16 Innovative Origins of Holiday Traditions - mental_floss - List Show (Ep. 237)
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- Опубліковано 16 гру 2014
- A weekly show where knowledge junkies get their fix of trivia-tastic information. This week, John takes a closer look at some popular holiday traditions.
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I love the advertising on here. It's simple, it's succinct, and the episode itself is never a commercial for the product or company. Since it's necessary to advertise, I think that the folks at Mental Floss do it as tastefully as possible.
I found out today that John from mental floss is the same person who wrote the fault in our stars. I may be late to the party (probably a few years) but I find that astounding.
He is?
Redsoxking Yes, he is.
Check out his (and Hank's) youtube channel @vlogbrothers:)
He's pretty popular, go to vlog brothers or crash course and you will find him there much more often
also check out SciShow
Hmm, I need a new toilet brush... *shoves artificial tree into toilet*
The Creation of David with mittens made me laugh more than it should have.
I fangirled in school today when my history teacher but a crash course video on. Whats cool is I realised one of my best guy friends watches it too.
I convinced my history teacher to watch one too, but we only got to see the first 3 minutes bc he kept on pausing it to explain something that John would've explained a second later. It took 20 minutes.
he is trying to fuck you (let him)
icanrememberthis Piss off
my English teacher does too
perfectworldbeholder in his defence, the comment was funny as hell! :D
Does the "holiday" Mental Floss intro tune sound really creepy to anyone else?
Yes.
Haha. My husband overheard it from my laptop and said "wtf is that?!" lol I guess it was kind of creepy.
Yea, especially with that random laugh thrown in.
Yeah
Yes! I was thinking more Nightmare Before Christmas than actually Christmas.
John Green is, simply put, the best.
I love that you have sponsor plugs from companies like Intel. It really shows how valuable youtube entertainment is. Also, this was a great episode. Thank you, Mr. Green!
I'm now really thinking of decorating a toilet brush (a new one) for Christmas and then put it in the window.
Woo! 301 club on a Mental Floss video.
Hah I'm 301
Mr.Derpy It doesn't work like that, you viewed the video after it reached 301 views.
Yet another reason to stick with our real tree each Christmas. :)
My family bought a tree that unfolds and is fully decorated made of plastic.
Love it!!! I learned how to ski on Mohawk Mountain!
German here, still using real candles :) none of our trees has caught fire yet. Also still lighting advent candles every Sunday.
Now, now... I think you should know that I am rather proud of my toilet brush tree. We did nicely in decorating it, this year.
I like the new "shades" John!!
We still have real, bee-wax candles on our christmas tree. Smells much better than LED lights.
Always good to end the show with a big twist.
I FEEL SO SMART AFTER WATCHING THIS
YOU are awesome!
Did you know St. Nicholas the inspiration for Santa Claus was a Turk! So if you want to know when Constantinople got the works, just ask Santa because he's a Turk.
There was no such thing as Turkey at that time. It was the Roman Empire, and Saint Nicholas was a Greek. Wiki it.
I don't think you got the joke. :P
Jeffrey Dusome Nobody needs to get that joke... I got it, and now my soul hurts...
Mr.Derpy What an irrelevant question to ask of him though, it's nobody's business but the Turks.
sogghartha While I get whet you're trying to say here, and you're right he wasn't a Turk, that term has much wider application than just the people of modern Turkey
vlademir1 Even if you use the wider application, he still wasn't a turk, he was Greek.
THIS IS WHAT I LIVE FOR
...okay, that thing with the pickles is blowing my mind right now, because I'm German and I used to know someone who followed that tradition. I guess it made its way back over here and actually became a thing?
The intro was so cute!
I like the idea that my tree is basically a toilet bowl brush.
When someone's like " I can't afford a tree" I feel bad but I'm also like "you should have gotten an artificial tree last year"
But you can't burn artificial trees
I can NEVER look at an advent calender the same way thanks to Bad Santa.
Dreidels were originally used for gambling, it's actually quite entertaining.
OH YEAH CHRISTMAS LOOK AT THAT INTRO WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH
Today I learned that artificial christmas trees serve 2 purposes. As a traditional aesthetic to celebrate christmas, and as a toilet bowl cleaner!
That's great about artificial trees being made from toilet brushes, I was worried I was using it wrong.
I just wanted to take a moment to appreciate the festive intro. Good job whoever does the intro!
One of the bigger points I got out of this, my living room has a toilet scrub as its centerpiece.
I love my Christmas toilet brush!
"Holly Jolly John" :')
Oh man, I am visiting my friend in Japan for Christmas and I thought she was joking when she said we had KFC reservations!!
