http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Bells
Silver Bells started out as the questionable “Tinkle Bells.” Said Evans, “We never thought that tinkle had a double meaning until Jay went home and his [first] wife said, ‘Are you out of your mind? Do you know what the word tinkle is?’” The word is child’s slang for urination.
Sounds like “Golden Bells” might have been more apropos.
Thanks be to Mental Floss for the trivia tidbit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%BDla
A public decree was issued in 1746 prohibiting the use of Grýla and the Yule Lads to terrify children.
This Wikipedia entry does not do justice to the Icelandic legend that is Gryla. At Christmastime in U.S., Santa Claus delivers presents from a sack to good children and coal to the naughty ones. At Christmastime in Iceland, Gryla stuffs the naughty children in a sack and takes them home for dinner. To cook them in a stew.
Iceland FTW.
(Image and info thanks to The Engelson Files)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday
“Of all the days in the year, the one which they celebrate most is their birthday. It is customary to have the board furnished on that day with an ampler supply than common, they eat little solid food but abundance of dessert, which is set on table a few dishes at a time… They are very fond of wine.” —Herodotus
Well, this is relevant… because today’s my birthday! Congratulations to me for lasting another year without dying.
Hmm…what else happened today in history? Hey—happy birthday to Pope Leo XII and New Mexico!
