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

Entry: Oysters - A46460270
Author: Danny B. [Musicians' Guild (U150368); Science EXplained (A4108330); Curator; Scavenger] - U182633

My Entry for Round 2 of The Stretcher.

I've a feeling that my masses are perhaps a little 'washed' compared with what the judges were expecting. Having been assailed for some years on business trips with clients 'cries of 'oh, you *must* try the wonderful seafood', and then facing plate after plate of slime 'n' tentacles, this is something I wanted to get off my chest




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'In truth, there is no basis whatsoever for the aphrodisiac effect of the oyster. One suggestion put forward for the oyster's reputation in this department is that their high zinc content may have contributed to overall health in otherwise nutrient-deficient diets. Zinc is found in high concentrations in semen, and its deficiency can lead to impotence.'

Well, it's important not to confuse impotence (in males = failure to achieve an erection ) with infertility (failure to impregnate a female). This WOULD be a result of zinc deficiency.

n.b. There is an EGE on Aphrodisiacs, to which you could link: A337907

Oops ; you already had that

Ms GB

<---but you reminded me of the funniest scene in "Mr Bean goes on holiday" very unprofessional of me

Thanks, Al - I've altered it to note that zinc deficiency is associated both with infertility and impotence. I hope it's clearer now.

I'm ignoring 'Ms' GB...

I agree, I wouldn't want to eat my kitchen waste, and I wouldn't want to eat oysters.

n.b. w.r.t aphrodisiac, Casanova was reputed to eat 60 oyseters a day!

http://www.cuanoysters.com/true/index.html

60 per day

I have footnoted Casanova

This is excellent

So, oysters are an amnesiac, eh? That would explain Casanova's failure to recognize that it was not a different woman each night but the same one - his wife probably.



btw, speaking of amnesia, I seem to recall from when I was somewhat of a dipsomaniac that there were certain foods that were quite acceptable when you were dead drunk. Oysters were in this group. Snails too.

and frogs' legs?

for breakfast

Well done, Danny B.

[by Orthodox Jews]?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/subdivisions/liberal_1.shtml

"So, for example, there is no obligation to obey Jewish dietary laws, but one can do so if it helps one's internal feeling of 'Jewishness' to do so.

This is typical of the Liberal belief that each individual should be encouraged to make their own decisions within the Jewish framework (and taking a questioning attitude to that framework), as opposed to the strict obedience to law that characterises Orthodoxy."

Thanks, everyone

I've added 'Orthodox' to the section on Jewish dietary restrictions, as suggested by Rudest Elf.

I also tried to find a place to add pailaway's comment about oysters being more acceptable when drunk, but nowhere struck me as obvious, and there are already a lot of footnotes. I'll keep thinking about it... (although oysters are only amnesiac if loaded with the parasite that causes amnesic shellfish poisoning, which can cause permanent short-term memory loss, brain damage and death).

Can't say I've ever fancied an oyster

I'd rather read about them. This was a really enjoyable read. Very interesting *and* funny!

I have no problems with Oysters or your Entry...pizza and lasagna on the other hand

You'd rather eat oysters than pizza and lasagne?

I think this is excellent - full of interesting information and a certain humour.

Well, that's me spitting out an oyster.

'orrible fings, like anchovies they are, blergh.

Great stuff Danny.

A good piece, though you seem to have missed out a certain Walrus and Carpenter:

"O Oysters," said the Carpenter.
"You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?"
But answer came there none –
And that was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one.

Alex