People Thought Tomatoes Made You A ZOMBIE?! | The TRUTH About “Poison Apples” | Have YOU Heard?
Have YOU heard… that for a hot minute, folks thought tomatoes could turn you into a zombie?! …STAY TUNED!
Welcome to Have YOU Heard! This week, we’re diving into a truly bizarre chapter of culinary history. Believe it or not, during the 18th and 19th centuries, many folks in America and Europe were convinced that tomatoes were poisonous! Due to their membership in the nightshade family, they earned scary nicknames like “poison apple.” People genuinely feared eating them, thinking they could cause sickness and even… *gasp*… zombification! It took a good long while and some brave souls publicly chowing down on ripe tomatoes to finally squash those fears. Imagine a world without ketchup!
**(Source: “American Cookery” by Amelia Simmons and various historical accounts of early American agriculture.)**
Now, speaking of things we might have once feared (like running out of clean socks!), did you know that April 15th, is National Laundry Day? According to nationaldaycalendar.com, this is a day to, well, celebrate clean clothes! While laundry might not be everyone’s favorite chore, it’s certainly a modern convenience we can appreciate. So, maybe give your washing machine an extra pat on the top this week!
**(Source: nationaldaycalendar.com)**
On a more somber note, April 15th also marks the anniversary of a significant historical event, courtesy of onthisday.com: the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. This tragic event resulted in the loss of many lives and remains a poignant reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of human endeavors.
**(Source: onthisday.com)**
Here’s a little trivia to ponder, thanks to todayifoundout.com. Why do we say “bless you” after someone sneezes? While there are various theories, one popular explanation dates back to ancient times when people believed a sneeze expelled evil spirits from the body, and “bless you” was a way to ward them off. Another theory links it to the belief that the heart momentarily stops during a sneeze, and the blessing was a wish for continued life. Gesundheit!
**(Source: todayifoundout.com)**
Sticking with April 15th, we also celebrate the birthday of a true Renaissance genius: Leonardo da Vinci, born in 1452. This incredible individual was not only a masterful painter but also an inventor, scientist, and all-around brilliant mind. Talk about a multi-tasker!
**(Source: Various historical biographies of Leonardo da Vinci.)**
Fast forward to Sunday, April 20th, and get ready to find your twin because it’s National Look-Alike Day! This fun holiday encourages us to find someone we resemble and maybe even have a bit of fun with the uncanny resemblance. So, keep an eye out – you might just bump into your doppelganger!
Watch, Learn and Enjoy!
Troy W. Hudson
💚🎤 #haveyouheard