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In reply to the discussion: Gingerbread houses - why? [View all]enlightenment
(8,830 posts)7. I agree - it most likely predates
the story.
People were making decorated "houses" from cakes and sugars centuries before the Brothers Grimm, and making molded ginger shapes earlier than the 16th century.
Much more likely that the Grimm's just used an existing motif and the popularity grew from the story . . . which does make you wonder what the heck people were thinking of the houses AFTER the story became popular.
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Must have been the rich folks - it's really a waste of good gingerbread if you ask me!
hedgehog
Dec 2015
#2
i should have said the rich folk back in the 17th century - sugar and ginger are
hedgehog
Dec 2015
#5
Heh! It's DU:GD where we tend to overthink things and make mountains out of molehills!!
madinmaryland
Dec 2015
#13
If they didn't want the witch to eat Hansel and Gretel, they shouldn't have made them so plump and
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2015
#12
Ah, well, far be it for me to misrepresent the historical accuracy of yon fairy tale.
Warren DeMontague
Dec 2015
#35
Oh, sure, you're an evil atheist -- no wonder you are in favor of baby eatin'!
Arugula Latte
Dec 2015
#40
I watched a really good documentary the other day on DW (English language German Channel)
CBGLuthier
Dec 2015
#16
The witch gave shelter and food to a couple of lost kids and look where it got her....
yellowcanine
Dec 2015
#21
Is ISIS planning on destroying our country through our spiced pastry miniature residences?!
Arugula Latte
Dec 2015
#41
baking process distracts kids from tv for a few secs (from the oven, as it were, lol)
librechik
Dec 2015
#39