August 09, 2004

*Breakfast Trivia

What do these two things have to do with one another?

(Turkish flag on top, croissants on bottom.)

The item on top inspired the items below.

In 1683, an army of Turks besieged the city of Vienna, which held off the attackers for months. When the Turks tried to get into the city by tunneling under the walls, bakers overheard the noise and sounded the alarm. The Turks were turned back and eventually defeated.

To celebrate, the Viennese bakers copied the crescent from their enemies' flag. It was called a kipfel, the German word for crescent. The pastry wouldn't become a croissant until the Austrian Princess Marie Antoinette married the King of France.

Posted by Jennifer at August 9, 2004 04:47 PM

Comments

That's very interesting. I had no idea. I guess my French professors left that little factoid out while simultaneously complaining about my accent.

Posted by: Linda at August 10, 2004 07:37 AM

Well, cut me in half and call me whole.

And, YAY, Jennifer's back! ...with a vengeance!!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at August 10, 2004 09:25 PM

Ok, so they copied the crescent, but where's the star?? Where's the freakin star?

Posted by: Oorgo at August 11, 2004 09:58 AM


Jew