Knocked Up, Circa 1850
We didn't realise how little we knew about our fair city until our exceptionally- good-at-sightseeing friend, Caroline, came to visit. A red bus tour and a few London Walks later, and suddenly we were enlightened in ways we never knew possible. *
Herefollows a list of our favourite new facts:
When Eric Clapton was a bit less respectable, he used to get pissed when his favourite table at the Hard Rock Cafe wasn't available. So he gave them a guitar to mark his territory. Pete Townsend then sent his over with the sentiment, "My guitar is as good as his." And thus the collection began.
As we know, the Brits avoided Window Tax by bricking up their windows. The French turned them into doors, and from there we got, yes! French doors.
Stilton Cheese didn't originate in Stilton. It was served at an inn near Stilton, and word of mouth spread leading to its name.
In the 18th century, the style of wrought iron balconies was changed from horizontal to bell-shaped to accommodate ladies' crinoline skirts so they wouldn't flip up in the back and give everyone in the house a free show.
Green Park, the former site of a leper burial ground, is the only royal park without a formal flower garden because the gardeners were afraid to stick their hands in the soil
Florence Nightingale, who set up her training school at St. Thomas', cut the London hospital death rate by about 30% by telling doctors and nurses to - not wash their hands, but to - be sober on duty.
And as for being knocked up in the 19th century, that was the early version of the wake up call, issued by the lamp-lighters, who would also climb up their ladders to extinguish the flames and knock on the windows of those who needed to be awakened.
* Please be aware that these facts came from random tour guides via Caroline, and we won't be held liable if you fail the pub quiz because of our inaccuracy.
When Eric Clapton was a bit less respectable, he used to get pissed when his favourite table at the Hard Rock Cafe wasn't available. So he gave them a guitar to mark his territory. Pete Townsend then sent his over with the sentiment, "My guitar is as good as his." And thus the collection began.
As we know, the Brits avoided Window Tax by bricking up their windows. The French turned them into doors, and from there we got, yes! French doors.
Stilton Cheese didn't originate in Stilton. It was served at an inn near Stilton, and word of mouth spread leading to its name.
In the 18th century, the style of wrought iron balconies was changed from horizontal to bell-shaped to accommodate ladies' crinoline skirts so they wouldn't flip up in the back and give everyone in the house a free show.
Green Park, the former site of a leper burial ground, is the only royal park without a formal flower garden because the gardeners were afraid to stick their hands in the soil
Florence Nightingale, who set up her training school at St. Thomas', cut the London hospital death rate by about 30% by telling doctors and nurses to - not wash their hands, but to - be sober on duty.
And as for being knocked up in the 19th century, that was the early version of the wake up call, issued by the lamp-lighters, who would also climb up their ladders to extinguish the flames and knock on the windows of those who needed to be awakened.
* Please be aware that these facts came from random tour guides via Caroline, and we won't be held liable if you fail the pub quiz because of our inaccuracy.
