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.

[strela]

Ironing is the only domestic chore I do not do

I still have to. (But at least I don't have to stand on a footlocker any more to put on my trousers, in fear of breaking the crease).

[wimpycat]

I believe my dad changed a few, but his dad never so much as washed a dish at home, much less changed diapers. Of course, out on the boats, I'm sure he washed a few dishes, but that's different, when you're out with a crew of men.

Don't remind me of what possibly lies in my future about tending to old/terminally ill folks. My mom did it plenty (try being a woman and changing your own father's catheter or being a man and cleaning up your own mother; I believe that tops baby poop any day of the week), as she was a nurse, but now her health is not so good. I think I'm a sissy in that regard...but I guess people do it because it needs doing, not because they enjoy it, so I guess I'm no different from anybody else.

[wimpycat]

I guess it's a question of balance or novelty. I know a guy really well, who in addition to being an NCO in the Marines, which is impressive enough, can fix anything under the sun. Mechanical, electrical or whatever, if you need something done, he can do it, and not half-ass either, but really do it right. He's the guy you want with you if you're ever stranded on a desert island. But to talk politics or history with him is to wander into an intellectual desert. He's not stupid; it's just not his thing.

[Pharmboy]

Problem is, you had to go to Rejkavic to pick up your shirts...

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

They weren't environmentally friendly though.

[wimpycat]

Lord, I miss the Far Side!

[wardaddy]

Yep...I changed my dad and bathed him. Once I had to carry him to the car from his room in the back...all 6'5" and 250lbs of him deteriorated badly by a megaglioma star growing in his brain...it about killed both of us.

My Mom is opting for a Ritz Carlton level "home"....funds are already in place. She would never tolerate me "taking care" of her personally. No way. She has too much pride and can afford otherwise.

With my dad, there was no pride factor really. He just took it in stride, He knew the end was coming and never once whined. He handled his own death better than any of us did...especially my mother...whew...I hope not to relive that. Some folks are born care givers and others are not.

He did rather enjoy the baths and rubdowns from the comely young nurses and could recognize and comment on a "nice rack" up until he slipped into the netherworld about 2 weeks before death. And comment he did...lol...brain tumours sort of erase normal inhibitions if you know what I mean.

I know my wife will take care of me...I am certain of that. It's in her genes.

Again...not the stuff for the weak spirited.

[Tennessee_Bob]

I'm impressed with how well that little dog plays guitar.

[Temple Owl]

Yeah. I always wonder what a Viking wears under his kilts.

[freedomlover]

Cripes, every Viking man know that if you're forced to do the ironing, you start with your wife's blouse. You burn it to a crisp, and presto!, she wants to do it all from now on.

Ha I did that with the cooking

[capitan_refugio]

When I think of Vikings, I can't help but think of ...

Spam, spam, spam, spam
Spamity spam, spamity spam!

[capitan_refugio]

"This was the beginning of the Ironing Age.

Oh my, that is a stretch.
That pun was so bad, it knocked the air out of me.

[RJL]

"Vikings tend to be known as murderous invaders and vandals

A couple road trips get out of hand, and they never forget!

[exDemMom]

You know, that actually works for me in a variety of chores.

Your wife obviously doesn't have the art of husband training perfected yet. I tell my husband that no matter how incompetently he performs a given task, it will do him no good, because he will still have to do it. It works.

[vikingchick]

Ironing is a barbaric activity. Searing heat scalding one's sensitive fingertips.....spraying Niagara starch hither and yon.....intense boredom and hostility knowing you will face off with this particular garment again in a few short days.....it mocks you.....

And the biggest irritation is the hemlines that curl up, so that one must press them out, slashing about like a crazed violin player in order to make them hang straight. Is this some kind of exercise in torture?

Can't somebody invent a cheap steam closet where one could place the garments in question, and the lovely steam could iron out all the annoying little creases? This is my question.

Inventors: Free us from this clothing domination, I beseech thee.

[WaterDragon]

From a whalebone they deduce an ironing board? LOL

[MrsEmmaPeel]

[MrsEmmaPeel]

[Soaring Feather]

Viking Irons

Ironing is what happened when they were not rowing.

[FourPeas]

Maybe that's why I absolutely refuse to iron......not a Scandinavian.

Perhaps it's also why I absolutely refuse to iron. I'm a Scot. :)