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Johnny West
Well-known member
Johnny West
Well-known member
“The horse was later returned to its original owners.”
Johnny West
Well-known member
Johnny West
Well-known member
"Perendinate". I'm going to sneak that into a conversation at the earliest opportunity!
Lee
Johnny West
Well-known member
I have perendinated to long on a few things…."Perendinate". I'm going to sneak that into a conversation at the earliest opportunity!
Lee
Luckytrim
Grill Master
In a rare show of public trust, Japan’s national highway toll system went down for 38 hours, forcing officials to lift toll barriers and allow cars to pass freely. Drivers were simply asked to pay later online — and remarkably, over 24,000 people did. The incident highlighted not just a technical failure, but the strength of civic responsibility in Japan’s culture!
Johnny West
Well-known member
In 16th century Germany, an unusual tradition emerged among university students - Mensur fencing. Unlike typical sword fights, participants stood their ground without dodging, protected only by goggles and minimal padding. Their goal wasn't to defeat their opponent, but to proudly earn the distinctive facial scars that would mark them as men of honor and courage.
These duels weren't fought in anger, but as a test of character. Two students from different fraternities would face each other with sharp blades called schlagers - heavier than modern fencing sabers. They would exchange strikes in a highly ritualized combat, deliberately aiming for the left side of their opponent's face.
The resulting scars, known as "Schmisse," became prestigious symbols in German society. They weren't seen as disfiguring marks but as badges of honor that could help advance careers and social standing. Many prominent figures, from Otto von Bismarck to numerous business leaders, proudly bore their Mensur scars.
This tradition continues today in some German-speaking universities, though with additional safety measures. The spirit remains the same - it's not about winning or losing, but about standing firm in the face of danger and earning your place in a centuries-old brotherhood.
Sources: Academy of Historical Martial Arts, Historical European Martial Arts documentation, University fraternity records
These duels weren't fought in anger, but as a test of character. Two students from different fraternities would face each other with sharp blades called schlagers - heavier than modern fencing sabers. They would exchange strikes in a highly ritualized combat, deliberately aiming for the left side of their opponent's face.
The resulting scars, known as "Schmisse," became prestigious symbols in German society. They weren't seen as disfiguring marks but as badges of honor that could help advance careers and social standing. Many prominent figures, from Otto von Bismarck to numerous business leaders, proudly bore their Mensur scars.
This tradition continues today in some German-speaking universities, though with additional safety measures. The spirit remains the same - it's not about winning or losing, but about standing firm in the face of danger and earning your place in a centuries-old brotherhood.
Sources: Academy of Historical Martial Arts, Historical European Martial Arts documentation, University fraternity records
Johnny West
Well-known member
Johnny West
Well-known member
Interesting…
Johnny West
Well-known member
Jack Cohen, born in Whitechapel, East End London, used the demobilization money he received after serving in the Royal Flying Corps to embark on a new venture in 1919. With these funds, he opened a small grocery shop on Burnt Oak Broadway, marking the beginning of what would become one of the world’s most successful retail chains. His goal was simple yet impactful: to offer local customers quality groceries at competitive prices, a concept that resonated deeply with the community.
The success of Cohen’s initial store laid the foundation for the rapid expansion of Tesco, as he continued to apply innovative retail strategies to meet growing customer demand. His focus on providing value, combined with a commitment to excellent customer service, helped propel Tesco from a single shop into a dominant force in the retail industry. The brand's consistent growth reflected Cohen’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions and consumer needs.
Tesco’s evolution under Cohen’s leadership made it one of the largest supermarket chains globally, fundamentally changing the retail landscape. His pioneering approach to business and customer engagement set the stage for Tesco's legacy, cementing it as a major player in the supermarket industry and a household name for generations to come.
The success of Cohen’s initial store laid the foundation for the rapid expansion of Tesco, as he continued to apply innovative retail strategies to meet growing customer demand. His focus on providing value, combined with a commitment to excellent customer service, helped propel Tesco from a single shop into a dominant force in the retail industry. The brand's consistent growth reflected Cohen’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions and consumer needs.
Tesco’s evolution under Cohen’s leadership made it one of the largest supermarket chains globally, fundamentally changing the retail landscape. His pioneering approach to business and customer engagement set the stage for Tesco's legacy, cementing it as a major player in the supermarket industry and a household name for generations to come.
I used to shop at the Tesco in Wakefield, on Barnsley road!
Luckytrim
Grill Master
I’d wager that most people (including me, until now) aren’t aware that over half the states that make up the union we call the United States are actually Native American words for the land or the people that White settlers simply adopted as they spread across the country.
Alabama
Named after the Alibamu tribe of Indians who were members of the Creek Confederacy. Literally, it means “clears the thicket.”
Alaska
From the Inuit word “Alakshak’ which means peninsula.
Arizona
This one’s uncertain but may derive from a word meaning “small springs.”
Connecticut
From the expression “quinnitukg-ut” which means “at the long tidal river.”
Hawaii
From the words “Havaiki” or “Hawaiki,” which was the legendary name of the original Polynesian homeland.
Idaho
Derived from one of three sources and meaning one of three things:
Comanche “Idahi”. Shoshone “ee-dah-how” which means something like “Good Morning”. Salmon River Tribe of Indians “Ida” means salmon and “ho” means tribe so we might be saying “Salmon eaters”.
