Curious Customs: The Stories Behind 296 Popular American Rituals

by Tad Tuleja

Book Overview

Why do we eat hot dogs at ball games and popcorn at the movies? This entertaining book by the author of the successful Fabulous Fallacies tells why we Americans engage in these and other traditions. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0517566540
• ISBN13: 9780517566541
• Release Date: December 1987
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA)
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Customary Descriptions

Readers interested in various customs will find a good starting place with this book. Tuleja describes examples of folkloric traditions that are part of everyday American life. Each entry includes information on the historical context and meaning of each custom. It's written in an accessible style, and the book is interesting both to browse through and to read as a reference source. Tuleja includes an extensive bibliography for more information. The book does include material of interest to trivia buffs, but the book also includes discussion of serious topics. Some of the entries include speculations that are a bit thin and simplistic, but the overall work encourages readers to think about the history and significance of common traditions.

Interesting Facts About American Customs

Before reading this book, I have been wondering why the Americans approve with the thumb turned up. Nobody has told me why. This book says that this custom dates back to the days of the Romans. In the Roman arena, the emperor spared a wounded gladiator's life by turning thumbs up. Of course he ordered death by turning thumbs down. "Tipping One's Hat","The OK Sign", "Shrugging Your Shoulders", "Three Meal A Day"... these sound interesting. This book tells so many facts behind the nonsensical things we do every day that once you have started reading it, it would be almost impossible to stop it before reading it through. This book is really exciting to read.