Smyrna times., 1877-02-07
Curious Things.

curious InlngS.
Among the many curious things we find
everywhere, it may be interesting to note Al
few OF them. Supposing we inquire into
the origin of certain words, customs, etc.
Take, for instance, the word humbug. 1t
is a corruption Of Hamburg At one time
during war on the continent of Europe. so
many false reports were fabricated ut Ham
burg, that finally, when any one wished to
show hls disbelief of a statement, he would
say. That came from Hamburg" or THAT
Is Hamburg, or Humbug," which came
thus to imply unbelief or incredultv.
The word lady is derived from an Anglo
Saxon word, and signifies giver of bread.
1t originated from the custom which pre-
vailed among the wealthy English people
OF early times of distributing money and
food to the poor. Certain DAYS were set
apart for this distribution. which were
called lady-day days, or gift DAYS. The
word purse meant a receptacle for aims.
and was not invented to mean simply a
place of safety for money.
Gloves were introduced into England in
the tenth century, hut were only used by
wealthy people, and We're considered very
valuable. As New Years gifts they were
quite popular, or sometimes glove money
originated
an somewhat the same manner. Pins were
50 costly that money spent or laid aside for
them was called pin money: and it
became so important that it grew into the
name OF dover, which was settled upon the
lady at her marriage
Altar of roses WAS discovered bv accident
The wife OF an Eastern mogul had small
canal OF rOsewater, and as she was walking
one day upon its banks, she noticed a thin
MIN upon the water, which proved to be oil
made by the heat Ofthe sun. The Eryptians
were very famous in the manufacture OF
perfumes, and at the museum i'm Aluwick
there Is some ointment preserved in an
alabaster vase which still has verv power
tul odor, Notwithstanding it must be
between two and three thousand wears old
The word hermit comes from a Greek word
meaning desert place, because deserts
were generally sought in order to avoid
persecution.
Sandwiches were named from Lord Sand.
wleh. 1t Is related of him, that one dav in
gambling house, being very much fascina-
ted by play. for twenty-four hours he was
uhc 1nsclous OF fatigue and hunger, when
suddenly, becoming aware of them. he
ordered some food to be brought. which
proved to be some beef and two slices of
bread. Placing them together he ate
them. His friends gave them the name of
sandwiches. and in his memento he
declared this act to be the most important
one OF his administration.
me origin OF plecting members by ballots
came from the Grecians When n number
was to be elected, each member threw a
small crumb Of bread into a basket carried
by a servant on his head. and whoever
differed hattened the pellet at one side.
fortnight comes from the Anglo.Saxons,
who counted time by night, and means
lourteen-night.
Merry pin means merry mood, and
originated in the custom of dividing tank. |
ards from each other by pegs or pins, and
ooilgrng each one to drink precisely the
next pin. 1t proved to be more than some
OF them could bear. and thus came the ex-
preston" H. is in a merry pin"
Inc invention of the game of chess is |
claimed by the Chinese and the Hindoos. |
WI With more authority in favor of the latter. |
Inc HIndoo version is as follows: A certain |
Hlndoo prince oppressed his people in
most cruel manner, and Nassir, Brahmin, |
deeply or eyed at their SORROWS, determined |
TO try If he could not prevail upon the |
prince to he more lenient With this idea |
IN view, lie invented a game where the |
king, weak in himself, should he protected
ey his subjects. As soon as the prince
heard Of the new game he sent for the in.
Ventor to come and teach him. who i'm
proved the opportunity to make known
what the game really taught. Another
account is that it was invented by the |
QUEEN of CeylOn in the second century, to
alnuSe her husband with an image of war at
tne time his capitol WAS beseiged. From |
.he word chess comes our English word |
sr, ~ ana also exchequer.
mere are certain fashions prevalent |
"'no"s different nati1ns which seem to US |
I! absurd. For instance, the ladies in |
""Pah gld their teeth, in the Indies they |
Pa'ht them red, in Guzerat black. In |
IIIttehIand the women paint their faces |
g'ue and yellow. The Perevians and other |
inulan tribes flatten their heads, while |
O1ief CI. tribes maltreat their noses The |
Hn'hese shave off their hair, and allow
Tt T'lFH hnger nails to grow to great extent. |
wear white for mourning, drink their |
'ne warm and their tea cold, and q pupil |
n, rv,'i'ihg turns his back to his teacher |
;"ey aiso cramp the feet OF the women. II |
- statad that certain Emperor thought |
sle ladies too fond OF calling on each other |
"hu gossiping, and in order to keep them |
o more at home Obliged them to adopt this |
Ill me Hindoos believe that after death the |
ii Ioui passes into the bodies of animals, to |
ne through another term of probation on |
sar'n' Among them the cow and the |
monkey are sacred. The Mahometans are |
MY superstitious concerning the beard. |
my believe that the divine image in man |
os oss's there, and that the angels have charge |
=. every hair. Two centuries ago our
onoeS.ors on used to wear pasteboard covers
Ever their boards in the night, lest they |
- inould turn upon them and rumple them |
haI.aeir - tneir sleep. The japanese and the in
aaae'tants OF Thibet are not satisfied with |
N''ooe prayers, sacrifices and offerings to