Illinois
From “ilhiniwek” or “illiniwek”. “Illini” meant “man” and “iwek” makes the word plural, so, literally, “men.”
Iowa
Named after the Ioway Indians.
Kansas
Named after the Kansa Indians.
Kentucky
Means one of three things: meadow lands, cane and turkey lands, or dark and bloody ground.
Massachusetts
An Indian word meaning “about the big hill.”
Michigan
From the Chippewa Indian word “Michigama” meaning “large lake.”
Minnesota
From the Dakota Indian word “Minisota” meaning “white water.”
Mississippi
From the Choctaw word meaning “Great water” or “Father of Waters.”
Missouri
“Town of the large canoes.”
Nebraska
From the Oto Indian word meaning “flat water.”
New Mexico
Named after Mexico, of course. Means “place of the Mexica.” One source says that it’s derived from the name “Mertili” who was an Aztec god.
Ohio
From the Iroquois word meaning “beautiful.”
Oklahoma
From the Chocraw word meaning “red people.”
South and North Dakota
This used to all simply be called the Dakota Territory. The Indian word “Dahkota” means “friends” or “allies”.
Tennessee
From the Cherokee “Tanasi” which was a village. The word means one of three things: “meeting place”, “winding river”, or “river of the great bend”.
Texas
A Caddo Indian word meaning “allies.”
Utah
Derived from the Ute Indian word “Yuta” meaning “people who live high in the mountains.”
Wisconsin
From the word “Wishkonsing” meaning “place of the beaver.”
Wyoming
“On the Great Plain.”
Alabama
Named after the Alibamu tribe of Indians who were members of the Creek Confederacy. Literally, it means “clears the thicket.”
Alaska
From the Inuit word “Alakshak’ which means peninsula.
Arizona
This one’s uncertain but may derive from a word meaning “small springs.”
Connecticut
From the expression “quinnitukg-ut” which means “at the long tidal river.”
Hawaii
From the words “Havaiki” or “Hawaiki,” which was the legendary name of the original Polynesian homeland.
Idaho
Derived from one of three sources and meaning one of three things:
Comanche “Idahi”. Shoshone “ee-dah-how” which means something like “Good Morning”. Salmon River Tribe of Indians “Ida” means salmon and “ho” means tribe so we might be saying “Salmon eaters”.
Illinois
From “ilhiniwek” or “illiniwek”. “Illini” meant “man” and “iwek” makes the word plural, so, literally, “men.”
Iowa
Named after the Ioway Indians.
Kansas
Named after the Kansa Indians.
Kentucky
Means one of three things: meadow lands, cane and turkey lands, or dark and bloody ground.
Massachusetts
An Indian word meaning “about the big hill.”
Michigan
From the Chippewa Indian word “Michigama” meaning “large lake.”
Minnesota
From the Dakota Indian word “Minisota” meaning “white water.”
Mississippi
From the Choctaw word meaning “Great water” or “Father of Waters.”
Missouri
“Town of the large canoes.”
Nebraska
From the Oto Indian word meaning “flat water.”
New Mexico
Named after Mexico, of course. Means “place of the Mexica.” One source says that it’s derived from the name “Mertili” who was an Aztec god.
Ohio
From the Iroquois word meaning “beautiful.”
Oklahoma
From the Chocraw word meaning “red people.”
South and North Dakota
This used to all simply be called the Dakota Territory. The Indian word “Dahkota” means “friends” or “allies”.
Tennessee
From the Cherokee “Tanasi” which was a village. The word means one of three things: “meeting place”, “winding river”, or “river of the great bend”.
Texas
A Caddo Indian word meaning “allies.”
Utah
Derived from the Ute Indian word “Yuta” meaning “people who live high in the mountains.”
Wisconsin
From the word “Wishkonsing” meaning “place of the beaver.”
Wyoming
“On the Great Plain.”
Johnny West
Well-known member
Johnny West
Well-known member
Luckytrim
Grill Master
After the death of his beloved wife Gloria in 1994, James Stewart—Hollywood icon and deeply devoted husband—chose not to replace the battery in his pacemaker. This quiet but powerful decision reflected a deep grief and an acceptance of mortality. The couple had been married for nearly 45 years, and Gloria’s passing left a profound emptiness in Stewart's life. Known for his grounded, sincere demeanor both on and off screen, Stewart had lived a full life by then: a celebrated actor, decorated WWII veteran, and committed family man.
His choice not to prolong his life through medical intervention wasn’t dramatic or bitter—it was simply in line with his values. Stewart once said that Gloria was "the sunshine of my life," and without her, life had lost its glow. In declining the procedure, he wasn’t giving up—he was letting go, ready to be reunited with the love of his life. He passed away peacefully in 1997 at age 89. His decision stands as a poignant reminder of love, loss, and the grace of knowing when a chapter has ended.
His choice not to prolong his life through medical intervention wasn’t dramatic or bitter—it was simply in line with his values. Stewart once said that Gloria was "the sunshine of my life," and without her, life had lost its glow. In declining the procedure, he wasn’t giving up—he was letting go, ready to be reunited with the love of his life. He passed away peacefully in 1997 at age 89. His decision stands as a poignant reminder of love, loss, and the grace of knowing when a chapter has ended.