this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2023
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Today I Learned (TIL)

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TIL that to promote potatoes, French agronomist Parmentier put guards around his potato fields, making them seem valuable. At night, they were left unguarded, so peasants could steal potatoes and grow (en.wikipedia.org)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 74 points 1 year ago (2 children)

The same story is told about German emperor Friedrich. I doubt both versions.

[–] [email protected] 35 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Loool same story here in Greece about the first head of state of indipendent Greece (Ioannis Kapodistrias). What was going on 200years ago?

[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Potato theft apparently

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Petty potato pilfering.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I never heard about that version, but the Parmentier one is quite well known.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Funny, other way around for me.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I guess it depends on which country you’re from :P