h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Fastnacht Day - A701119
Author: Jimi X - U53353

Since Bluebottle wrote about Shrove Tuesday on the IofW, I reckoned I owed it to him to counter with this version of events in Pennsylvania.



- Jimi X

Hi, Jimi!

This entry looks completely polished and ready for the Edited Guide. Another great contribution!

Azara

I think this is a good entry, although I have a couple of comments to make. You say that it is logical to have heavy doughnuts on Shove Tuesday, you don't say why. I assume to use up the oil (and I assume some of the food that you need oil to cook), and to have a feast, before a period of fasting. Perhaps you should make that more explicit.

You say that Ash Wednesday is devoted to fasting. Is it just Ash Wdnesday, or Lent as a whole when fasting takes place? Also is fasting still common practice at the time in Pennsylvania?

You describe the making of your own Fastnacht as 'a bit Labour-intensive'. Personally, I would say quite hard work, as Labour-intensive is a bit Jargonny.

The word Fastnacht is one I haven't heard before, perhaps you could include what the word means or where it comes from.

You mention lent.Whilst probably most of the readers will be familiar with it, perhaps you give a brief account of what it is about, for those who don't, to put Fastnacht day into context.

As far as I know, the fasting only takes place on Ash Wednesday in Pennsylvania Dutch culture. Though cooking oils *are* prohibited throughout Lent.

Sadly, my expert on Pennsylvania Dutch culture passed away this past August so I can't ask her...

Another nice one.

I wonder if "dozen fastnachts" should be "dozen Fastnächte"? (Just joking!)

Awu

Copycat!!!

<BB<

P.S. Good article.

At least I gave you credit for the idea!

Two points:

You give a temperature as 370 degrees. You should state this as 370°F / 190°C.

What do you mean by "scalding the milk"? I think this must be an Americanism. To me, scalding something means pouring boiling water onto it. Do you mean bringing it to the boil and then letting it cool? Perhaps you could add a footnote explaining your meaning.

Guilty as charged. Metric system? I don't need no stinking metric system!

I'll go make those changes right away...

- X

Thanks mystery Scout!



- X

Congrats!

And it's been subbed too

I've been a sub for a while, but this is my first entry for another sub, so go easy on me It's at A730919 if you want to take a look.



Danny B.

for Jimi X!

Azara

Have you sent it back to the Towers yet Danny?

If not, could you include a link to BB's entry on Shroven on the Isle of Wight? Also could you remove the link to the Dutch where it says 'Pennsylvania Dutch' - the related entry pending Subbing on the Pennsylvania Dutch will make that clear.



- X

I think the only mystery is that I wasn't notified as you usually are!

Neat entry. More to follow?

for Jimi.

The whole email notification thing has been spotty lately.

And you want *more*?!?

C119

All done

Danny B.

Not seen these before, but I'll happily browse through them over the next few weeks. I particularly liked the 'folk history' aspect of your entries, and yes - I would like more, if you're up for it!