• gaynorsl
  • 15 Mar 2020 3:52 PM
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A couple of Titch

  • gaynorsl
    LOL Ann

    Lot to learn

  • Nigel O
    They aren't in this case. If you look further, it only purports to be Chinese because it was first used by an ambassador (or similar) writing back to England from China during troubled times. He didn't even claim it was local and no-one has actually found a Chinese equivalent. So it is now thought it is something relatively recent, possibly from the ambassador himself (unless he picked it up elsewhere). It is one of those QI like facts that actually isn't what everyone thinks it is. Well, that's my understanding anyway!!

    __________

    Nige   Flickr

  • Gardenbirder
    Ah, the plot thickens. I'm counting on you, Nigel, to get to the bottom of this pressing question!

    Kind regards, Ann

  • Nigel O
    The history seems to be:
    Attributed as a curse to the Chinese in 1936 but the curse bit was almost certainly made up by the guy from the Foreign Office at the time. It is unknown in China.
    "Live in interesting times" without being a curse was in use long before in English and apparently a much-used saying of the diplomats father.
    More recently it was made famous (again) by a Robert F Kennedy speech in the 60's
    Will that do you?

    __________

    Nige   Flickr

  • WendyBartter

    Haven't stopped laughing yet Ann & can scarcely see for tears!

     

     2013 photos & vids here

    eff37 on Flickr

  • WendyBartter
    Nigel, I bow to your superior knowledge as my googling finger hurts from overuse ... makes for very interesting reading though & I thank you ... now ...... onto the radishes!? Lol

     

     2013 photos & vids here

    eff37 on Flickr

  • gaynorsl
    You have done stirling work there Nigel and Wendy you can put away the tissues and go and check out your cameras for more of the hedgehog stories never mind taking an interest in the veg. lol

    Lot to learn

  • Gardenbirder

    Gaynor, Sorry to hijack your thread--any sign of Titch lately?!
    Nigel and Wendy, that's probably sufficient regarding the 'interesting times' curse-- thanks! Of course, I could have googled it myself, but I've been busy corresponding with friends and relatives, some of whom I haven't been in contact with for far too long and getting updates about the virus where they are. As my father used to say, 'Things are tough all over' although he did say that in completely opposite circumstances, namely when someone complained about some extremely minor and unimportant thing. If only.
    Wendy, Glad to hear I brightened your day but I hope you didn't crash into anything due to being blinded by tears! Always best to stay in one spot when weeping. Also hope you've stocked up on tissues for the foreseeable future in the event I remember any other curses--lol!
    Speaking of veg, Mr GB planted radishes yesterday, outside, in a proper veg plot (if you were wondering!) Also a few other veg seeds and a few fruit bushes so by the summer we'll have fresh food from the garden!

    Kind regards, Ann

  • WendyBartter

    Lol Ann, fortunately was sat-sitting (as opposed to stood-standing) at the time so no midnight trips to A&E required (TLL)

    Just about to start off two types of tomato seeds in those marvellous little expanding pellets ... fascinates me still!

     

     2013 photos & vids here

    eff37 on Flickr

  • Gardenbirder

    In reply to WendyBartter:

    Wendy, I think we did not buy tomato seeds, thinking (silly us!) that we'd buy already-started plants in a few weeks from a garden centre. Hey, ho, live and learn. Have any spares?--lol!

    Kind regards, Ann