Historical Thursday: Octopus Wrestling
I had no idea such a sport existed:
Springing into popularity in during the 1960s, the sport was a feat of strength pitting man against creatures of the deep. While many know that octopi are shy creatures, they become extremely aggressive when cornered. Their strength, weight and tentacles made them formidable opponents. Octopus wrestling became so popular that annual world championships were held. The 1963 event was televised, and attracted almost 5,000 onlookers. Although the logistics of the event isn’t exactly clear, it seems the most common method was to corner an octopus in shallow water and use any tactics to bring it to surface or shore. Trophies were given to individuals who successfully subdued the largest specimen. And if all this wasn’t manly enough, the divers would then cook and eat their fallen foes.
Huh.
Unfortunately, the heyday of octopus wrestling seems to be lost to the ages. There aren’t a lot of records of the events, and it seemed to come out of vogue after the 1960s. Adding to its mystique is its origin; the sport was allegedly created by a man known only as O’Rourke. An article in True Magazine appears in 1964 describing the man and his technique. What started as a lucrative business in octopus fishing turned into a heroic feat of strength. O’Rourke would dive into the water with a line attached, acting as human bait. When an octopus would envelope him, his partner would pull him back onto the boat where he would wrestle it off.
He knew full well, many years ago, what today’s octopus wrestlers are just beginning to learn—that it is impossible for a man with two arms to apply a full nelson on an octopus; he knew full well the futility of trying for a crotch hold on an opponent with eight crotches.
I have a new hero.
And I have a new tagline.
Does the octopus have genitalia at the meeting of every pair of legs? Where are the octo-goolies?
Can women's sizing be simplified? I think one of the reasons men get more practical sizing is because the range of clothes and fits is narrower, and the clothes are asked to do less. Fit at the waist, be decent at the hips, break properly at the ankle. Shirts a bit more complicated. But it's not like hugging cleavage or hips or not.
I have one size gold standard--I'm a six, sometimes petite at Ann Taylor Loft, but that doesn't always work for pants. But they don't sell the cut I best like anyway.
National Geo says: Shark vs. Octopus.
[note: mute the video as the narrator sucks.]
I had no idea such a sport existed:
I knew of this one. It's mentioned in
Cephalopods: A World Guide.
It was discontinued due to the cruelty against the octopus.
I love this guy's Twitter gif. I want to name it Allyson.
I know the conversation has kind of moved on but...
I could never figure out what made the Lady a tramp (in the song of that title).
Isn't it that she's declasse and doesn't care because she thinks all those class markers are pretentious?
He doesn't argue very well.
No, no, he doesn't. He doesn't really argue at all. He sort of does the textual equivalent of putting his fingers in his ears and yelling "la la la, I can't hear you!"
On the other hand, the way you describe an argument with Tim?
pretty great at listening, responding, conceding a point.
That's a rare person.
Luck to Quester. Also gather doctors still don't know what is going on with Allyson?
I am watching the CNN stream of the wedding, which I recommend as there is no commentary. Favorite part so far: handing the hats, swords, and white gloves to some dudes with big tassels on their butts.
Why is nobody watch and posting with me? Some really excellent (and dangerous) hats have just arrived.
Oh, Eugenie, no.
Also, this is sad, but I sort of love the Queen. She reminds me of my late grandmother, I think. (Who was a non-hat-wearing autocrat.)
