Chapter 2

I want all of you to know that I enjoy and appreciate feedback on my writing/stories. And for this series, if you have anything to add, I will happily post what you send me (unless requested not to do so), as it helps bring information to others. Seriously! It might take me a day or three to post, but I will. I received the following from gschiels yesterday. Thank you! I learned something new.

Hi, thank you for taking on this pressing matter ;-)

Now, however, I feel an urgent need to point out that the proverbial corncob came into use only after 1492. You see, “corn” simply refers to the type of grain that’s most commonly used.

In German-speaking countries, traditionally, that’s rye. Yes, we bake it, the know-nothings ferment it and mash it (for “rye whiskey” - I ask you!). In North America, “corn”, apparently, is a synonym for maize.

Don’t know what was the most common grain on the British Isles in times past, but I doubt that its ears could be used for sanitary purposes. Patches of dried moss were probably also used.

To return to the cob: Since maize is a new-world grain, it was introduced into Europe only after the official discovery of the New World, apparently during the 16th and 17th centuries. It took some time for maize to be accepted by farmers; in my native Austria, planting became more popular only in the 1st half of the 19th century.

Nowadays, it’s an established crop - which has disadvantages, since maize takes a lot from the soil (“Starkzehrer”).

The proverbial use of the cob is also known on the continent, however, the proverb restricts its use to the most backwards regions known to the teller of the said proverb.

Again, my thanks for this information! - OGD