Customs
The Straw Hat Riots of 1922
Allow me to quote at length from Wikipedia. But visit that page for even more details.The Straw Hat Riot of 1922 was a riot that occurred in New York City at the end of summer as a result of unwritten rules in men's fashions at the time, and a tradition of taunting people who had failed to stop wearing straw hats after autumn began. Originating as a series of minor riots, it spread due to men wearing straw hats past the unofficial date that was deemed socially acceptable, September 15. It lasted eight days, leading to many arrests and some injuries.... By the early 20th century, straw boaters were considered acceptable day attire in North American cities at the height of summer even for businessmen, but there was an unwritten rule that one was not supposed to wear a straw hat past September 15 (which was known as "Felt Hat Day").[1] This date was arbitrary; earlier it had been September 1, but it eventually shifted to mid-month. It was socially acceptable for stockbrokers to destroy each other's hats, due to the fact that they were “companions”,[2] but it was not acceptable for total strangers. If any man was seen wearing a straw hat, he was, at minimum, subjecting himself to ridicule, and it was a tradition for youths to knock straw hats off wearers' heads and stomp on them.[3] This tradition became well established, and newspapers of the day would often warn people of the impending approach of the fifteenth, when men would have to switch to felt or silk hats.[4] Hat bashing was only socially acceptable after September 15, but there were multiple occasions leading up to this date where the police had to intervene and stop teenagers.[2] The riot itself began on September 13, 1922, two days before the supposed unspoken date, when a group of youths decided to get an early jump on the tradition.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Apr 02, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Customs, Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience, Headgear, 1920s, Pranks
The Christmas Custom of Dead Bird Postcards
Back in the 19th century, people often sent each other postcards of dead birds during the Christmas season. Collectors Weekly explains:
More info: hyperallergic.com
Posted By: Alex - Mon Dec 05, 2022 -
Comments (4)
Category: Customs, Death, Christmas
Bees told of Queen Elizabeth’s Death
Royal housekeeper John Chapple has carried out the duty of telling the bees kept at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House that Queen Elizabeth has died, and that King Charles is their new master."You knock on each hive and say, 'The mistress is dead, but don't you go. Your master will be a good master to you.'"
This was in accordance with the ancient British custom of "telling the bees," which we described in a post back in 2012.
More info: geo.tv
Posted By: Alex - Sun Sep 11, 2022 -
Comments (2)
Category: Animals, Customs, Death, Royalty, Superstition
The Sacred Chickens of Rome
Strange custom: The ancient Romans were reportedly loath to embark on any major undertaking, particularly battles, before they had consulted sacred chickens. As told by HistoryCollection.com:
Publius Claudius Pulcher And The Sacred Chickens
However, the advice of the sacred chickens wasn't always followed. As told by the Anecdotes from Antiquity blog:
Posted By: Alex - Wed May 05, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Animals, Customs, Religion
How to Succeed With Brunettes
Posted By: Paul - Sun Jan 31, 2021 -
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Category: Annoying Things, Antisocial Activities, Customs, Emotions, Etiquette and Formal Behavior, PSA’s, 1960s, Men, Women
A Social History of Wild Huckleberry Harvesting in the Pacific Northwest
Read it here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jun 10, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Boredom, Customs, Daredevils, Stuntpeople and Thrillseekers, Food, Government, Regionalism
Bring Back the Bush
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jan 29, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Annoying Things, Antiques, Anachronisms and Throwbacks, Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Customs, Hygiene, Genitals
Occasional Wife
Wikipedia page.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 15, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Business, Confusion, Misunderstanding, and Incomprehension, Customs, Domestic, 1960s, Men, Women
Plaid Stallions
Endless hours of browsing at this blog dedicated to 70s culture.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Jun 30, 2019 -
Comments (1)
Category: Cult Figures and Artifacts, Culture and Civilization, Customs, Pop Art, 1970s
Happy April Fool’s Day 2019
Jokes were more gruesome in 1909.
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Apr 01, 2019 -
Comments (4)
Category: Customs, Death, Hoaxes and Imposters and Imitators, Holidays, Humor, 1900s
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |