Chow Re: It’s Merely a Trifle
posted by on July 30 at 18:19 PM
That photo of a trifle is okay, Christopher, but I prefer this illustration from THE BOOK OF HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT; Comprising Information for the Mistress, Housekeeper, Cook, Kitchen-Maid, Butler, Footman, Coachman, Valet, Upper and Under House-Maids, Lady’s-Maid, Maid-of-All-Work, Laundry-Maid, Nurse and Nurse-Maid, Monthly, Wet, and Sick Nurses, Etc. Etc. Also, Sanitary, Medical, and Legal Memoranda with a History of the Origin, Properties, and Uses of All Things Connected with Home Life and Comfort by Mrs. Isabella Breeton:
The book-with-the-really-fucking-long-title also contains this lil’ chestnut:
THE VORACITY OF THE MACKEREL.—The voracity of this fish is very great, and, from their immense numbers, they are bold in attacking objects of which they might, otherwise, be expected to have a wholesome dread. Pontoppidan relates an anecdote of a sailor belonging to a ship lying in one of the harbours on the coast of Norway, who, having gone into the sea to bathe, was suddenly missed by his companions; in the course of a few minutes, however, he was seen on the surface, with great numbers of mackerel clinging to him by their mouths. His comrades hastened in a boat to his assistance; but when they had struck the fishes from him and got him up, they found he was so severely bitten, that he shortly afterward expired.
Voracious!
Fantastic! PBS showed the BBC movie about Mrs. Beeton (no r in Beeton) not too long ago. I love the British.
Death awaits you with sharp pointy Mackerel teeth!
holy mackerel, the voracity of that 100 lb. fish tale should indeed not be trifled with, what say!!
Serves the Norwegain right. Given the disgusting ways we prepare fish, it's karmic.
Nice post. Also in the Not To Trifle With department would be the Bluefish, who are famous for their aggressive, voracious feeding habits. They're heavy hitters with sharp teeth that require you to have both a pair of pliers to remove the hook (uh, never use your fingers), and a club to put 'em to sleep.
http://www.streport.com/files/images/Bluefish1x1.jpg
We would fish Bluefish by casting a line across a school of Pogies that the Blues were schooling up and feeding on, snagging a Pogie on the way in. Then rig the pogie onto a couple of hooks with a heavy leader and drop him back into the fray. It never takes long for a Blue (or several) to smash a jigged Pogie. You gotta be real careful handling the Blue once into the boat, cuz they'll cut ya. Oh, and don't fall out of the boat into the melee; they can give you a good ripping.
The video gives you an idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8HQhqkT2L8
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