 233

  “Pontiff,” 42

  Popcorn, 390–92

  Poplawski, Stephen J., 111–12

  Popozo, Sandro di, 265

  Pop-up tissue box, 207

  Porcelain-enamel cookware, 100–1

  Porter, Rufus, 358

  Post, Emily, 87–88

  Potato chips, 388–89

  Pots and pans

  aluminum, 101

  porcelain, 100–01

  Prang, Louis, 72

  Prayer, hands joined in, 38–39

  Pressure cooker, 121–22

  Presto company, 145

  Pretzel, 389–90

  Priestley, Joseph, 320

  “Princess on the Pea, The” (fairy tale), 176–77

  Procter, Harley, 218–19

  Proctor-Silex, 145

  “Prostitute,” 347–48

  Public Cup Vendor Company, 123

  Pulitzer, Joseph, 292

  Pump (shoe), 297–98

  Pumpernickel, 400–1

  Pumpkin pie, 65

  Puritans, 70–71

  Purse, 311

  Pusey, Joshua, 110

  “Puss in Boots” (fairy tale), 173–75

  Pyrex, 124–25

  Chemex coffeemaker, 121

  Rabbit, Easter, 55–56

  Rabbit’s foot, 3

  Racine Universal Motor Company, 236, 237

  Radar Range, 126

  Rainwear, 320

  Rais, Gilles de, 179

  Ramsay, William, 136

  Ranges, kitchen, 98–99

  “Rashin Coatie” (fairy tale), 172

  Rattles, 373–74

  Ravenscroft, Thomas, 194

  Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses, 267

  Razor, 214–15

  safety, 215–16

  Reader’s Digest, 362–63

  Reagan, Ronald, 164

  Réard, Louis, 322

  Redding, Josephine, 356

  Redenbacher, Orville, 391–92

  Regina Vacuum Cleaner Company, 139

  Remington shavers, 217

  “Reverend,” 41

  Reynolds, Richard S., 113

  Rhazes, 210–11

  Richardson, Earl, 145

  Richardson, Lunsford, 253

  Richelieu, 404

  Richelieu, Duc de, 80

  “Ride a Cock-Horse” (nursery rhyme), 184–85

  Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses, (nursery rhyme), 196

  Ring finger, 24–25

  engagement, diamond, 22–24

  friendship, 22

  wedding, 22, 24–25

  Rist, Johann, 349

  Rivalto, Giordano di, 265

  Robinson, Doane, 283

  Roller skates, 382

  Romans, 9, 10

  bedrooms and beds, 327–28

  birthdays, 32

  bread, 400

  broken mirror superstition, 11

  candles, 134

  central heating, 131–32

  Christmas, 68

  coin-flipping practice, 15

  cookies, 411

  cosmetics, 222, 227–28

  dolls, 385

  drinking toasts, 91–92

  evil eye superstition, 17

  funerals, 35–37

  glass windown, 156


  hair styling, 231–32

  horseshoe superstition, 5

  hosiery, 343–44

  ketchup, 401

  Lex Ciconaria (Stork’s Law), 19

  marriage and wedding customs, 29–31

  marriage rings, 22, 25

  New Year’s Day, 46–47

  perfume, 240

  pies, 410

  St. Valentine’s Day, 50–51

  salt and, 15

  spas, 200–01

  stockings, 344–47

  table manners and customs, 78

  toothpaste, 210

  wedding cakes, 26

  wigs, 234

  wishbone superstition, 6

  Roosevelt, Franklin D., 67, 121

  Roosevelt, Theodore, 284, 285, 374

  Rosary, 39–40

  Rosenthal, Ida, 343

  Ross, Betsy, 279–80

  Rouge, 224–25

  Rubber, vulcanization of, 165

  Rubber hose, 164–66

  “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

  (poem, then song), 75 Rueckheim, F. W., 395

  Rushmore, Charles E., 283

  Rushmore, Mount, 282–84

  Russell, S. I., 331

  Rutt, Chris, 407–8

  Safety glass, 157–58

  Safety pin, 313–14

  St. Patrick’s Day, 53–55

  St. Valentine’s Day, 50–52

  Salibury steak, 399

  Salt, spilling, 15–16

  Sandals, 294

  Sandwiches, 400

  Sandys, Sir Marcus, 403

  Sanger, Margaret, 331, 338

