I was curious about the origin of the saying, "Never talk about politics or religion in polite company." One of the oldest references that came up on Google was The Letter Bag of the Great Western (1840) by Thomas Chandler Haliburton. I needed to track down this book and I was in luck: there was a copy at the Toronto Reference Library. I went down a serious rabbit hole that day. Let me tell you about the best bits.
https://manyroads.ghost.io/the-letter-bag-of-the-great-western/
@benevolentprof That was interesting. I subscribed...
Love this: "Never discuss religion or politics with those who hold opinions opposite to yours; they are subjects that heat in handling until they burn your fingers."
Sounds like the birdsite.
@gg Thanks for subscribing.
I suspect there are nuggets like this all over the place, just waiting to be found.
And yes, very glad to be off the birdsite.
@benevolentprof You familiar with Maria Papova? https://www.themarginalian.org/author/mpopova/ ...
fabulous minutia that she twirls out into really profound and enlightening posts.
Be well.
Susan Sim, Ph.D.
geoffreygevalt