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Post by helrunar on Jan 8, 2022 0:46:10 GMT
Interesting, Swan. Are matches commonly known as vestas in the UK?
H.
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Post by Swampirella on Jan 8, 2022 0:49:21 GMT
Interesting, Swan. Are matches commonly known as vestas in the UK? H. Butting in here to say I don't think so, although not being British I can't be sure. From years of movies, tv & books, I don't recall seeing the term used instead of matches. From what I can see most people these days use lighters instead of matches in any case.
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Post by helrunar on Jan 8, 2022 2:09:25 GMT
Thanks, Miss Scarlett! I noticed this word several days ago whilst reading South Wind (that Norman Douglas novel). I was initially puzzled because the context indicated that it meant "matches," but then the author made a reference to wax as one of the constituents. So I made a note to investigate.
cheers, Hel
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Post by Dr Strange on Jan 8, 2022 2:17:38 GMT
Swan Vestas aren't "safety matches". "Safety matches" only ignite if they are struck on the strip on the matchbox, whereas regular matches can be ignited on other surfaces. I once had a box of regular matches burst into flames in my pocket when I was running - it was half empty and the match heads had been able to rub together and ignite. Apart from the Swan brand, I've never heard matches being called "Vestas" - but I know that at some point they were also called "lucifers", as in the World War 1 song "Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag", which has the line "While you've a lucifer to light your fag".
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Post by Swan on Jan 8, 2022 12:58:06 GMT
Swan Vestas aren't "safety matches". "Safety matches" only ignite if they are struck on the strip on the matchbox, whereas regular matches can be ignited on other surfaces. I once had a box of regular matches burst into flames in my pocket when I was running - it was half empty and the match heads had been able to rub together and ignite. Apart from the Swan brand, I've never heard matches being called "Vestas" - but I know that at some point they were also called "lucifers", as in the World War 1 song "Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag", which has the line "While you've a lucifer to light your fag". The world is passing us by Doctor Strange. Gone are the days when we could strike a match on our stubble to impress our best girl, as an EU directive means that the days of strike anywhere matches are past. Here is a video of a man striking a match on Freddie Mercury's face.
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Post by Swan on Jan 8, 2022 13:04:52 GMT
Interesting, Swan. Are matches commonly known as vestas in the UK? H. Butting in here to say I don't think so, although not being British I can't be sure. From years of movies, tv & books, I don't recall seeing the term used instead of matches. From what I can see most people these days use lighters instead of matches in any case. Let me give this a go. (NOT actually me)
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Post by samdawson on Jan 8, 2022 14:17:48 GMT
'Vestas' survives in one brand, Swan Vestas, long advertised as 'The smokers' match', which is the only non-safety (ie phosphorous-type, strike-anywhere) match. All others are the safety type which strike only on a chemically treated striker. Swan Vestas come with a strip of sandpaper on the side, but you can show off by using walls, your thumbnail (which will be burnt in the process) etc, rather than the chemically treated strip necessary for other brands. The term 'vestas' was dying out in Victorian times, in the same way the earlier 'Lucifer matches' had, but survives in vesta boxes, which were a common thing to own, often in silver, and with a striker made of raised metal bumps. One resurfaced here recently as I was clearing the effects of a family member, but has now disappeared again.
On edit: I've just seen that this question has already been answered and so the above is superfluous. Maybe it's worth saying that the heads of Swan Vestas could be used to make all kinds of indoor firework effects and were recommended in my childhood magic book for such purposes. My mother used to tell me that a man went into the company and told them he could cut their packaging costs by half but he would tell them the secret only if they agreed to pay him a one off sum. When they did he told them to reduce the strikers from two to one, which they did and, being honourable, they paid him the promised sum even though the whole thing was done on a gentlemens' agreement.
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Post by Dr Strange on Jan 8, 2022 14:55:10 GMT
When I was at school we used to make "bolt bombs" using match heads. I would provide instructions, but I don't want to take the responsibility.
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Post by samdawson on Jan 8, 2022 14:58:45 GMT
Yep. Remember them. My use of the term 'indoor fireworks' was slightly euphemstic.
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Post by Jojo Lapin X on Jan 8, 2022 15:40:13 GMT
When I was at school we used to make "bolt bombs" using match heads. I would provide instructions, but I don't want to take the responsibility. Yes, we must think of the many children who read these pages.
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Post by šrincess šµuvstarr on Jan 8, 2022 15:50:18 GMT
When I was at school we used to make "bolt bombs" using match heads. I would provide instructions, but I don't want to take the responsibility. Yes, we must think of the many children who read these pages. If you thought about them you would supply the instructions, for I'm sure boys are still as naughty as ever. Someone told me David Bellamy blew himself up when young (not literally obviously) after making fireworks out of German bombs.
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Post by helrunar on Jan 8, 2022 16:34:12 GMT
Amazing video, Swan.
Famously in the film Strait-jacket, Joan Crawford as a psychotic lady lights a match off a phonograph record while it's spinning round on the turntable.
H.
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Post by Swan on Jan 8, 2022 16:38:21 GMT
Amazing video, Swan. Famously in the film Strait-jacket, Joan Crawford as a psychotic lady lights a match off a phonograph record while it's spinning round on the turntable. H. That is NOT ME I hasten to add. I just took a look at some of his other videos and want to make this absolutely clear. I have now edited that post to clear that up.
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Post by helrunar on Jan 8, 2022 19:38:59 GMT
Swan, I definitely didn't think that was you in the video. I haven't checked the chap's other little entries.
Dr Strange, that must have been very scary when the matches ignited in your pocket. I guess I'll just say I hope it was a jacket pocket rather than a trousers pocket. Yikes.
H.
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Post by šrincess šµuvstarr on Jan 8, 2022 21:14:29 GMT
Amazing video, Swan. Famously in the film Strait-jacket, Joan Crawford as a psychotic lady lights a match off a phonograph record while it's spinning round on the turntable. H. That is NOT ME I hasten to add. I just took a look at some of his other videos and want to make this absolutely clear. I have now edited that post to clear that up. Swan even though you rock bigtime, and can strike a match on your stubble like Freddie Mercury, I'm afraid there can be nothing between us, as my heart is pledged to another. You see, ever since he rescued me from the sewers of New York, Lord Horatio Ripper, VC with bar, is the only one for me. You will just have to continue your valiant efforts to impress Swampirella with your lighting a match on your designer stubble trick. I'm sure it's working, it makes my heart flutter ever time. P.S. As you are an Anglo-Saxon warrior I feel the one thousand year age gap may be a slight problem too. As even though I plan to marry a much older man, that is taking it to extremes.
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