The Egg Banjo, contrary to popular belief, is not a musical instrument. In fact if the truth is to be known, you are about as likely to be able to strum out a tune on an Egg Banjo as you are to write a novel with a herd of Wildebeest. That's not to say it's impossible, just technically very, very difficult.

Exact origins of the term Egg Banjo are lost in the mists of time, although it is almost undoubtedly of Military Origin, and at that almost undoubtedly British.

What is it?

Picture the scene; you stagger home from a night on the tiles, a little worse for wear and not a little esurient - peckish if you will.

What would quell that aching pain, calm the gut-wrenching gurgles and yet be sufficiently easy to prepare so that you don't need to think too hard? Of course a fried egg sandwich, or Egg Banjo.

Why is it called an Egg Banjo? Once again you need to picture the scene:

You've fried your egg ¹ and laid it lovingly on a slice of bread. ² You close your sandwich - having applied the necessary seasonings - and take to hand this gastronomic masterpiece and then, with no small amount of anticipation, take your first bite.

If you have constructed your Banjo with a sufficient degree of care and diligence, at this point the yolk will spew forth from the far edge of the sandwich and splatter it's yellowness down your best pulling shirt.³

Transferring the fruits of your labours to one hand you hold it to the side and with a futile strumming action attempt to wipe the spilt and rapidly drying yolk from your shirt. Congratulations, you've just passed Grade I in Egg Banjo.

Beyond the Banjo

It is hard to improve upon the classic Egg Banjo of old, but in this day or High Technology, there are no end of options available to the discerning Banjo maker.

Anything from Anchovy Paste to Worcestershire Sauce could be added to the standard template, and that includes entirely seperate food stuffs such as bacon or Tomato. Whether such additions can enhance what is already a sublime piece of culinary engineering is purely down to personal preference, although it must be said that many a colourful ejaculate can be achieved through diligent usage of condiments and sauces.

So there it is ...

There you have it: the Egg Banjo.

Thrill your friends and disarm your enemies with a group singsong around an Egg Banjo.