Harper’s Book of Facts, 1905.
Played in France in a regular court, but with the bare hands, as illustrated in “The Book of Hours,” 1496.
Harper’s Book of Facts, 1905.
Convallaria majalis is also known as Our Lady’s tears or Mary’s tears in some regions, possibly due to the pure white tear-shaped flowers. Majalis tells us that it flowers in May; traditionally the flowers are sold on the streets of France on the first day of May.
Latin for Gardeners by Lorraine Harrison, 2012.
Cordial Medoc is a mixture of liqueurs - creme de cacao and orange curacao - and fine brandy.
The World Encyclopedia of Food by L. Patrick Coyle, 1982.
This is a sweet-sour syrup popular as a relish in France and Italy. It is a half-and-half mixture of honey and vinegar.
The World Encyclopedia of Food by L. Patrick Coyle, 1982.
Bistro comes from bystra, the Russian word for “quickly.” It seems that certain sections of Paris were out of bounds to the Russians in 1814, and when the soldiers, disobeying the order, went into a tavern, they demanded fast service so that the patrols would not catch them.
The Quintessential Quiz Book by Norman G. Hickman, 1979.
Boite aux Lettres at Wikipedia (France).
A name given to Louisa Labe, a woman of various accomplishments; viz: knowledge of the classics, ability to write verses in Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, authoress of some poems, a fine lutanist, and an excellent rider. She aspired to distinction in arms, and in male attire conducted herself courageously at the siege of Perpignan.
Sobriquets & Nicknames by Albert R. Frey, 1888.
Saut de Loup, Ambleville.
Souscrivez pour la victoire by M. Richard-Gutz, 1916.
When George Washington became President, in 1789, a king ruled France, a Holy Roman Emperor ruled much of Europe, a czarina ruled Russia, a shogun ruled Japan, and an emperor ruled China. Of these, only the office of President remains.
Isaac Asimov’s Book of Facts, 1979.
The first striptease originated as the result of an incident that occurred at the Four Arts Ball, held at the Moulin Rouge, Paris on 9 February 1893, when an artist’s mode called Mona stripped for the edification of the Paris students.
The Book of Firsts by Patrick Robertson, 1974.
La Pont Du Gard Bridge, original source unknown.
A Dictionary of the Noted Names in Fiction by William A. Wheeler, 1865.
