Specifically, did George Washington take out his teeth before dining with White House guests? And if so, how did he manage conversations?
From what I understand, the poorly-fitted dentures of his time often had metal springs that allowed wearers to talk. (And I imagine that took some practice.) Eating, however, was another matter, and most wearers removed them beforehand. I assume GW gummed his way through the mutton and vegetables, but how did he speak distinctly during WH dinner table discussions with guests?
Actually, as the Mad Magazine cartoon says, Washington crossed the Delaware to look for the dollar he threw across. But then, throwing perfectly good money away set the tone for Washington DC ever after. (“If you want to find that dollar, you’ll have to drain the swap”.)
I thought that he chopped down the cherry tree so he could get the wood for a fresh set of teeth.
(The George Washington principle - “It’s easy to tell the truth when you’re the one holding the axe.”)