MONSTERS LOST TO TIME Weird, Wild, and Once Feared Monsters have always been prominent in popular culture. Looking back through history — long before today’s iconic monsters — people had vivid and often bizarre ways of describing the monsters of their folklore. These strange creatures that time forgot may not haunt our collective imaginations today, but their names and stories provide a fascinating glimpse into the fears of the past. Bycorne Bycornes were a popular monster from the mid-1500s with the body of a plump cow and a human face. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) definition of Bycorne describes the beast’s specific diet, which consisted of “patient husbands” who kept him “always fat from the abundance of his diet.” The OED also
You might think you’re a model driver, but a few everyday habits behind the wheel could land you an unexpected ticket. From driving barefoot to rolling through stop signs, many drivers unknowingly engage in behaviors that are considered distracted driving, which is illegal in every state. Even behavior that seems harmless — like sipping your coffee or driving with your four- legged friend in your lap — could lead to fines in certain situations. Before you get caught off guard, let’s explore some of the most common driving habits you never knew could get you a ticket. Surprising Distractions Behind the Wheel Quite a few smaller driving habits aren’t explicitly illegal but can fall under the umbrella of distracted driving, a violation that could cost you. If you drive barefoot or in sandals, you could get your flip-flop stuck under the pedal, leading to an accident. If you drive and wear earbuds, let your dog sit in your lap, or eat, you might drive more dangerously. You risk not hearing an emergency vehicle behind you, or your focus may be on your lunch, which puts you or others at risk. Noisy Cars and Loud Tunes While most people know the cops can come calling if your house party gets too loud, did you know you can also be ticketed for noise ordinance violations behind the wheel? In over 40 states, it’s illegal to have mufflers that make excessive or unusual noise. If you are blasting the tunes out of your car stereo, you could also get nabbed for the municipality’s noise ordinance laws, especially if it caused you to drive distracted. Tint Trouble on the Road Though tinted windows may be allowed in one state, laws vary everywhere, and this modification could cost you if you cross state lines. If your windows are too dark in certain states, that is enough to get you pulled over. If you have tinted windows, you should look up the laws in the state you are visiting any time you travel. Sometimes, accidents can happen no matter how safe and prepared you are. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact Packard Law Firm today for a free consultation. Driving Barefoot? You Might Want to Rethink That Everyday Driving Habits That Could Cost You
describes Bycorne’s spouse, Chichevache, who “fed upon patient wives and was always lean.” The legacy of Bycorne shows how folklore often blended humor and fear with ideas about marriage and other cultural norms. Polyphemus “Polyphemus” is best known from Homer’s “The Odyssey,” in which the one-eyed giant terrorizes Odysseus and his men. By the mid- 1600s, the term was generalized to describe any cyclopean creature. Traces of this linguistic shift can be seen today in science with the Polyphemus moth, which got its name from the eye-like spots on its wing. Lamia Lamia refers to “a mythological creature depicted as a woman who preys on humans, especially children, by sucking their blood,” according to the OED. In Greek mythology, Lamia was once a beautiful queen Zeus loved, but in an act of vengeance, she transformed into a monster that roamed the night, preying on children. Over time, her name became synonymous with witches and female demons.
Snallygaster Unlike ancient legends, the Snallygaster emerged in American folklore, fueled by newspaper reports in the early 1900s. This winged beast, described as “a fabulous reptilian bird of vast size,” inspired public hysteria before the legend faded into obscurity. The creature itself has been largely forgotten, but its name left a linguistic mark, morphing into the term “snollygoster,” a term for a shrewd and unprincipled person, which is said to have originated from the Snallygaster legend. Although these creatures have faded from everyday language, their stories reflect the fears, humor, and beliefs of the past. They also remind us that monsters and the words used to describe them are constantly evolving.
– Michael Packard
2 PACKARDFIRM.COM
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