Are you man enough?

[Bugbear]

Huh? I was OT...what does that have to do with bugs as a source of protein, or other biblical history?

Oh, it has every thing to do with it. I was not raised eating grasshoppers, and I was told, growing up, that the biblical locus being eaten by John the Baptist were "cacti?", and at the same time we ate lobster and shrimp. To my brain, the lobster is food, and the grasshopper is not.

I can see that. Mostly, I read it as marketing gimmick..."you're not a real man if you don't drink our beer, drive this brand of automobile, partake of these hobbies..."

...most of which have absolutely no bearing on one's manhood whatsoever, and in the worst cases, are bizarre attempts to appeal to masculinity in efforts to encourage emasculation.

And what I have been trained to consider "manhood," may very well not be the same as what, for example, a person from the Isle of Skye considers "manhood" to be; much less what a kilt is or is not.

It's all in your brain and the world your culture creates.

[Mike_Oettle]

In answer to Wildrover’s question, I have noticed that some varieties of locust that occur in South Africa (in particular one that has black, red, yellow and blue colouring) have a disgusting smell about them. I suspect that they may be poisonous.
Since the locusts of South Africa are generally the locusts of the rest of Africa and of Arabia, it would not surprise me if it was this type of locust that was meant in the biblical injunction.
Ordinary brown locusts or green grasshoppers would seem to be entirely edible, although I have not tried them.
An interesting fact about locusts is that many types that in the past were supposed to be distinct species have been revealed by scientists to be generational phases of a single species. You would have to ask an entomologist for more details, though.
As for why the Hebrews might want to eat locusts – the Holy Land did suffer from periodic droughts, when ordinary food resources were not available. The availability of this protein source would have helped them through those times.
But there are also theological reasons behind the restrictions, which are beyond the scope of this discussion.

Bugbear wrote: “To my brain, the lobster is food, and the grasshopper is not.”
Well, the biblical definition of edible (kosher) life from the sea or fresh water is a fish with scales and fins.
I understand many Jews nowadays do eat lobster, oysters, shrimps and even catfish. But in terms of strict kashrut they are all forbidden.

Lastly, Wildrover asked: “Why camel hair?”
Garments were made of a variety of fibres. Aside from vegetable sources, there was the hair or wool of several types of domestic animal. The cheapest and nastiest clothing was made of camel hair. The prophets did not aspire to wearing anything more costly.
Also, the camel was not kosher to eat, but I doubt that that had anything to do with this choice.
Regards,
Mike

[CDNSushi]

I nominate this thread for the WEIRDEST Thread of the Site award... I mean, it's positively surreal in here! :food-smiley-002:

[Bugbear]

Sorry... that's my fault.

My reference book on eating bugs does say that bugs are eaten in Japan.

[jeremy j starche]

I nominate this thread for the WEIRDEST Thread of the Site award... I mean, it's positively surreal in here! :food-smiley-002:

I second this.

Though to bring this back 'round kilt-related, I wonder if anyone has e'er made a cricket or a locust kilt-pin...

[Mike_Oettle]

Well, CDNSushi, it was kicked off by a decidedly weird article about men in skirts.
A cricket pin (or bonnet badge) might be quite a good idea.
But to my mind the aspect most relevant to kilts was the comparison between the camel-hair garment and a belted plaid. It fits like a glove!
Regards,
Mike

[fluter]

I second this.

Though to bring this back 'round kilt-related, I wonder if anyone has e'er made a cricket or a locust kilt-pin...

Perhaps a cicada kilt pin would work for the Carolina tartan...

[Inchessi]

Good enough?

[wildrover]

Good enough?

I don't know, is it edible?

[piperdbh]

Perhaps a cicada kilt pin would work for the Carolina tartan...

Only if the bug is dead. Them are some loud little rascals.
Maybe a Junebug would be a better choice. Did you ever fly one from a spool of sewing thread?