VIKINGS RAPED, PILLAGED THEN DID IRONING

The Daily Record ^ | May 5 2003 | Editorial Staff

[vannrox]

VIKINGS RAPED, PILLAGED THEN DID IRONING
May 5 2003

VIKINGS were responsible for introducing ironing to Scotland.

The pillaging Scandinavians were surprisingly conscious of their appearance and regularly smoothed their clothes. Excavations across Scotland have revealed evidence that the Nordic warriors used ironing boards and smoothing stones to make the job easier.

Dr Euan MacKie, of Glasgow University, said he found out about the ironing culture by chance 10 years ago, when his colleague's child found a piece of a whalebone on the Hebridean island of North Uist.

He said: "It is probably right to say Vikings introduced ironing to Scotland.

"The archaeological findings from before the Viking era have produced no evidence of similar activity. "But only a few of their ironing boards and smoothing balls have been found here.

"The ones that have been discovered have been in female burial sites, which suggests women did most of the ironing.

"Vikings tend to be known as murderous invaders and vandals but that was just the wild part of them." It is believed ironing was initially introduced in areas where Vikings settled, such as Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and Caithness.

An excavation in Orkney uncovered a 950AD Viking whalebone ironing board from a burial ship.

And it was identified as an early version because similar equipment was still being used in Norway during the early 19th century.

[wardaddy]

Ironing is the only domestic chore I do not do....but I have.

[wimpycat]

Don't think you're revealing any "secrets" among us married folks.

Anyone married for any length of time knows (and it does work both ways, I can vouch for the female version) that if you screw up the task badly enough and often enough, you won't be expected to do it any more, and sometimes actually forbidden to do it.

I'm not allowed to do anything electrical, after installing a ceiling fan on my own and was down to the nitty-gritty, actually connecting the wires, when I called my husband at work to ask him about which wires get connected to what, and telling him, yes of course I cut the power off, because I cut the light switch off. I was ordered not to touch anything or do anything else until he got home.

I'm also not allowed to use knives in the kitchen anymore.

[wimpycat]

Is that because you hate ironing or because you suck so badly at it that it's best to leave well enough alone?

[wardaddy]

It's because my Lord and Mistress at whose feet I grovel forbids me....unless I wear an apron...which I refuse to do...lol

[cricket]

"Hum. Helps paint a different picture of the viking."

. . .well maybe they discovered 'wrinkle-free' by accident. . .maybe the hot-stones were originally applied while a person was still wearing theirs.

[babble-on]

my father was sent to the store as a newlywed for a head of lettuce, came back with a cabbage, and never had to go to the store again for 50 years of marriage.

[wardaddy]

I'm not allowed to do anything electrical, after installing a ceiling fan on my own and was down to the nitty-gritty, actually connecting the wires, when I called my husband at work to ask him about which wires get connected to what, and telling him, yes of course I cut the power off, because I cut the light switch off. I was ordered not to touch anything or do anything else until he got home.

That is too funny. That explains why when the appliance man comes to my house he always asks my wife to show him the breaker box first even if she claims she turned the power off.

[cricket]

"Vikings didn't wear skirts. They wore leather pants, like medievel bikers."

. . .love it. . .

[wimpycat]

LOL! Yeah, I can understand that, because it took me awhile to learn the difference myself. I wouldn't be able to begin to verbally describe the difference to someone; I'd have to show them. That's a lettuce and that's a cabbage. See the difference?

[I'm ALL Right!]

Trust me, it's not hereditary...my husband is Scandinavian.

[wimpycat]

Yep, I had it going on up until that point. I wouldn't have even called him if I had been able to figure out what that "extra" wire was for. Oh, well. It's not as if I really had to do it, anyway. My husband was an Electrician's Mate in the Navy, so we have someone in the family qualified to do that sort of thing...at least we have someone who has a freakin' clue as to electrical matters, so I'm covered.

[ntnychik]

It works the other way, too. No way can I figure out how to mow the lawn, do a proper job of painting, change a tire, etc.

[pax_et_bonum]

This is not surprising since, according to the Smithsonian's traveling Viking exhibit, the Vikings were simply misunderstood farmers.

[wardaddy]

I have no room to talk....I can fix a lamp switch and change outlet plates and plugs...that's about it.

Now, with plumbing...I can do it all except sweat and sauter copper.

Seriously, with 2 in diapers at home....i have to help out if I want a happy (and affectionate) wife....I don't do for nothing...lol

[Swede Girl]

Gosh, that must explain why I don't mind ironing.

[wimpycat]

Of course!

No matter how highly educated and white collar the man, I think it's essential for him to know a trade or a craft, be it electrician, plumber, mechanic, carpenter, what have you. I think it's cool for a man to be able to do something practical and useful, because you never know when you'll need those skills.

Now, my dad is a totally different story. He's a (retired now) teacher of history and P.E., but he's absolutely worthless around the house; he can't fix anything that's broken and doesn't try, and he can't put anything together--all our Christmas bicycles were assembled at the store, for example. But he knows commercial fishing--how and when to shrimp, how and when to flounder, how, where and when to clam, and he can shuck an oyster like nobody's business...so that's something.

[Darheel]

Yesterday was Thor's-day and today is Frigga's-day I believe. I think Thor was Wotan, the Romans killed all their druids. I don't know if Romans ironed, or had their slaves (or kittens) iron.

[wardaddy]

My dad never once changed a diaper in his life...seriously.

One hasn't lived till they been tinkled on by a baby....boys pee north...girls south obviously.

And poop after say 9 months is such a joy.

Only thing worse is cleaning up old or terminally ill folks...done that too...not for sissies that's for sure.

[U S Army EOD]

Just because you have a little blood on you, it is no excuse for not looking your best.

[marktwain]

No matter how highly educated and white collar the man, I think it's essential for him to know a trade or a craft, be it electrician, plumber, mechanic, carpenter, what have you. I think it's cool for a man to be able to do something practical and useful, because you never know when you'll need those skills.

The last woman I was involved with was highly intelligent, practical, frugal, just wonderful.

Yet she was immensely impressed with my ability to design and build a roof, change belts on a car, repair a garage door, do drywall, and know a little about plumbing and electrical work. I find it amazing the large percentage of people whose only knowlege about making things work consists of the ability to look in the yellow pages.

BTW, she is also a great cook and we had politics in common as well... sometimes things go bad that you have little control over...