h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yesterday was not only Spinal Tap Day and President Higgins Inauguration Day, it was also Martinmas, the feast of St Martin, the day hired hands, finished with the harvest, traditionally put themselves in the market for winter jobs.

But in Sweden it was also manchestertyg dag. Manchestertyg is the Swedish word for corduroy, and that's how the date stuck some observant Swede: 111111 unfailingly conjures up the image of corduroy, right?

My sister-in-law has a Swedish daughter-in-law and a half-Swedish grandson, so she is learning Swedish. We are learning Spanish.

How odd, that seems a very un-Swedish name for corduroy, is the derivation something to do with the textiles industry in the North West of England?

MC

Spinal Tap Day?

You know TRiG, its like one better, or rather louder when you turn it up to 11

Yes, the Swedes seem to have Mancunians labelled as corduroy-wearers.

Here's the Spinal Tap reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xgx4k83zzc