A Bit o' Trivia

[WarHorse-cl]

I love trivia, so thought it might be interesting to start a thread where all of those wizened old brothers out there (this naturally does not include me) could hang something that would be interesting for all to read. So in the interest of an interesting read, I submit to all the following:

Cannon Balls

It was necessary to keep a good supply of cannon balls near the cannon on
old war ships. But how to prevent them from rolling about the deck was the
problem. The best storage method devised was to stack them as a square based
pyramid, with one ball on top, resting on four, resting on nine, which
rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a
small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem -- how to
prevent the bottom layer from sliding/rolling from under the others. The
solution was a metal plate with 16 round indentations, called a Monkey. But
if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it.
The solution to the rusting problem was to make Brass Monkeys.

Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than
iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the
brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannon balls would
come right off the monkey. Thus, it was quite literally, cold enough to
freeze the balls off a brass monkey. And all this time, you thought that was
a vulgar expression, didn't you? You must send this fabulous bit of
historical knowledge to at least a few & unsuspecting friends.

[amateurke]

Nice notitia!! Thanks, I love it!!

[The EVP]

Now I can use that phrase in public!!!!!

[Rah55]

Good stuff

[Mustang7302-cl]

wow, learn something new everyday

[Paint]

Wow that is great ,now i learned something new today!!!

[SMOKING HANDSOME DUDE]

I learn something new everyday. Thanks for sharing.

[sofaman]

Ted you must watch the History Chanell as mutch as I do!!! LOL

[nativetexan_1]

Interesting.

[Mithrandir-cl]

When you ran a tab at Ye Ole tavern, they would place a P, for a pint of ale, or a Q, for a quart, at your table. After a few too many P's and Q's, other patrons would slip thier P or Q on your table so you would be paying for their drinks. Hence the phrase, Mind your P's and Q's.

[WarHorse-cl]

Originally Posted by Mithrandir

When you ran a tab at Ye Ole tavern, they would place a P, for a pint of ale, or a Q, for a quart, at your table. After a few too many P's and Q's, other patrons would slip thier P or Q on your table so you would be paying for their drinks. Hence the phrase, Mind your P's and Q's.

I didn't know that. Makes sense. Interesting.