Answer: Alexandre Balthazar Laurent Grimod de La Reynière Andrew and I often listen to an audiobook at night and our… Read more Who Was the First Restaurant Critic?
Category: Origins
Sequoyah and His Syllabary
I think I’ve mentioned before that the kids and I are doing a two-year survey of the United States. For… Read more Sequoyah and His Syllabary
Chopsticks vs. Forks
When my brother-in-law and his family vacationed in Japan earlier this fall they brought us back some fun souvenirs. Besides… Read more Chopsticks vs. Forks
Who Was Edward J. Noble?
(Presumably) inspired by my post on the Hepburn Libraries, my father-in-law sent me a link about another influential local —… Read more Who Was Edward J. Noble?
In Which I Learn About Dulcimers
Do you remember the poem “Kublai Khan” by Coleridge? “In Xanadu did Kubla Khan / A stately pleasure dome decree…”… Read more In Which I Learn About Dulcimers
Did You Know? 18th Century Mechanical Tables
Have you heard of a mechanical table that allows food to appear from the floor below? To ensure privacy, these… Read more Did You Know? 18th Century Mechanical Tables
Paintings of Novgorod
Novgorod is one of the names mentioned in the bardcore version of “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Here it is… Read more Paintings of Novgorod
The Development of Empire Apples
I was recently intrigued to discover an apple ranking website but disenchanted to see that the creator ranks Empire below… Read more The Development of Empire Apples
Two Theories on the Origin of Gaga Ball
We got back from Beaver Camp on Sunday afternoon. Aside from swimming and boating, one of the kids’ favourite activities… Read more Two Theories on the Origin of Gaga Ball
Chinggis Khan?!
Back to Verse 2 of the bardcore version of “We Didn’t Start the Fire”: Charlemagne, AlfredAnne Boleyn without a headFew… Read more Chinggis Khan?!
The Union of Castile and Aragon
This week we’re taking another look at Verse 2 of the bardcore version of “We Didn’t Start the Fire”: Charlemagne,… Read more The Union of Castile and Aragon
What Is the Nibelungenlied?
Back to the bardcore version of “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” here are the lyrics for Verse 2: Charlemagne, AlfredAnne… Read more What Is the Nibelungenlied?
Who Was Guillaume de Machaut?
Last week Andrew texted me this amazing parody of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” It’s a “bardcore” cover… Read more Who Was Guillaume de Machaut?