  Santa Anna, Gen., 416

  Santa Claus, 72–75

  Sardou, Victorien, 309

  Saucer, 82

  Saugus Pot, 100

  Sauria, Charles, 109

  Sausage, 396

  Scandinavia

  honeymoon, 28

  number thirteen superstition, 12

  stork myth, 19

  Scarlett, Edward, 266

  Schwarz, Berthold, 383

  Schiaparelli, Elsa, 317

  Schick, Jacob, 216–17

  Schlicht, Paul J., 354

  Schlumbohm, Peter, 121

  Scholl, William, 262–63

  Schrotter, Anton von, 110

  Schueller, Eugène, 233

  Scientific American (magazine), 358–59

  Scotland, bathroom, 199

  Scott, Clarence, 205–6

  Scott, Edward, 205–6

  Scott, Orlando Mumford, 163

  Scrabble, 379

  Sears, Roebuck, 145, 237

  “Seasoning,” 94

  Sedatives, 271–72

  “See” (as in Holy See), 42

  Seeds

  Burpee, 163–64

  grass, 163

  “See-Saw, Margery Daw” (nursery rhyme), 192–93

  Selchow & Righter, 379

  Semi (game), 376

  Serviettes, 81–82

  Sewing machine, 147–49

  Sex-related words, 347–48

  Shakespeare, William, 91

  Shalimar perfume, 242—43

  Shampoo, 219–20

  Shamrock, 54

  Shaver, electric, 216–17

  Shaving razors, 214–16

  Shelley, Mary, 180–81

  Shelley, Percy Bysshe, 180

  Shen Nung, 269

  Sherwin, Henry Alden, 150–51

  Sherwin-Williams Company, 151

  Shirts, 303–5

  Shoes, 294–96

  high-heeled, 297–98

  thrown at the bride, 26–27

  Sibthrope, John, 98

  Sideburns, 215

  Silly Putty, 379–80

  Simmons, Zalmon, 330–31

  “Sing a Song of Sixpence” (nursery rhyme), 196–97

  Singer, Isaac, 148–49

  Skin tights, 344

  “Sleeping Beauty” (fairy tale), 168–70

  Slinky, 380–81

  Smallpox, 225

  Smith, William and Andrew, 259–60

  Smith Brothers Cough Drops, 259–60

  Sneakers, 298–99

  Sneezing, superstition surrounding, 10–11

  “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (fairy tale), 176

  Soap, 152–54, 217–19

  Socks, 343

  Socrates, 1

  Sontheimer, Carl, 114

  S.O.S. pads, 102–3

  Southey, Robert, 177, 178

  Spaghetti, 405–6

  Spangler, James Murray, 139–40

  Spanish flu epidemic, 253–54

  Spas, 200–01

  Spencer, Percy, 125–26

  Sperm, 336

  Spermicides, 332, 333

  Spic-and-Span, 154

  Spina, Alessandro, 264–65

  Spoon, 79–80

  Squanto, 64–65

  Squibb Company, 210

  Stainless steel cutlery, 89–90

  Standish, Miles, Captain, 65

  “Star-Spangled Banner, The” (national anthem), 287–88

  Statue of Liberty, 100, 291–93

  Steam heat, 132–33

  Steam iron, 145–46

  Steele, Sir Richard, 91

  Steiff, Margaret, 374

  Stetson, John B., 310

  Stetson hats, 310

  Stevens, Harry, 398

  Stevenson, Robert Louis, 356

  Stilwell, Charles, 107, 108

  Stimulants, 269–70

  Stockings, 344–47

  Stoker, Bram, 179–80

  Stone, Herbert, 356, 357

  Stork-brings-baby myth, 19

  Stoves, cooking, 97–99

  Straparola, Gianfrancesco, 175

  Strauss, Levi, 302–3

  Strite, Charles, 118

  Styrene, 129

  Suit, man’s, 306

  ready-to-wear, 323

  Sumerians, 15

  antacids, 256–57

  bedroom, 326

  medications, 245

  mirrors, 229

  Sunbeam, 145

  Sundback, Gideon, 317

  Sunglasses, 267–68

  Suntan lotion, 260–61

  Superstitions, 1–20

  black cat, 13–15

  broken mirror, 11

  evil eye, 17–19

  flip of a coin, 15

  four-leaf clover, 8

  Friday the thirteenth, 13

  “God bless you,” 10–11

  horseshoe, 4–5

  knocking on wood, 6–8

  of Neanderthals, 1–2

  number thirteen, 11–13

  of primitive man, 2

