# That is IT, fetch me a trebuchet! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 16, 2003, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876 "2003-09-16T02:47:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/41 "2003-09-16T18:41:28Z")
_ahem_ Which trebuchet do you want? -A mediæval military engine for casting heavy missiles? -A trap or gin to catch small birds or beasts? -A small delicately poised balance or pair of scales? -An instrument of punishment, otherwise known as a “CUCKING-STOOL”? (That one sounds just as fun… one of those chairs you get tied into and then dunked into the local body of water.) ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/42 "2003-09-16T18:44:09Z")
I build a treb out of a cardboard box last winter. Small, but then when it’s -40, going outside to fling things isn’t much fun, and it launched aluminum foil balls across my apt in a very satisfying fashion. I’ve been wanting to head out to the farm and build a decent sized machine to fling softballs or the like a 100 yards or so, but haven’t gotten to it. True castle-smashing behemoths are sadly not in the offing. ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/43 "2003-09-16T19:42:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Polycarp \* > \*\*Sorry, **andygirl** , but AFAIK **Siege** is straight. > > She is, however, active in SCA! \*\* Me and my trebuchet are persuasive. Girls dig big siege weapons. Olentzero: yes. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/44 "2003-09-16T19:58:45Z")
Gads! You mean size counts IN EVERYTHING? I’m so screwed. My desktop onager is only 5 inches high. But it does launch a mean M&M. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/45 "2003-09-16T20:05:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andygirl \* > \*\*Mmm… wenches. Wenches, whiskey, weapons. It’s a trinity. \*\* So _that’s_ what “www.” stands for! ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/46 "2003-09-16T20:53:22Z")
I thought a trebuchet was the thing embalmers use the pump embalming fluid into the body and other fluids out. What word am I thinking of? Sorry to hijack. Feel free to fling me. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/47 "2003-09-16T22:37:55Z")
_Now wait one cotton-picking, trebuchet-building moment!_ If anyone is laying Siege around here, I want a say in it! Besides, don’t you realize how much it will weaken one of my Standard Trademark Arguements over in GD if that happens? Also, not to burst **Bosda** ’s bubble, but there is one Siege he has not successfully laid [size=1]yet[/]. As for weaponry, a piano is far too modern. Instead, I suggest a more traditional keyboard instrument. After all, Siege should be properly laid using an organ. CJ ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/48 "2003-09-16T22:50:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gorsnak \* > **I build a treb out of a cardboard box last winter. Small, but then when it’s -40, going outside to fling things isn’t much fun, and it launched aluminum foil balls across my apt in a very satisfying fashion.** Have you got a model for it? That sounds like a fun project for me and my nephew. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/49 "2003-09-16T22:51:20Z")
But… a traditional organ takes up a huge area. Like the giant one in the church I sing at. It’s scary. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/50 "2003-09-16T22:54:53Z")
The bigger the better, **Ginger** , the bigger the better! 😃 CJ ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/51 "2003-09-16T22:55:47Z")
Sizest. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/52 "2003-09-17T00:18:00Z")
[World’s largest organ](http://theatreorgans.com/atlcity/index2.htm) [quote] Some Organ Statistics [ul][li]Weight of the organ is approximately 150 tons. [/li][li]If you were to take a complete tour of the organ it would require four-and-a-half hours of time. [/ul][/li][/quote] Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/53 "2003-09-17T00:24:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kilt-wearin’ man \* > \*\*The lady said _Whiskey_. Whisk(e)y comes from Ireland, Scotland and _nowhere else._ Now, then, once we get the spirits squared away and have appropriate seige engines arrayed, do y’think you’ll be needing any claymores for good old hand-to-hand smiting? \*\* Tennesee, Ireland, Scotland, makes no nevermind to me! How 'bout J.T.S. Brown? ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/54 "2003-09-17T00:35:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Oak Man \* > \*\*How’s this? It’d be good for teeny tiny castles. > > [http://www.backyardartillery.com/watch/](http://www.backyardartillery.com/watch/) \*\* I simply must have one of these. ---
**Author:** ![Mariemarie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@Mariemarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mariemarie)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/55 "2003-09-17T00:36:15Z")
Go to the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond on November 1st. Bring a jack-o-lantern. Bring your teeny tiny castle. The Trebuchet will be provided. [http://www.smv.org](http://www.smv.org) I’ll try to get you some pictures. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/56 "2003-09-17T00:38:41Z")
I bet we see a few trebuchets when **Timeline** comes out! ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/57 "2003-09-17T01:57:08Z")
{Muffin sneeks into the bucket, wondering which thread he’ll be heaved into.} **Wheeeee!** ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/58 "2003-09-17T02:09:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by if6was9 \* > \*\*Second thought first… Yes! Whiskey! Lot’s of whiskey! Preferably Mr. Daniel’s fine mash! > > I am most pleasently reminded of the flying piano, from _Northern Exposure_! \*\* Was it a piano? I thought it was a casket. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/59 "2003-09-17T02:32:46Z")
What does it matter? Let’s begin flinging. \ \ EEEEEE- \ Er… weren’t they supposed to go further than three feet? Gotta dicker with the counterweights… Ah, well, more whiskey for me. ---
**Author:** ![Etherman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@Etherman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Etherman)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/60 "2003-09-17T03:38:00Z")
/waves Have fun stormin’ the castle!! Hey whose got that wiskey oh oh can we build a ballista next, we could use it to impale people? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876.md?page=4)