Leaving board because of insults 2

clutton_2

"Ear-swalling" - an ancient lancashire may-day custom dating back to 1392 when George Tumpty fell onto his cousin's head, in a drunken stupour, and misguidely mistook his cousin's ear for a pigs ear (his missus had been making brawn that day) and in an attempt to eat said ear, he died from suffocation due to Tumpty's long hair" - Amen

Hence the term "tha's made a reet pigs ear o' that me owd mucker"

his grave could be found (by those of a creative disposition) on Pendle Hill in the shadow of the witches.......... but only by those having 3 or more stars........

George was not hirsute... but his cousin certainly made up for it....

Wee_Willy_Harris

clutton wrote: »

"Ear-swalling" - an ancient lancashire may-day custom dating back to 1392 when George Tumpty fell onto his cousin's head, in a drunken stupour, and misguidely mistook his cousin's ear for a pigs ear (his missus had been making brawn that day) and in an attempt to eat said ear, he died from suffocation due to Tumpty's long hair" - Amen

Hence the term "tha's made a reet pigs ear o' that me owd mucker"

his grave could be found (by those of a creative disposition) on Pendle Hill in the shadow of the witches.......... but only by those having 3 or more stars........

George was not hirsute... but his cousin certainly made up for it....

I understood that this had been debunked as an urban myth and that the ancient, and religious, "ceremony of the swallowed ear" had been revealed thanks to the more open approach recently taken by the Masonic lodges.

It is now understood that, prior to the 12th Century, a stone mason had to be able to transport his owm tools to whatever site he was working on. This could include the top of some very high buildings using scaffolding of dubious stability.

Obviously, any craftmans tools were of supreme value and had to be closely guarded at all times, but none more than the heavier and bulkier equipment used by the Mason. Thus, as part of the final passing out, a test was carried out to see if the Mason could keep his tools safe in all circumstances.

To this end, in order to be ordained into the masonic tradition, he had to be able to carry a lounce, a leather sack, full of tools, inside his mouth. Younger student Masons, without the funds or tools to be able to experience such a thing, would practice on the closet available substitute, which happened to be the head of a 3 month old pig. If he could fit it into his mouth, snout first, so that the ears just passed his lips, then he would be able to carry the masons lounce.

Thus, you will always hear tradesmen exclaim... "You made a right pigs ear of that" As, for reasons unknown, it was always the right ear which proved the most difficult to swallow into the apprentice mouth.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Fire_Fox wrote: »

There is a casting couch????? :eek: I have 13,000 posts and I have never been invited. *sniffs armpits surreptitiously**

13000!!!???!!??? You've even got a GOLD star!!!!! With ribons!!!!!


We are not worthy.

clutton_2

multi-coloured ribbons as well - eat your heart out WWH - or should that be eat your ear -


'ear 'ear !!



""Younger student Masons, without the funds or tools to be able to experience such a thing, would practice on the closet""

in polite language, what exactly were these young accolytes practising on the closet ?? :cool:


surely not the age old black-pudding stuffing ritual ???????:EasterBun

Wee_Willy_Harris

clutton wrote: »

multi-coloured ribbons as well - eat your heart out WWH - or should that be eat your ear -


'ear 'ear !!



""Younger student Masons, without the funds or tools to be able to experience such a thing, would practice on the closet""

in polite language, what exactly were these young accolytes practising on the closet ?? :cool:


surely not the age old black-pudding stuffing ritual ???????:EasterBun

If they took my advice, they'd practice their spelling!!!

skypie123_2

And all this has been going on?!? While I've been asleep?!?

Its no small wonder I only have the one star isn't it?

Mind you I did earn that!

Wee_Willy_Harris

skypie123 wrote: »

And all this has been going on?!? While I've been asleep?!?

Its no small wonder I only have the one star isn't it?

Mind you I did earn that!

Well, if you don't put in the hours, you can hardly expect promotion to the MSE elite, can you?

skypie123_2

No....but thats why I take the short cuts!
I mean you lot had to post and be thanked for your stars didn't you?
And I like to think I might have helped you to get that second star!

Wee_Willy_Harris

If it's a "thankyou" based thing, you may well be right. I shall make suitable recompense without further delay... Ma'am.

skypie123_2

Thats ok Wee Willy! You needed the leg-up and I was happy to help!
Its not as though you are as well connected with the powers that be on MSE...well I like to think of myself as well connected after the casting couch incident....that said I still only have one star..:(