Sir Patrick Stewart, celebrated for his roles in Star Trek and X-Men, joins for a delightful exploration of quirky topics. He shares tips on defoaming root beer and crafts a unique experience around this classic drink. They hilariously dive into medieval insults and discuss the funny notion of British cows mooing in various accents. Plus, Stewart even offers his expertise on questions about cows. Expect a blend of humor, history, and beverage artistry sprinkled throughout their conversation!
Sir Patrick Stewart humorously illustrates how cultural and regional factors influence the unique mooing styles of British and American cows.
The podcast offers effective techniques for defoaming root beer, emphasizing the importance of glass shape and cleanliness for optimal pouring.
Deep dives
The Moo of Cows: Regional Accents
Cows produce varying sounds based on their geographical location, influenced by cultural and social factors. Sir Patrick Stewart illustrates this by comparing the moo of cows from his childhood in Yorkshire with those from West Oxfordshire, noting distinct acoustic differences. He humorously suggests that environmental and cultural conditioning shape the mooing styles, reflecting the local dialects. This concept extends even to American cow sounds, as Stewart shares his experience with Nevada cattle, highlighting a higher pitch and nasal quality in their moo.
Perfecting Root Beer Pouring Techniques
Pouring root beer without excessive foam can be a challenge, and effective techniques can significantly enhance the experience. One suggested method is to use a tall, thin glass, which reduces surface area exposure to nucleation sites that cause foaming. Additional tips include chilling the glass beforehand and ensuring it is clean to minimize imperfections that precipitate bubble formation. By adjusting how the root beer is poured, enthusiasts can enjoy a smoother serving and avoid the frustrating wait for foam to settle.
Reviving Archaic Insults
The conversation explores the delightful specificity of English insults from historic periods, offering alternatives to modern expressions. Ammon Shea discusses terms like 'caconator' for someone who laughs excessively and 'Bayard,' denoting a confident yet ignorant person. These terms not only add humor but also reflect the rich linguistic history of English. Shea encourages embracing these unique words, suggesting they can spice up language and provide greater expression in everyday interactions.
On today's episode, how to defoam your root beer and how to insult someone, medieval-style. Plus, one listener has a question about British cows, and Sir Patrick Stewart offers his services.
You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.
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How To Do Everything is hosted by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag. It is produced by Heena Srivastava. Technical direction from Lorna White.