  rabbit’s foot, 3

  spilling salt, 15–16

  “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” gestures, 9–10

  umbrella indoors, 16

  walking under a ladder, 17

  wishbone, 5–6

  yawning, covering one’s mouth when, 19–20

  Suspenders, 301

  Swan, Joseph, 136

  Sweden, chlorine bleach, 155–56

  Swimming suits, 321–22

  Tabasco sauce, 404–5

  “Table,” 83

  Table manners and customs “bring home the bacon,” 93

  children’s, 85–87

  chopsticks, 83

  crossing knife and fork, 81

  “eat humble pie,” 94

  “eat one’s hat,” 93–94

  Emily Post, 87–88

  etiquette, 83, 85, 87–88

  fork, 78–79

  “give the cold shoulder,” 94

  grace, saying, 92–93

  “ham,” pejorative use of, 94

  knife, 80–81

  “let them eat cake,” 95

  napkins, 81–82

  “seasoning,” 94

  spoon, 79–80

  stainless-steel cutlery, 89–91

  “take the cake,” 94–95

  “talk turkey,” 95

  toast, drinking, 91–92

  Wedgwood ware
, 88–89

  “Take the cake,” 94–95

  “Talk turkey,” 95

  Tappan Company, 126

  Tarbes, Bishop, 188

  Tartar steak, 399

  Taun Ch’eng-shih, 173

  Tea, 269–70

  Teakettle, whistling, 119

  Teddy Bear, 374–75

  Teeth, whitening, 211–12

  Teflon cookware, 105–7

  Tennant, Charles, 156

  Tertullian, 22

  Thanksgiving, 6, 64–67, 391

  “There Was a Little Girl” (nursery rhyme), 187

  Thermos bottle, 116–17

  Thimmonier, Barthélemy, 147

  Thirteen, number, 11–12

  “This Is the House That Jack Built” (nursery rhyme), 189

  Thomas, Isaiah, 352

  Thompson, Benjamin, 98

  “Three Blind Mice, (nursery rhyme), 194

  “Thumbs up” and “thumbs down”

  gestures, 9–10

  Tide detergent, 154

  Time (magazine), 364–66

  “To Anacreon in Heaven” (song), 287

  Toaster, 117–18

  Toastmaster, 118

  Toasts, drinking, 91–92

  Toilet, flush, 203–4

  Toilet paper, 204–6

  Toiletries, See Cosmetics and toiletries Toilet water, 242

  Toll House cookies, 415

  Tombstone, 37

  Toothbrush, 208–10

  electric, 210

  Toothpaste, 210–13

  fluoride, 213

  Top hat, 309

  Top, 369–70

  Totemism, 3

  Tournament of Roses, 48

  Towels, paper, 206

  Toys and games, 368–87

  board games, 376–77

  checkers, 377

  chess, 377

  crossword puzzle, 375–76

  dolls, 384–87

  firecrackers, 383–84

  Frisbee, 327–73

  glow-in-the-dark toys, 381–82

  hula hoop, 370–71

  kites, 371–72

  marbles, 368–69

  Monopoly, 378–79

  Parcheesi, 377–78

  piggy bank, 382–83

  roller skates, 382

  scrabble, 379

  Silly Putty, 379–80

  Slinky, 380–81

  Teddy Bear, 374–75

  tops, 369–70

  yo-yo, 371

  Travers, Morris, 136

  Trees

  Christmas, 69–71

  cults of, 6–8

  Treneer, Maurice, 257

  Trick-or-treating, 64

  Trousers. See Pants

  Tumblers, Tupperware, 129–30

  Tupper, Earl, 129–30

  Tupperware, 129–30

  Tureen, 82

  Turkey

  “talk turkey,” 95

  Thanksgiving Day, 65

  Turnspit, 97–98

  Tuxedo, 307–8

  TV Guide, 363–64

  “Two Men in the Army” (song), 289

  Umbrella, 318–19

  superstitions surrounding, 16

  Uncle Sam, 274–77

  Underwear, 339–41

  Underwood, William, 115

  Vacuum cleaner, 138–40, 236–37

  Valentine, bishop of Interamna (Saint), 50–51

  Valentine cards, 51–53

  Valium, 271–72

  Van Houten, C.J., 415

  Vasectomy, 336

  Vaseline, 247–48

  Veil, white wedding, 29–30

  Velcro, 317–18

 

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