Monday, May 5, 2008

More Emails From My Mother: A Cinco de Mayo Post

As longtime readers know, my mother often sends me delightful, holiday themed emails. They range from boring to insipid, vaguely offensive to outrageous. Not quite sure where this one fits....
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Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York.


This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But as we know, the great ship did not make it to New York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost.

The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and were eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day.

The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo.

WHAT?? You expected something educational ?

14 comments:

The [Cherry] Ride said...

Your mom and my mom could start a club.

McGone said...

My god... I demand my 10 seconds back.

Oh wait. I made a horrible Cinco de Mayo pun today too. Nevermind.

Leonesse said...

I am amazed I didn't get said weird spam, but my spammer probably knows nothing about Cinco de Mayo.

Some Guy said...

I remember that part in the movie, when DiCaprio & Winslet were having getting it on in the vat of mayo. I think that's what clinched the Oscar for them.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of that time your neighbor's uncle was kidnapped by those Mexicans and had to fling himself down a ravine while blindfolded and hogtied.

Anonymous said...

Where is the post in celebration of my birthday?

Anonymous said...

This is why I'm a dork:
1. Hellman's was created in New York City.
2. The factory to produce Hellmans was not built until 1912 and the Titanic sunk in April of that year.
3. Cinco de Mayo celebrates a victory over the French in 1862, and presumably was celebrated before both Hellmans Mayonaise was invented and before the construction of the Titanic.
4. I hate my job and am easily distracted.

The Idea Of Progress said...

That's...perplexing.

Moderator said...

Muy divertido!

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater said...

When my parents were first married, they were reading the local paper, where it said there was a man going into the grocery stores and dipping his willie in the mayo jars.

The Idea Of Progress said...

You post less regularly than me now! What gives?

Weeping Sore said...

It WAS educational! I think we need more of this kind of cross-cultural education. It helps us all value diversity.

John Barleycorn said...

I feel so dirty.

Anonymous said...

WOMAN! If you don't start blogging soon, I'm going to burst. Don't make dinner one night. Order a pizza and write stuff. I know there's stuff. I know.