Grandpa Is Him
A general microcast about everything and nothing in everyday life. True short stories, family fun, some true crime, anything that I find interesting. In short, it is about everyday life, as lived by every day people, presented a fun and entertaining way.
Grandpa Is Him
Tooting Through Time: When Flatulence Paid the Bills
We explore the smelly side of history by examining professional farters through the ages, from medieval court entertainers to modern-day performers.
• Roland the Farter, employed by King Henry II, performed a yearly Christmas routine of jumping, whistling, and farting in exchange for land and a manor
• Medieval Irish professional farters called "braggatori" performed for nobles and were paid in meat
• Joseph Pujol (Le Pétomane) was a famous 19th century French performer at the Moulin Rouge who could control his flatulence to make music and blow out candles
• Modern performers like Mr. Methane continue the tradition, even appearing on Britain's Got Talent
• Throughout history, flatulence served as a reminder that everyone, including royalty, shares the same bodily functions
Keep history weird and wonderful by joining us for more unexpected historical journeys on Grandpa Is Him.
Welcome to Grandpa Is Him the podcast that digs into the smelliest, funniest and most unexpected historical moments. I'm your host, lynn Dimmick, and joining me today are my three brave guests Luke Blake and McCoy.
Speaker 1:Thanks for having us Grandpa, ready to make history sneak here. You know I thought podcasts were supposed to be classy, but I'm here for it. I'm still processing that I am on a podcast about farts. Let's do this.
Speaker 3:All right, let's jump in, starting with medieval England and Roland the Farter. Ever heard of him?
Speaker 1:Wait, Roland the who.
Speaker 3:Roland the Farter, officially hired by King Henry II for one specific performance. Every Christmas he'd do a jump, a whistle and a fart. In return, he got land and a manor.
Speaker 1:So you're saying this guy farted his way into real estate. That's one way to put it in the Zobberty ladder estate. That's one way to put it in the sovereignty ladder.
Speaker 3:Exactly, and Roland was not alone. In medieval Ireland they had professional farters called braggatori.
Speaker 1:Those guys performed for nobles and got paid in meat Like literally steaks and roasts.
Speaker 3:Yep, impress the chieftains with your gas, and dinner was served.
Speaker 1:Honestly, medieval life sounds both simpler and way stranger.
Speaker 2:Alright, that's the circle of life.
Speaker 3:Moving forward in time, we meet Joseph Pujol, stage name Le Pentelmange. This 19th century French entertainer was famous for his precise let's just say rear-end control.
Speaker 1:Oh, what kind of control are we talking about here?
Speaker 3:All right, just listen to this for a minute. He could inhale air into his bathside and then expel it musically, imitate animals and even blow out camels. He performed at the Moulin Rouge to sold out crowds.
Speaker 1:That sounds like something good. That's impressive. It's a really weird power Kind of sounds like a superpower. I'd pay money just to see how confused the audience was, for real Of course you would.
Speaker 3:Speaking of superpowers ever heard of Mr Methane.
Speaker 1:Is this a Marvel hero? I missed.
Speaker 3:Almost. He's a modern performer who wears a superhero costume and farts classical music.
Speaker 1:He even appeared on Britain's Got Talent. Imagine telling your parents that you're a career choice, and now people even sell their farts online in jars. Talk about gas.
Speaker 3:Historically farting wasn't just humor. It reminded everyone, including kings, that we're all human. Philosophers even discussed it.
Speaker 1:Remember you are immortal and occasionally gassy. I think we found our next inspirational quote. Please no.
Speaker 3:To wrap it up, arts have earned people manners, meat and massive popularity. Any thoughts on today's Winfield History Tour guys?
Speaker 1:Um no, this is like overall. Why would people pay for that? I'm mostly impressed by the career paths available if you're willing to get creative. I think that we just proved history doesn't have to be boring. It can also be hilarious and a bit smelly.
Speaker 3:I could not have said it better myself. Thanks to Luke Blake and McCoy for joining, and thanks to everyone listening. Until next time, keep history weird and wonderful. This is Grandpa's Hymn.
