The “Twelve Days of Christmas” carol that has always baffled everyone. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Here’s why!
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality the children could remember.

      -The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

      -Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

      -Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-

     -Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

 -Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

     -Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

     -Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold  gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

   -Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

   -Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

    -Ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

    -Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

   -Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

When traveling abroad always keep in mind that the locals do their utmost to communicate with the visitors. However, at times their literal translations distort the intended meaning. Here are some signs translated into English:

• “Please use escalator on your behind.”
• “Customers who find our waitresses rude ought to see the manager.”
• “Open seven days a week, and weekends too.”
• “This hotel is renowned for its peace and solitude. In fact, crowds from allover the world flock here to enjoy its solitude.”
• “In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel porter.”
• “The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.”
• In a Rome laundromat: “Ladies, please leave your clothes here and spend the rest of the afternoon having a good time.”
• “Do not run on the stairs – use handrail”
• In a department store: “Dresses for street walking”
• “Our stockings cost more but they are much better on the long run.”
• At a hotel reception desk: “Please leave your values at the front desk.”

Are you a “Big Cheese” or a “Big Wheel” amongst your business friends?

Either way the terms of envious respect originated in Medieval times for those who could afford to purchase an entire wheel of cheese instead of just a few grams at a time. Expense was an issue and only the wealthy and powerful could show off. It is not any different today. Just for your information a wheel of Parmigiano weighing 80 lbs., 18 inches in diameter, 9 inches high and aged 24 moths could set you back $2,500.
As delectable as it is impressive, the show-stopping wheel of Parmigiano from Parma is sure to make a statement of well being at any gathering including at your office party to show your staff who is the boss.

Soldiers do not march in step when going across bridges because they could set cause a vibration, which could be sufficient enough to knock the bridge down.