"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
Somehow I had missed the spate of kettle-caused boating fatalities that struck in the 1970s.
Or maybe it was only in Old Blighty. Perhaps American boat kettles are built to more stringent safety standards. If so, I owe my life to them, having boiled plenty of kettles while boating.
Of course... I might just be obtuse here. Maybe I'm taking it too literally, and "Boil a kettle on a boat" is some sort of British euphemism.
Since I wasn't sure if it was serious, or parody, I had to check. It seems from what I found that the problem is that in rough seas the water can splash out of the kettle and put out the fire. Then, if no one notices that the fire is out, or that the boat smells like gas, and the Captain lights up his cigar...well, that three-hour tour can come to an abrupt ending.
And it's also why I said a watched pot never boils...or blows you up.
Seems to me 'Don't boil a kettle on a boat' should only be used along with 'A watched pot never boils.'
ReplyDeleteSomehow I had missed the spate of kettle-caused boating fatalities that struck in the 1970s.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe it was only in Old Blighty. Perhaps American boat kettles are built to more stringent safety standards. If so, I owe my life to them, having boiled plenty of kettles while boating.
Of course... I might just be obtuse here. Maybe I'm taking it too literally, and "Boil a kettle on a boat" is some sort of British euphemism.
I'm not sure how this would cause an explosion. The water running down on the gas flames?
ReplyDeleteOkay, I won't.
ReplyDeleteGregory, isn't your yacht already equipped with one of those high-end De'Longhi espresso machines?
ReplyDeleteSince I wasn't sure if it was serious, or parody, I had to check. It seems from what I found that the problem is that in rough seas the water can splash out of the kettle and put out the fire. Then, if no one notices that the fire is out, or that the boat smells like gas, and the Captain lights up his cigar...well, that three-hour tour can come to an abrupt ending.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's also why I said a watched pot never boils...or blows you up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Men_in_a_Boat_(TV_series)
ReplyDelete?
Paco - ah, the De'Longhi espresso machine. My pride and joy, until the coffee pirates struck off the coast of Rottnest...
ReplyDeleteWatch out for those Rottnest cannibals, I hear they got Biden's uncle too.
ReplyDeleteI have the feeling that Old Biden would have been sent back to the kitchen.
ReplyDelete