Saturday 25 September 2010

Famous Bananaphile #1 - Josephine Baker
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Josephine Baker was born in St Louis Missouri on June 3rd 1906. From humble beginnings she rocketed to stardom during the mid 1920’s when she captivated all Paris by dancing the Charleston dressed in nothing but a skirt made of bananas!

Clearly a bananaphile, she had a pet chimpanzee called Ethel, and a pet leopard called Chiquita! With the fortune she earned by dancing, she later bought a chateau in Dordogne where she adopted twelve children of different races and creeds.

Rumour has it that during the height of her fame, she received close to 1,500 marriage proposals! So, if you want to attract the gentlemen, a banana-skirt might be a worthwhile addition to your wardrobe … just don’t wear it near any gorillas!

Tuesday 14 September 2010

Banana shoe-shine!
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The inside of a banana peel contains the finest lubricant known to man ... and it’s excellent for polishing leather shoes! Not only will it give them a superior shine, but its natural oils treat the leather, so your shoes will last longer too

Next time you have a banana for breakfast, don’t just throw the skin away. Wipe it over your shoes and then buff them with a soft cloth. It’s environmentally friendly, saves money, and your shoes will look great!

Tuesday 7 September 2010

The Stringy bits ... why, why, why?
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Have you ever wondered what those annoying little stringy bits on a banana are called? Okay, probably not ... but I bet you’ve often wondered what they’re for!

Well, here’s the answer: the strings are called “phloem bundles” (it’s pronounced flom). They are an essential part of the system that carries nutrition to every part of the banana. Think of that next time you pick them off and lay them on the side of your plate!

Fascinating, or what? Now go forth and share a banana with a friend – and stun them with your in-depth bananaphile wisdom!

Wednesday 1 September 2010

Bananaphile or Bananaphobe - Which?
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I’ve heard it said that humans can be divided into two groups: those that love bananas, (known as bananaphiles) and those that hate them, (bananaphobes).

Actually this isn’t strictly true. A true Bananaphile, (someone who eats several bunches of bananas daily, collects banana-related memorabilia, dreams about bananas, and even dresses in delicious-looking banana-yellow clothing), is probably quite rare.
(A group of Victorian bananaphiles eating their bananas!) *
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A Bananaphobe, (someone with a strong dislike of bananas, or a morbid fear of being attack by an angry banana wielding a rusty spoon) is, quite possibly, rarer still.

(A still from the film "Bananaphobia")


Most people are bananambivalents ... they don’t really care one way or the other. Gorillas aren’t like that. Gorillas can be divided into one group only: those that love bananas, and ... well, that’s it!

As for you humans – you CAN be divided into two groups: those that think people can be divided into two groups, and those that don't!


*Top photo Courtesy of the Washington Banana Museum.