Advent Candles are still a thing in Germany :)
***** Ireland
I've never seen one in the shops by where I live and I'm from Florida. I always thought they were purely a European/British thing.
John, almost everyone in Japan celebrates Christmas...
Close up at 1:31 shows Picard sitting in front of Nutcracker's feet, but in very next shot has moved. Why? Because, Picard is awesome like that.
Holly Jolly John. Petition to make that his real name.
Aw, geez! My uncle does the pickle (ornament) thing because his grandfather was German...
I can't be the only one here who has never heard of Christmas Pickles... right?
We use candles on our tree. If the tree is freshly cut, its water content is too high to burn and isn't much of a hazard.
I always thought (as a kid) that the fire hazard was the risk of the candle falling and catching the carpet/rug/gifts on fire.
I guess as a kid I didn't think people would light candles on a tree ready to become kindling.
I\m happy about that artificial tree thing, hope the real tree market accommodates with the sales and less trees are cut to not be sold. In my country ppl still believe it HAS to be real, but on the other hand they stop bguying them once the children are older and just hang a couple of branches or something.
the tree this year came from my how town in PA which obviously isn't New England.
damnit John now I'm looking at my pretty white tree as some bizarre toilet brush!! >.
Wait they buy a new tree every year? why not just grow a big pine tree in the city? that way it could be a reminder of Christmas all year round.
So basically the Germans invented/originated a lot of Christmas traditions - so many, that even the fake ones are attributed to them. ^_~ Awesome!
btw: I think the toilet-brush-company was very clever! It's the same principleand they already had the resources - nifty! =)
Also Kris Kringle comes from the german Christkindl (Baby Jesus), and the advent wreath was invented by a german. A decorated pine tree at the winter solstice? You guessed it - a germanic tradition.
Dunno what the point of all this is, but I think I made it.
Christmas is based on Saturnalia well the gift giving part and some traditions which is Ancient Roman.
It's not nearly so simple. Modern Christmas is a mix of Roman Saturnalia, Germanic/Norse Yule, and the Gaelic Alban Arthan. All the Holly and Mistletoe symbolism are based in Gaelic tradition. Santa Claus and his associated traditions are based on Odin's annual Great Hunt (for a goat!) that was then merged with the story of St. Nicholas. Gift-giving is predominantly Saturnalia in origin.
Anyway, since prior to Christianity, the dominant religion of mainland Europe (and later the UK thanks to a lot of conquest) was Norse/Germanic, it makes sense that nowadays most of our traditions would come from there. What's especially neat is all the cultural variations. Some area's traditions are a lot closer to the old ones than others and some have morphed in interesting ways. Scandinavians still have a "Yule Goat". Icelanders have the "Yule Lads" which are basically 13 Santa Clauses that like to play pranks and travel with a "Yule Cat" that eats children who don't get new clothes for Christmas. Then there's Krampus and Belsnickel and Black Peter. It's seriously fascinating stuff.
theoriginalsache Nice summing up :-)
i always figured mistletoe had something to do with the Norse myth in which Frigg had extracted a promise from everyone and everything that they would not harm her son Baldr, how ever she had failed to get a promise from the mistletoe.
Wait what, she wanted a promise from a mistletoe? but usually mistletoes aren't exactly talkative, not even in myths, fables, fairytales..
Thinking that it wouldn't be able to harm him since it seemed so well insignificant... And then well if my memory serves me well someone shot a spear or dart at Baldr to which if I remember correctly Loki had something to do with it.
starwarschic123
Odin was given a prophecy Baldur (also Baldr or Balder) would die, big deal 'cause he was Odin's son and frankly the most beloved of Gods. So Frigg gives the word, every God has to go and talk to the world about this and make sure it won't happen. They all go out and tell every thing and creature in existence that Baldur might be in trouble and please would they swear to never hurt him. Everyone is fine with this, he's awesome, he's cool - who'd wanna hurt him?
Loooong time passes and they're basically done, every object in existence has been made to swear an oath except a sprig of mistletoe which is frankly rather puny and inoffensive. Wasting no time people went back home and told Frigg they were done, not realizing that maybe they missed a bit. Big party, lots of drinking.
Loki finds out - as Loki is wont to do - about the oversight, and quickly acts. He finds some mistletoe nearby and fashions it into a dart (or arrow or spear) and heads on in to the big party where the gods celebrate.
