G'day, Can anyone tell me the origin of the belief that its unlucky to carry bananas on a boat - and why it doesn't apply to kayaks! I heard decades ago that it was because crates of bananas occasionally also carried spiders and snakes. But I don't trust the source, or my memory. This has been bugging me for years as I am a voracious consumer of bananas while paddling Can someone help? :~) All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Peter, here is a Google sampler of origins: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=superstition+bananas+boat&btnG=Google+Search Check out a couple and I think you'll decide the origin is lost in nautical myth (mist?). An excerpt from this one: http://www.wreckmastercharters.com/banana.htm "Some Captains and crews have extended the prohibition beyond bananas and related food products to include objects that merely have the word banana on it, such as Banana Boat sunscreen, or items from Banana Republic, during fishing tournaments, for example, anti-banana feelings run high. Not leaving any stone unturned, each person on board is quizzed as to what brand of underwear they are wearing. Should some clueless individual mention they are wearing Fruit of the Loom, a rather unpleasant operation is performed on them. First, they are seized by a couple of stout deckhands and given a punitive "wedgie" to prepare the surgical field. A razor-sharp filet knife is then used to excise the label, which curiously doesn't even have a banana on it. Experts recommend not struggling during this procedure, particularly if after a hard night of carousing the underwear is on backwards" -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Dave wrote: - >Check out a couple and I think you'll decide >the origin is lost in nautical myth (mist?). G'Day Dave and Paddlewise, Lost in myth maybe! But useful anyhow. Several of us have tried kayak fishing over the last few years and only one Taylor, about 6 inches long, caught between us. Now I now the reason! Thanks:~) And to everyone else for their banana/boat/bike stories. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I never heard of the ban on bananas, but when I was a child a classmate had a father that worked at the Chicago produce market. She was my supply of giant spider and other arachnid pets (yes, pity my poor mother)for a long time. She always said that the fun critters all came from banana crates. But I've never seen one on a stand-alone banana or banana bunch. And what be done with the former White Sox ballplayer Zeke "Banana Nose" Bonura? Jim Tibensky *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Years ago when I lived in Florida my then, husband worked at a grocery store. One day I went to pick him up and was told he was helping round up some nasty looking spiders that had come in with the bananas. They caught a couple and showed them to me. Knowing little of spiders then, I just assumed hairy spiders were dangerous to human health. I could understand the idea that sailors would like NOT to be in a banana boat. Joan Spinner <<Can anyone tell me the origin of the belief that its unlucky to carry bananas on a boat - and why it doesn't apply to kayaks! I heard decades ago that it was because crates of bananas occasionally also carried spiders and snakes. But I don't trust the source, or my memory.>> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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