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What do the Banks children have against barley water?
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What do the Banks children have against barley water?
What is the source of Mary Poppins' powers?
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In Mary Poppins (1964) Jane and Michael stipulate that their new nanny must:
Love us as a son and daughter, and never smell of barley water.
I've always wondered why they include this. If they mean actual barley water, which apparently is popular in various parts of the world (but not America), then it isn't really clear why the children hate it so much. It's not just that they don't want to drink it; they don't want to even smell it.
Part of me thinks they didn't mean literal barley water at all. They could also be referring (in a tongue-in-cheek way) to:
Beer/ale. Usually made with barley, unpleasant to smell on someone, and of course means the person is drunk.
Scotch. Made with barley (otherwise it's a different type of whiskey), not an unpleasant smell but also means the person is drunk.
Adults in the room would also recognize that, if the children specifically request that their nanny not show up stinking drunk, it would mean that it's happened before (further showcasing their parents' ineptitude at nanny-picking).
Is the "barley water" reference ever explained?
mary-poppins
add a comment |
In Mary Poppins (1964) Jane and Michael stipulate that their new nanny must:
Love us as a son and daughter, and never smell of barley water.
I've always wondered why they include this. If they mean actual barley water, which apparently is popular in various parts of the world (but not America), then it isn't really clear why the children hate it so much. It's not just that they don't want to drink it; they don't want to even smell it.
Part of me thinks they didn't mean literal barley water at all. They could also be referring (in a tongue-in-cheek way) to:
Beer/ale. Usually made with barley, unpleasant to smell on someone, and of course means the person is drunk.
Scotch. Made with barley (otherwise it's a different type of whiskey), not an unpleasant smell but also means the person is drunk.
Adults in the room would also recognize that, if the children specifically request that their nanny not show up stinking drunk, it would mean that it's happened before (further showcasing their parents' ineptitude at nanny-picking).
Is the "barley water" reference ever explained?
mary-poppins
2
I was made to drink barley water as a kid and, though I don't remember the smell, the taste was quite special, and I never came to like it. I understand that some people may enjoy it, but it is understandable that some people will not. It is like any food with special flavour/smell/texture.
– Taladris
13 hours ago
add a comment |
In Mary Poppins (1964) Jane and Michael stipulate that their new nanny must:
Love us as a son and daughter, and never smell of barley water.
I've always wondered why they include this. If they mean actual barley water, which apparently is popular in various parts of the world (but not America), then it isn't really clear why the children hate it so much. It's not just that they don't want to drink it; they don't want to even smell it.
Part of me thinks they didn't mean literal barley water at all. They could also be referring (in a tongue-in-cheek way) to:
Beer/ale. Usually made with barley, unpleasant to smell on someone, and of course means the person is drunk.
Scotch. Made with barley (otherwise it's a different type of whiskey), not an unpleasant smell but also means the person is drunk.
Adults in the room would also recognize that, if the children specifically request that their nanny not show up stinking drunk, it would mean that it's happened before (further showcasing their parents' ineptitude at nanny-picking).
Is the "barley water" reference ever explained?
mary-poppins
In Mary Poppins (1964) Jane and Michael stipulate that their new nanny must:
Love us as a son and daughter, and never smell of barley water.
I've always wondered why they include this. If they mean actual barley water, which apparently is popular in various parts of the world (but not America), then it isn't really clear why the children hate it so much. It's not just that they don't want to drink it; they don't want to even smell it.
Part of me thinks they didn't mean literal barley water at all. They could also be referring (in a tongue-in-cheek way) to:
Beer/ale. Usually made with barley, unpleasant to smell on someone, and of course means the person is drunk.
Scotch. Made with barley (otherwise it's a different type of whiskey), not an unpleasant smell but also means the person is drunk.
Adults in the room would also recognize that, if the children specifically request that their nanny not show up stinking drunk, it would mean that it's happened before (further showcasing their parents' ineptitude at nanny-picking).
Is the "barley water" reference ever explained?
mary-poppins
mary-poppins
edited 14 hours ago
PlutoThePlanet
asked 14 hours ago
PlutoThePlanetPlutoThePlanet
5,21721947
5,21721947
2
I was made to drink barley water as a kid and, though I don't remember the smell, the taste was quite special, and I never came to like it. I understand that some people may enjoy it, but it is understandable that some people will not. It is like any food with special flavour/smell/texture.
