Bits From Publications Past, For Her

The following bits are taken from vintage publications. Most of these were taken from copies of assorted ’ladies’ publications from the 1930s & 40s. Some had no dates or credits, but they were in stacks of magazines & clippings I scavenge for & save, as if the meaning of life were honestly hidden in them -

A word of caution, these ’suggestions’ are of a try-at-your-own-risk-type, meaning I have not tested them, your results may vary, we are not responsible, blah-blah-blah.

Newsworthy!

"Old fashioned intolerance still reigns in a certain southern social society. It still observes a rule laid down at its founding 178 years ago; no member may bring an actor, actress or divorced person to its two annual balls."

(Well, I *do* delcare!)

Slang Book

"Many slang terms of today are not as modern as you may think. Such words and phrases as mooch, racket, lousy, kid, beat it, booze, frisk, grub, gyp, hick were used in England 300 years ago."

(That's ok, I still think I am hip.)

"Dog collars gone swank in the form of a strand of pearls tight around your throat are the newest note from the fashion front. Chance to restring long strands of old beads!"

(Nothing is new, is it.)

"If you had trouble with mathematics in school, don’t be too hard on yourself. The science of mathematics has become so vast & complicated that few men attempt to understand & employ more than 5% of the complete knowledge."

(Does this really need a comment?)

Ouch!  He's Saying Thinky Things

The above were from ’Modern Woman Magazine’ ("A Magazine Published by the Ice Industry’), Vol. 16, copyright 1947, George M. Wessells Co.

"The Greeks had a word for daughter-in-law -- HONEY. The groom’s mother gave a jar of it to the bride do her words would always be honey-sweet. Future in-laws, take note!"

(Gee, that had to go over well. I wonder what the Greek word for bitch was?)

Unknown Credits - stray clipping in da pile.

Think ’War Efforts,’ People!

"You can stretch cheese spreads for party serving by thinning with cream or plain milk. The cheese spreads better, goes twice as far, and loses nothing in flavor."

(You don't loose flavor, you say, when you dilute a dairy product with another dairy product? I dare them to say that in Wisconsin & get away with it. Hmm. Well' perhaps you loose no flavor, but texture, and then you loose the respect of your guests. Even if it was war time. We are Americans, & no party guest should be gyped.)

"Some cooks think that chopped raw onion adds flavor to mashed potatoes."

(Radical!)

From ’Modern Woman Magazine’ ("A Magazine Published by the Ice Industry’), Vol. 14, copyright 1945, George M. Wessells Co.

Women on the Home Front, WWII

"Cracked vases can be sealed with melted paraffin."

(Too bad it's war time, & you can't afford fresh flowers. I wonder it this also works on the pot to pee in...)

"Don’t throw away the water taken from your goldfish bowl. Use it on potted plants. It will keep them strong & healthy."

(Sure, the guests eat diluted, runny cheese, but the goldfish is eatin' well enough to provide nutrient rich plant fertilizer.)

Retro Housewife: A Salute to the Suburban Superwoman

"Soiled candles can be cleaned with a cloth dipped in alcohol."

(Just be careful when you light them...)

"Add a little vinegar to the rinse water when washing silk hose. It will increase elasticity."

(You can afford goldfish & silk hose?! No wonder I get drippy cheese on a cracker.)

From ’Modern Woman Magazine’ ("A Magazine Published by the Ice Industry’), Vol. 16, copyright 1947, George M. Wessells Co.

"For better darning thread, cut off the tops of worn out socks, unravel the thread, and wind onto spools. The thread in the tops is strong & you will eventually have a variety of colors."

(Hey, then what socks do I have left to darn?!)

From ’Modern Woman Magazine’ ("A Magazine Published by the Ice Industry’), Vol. 14, copyright 1945, George M. Wessells Co.

Ode To The Home Maker!

Just Happy To Clean Up!

"This book is dedicated to all American house-wives who, in their tremendously important task of rearing the American family...

Walk 3,000 miles a year at home.
Spend 9 1/2 years of their life cooking.
Cook more than 57,000 meals.
Wash 26,280 dishes a year."

Taken from the first page of ’Get Acquainted with Your Kitchen’ an over-sized brochure/propaganda piece from Youngstown Kitchens by Mullins Manufacturing Corporation, July, 1945

(I never thought about all the energy put into preparing runny cheese, & after-party clean up like this before... Stan, what do you say we get a new appliance!)

Article by Pop_Tart


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