Timbo Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 I've just had a conversation with a 'mythologist'. Someone who studies myths and legends. During our conversation about 'boats and the Norfolk Broads', I said the phrase 'Normal for Norfolk' and got an interesting reply on where the phrase originates. There's been a bit of blather put around about 'Doctors in the 17th Century and patients unable to describe symptoms' but my friend pointed out a commonality of areas like Norfolk and those similar around the world. "It's peat!" exclaimed the mythologist. "It's more than one bloke!" "No it's burning peat as a fuel. In regions around the globe from South America, Indonesia, Scandinavia and Ireland wherever they burn peat you will find the people are considered to be slow or a little stupid by their neighbours who use other fuels. Peat burning is smokey and the peat sometimes gives off ethylene which can bring on hallucinations. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polly Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Well Lincolnshire has peaty soil too.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 14 minutes ago, Timbo said: I've just had a conversation with a 'mythologist'. Someone who studies myths and legends. During our conversation about 'boats and the Norfolk Broads', I said the phrase 'Normal for Norfolk' and got an interesting reply on where the phrase originates. There's been a bit of blather put around about 'Doctors in the 17th Century and patients unable to describe symptoms' but my friend pointed out a commonality of areas like Norfolk and those similar around the world. "It's peat!" exclaimed the mythologist. "It's more than one bloke!" "No it's burning peat as a fuel. In regions around the globe from South America, Indonesia, Scandinavia and Ireland wherever they burn peat you will find the people are considered to be slow or a little stupid by their neighbours who use other fuels. Peat burning is smokey and the peat sometimes gives off ethylene which can bring on hallucinations. Peaty areas are also known for distilling non QC hard liquor another damager of brain cells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 28 minutes ago, Timbo said: Peat burning is smokey and the peat sometimes gives off ethylene which can bring on hallucinations. Now I know what the good Doctor is on in regard to his proposed 'folly' at Acle!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 39 minutes ago, Timbo said: "No it's burning peat as a fuel. In regions around the globe from South America, Indonesia, Scandinavia and Ireland wherever they burn peat you will find the people are considered to be slow or a little stupid by their neighbours who use other fuels. Peat burning is smokey and the peat sometimes gives off ethylene which can bring on hallucinations. Ah, that might have explained a few things... Only, we never burned peat in coastal Essex, coal from the Yorkshire coalfields and then 'natural gas' from beneath the North Sea. Though, I may have been in contact with other 'smokey' substances, during my life, which may or may not, have had a bearing on my speed (and quality) of thought... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Ah so what you are saying is its my fault Pete. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnb Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 There was a programme on bbc last year about a farm in north norfolk. It was called "normal for norfolk". The farmers mother died very recently and her obit. was in the Telegraph. She was about 102. Anyway the farmer had said that he understood doctors wrote this when they felt inbreeding had occurred. I promise you it wasn't me it was a norfolk resident. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaughan Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 That sound ter me loik a roit load of old "squit". Hint you never bin out on Barton Broad of a night, lookin' arter hearin' them there Buttles a' boomin on, an all that old marsh gas come bubblin' out from outa the lilies? That doont dew yer ner harm at awl, but thass best yew doont go stroikin a match! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Well over fifty years ago now a very wise Harry Last, then landlord of Coldham Hall, when it was a legendary spit & sawdust pub, warned me that after a few pints of Bullards mild (one up from ullage), a handful of arrowroot biscuits, a couple of pickled eggs and a Mars Bar then 'thaass bess yew dun't stroik a maatch'!! Notice the subtle difference between Norfolk & Suffolk. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 1 hour ago, johnb said: There was a programme on bbc last year about a farm in north norfolk. It was called "normal for norfolk". The farmers mother died very recently and her obit. was in the Telegraph. She was about 102. Anyway the farmer had said that he understood doctors wrote this when they felt inbreeding had occurred. I promise you it wasn't me it was a norfolk resident. Des MacCarthy is the epitomy of NFN. Lovely guy and his asparagus is always some of the first around here and he over charges massively for it. I say the epitomy of NFN because he is quite frankly as mad as a box load of frogs. A lot written of Ancestral Home but I think his father and mother bought it post WWII. Not sure if the family is Norfolk through and through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 3 minutes ago, ChrisB said: Not sure if the family is Norfolk through and through. I'm pretty darned certain it isn't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Had to laugh at this one. Now this really is (not) "Normal for Norfolk"... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-44819316 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaughan Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Sorry, can't open it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 12 minutes ago, Vaughan said: Sorry, can't open it. Try here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 1 hour ago, kingfisher666 said: Had to laugh at this one. Now this really is (not) "Normal for Norfolk"... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-44819316 More likely to be 'Normal for Romania' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bound2Please Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Welcome back pops 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaughan Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 8 minutes ago, Bound2Please said: Welcome back pops Hear hear! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 The great man is back! Yippee!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 On 12/07/2018 at 14:11, Polly said: Well Lincolnshire has peaty soil too.......... Lincolnshire makes Norfolk look normal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polly Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Well judging from the representative sample of Lincolnshire members....... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 8 hours ago, Polly said: Well judging from the representative sample of Lincolnshire members....... As a Yorkshire lass I couldn't possibly comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 Welcome back Pops. Yarmouth Girl jokes anyone? Years ago I studied graphics and illustration at Lincoln Art College. The good folk of Lincoln soon picked up on my use of the English language, namely the word bastard! Me being from Suffolk would say a drawn out 'baar-stid', them being from Lincolnshire would use an abbreviated, acute 'bass-tid. For whatever reason they though it highly amusing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Cal said: As a Yorkshire lass I couldn't possibly comment You could! The use of and meaning of the word 'ducks' by Yorkshire lasses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisdobson45 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 16 hours ago, Cal said: Lincolnshire makes Norfolk look normal! My in-laws are Lincolnshire born and bred, from generations of Licolnshire farming folk. Extremely odd doesn't begin the description..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VetChugger Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 I think "ducks" is much more East Yorkshire and the Hull area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.