On arriving he sees them playing a fun - if childish - game, they call it "Throw the dangerous ****** at Baldur", since he is invulnerable they're pelting him with axes and knives and basically everything else. Loki's eye falls on Hodr (Also Hoder, Hodur or Hod. A name ruined by George R R Martin). Hodr is stood alone and kinda grumpy, he's not joining in with all the fun and games, little Rodolph god :(
Loki asks him about it and Hodr points out "I have no weapon and I'm blind, of course I'm not joining in." Loki has the mistletoe dart and gives it to Hodr, he turns Hodr so he is facing his target and encourages him to have fun and show respect by being part of things. Well he hits - and Baldr drops.
Hodr would have been killed on the spot if it hadn't been for the law that no god may harm another in their home land Asgard. Sadly even though we'd say he's probably innocent given the circumstances the Aesir were less forgiving and he wound us getting killed by Vali another of Odin's son whom he sired with a giantess for the sole purpose of killing Hodr and avenging the death of Baldr. :(
And the moral of this story is: Viking legal systems sucked.
P.S. In some versions the mistletoe wasn't an oversight. Some people say that it was too young to swear a binding oath (aww!) and so was exempted deliberately because either it could not be legally binding for a youth to swear or because it was bad luck or bad manners to get a young person's oath.
Okay the way you just retold the story just made my day... Also moral of the story don't overlook things because it seems like it can't hurt someone and second don't let a certain God (he's really a giant... But one of the ones that resemble Humans or the Aesir in features and stature...) Of Trickery,Mischief and Fire hear about the oversight you just made! It does not end well... Like the Odyssey...
starwarschic123
:) Glad you enjoyed it.
KFC on Christmas? We both got a bucket of chicken.
what holiday is snow related to? easter is close, but not every year.
We've never had snow for Christmas, but have had a few snowy Valentines and Easters.
ROFLMAO! You're XMas tree is actually you're toilet brush's nephew.
Holly John John. wowee
**The christmas pickle!!!!** That´s so funny! I heart about it last week on a german radio show and couldn´t believe it :-)
Hi I´m from germany and a big fan of crash course... and Mental Floss... of course. A german christmas ornaments company is making these glas pickles just for the american market.
The traditions differ in germany from region to region of course, but no german I know of would ever put a pickle in his christmas tree. EVER!!! :-)
I personly think it´s a well played joke, because english speaking countrys often think we have no humor :-)
I need to see a misconceptions about Christmas video.
Can't wait to tell my mother her fake tree is a toilet brush
We have a Christmas pickle!
John, time for some needed time of, you sound and look like you need some home time. Weel better and happy holidays.
John! You don't sound well. ..and look very tired. Hope you're ok
I've noticed the same thing
He has the flu
happykobe
Either he's had it for a while now or he recorded a lot of videos when he was sick xD
I don't know how far in advance they make the Mental Floss stuff but He got sick this Saturday and missed the last day of the P4A livestream. He's actually sounding better than he did on yesterday's video.
John has 2 small children and spends a lot of time on airplanes. Honestly, I'm surprised that he isn't sick CONSTANTLY.
uh, there are many species of mistletoe native to north america. they are especially common in warm climates, but are known in all forest types... Would be happy to be your pro bono botanical consultant for any future episodes of you wonderful show
I have a goose feather mini tree (mine is purple and green, because you can dye it any color) and actually you can't tell it's feathers (it doesn't looke like pine, most people just don't know what it) and its never lost a single one
I LOVE CHRISTMAS!
We receive presents on
Jesus Christ's birthday.
Happy Birthday Jesus!
Interesting
TIL: _Christmas trees_ are giant, lit-up *_toilet brushes_* surrounded by crap.
it would be awesome if you have one of those Intel 3d cameras out to a lucky viewer
If by "16 innovative origins of Holiday Traditions" you mean "15 innovative origins of Christmas Traditions and one thing about Channukah so we seem inclusive even though it's not an innovative origin of a tradition."
No, there was the Festivus fact as well.
Quit bitching, holy fuck.
The Grinch was also based on Beowulf.
Gah, so I have a toilet brush tree. . .Awesome.
What is going on with the artificial tree pic at 5:31? Is that someones elbows or legs?
ha--just double checked our original image: Elbows. If you're bored, it's image 197146823 on Shutterstock :)
Huh. I wonder how the mistletoe in my grandma's yard got there. The house is almost a hundred years old, so...
christmas is a german tradition. imagine how miserable christmas would be without all those traditions. it would be little more than a tea party.
Sooo...
Rockin' around the toilet brush tree?
Dear John, your comment about the first artificial christmas trees is inaccurate. Stephen Fry revealed to us last night that the oldest existing Artificial Christmas Tree is British and from the late 19th century.
