Today is world porridge day. This day is celebrated every year on October 10 every year to raise funds for hunger charity Mary's Meals.
Here are some quickest facts about porridge:
1. According to the OED, the word porridge, first seen in the 16th century, may be a variant of pottage or porray, both types of stew or broth.
2. The story of Goldilocks, the bears and porridge was written by Poet Laureate Robert Southey.
3. Traditionally, Scots porridge should be served in a wooden bowl and stirred with a wooden stick.
4. Such a porridge stirrer is called a spurtle. The Golden Spurtle is the trophy for the annual World Porridge Making Championships in Carrbridge.
5. The word "porriginous" has nothing to do with porridge. It means suffering from ringworm or dandruff.
6. "He receives comfort like cold porridge." (Shakespeare, The Tempest).
7. The use of the word porridge as UK slang for a prison sentence seems to date back only to 1950 and may refer to prison breakfasts.
8. When the prison comedy Porridge was released in the US, the name was changed to Doing Time.
9. Research has shown that sexual activity among tropical snails increases if they are fed porridge.
10. "The food that's never let me down in life is porridge." (Marianne Faithfull).
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