Cloved lemon: Difference between revisions
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# Politely refuse the cloved lemon. |
# Politely refuse the cloved lemon. |
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If you choose option 1, you take a [[clove]] out of the [[fruit]] with your teeth (don't bite too hard into the clove. It'll taste revolting, and it'll make your whole mouth go numb ;) The clove is supposed to freshen your breath. You then indicate to the person who gave you the fruit where to kiss you - often the hand, cheek or lips, it depends on your comfort level with the person who gave it to you. You then find another victim - oops! person to pass it on to. |
If you choose ''option 1'', you take a [[clove]] out of the [[fruit]] with your teeth (don't bite too hard into the clove. It'll taste revolting, and it'll make your whole mouth go numb ;) The clove is supposed to freshen your breath. You then indicate to the person who gave you the fruit where to kiss you - often the hand, cheek or lips, it depends on your comfort level with the person who gave it to you. You then find another victim - oops! person to pass it on to. |
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If you choose option 2, and there is NO shame at all in doing this. It is not impolite to refuse a cloved lemon, and your decision is respected (and often understandable). There is, of course, the other option - whenever you hear mention of a cloved lemon being passed around, to just avoid it like |
If you choose ''option 2'', and there is NO shame at all in doing this. It is not impolite to refuse a cloved lemon, and your decision is respected (and often understandable). There is, of course, the other option - whenever you hear mention of a cloved lemon being passed around, to just avoid it like the [[Black Death|Plague]] and go outside for a [[cigarettes|cigarette]]. |
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'''Why do we use cloved lemons?'''<br> |
'''Why do we use cloved lemons?'''<br> |
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In period, you never wandered up to a stranger and introduced yourself. You were always introduced by a third party. This is a little too rigid for our modern society. Instead, we have taken the third party and made it a lemon. |
In [[period]], you never wandered up to a stranger and introduced yourself. You were always introduced by a third party. This is a little too rigid for our [[modern]] society. Instead, we have taken the third party and made it a lemon. |
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| ⚫ | There's plenty of [[mythology]] about this. There is no doubt that the cloved lemon was made up (in 1974, [http://www.florilegium.org/files/ENTERTAINMENT/cloved-fruit-msg.html some say]), but it strikes a resonance because it bears ''some'' simularity to a few period items and practises, just enough that people keep trying to search for the period origins of this practise. |
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| ⚫ | There's plenty of mythology about this. There is no doubt that the cloved lemon was made up (in 1974, |
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Related practises: |
Related practises: |
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*Citrus may have been covered in |
*Citrus may have been covered in [[spice]]s to serve as a [[pomander]] |
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*Citrus fruit were expensive gifts in the [[12th century|12th]] to [[14th century]], as they were not native to Europe, rather luxuries brought back by [[ |
*Citrus fruit were expensive gifts in the [[12th century|12th]] to [[14th century]], as they were not native to [[Europe]], rather luxuries brought back by [[Crusade]]rs |
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* |
*Cloves ''may'' have been used to sweeten the breath in [[medieval]] times (proof needed) |
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* |
*Kissing [[game]]s did occur in medieval times. |
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Revision as of 17:56, 17 August 2004
Cloved lemons are often handed around at feasts or camping events. Love it or hate it, it's a tradition that is engrained in SCA culture. Here's what happens:
Someone approaches you with a cloved lemon. You can do one of two things.
- Take the cloved lemon.
- Politely refuse the cloved lemon.
If you choose option 1, you take a clove out of the fruit with your teeth (don't bite too hard into the clove. It'll taste revolting, and it'll make your whole mouth go numb ;) The clove is supposed to freshen your breath. You then indicate to the person who gave you the fruit where to kiss you - often the hand, cheek or lips, it depends on your comfort level with the person who gave it to you. You then find another victim - oops! person to pass it on to.
If you choose option 2, and there is NO shame at all in doing this. It is not impolite to refuse a cloved lemon, and your decision is respected (and often understandable). There is, of course, the other option - whenever you hear mention of a cloved lemon being passed around, to just avoid it like the Plague and go outside for a cigarette.
Why do we use cloved lemons?
In period, you never wandered up to a stranger and introduced yourself. You were always introduced by a third party. This is a little too rigid for our modern society. Instead, we have taken the third party and made it a lemon.
How did this get made up?
There's plenty of mythology about this. There is no doubt that the cloved lemon was made up (in 1974, some say), but it strikes a resonance because it bears some simularity to a few period items and practises, just enough that people keep trying to search for the period origins of this practise.
Related practises:
- Citrus may have been covered in spices to serve as a pomander
- Citrus fruit were expensive gifts in the 12th to 14th century, as they were not native to Europe, rather luxuries brought back by Crusaders
- Cloves may have been used to sweeten the breath in medieval times (proof needed)
- Kissing games did occur in medieval times.
