They used to wash clothes down the river from burial ground because the lye mixed with human remains resulted in a natural soap leeching into the ground water/river
Allowing urine to settle and evaporate left behind ammonia, which is the main ingredient in many things. Among them, washing clothes, tanning hides, and some medicines.
The saying “Not even a pot to piss in.” doesnt just mean you have nothing, it also refers to the fact you couldnt even make any money because if you had a pot you could sell your urine.
Wait was there a legitimate use for piss in the olden days?
Was piss used to wash clothes?
I dont rember if it was water down a hill where human bodies were buried or if piss was collected directly in PISS BUCKETS for washing.
There were a lot of legitimate uses for urine. It was used in tanning, for cleaning, for making gunpowder.
They used to wash clothes down the river from burial ground because the lye mixed with human remains resulted in a natural soap leeching into the ground water/river
Obligatory OK Tyler Durden.
Guess it’s time to dig up Grandma for some natural soap
ancient rome enters the chat
Allowing urine to settle and evaporate left behind ammonia, which is the main ingredient in many things. Among them, washing clothes, tanning hides, and some medicines.
So kinda.
The saying “Not even a pot to piss in.” doesnt just mean you have nothing, it also refers to the fact you couldnt even make any money because if you had a pot you could sell your urine.
This isn’t true. The saying comes from the early 20th century.
Never heard this one (not native English speaking) but it sounds plausible !