Friday, December 6, 2013

Can You Smell That...?

With the weather being all crazy, and the larger than usual crowds nearly everywhere, deodorant is certainly more important than usual!

I don't know about you, but I hate getting caught in line close to someone that smells like they haven't bathed since early Spring, and probably has no idea what deodorant is. Makes for a terrible situation, if you know what I mean! Just one more reason to be a hermit!

The Ancient Egyptians Actually Created Deodorant
By Jeff Kelly on Thursday, December 5, 2013

Everyone who cares about underarm health and odor—and let’s face it, that should be everyone—knows that the first deodorant was created and trademarked in 1888. Except it turns out that’s not remotely true, because the truth is, deodorant has been around in various forms since the times of Ancient Egypt.

It’s pretty much an accepted idea that up until very recent history, people smelled. Body odor was just a fact of life, because sweat glands weren’t even discovered until the 1700s. The first deodorant that was created and sold was called “Mum,” and was produced in 1888. Just 15 years later, the first antiperspirant, Everdry, was sold in 1903.

Only that’s not at all the case. Contrary to popular knowledge, some cultures have cared about those horrible body odors not just for years, but for centuries. As far as anyone can tell, it dates all the way back to the days of the Ancient Egyptians. Now while it wasn’t what we think of as underarm deodorant today—after all, the Egyptians could build pyramids but could they really be expected to perfect the art of the roll-on?—they did help bring about the practice of making sure your pits don’t stink.

Indeed, the Egyptians not only practiced “scented bathing” but they also decided it may be a good idea to spray their armpits with perfumes in order to not smell so ghastly. This tradition actually carried on and was copied by the Greeks, and like everything else Greek, was eventually stolen by the Romans.

Of course what makes this more astonishing is that these old civilizations apparently had a much better understanding about body and skin health than the ones that came after. Any sort of scented bathing and deodorants fell by the wayside when the growing power of the Church essentially made the very idea of smelling nice and being clean more or less a sin. Soap, which had been invented by the Phoenicians in 600 B.C., was cast aside in favor of smelling like rancid eggs, because that’s apparently what God wanted.

And along with soap, so too did deodorant get thrown in the rubbish pile. It wasn’t really until the European elite started to embrace the concept of not stinking like last month’s tuna casserole that deodorants, colognes, and perfumes came back into vogue in the 1800s.

Now, obviously the “deodorant” invented by the Egyptians was far different than what we use today. But it still stands as perhaps the greatest thing they’ve ever imparted to modern civilization (even better than the condom). Oh, did we mention the Egyptians invented condoms, too? Because they totally did. But they also knew that you’d never get a chance to use one if you smelled like complete garbage. For that lesson, we tip our hats.

Now before you start getting on to me about making a post that might be on the "smelly" side, I took this information from the folks over at KnowledgeNuts. If parts of this article seem a little bit improper, then blame them! All I am is the messenger, ya know? I have to admit that I have known some folks over the years that might benefit from a gift of some good strong roll-on, if you know what I mean!

Looks like it's coffee in the kitchen this morning. Too chilly outside, I'm afraid!

8 comments:

Mamahen said...

Lol...well. we just never know what the topic of the day will be :)) Will be right there with some fresh baked apple pie, which will improve the smell of any room lol AFTER I shower ;))

HermitJim said...

Hey Mamahen...
I do love me some good ol' apple pie! Makes any room smell better, that's for sure!

Thanks for coming over today!

Gorges Smythe said...

I've been using alcohol hand-cleaner, but it only works for about half-a-day, which is as long as I'm out in public at a time these days anyway. I'm due for another deodorant, though, for those times when I'm staying out longer. At least I'm not allergic to most of them; some folks are.

Chickenmom said...

Was at a checkout one day and the woman in front of me was wearing expensive clothing that I could only dream about, but she smelled horrible. She should have spent some money on soap!
Mamahen, save a piece of that pie for me!

linda m said...

Wow, I remember Mum - just showing my age I guess. I too have been around people that smell like they never heard of deodorant. Let's not forget about those people that put on so much perfume that it makes your gag - just as obnoxious as body odor. Fresh baked bread sounds really good right about now, as does coffee inside. 8 degrees outside this AM. Have a great weekend!

JO said...

Yes the unwashed masses. In this day and age I don't understand. And maybe they might be allergic to some deodorant but they need to try something. I too remember mum my parents used it. I agree with Linda about the perfume lord that is nasty.

Coffee in the kitchen is fine and all the baked goodies too. We hit 32 last night, 54 should be our high but it never went above 46 yesterday.

Dizzy-Dick said...

It is amazing what all the ancient Egyptians gave us, but those two things I would have never thought. Thanks for again teaching me something of interest.

HermitJim said...

Hey Gorges...
Gotta go with whatever works for you. Like you said, many folks are allergic to some of the chemicals in today's products.

Thanks for coming over!



Hey Phyllis...
I reckon that some folks just don't have a clue! That's too bad, really!

Thanks for stopping by!



Hey Linda M...
That perfume can sure be overpowering, that's for sure!

Thanks for the visit today!



Hey Jo...
How some of the old brands are never forgotten! Guess our memories are better than we thought!

Thanks, sweetie, for dropping by today!