Mr. Knowitall is happy to answer your questions
It’s been 395 years since that first Thanksgiving, when the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians sat down together in celebration and, much like the Americans of today, made a solemn vow not to eat more than your standard bull elk. We know this because of a passage recently discovered in the diary of Pilgrim Edward Winslow, who described the first Thanksgiving like this:
“Our harvest be large so that we might rejoice! Our plates and bellies be full to swelling! We have feasted on meats and gathered crops, and pies of sweet fruit!
Aye, I say! I think it be time to vomit!”— Edward Winslow, Nov. 26, 1621
In spite of this kind of irrefutable historic documentation, many myths still exist about one of our most celebrated holidays.
For example: Did anyone actually eat the Indian corn, or was it just used as a decoration?
As a special tribute to Thanksgiving, we asked our resident historian, Mr. Knowitall, to help separate fact from fiction about this important holiday. We encouraged readers to send us their own Thanksgiving questions and, as a result, were inundated with hundreds of emails! Mostly male enhancement offers… but still enough questions that choosing a handful (of questions) required a highly complex selection process utilizing dozens of volunteers, an empty office and one wild squirrel.
Before we get started, for those of you who might not be familiar with Mr. Knowitall, we should explain that, in addition to being LAP’s resident historian, he is also our economist, consumer products expert, food critic, movie reviewer, foreign affairs consultant, science correspondent and vending machine repairman.
Not necessarily in that order.
We chose him because of his vast knowledge on a variety of subjects, and because, conveniently, he happens to be here every Thursday to re-fill the Cheetos. I know this doesn’t necessarily make him an expert, but he says he is — and that’s good enough for us.
Let us begin!
Dear Mr. Knowitall: Is it true that the Pilgrims made popcorn on the first Thanksgiving?
Mr. Knowitall: Yes and no. By the end of the celebration, the Wampanoags noticed that no one had eaten any of the Indian corn they brought. When asked about this, each of the 56 Pilgrims said they’d somehow overlooked it. Not wanting to insult their guests, Miles Standish then offered to hand out the corn, but “accidentally” dropped the bushel into a fire pit. The result was the beginning of popcorn and the end of the first Thanksgiving.
Dear Mr. Knowitall: What are those slimy things wrapped in wax paper inside the turkey carcass for?
Mr. Knowitall: Those are the turkey’s “giblets,” which is can be boiled and used in gravey, or thrown onto the kitchen floor to fool unwanted guests into thinking the cat vomited and you don’t care. For added effect, scoop them up with your hands.
Dear Mr. Knowitall: Why is there no traditional Thanksgiving song?
Mr. Knowitall: Because Adam Sandler hasn’t written one yet.
Dear Mr. Knowitall: What’s the best way to prepare a turkey?
Mr. Knowitall: That’s a tough question. Everyone has their own preference. Personally, I think it’s best to avoid eye contact. Just call it into the kitchen and don’t let it know what’s coming. The same goes for your guests if you happen to be serving Tofurkey; if you want them to stay, it’s best not to let them know what’s coming.
Dear Mr. Knowitall: White meat or dark meat?
Mr. Knowitall: Personally, find them equally enjoyable for different rea… wait, did you mean turkey?
Unfortunately, that’s all we have time for today! We’d like to thank Mr. Knowitall for sharing his wisdom and helping to clarify some of the history behind Thanksgiving. In addition, we’d also like to tell him we’re sorry —
But The Food Hedonist ate all the Cheetos again…
(Have a question for Mr. Knowitall but are too afraid to ask in person? Of course you are! We’ll ask him for you! And then run. Just send them to nedhickson@icloud.com and Ned will pass them along, depending on Mr. Knowitall’s mood…)
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