Waffle-making in Roman Britain
May. 29th, 2006 11:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
katiefooleryIsn’t it bizarre the way something silly can suddenly bring laughter and strangely amusing images your way? Well, I think it is at least. This burning question is inspired by a silly thing I typed not five minutes ago when my fingers were mis-aligned on the keyboard. I was one key to the left, although I didn’t realise it at the time. Instead of typing “Eagle of the Ninth” into the search function on the catalogue, I wrote “Waffle of the Ninth” (or something close enough to that as makes no difference).
The Eagle of the Ninth is a book of historical fiction by Rosemary Sutcliff, basically dealing with the Roman invasion and occupation of England. Each legion had a golden eagle on a staff which was borne before them as they walked. If memory serves me (and it often does, if I threaten it), the book about the eagle of the ninth was inspired by the discovery of a real Roman eagle in ruins somewhere in England. What set it apart was the fact that it had no wings; in short, it was a disgraced eagle behind which no no self-respecting legion would march.
So, in essence, The Eagle of the Ninth is a compelling story of misfits, Romans and wingless golden eagles in Britain’s misty past.
Now, however, I have the image of the Waffle of the Ninth in my head. I can’t tell you if they carried it about from battle to battle on a staff or not. Surely, it would dry out and crumble after too long, rendering it ineffective for purposes of symbolism. Perhaps it’s a secret recipe, devised by the men of the ninth and hungrily sought after by the other legions.
Either way, the idea of Roman soldiers dealing in any way with a waffle is causing me to stifle giggles.
All because of a simple keyboarding mishap.
I’d just like to add that it’s a cold and miserable day over here and any stories of amusing mistakes caused by typos would be gratefully received by this Buneater.
The Eagle of the Ninth is a book of historical fiction by Rosemary Sutcliff, basically dealing with the Roman invasion and occupation of England. Each legion had a golden eagle on a staff which was borne before them as they walked. If memory serves me (and it often does, if I threaten it), the book about the eagle of the ninth was inspired by the discovery of a real Roman eagle in ruins somewhere in England. What set it apart was the fact that it had no wings; in short, it was a disgraced eagle behind which no no self-respecting legion would march.
So, in essence, The Eagle of the Ninth is a compelling story of misfits, Romans and wingless golden eagles in Britain’s misty past.
Now, however, I have the image of the Waffle of the Ninth in my head. I can’t tell you if they carried it about from battle to battle on a staff or not. Surely, it would dry out and crumble after too long, rendering it ineffective for purposes of symbolism. Perhaps it’s a secret recipe, devised by the men of the ninth and hungrily sought after by the other legions.
Either way, the idea of Roman soldiers dealing in any way with a waffle is causing me to stifle giggles.
All because of a simple keyboarding mishap.
I’d just like to add that it’s a cold and miserable day over here and any stories of amusing mistakes caused by typos would be gratefully received by this Buneater.
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no subject
on 2006-05-29 08:31 am (UTC)Nor do I doubt it.