# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/81 "2003-09-18T02:38:40Z")
No, I think the people over at customs were worried about any foreign organisms hiding in the tar that [may introduce pests](http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/press/030502border.htm). As long as it’s not made out of wood, you can happily ship siege weapons over. Can I have first dibs on using it? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/82 "2003-09-18T02:54:46Z")
> [@](#): > > My thread, sweetie. I got dibs. Don’t make me pull out my, ahem, artillery. Only on the SDMB can a thread about medæval weaponry turn into a lesbian flirt-fest. Man, I love this place. ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/83 "2003-09-18T03:06:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rabid\_Squirrel \* > \*\* > As long as it’s not made out of wood, you can happily ship siege weapons over. \*\* But I’m a traditionalist! Also, I want to have my siege weapon be a carry-on. I don’t think a girl should let her tools out of her sight. ---
**Author:** ![Palewriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@Palewriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palewriter)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/84 "2003-09-18T03:46:31Z")
“I want to have my siege weapon be a carry-on.” Fine by me. It can be a strap-on for all I care. I’m drooling over the possibility of constructing a siege engine out of sponge cake and some stiff icing. Perhaps I should call Martha Stewart? What that lady can do with a bent clothes hanger and a gluegun simply doesn’t bear repeating. - PW ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/85 "2003-09-18T15:15:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Otto \* > \*\*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. \*\* I’m guessing it’s [trocar](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=trocar). The pointy thing on the end of a cannula. Got room for two in that bucket? DD ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/86 "2003-09-18T15:43:47Z")
Wenches, whiskey and weapons. The little voice of caution part of my head keeps telling me that this is one of those ideas that works better in the design than in the execution, based on past experience of combining those things in twos, but fortunately I’m quite good at ignoring that little voice. Sign me up. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/87 "2003-09-18T15:56:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andygirl \* > \*\*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. \*\* HEY! Don’t fling random dopers…I’ve got a whole list of people who DESERVE flinging! ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/88 "2003-09-18T16:32:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Palewriter \* > \*\*“I want to have my siege weapon be a carry-on.” > > Fine by me. It can be a strap-on for all I care. I’m drooling over the possibility of constructing a siege engine out of sponge cake and some stiff icing. Perhaps I should call Martha Stewart? What that lady can do with a bent clothes hanger and a gluegun simply doesn’t bear repeating. > > - PW \*\* Wait, strap-on? :eek: Are you trying to \*\* \*IMPLY \* \*\* something here? I am shocked, shocked I say! I will not stand for this assault upon my character and implication that I am attempting to insinuate… um… I’m sorry, I was polishing my trebuchet. Where was I? Ah, yes, moral character. You, Palewriter, have a dirty dirty mind and I find your company unsavory. Hmph. Lynn, just give me a list and I’ll see what I can do. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/89 "2003-09-18T16:49:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > \*\*HEY! Don’t fling random dopers…I’ve got a whole list of people who DESERVE flinging! \*\* Give Lynn a trebuchet? Best idea posted on the boards to date. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/90 "2003-09-18T19:50:15Z")
Did anybody see the clip of the woman who took a trebuchet ride? It’s in circulation on the stupid-things-caught-on-tape reality shows. She hit the catch net just fine, but bounced off and hit the ground with a good thump. A bit of advice for all- laying Siege can be a very long-term operation. Make sure you bring ample supplies for the duration. Also- it’s true that you can ship a siege weapon, it’s more practical to build it out of local materials. Another tip for the cost-conscious. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/91 "2003-09-18T22:27:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Steelerphan \* > A bit of advice for all- laying Siege can be a very long-term operation. Make sure you bring ample supplies for the duration. Right. _Lots_ of whiskey, check. ---
**Author:** ![Palewriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@Palewriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palewriter)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/92 "2003-09-19T02:51:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andygirl \* > You, Palewriter, have a dirty dirty mind and I find your company unsavory. Hmph. Oh bollocks. You were looking for savory company? Load up another Doper and pass the whisky. - PW ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/93 "2003-09-19T04:50:41Z")
I personally find whiskey very savory. And yes, Balance, I have lots of whiskey. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/94 "2003-09-19T05:04:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andygirl \* > \*\*I personally find whiskey very savory. > > And yes, Balance, I have lots of whiskey. \*\* Pass it already she-devil! ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/95 "2003-09-19T05:06:21Z")
Also, since today is [Talk Like a Pirate Day!](http://www.talklikeapirate.com) I feel compelled to rephrase my request. Yarr, wenches, fetch me a trebuchet and a schooner. Pass the grog, we search now for booty! ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/96 "2003-09-19T05:34:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Papaveraceae \* > \*\*Ah HA! A question that I can pretty much answer… > > It was a upright piano. > > Maggie’s house burned down, and the piano was the only thing that survived the fire. I believe that it was Chris who built the trebuchet, and asked her for the piano to fling. > > I think that there was also a cow fling to celebrate Monty Python as well, but that may just have been my overactive imagination/hopeful attitude. \*\* No, Chris’s _original plan_ was to fling a cow, until the slow-talking movie-buff native-american guy (cannot think of his name, but he had lots of hyphens) points out MP did it already. Then comes the fire, the lonely piano, and the final fling. ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/97 "2003-09-19T06:52:58Z")
Jesus. How’d I manage to miss _both_\* a trebuchet thread **and** a chance to flirt with **andybabe** this long? I have plans for an awesome tabletop model. And y’know, I think I have enough money to buy supplies. Unfortunately, the black powder rifle making neighbor guy has gone out of business and I’m going to have to find a new supplier for ammo. Le sigh. ☹ **andybabe** , get over here and comfort me. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/98 "2003-09-19T15:38:55Z")
Yikes. I think I win. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/99 "2003-09-19T18:23:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Steelerphan \* > A bit of advice for all- laying Siege can be a very long-term operation. Make sure you bring ample supplies for the duration. From what I hear, a hot tub is an appropriate accessory – though ideally not at the end of the main beam of a trebuchet! ---
**Author:** ![Wyatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b19c9b/32.png) [@Wyatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wyatt)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876/100 "2003-09-19T22:19:01Z")
> [@](#): > > ## \*Originally posted by Mtgman \* \*\*[World’s largest organ](http://theatreorgans.com/atlcity/index2.htm)quote: > > Some Organ Statistics > > If you were to take a complete tour of the organ it would require four-and-a-half hours of time. > > * * * > > \*\* That’s pretty much the same thing I tell the women in clubs … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-is-it-fetch-me-a-trebuchet/201876.md?page=6)