This is sure to be a holiday tradition! Patrick Warburton (Family Guy, Seinfeld) stars in this new Christmas video as a pilot who spots unidentified bogies on Christmas Eve.
search youtube Reindeer on Radar
Enjoy!
Correction! It's not at all that only 1% of the Japanese populations celebrate Christmas, they just don't celebrate it the American way since most of them aren't Christians. During Christmas, people generally go on dates, go shopping, eat strawberry cake and apparently also KFC. There are lots of Christmas lights and decorations in the cities and Christmas music is played everywhere.
there is new innovative tradition in lithuania/kaunas. since 2010 I think city hires artist to build a Christmas tree. sometimes it's ECO or something.
google "kaunas christmas tree". green one is made of sprite bottles
img-9gag-ftw.9cache.com/photo/aNoBMBw_700b.jpg
when does John film these? Isn't he working on Paper Towns right now?
(In honor of my father, an engineer... ) Saying, as done in this video "...LED lights..." is a redundancy. It is like saying Light Emitting Diode lights.
*casually attempts to clean toilet using fake christmas tree*
so, could i cut off bits of an artificial christmas tree, and use them as toilet brushes?
In Germany we still use candles. They're so much nicer than those ugly electric lights.
The fire departments must be thrilled.
BioniclesaurKing4t2 it really isnt uncommon in germany
and as long as your always in the room when they are burning there is no problem
I don't think you can generalize like that, some people use real candles, some use fake ones, there's no such thing as "the German way"
Actually on your tree or just around your house?
***** Actually on the tree, though we usually light some additional candles around the house as well because they look nice. It looks exactly like in the picture in the video. We have these little metal candleholders that you can attach to the branches. The candles are quite often red, though you can get other colours as well,of course. We always have 24 candles (by we I mean my family, not all of Germany-obviously) and all evening long we have at least one person keeping an eye on the tree so it doesn't burn the house down ;)
can someon PLEASE tell me where I can get a fox snowglobe like his?!?!
we got it at Target while shopping for our "life hacks" supplies...
Which shirt brand is that?
Wait the Rockefeller tree is REAL
Is there glitter on John's face?
The Rockefeller tree is such a waste of a nice mature tree.
It looks like John shames consumerism at the end of a couple of these. I think you feel that way, and I share the sentiment.
The Christmas tree in the Rockefeller center is 65 feet tall and 555 pounds?
Is it made of Hydrogen?
Nope, it's made of methane, so it smells like an enormous fart.
I'm pretty sure the Japanese celebrate Christmas, just in a secular sense; almost like a combination of Valentine's Day and New Year's.
You sound a little sick, John. Hope you feel better!
Sorry, but what does artificial snow have to do with the holidays?
Some people don't think it's really the holiday season unless there is snow.
There was a bit of glitter on yon face. Just thought you ought to know.
אהההה... חנוכה
Germans still light candles on their trees!
Isnt mistletoe poisonous
I believe so.
My family always did the pickle thing, I just thought it was a stupid family tradition. I'm kind of bummed out that its a thing
Any Jewish kid can tell you that it's much more fun to see if you can spin a dreidel (or multiple dreidels) for as long as possible than it is to actually play the gambling game they're supposed to be used for (unless you want to try to fleece someone who doesn't know how to play)
I actually do enjoy the gambling aspect, although it is fun spinning them upside-down and seeing people try to imitate it.
Also isn't it fun listening to people try to pronounce Chanukah correctly.
Wolfboi3 No. What is that?
Wolfboi3 Ah, sorry. Why don't we both just delete our comments.
Wolfboi3 I salute you, you noble man.
I forget that the US has some strange definitions of things. Apparently, for instance, "holidays" = "Christmas holidays" by default.
It's because some people get their panties in a bunch when someone says "Merry Christmas" because not everyone celebrates Christmas. Then other people get all mad when someone says "Happy Holidays" because they think people shouldn't be offended when someone says "Merry Christmas." It's a vicious cycle. But generally when "holidays" is plural, Americans are talking about Christmas/New Year's. It doesn't get used in its singular form very often, to be honest.
Cue people abondoning the use of artificial trees due to being grossed out by association. xD
4:26
'actually are german' or 'are actually german'???
I think you might've made a simple error there. Maybe only 1% of Japanese people celebrate Christmas as a Christian holiday. However, almost everyone celebrates Christmas as a day of presents and yes, chicken.
What you said about christmas in Japan isnt quite true, the majority of the population celebrate it, just without religious aspects, which the 1% may involve. Its a social and commercial holiday based around gifts but also socialising friendships or relationships, where young couples spend time together, like our valentines day.
If you go to Japan around christmas, they still have all the decorations and shopping.