Did Yoose Know?

1. The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV in
the U.S. were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

2. The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this ...)
The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%.

3. The first novel ever written on a typewriter was "Tom Sawyer" by
Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorn Clemens).

4. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by
ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the
bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase .... "goodnight, sleep
tight."

5. Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into
the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill,
they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the
phrase inspired by this practice.
---

Sheldon wrote:
>
> 2. The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this ...)
> The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%.

I think Japan is about 90%.

That's because Japan is very mountainous.
They have about the same land area as
California, but only a little bit is flat
enough to be used for agriculture or
buildings. A population about half the
size of the U.S. is crammed into what
little flat land they've got.

>
> 4. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by
> ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the
> bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase .... "goodnight, sleep
> tight."
>

Are you sure about this description? Early colonial (American) beds
had interwoven rope as a support for the pad or mattress (acting like
a flattened-out spring); tightening the ropes made the bed not as
saggy. As far as I know (from the one authentic rope bed I've seen),
the mattress was never fastened with the rope.

N.

"Nancy2" > wrote in message
...
> >
>> 4. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by
>> ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the
>> bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase .... "goodnight, sleep
>> tight."
>>
>
> Are you sure about this description? Early colonial (American) beds
> had interwoven rope as a support for the pad or mattress (acting like
> a flattened-out spring); tightening the ropes made the bed not as
> saggy. As far as I know (from the one authentic rope bed I've seen),
> the mattress was never fastened with the rope.
>

This is kind of hair splitty.

"Nancy2" > wrote in message
...
> >
>> 4. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by
>> ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the
>> bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase .... "goodnight, sleep
>> tight."
>>
>
> Are you sure about this description? Early colonial (American) beds
> had interwoven rope as a support for the pad or mattress (acting like
> a flattened-out spring); tightening the ropes made the bed not as
> saggy. As far as I know (from the one authentic rope bed I've seen),
> the mattress was never fastened with the rope.
>
> N.


I've seen the rope supports on the old wood frame beds you're talking about.
I don't think any of us on rfc actually knows what they did with mattresses
in Shakespeare's time.

Jill

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> "Nancy2" > wrote in message
> ...
>> >
>>> 4. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by
>>> ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the
>>> bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase .... "goodnight, sleep
>>> tight."

>> Are you sure about this description? Early colonial (American) beds
>> had interwoven rope as a support for the pad or mattress (acting like
>> a flattened-out spring); tightening the ropes made the bed not as
>> saggy. As far as I know (from the one authentic rope bed I've seen),
>> the mattress was never fastened with the rope.

> I've seen the rope supports on the old wood frame beds you're talking
> about. I don't think any of us on rfc actually knows what they did with
> mattresses in Shakespeare's time.
>
> Jill

No, but I'll bet we know what they did ON mattresses ...

Felice

Sheldon > wrote:

> Did Yoose Know?
>
> 1. The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV in
> the U.S. were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

False.
http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/marykay.asp

I don't even need to read the rest. Sheldon can't even quote facts
correctly.

-sw