It feels like I’ve posted a stream of novels this week, so I’m keeping today’s contribution to 10 words: we made funny Christmas cards; full story in the shop!
Have a magnificent weekend, everyone!
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It feels like I’ve posted a stream of novels this week, so I’m keeping today’s contribution to 10 words: we made funny Christmas cards; full story in the shop!
Have a magnificent weekend, everyone!
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I must know- what was the original caption?
It was something like “I think I’ll take these for the Belgians.” Clearly a war-related joke, but I don’t get it! If anyone else does, please let me know.
The Belgians were invaded and suffered greatly during the war, as well as the Netherlands. Well, both wars actually. Belgian refugees fled to England during WWI. This is what gave Agatha Christie the idea for the creation of Hercule Poirot, a Belgian refugee who stays in England after the war is over.
Right. I’m not being very clear this morning, sorry. This was in the midst of a bunch of other drawings/jokes about how knitting was sweeping the nation — nothing to do with the war and everything to do with everyone everywhere knitting. And then this random Santa in pink tights talking about the Belgians …
But the knitting craze in question (which the original illustrations are making reference to) was very much to do with the war: http://theconversation.com/current-crafts-craze-echoes-world-war-i-knitting-projects-24860
To understand where the original satire is coming from, take a look at this: http://books.google.com/books?id=lVK0SSmvD5wC&lpg=PA74&ots=qQm0pglMaS&dq=1914%20knitting%20craze&pg=PA75#v=onepage&q&f=false
(Hope that link worked — it should be to page 75 of the book. The chapter is about the British popular response to the invasion of Belgium, but the social trend extended to America, too. Puck magazine, where the illustrations were originally published, was an American humor magazine similar to the somewhat more famous (British) Punch).
Actually during war time, people everywhere were encouraged to knit for the soldiers. It was usually organized by the Red Cross and other voluntary leagues. It happened again during WWII. If you google knitting in war time you will find a lot of references to sock knitting for soldiers. Americans and Canadians were asked to knit for their soldiers too. Warm socks were a critical piece of clothing for the soldiers spending days and nights in cold and damp trenches.
And I must say, living in Canada and preparing for winter, it is still a critical piece of clothing here if you want to be comfortable in your winter boots and walk around in the snow and slush. Makes me want to get started on a new pair of socks. ;-)
Love the cards! Too bad I’ve already bought my Christmas cards for this year.
So cheeky – must share!