– Taladris
13 hours ago
add a comment |
2
I was made to drink barley water as a kid and, though I don't remember the smell, the taste was quite special, and I never came to like it. I understand that some people may enjoy it, but it is understandable that some people will not. It is like any food with special flavour/smell/texture.
– Taladris
13 hours ago
2
2
I was made to drink barley water as a kid and, though I don't remember the smell, the taste was quite special, and I never came to like it. I understand that some people may enjoy it, but it is understandable that some people will not. It is like any food with special flavour/smell/texture.
– Taladris
13 hours ago
I was made to drink barley water as a kid and, though I don't remember the smell, the taste was quite special, and I never came to like it. I understand that some people may enjoy it, but it is understandable that some people will not. It is like any food with special flavour/smell/texture.
– Taladris
13 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Barley Water is not, in fact, beer or scotch, although those are good guesses in the absence of context. Water in which barley has been boiled was considered a health drink dating back centuries, in the same way that cod liver oil was a healthful supplement for American kids in the '50s. The British version is made by boiling barley, straining, and then pouring the hot water over lemon rind. It's disgusting, kids know it's disgusting, and the Banks children wanted no part of anyone who was going to make them drink it.
8
I think it's quite nice
– Valorum
13 hours ago
2
@Valorum Different strokes for different folks. I did not appreciate it growing up. My mother said it would keep me "regular". I would much rather have had Tang.
– Seneca
12 hours ago
10
It's also worth mentioning that tastes literally change as we get older, particularly bitter ones. We're genetically programmed to find bitter flavors somewhat distasteful due to them often being associated with poisons, but we taste it less as we get older (and presumably have learned what is and is not poisonous).
– FuzzyBoots
10 hours ago
1
I remember as a kid having a drink called 'barley water' which was quite nice. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same thing described by Seneca. For one thing my childhood was sixty years after the Banks'.
– DJClayworth
9 hours ago
1
I always assumed their objection was based on the association between barley water and old people (much like we now assume that if someone enjoys prune juice, they are likely elderly.) They also request that their nanny be "fairly pretty", so perhaps they are implying that they require a young woman as their nanny.
– Meg
9 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
Assuming the original Mary Poppins book by P.L. Travers is anything to go by, their objection doesn't seem to be the smell of barley water per se, but more that their old unliked nanny (Katie Nanna) stank of the stuff and they've associated the smell with her.
Well, Mr Banks went off with his black bag, and Mrs Banks went into
the drawing room and sat there all day long writing letters to the
papers and begging them to send some Nannies to her at once as she was
waiting; and upstairs in the Nursery, Jane and Michael watched at the
window and wondered who would come. They were glad Katie Nanna had
gone, for they had never liked her. She was old and fat and smelt of
barley-water. Anything, they thought, would be better than Katie
Nanna – if not much better.
They're keen for the new nanny to be the polar opposite, to whit; young, skinny and not smelling of barley water.
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Barley Water is not, in fact, beer or scotch, although those are good guesses in the absence of context. Water in which barley has been boiled was considered a health drink dating back centuries, in the same way that cod liver oil was a healthful supplement for American kids in the '50s. The British version is made by boiling barley, straining, and then pouring the hot water over lemon rind. It's disgusting, kids know it's disgusting, and the Banks children wanted no part of anyone who was going to make them drink it.
8
I think it's quite nice
– Valorum
13 hours ago
2
@Valorum Different strokes for different folks. I did not appreciate it growing up. My mother said it would keep me "regular". I would much rather have had Tang.
– Seneca
12 hours ago
10
It's also worth mentioning that tastes literally change as we get older, particularly bitter ones. We're genetically programmed to find bitter flavors somewhat distasteful due to them often being associated with poisons, but we taste it less as we get older (and presumably have learned what is and is not poisonous).
– FuzzyBoots
10 hours ago
1
I remember as a kid having a drink called 'barley water' which was quite nice. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same thing described by Seneca. For one thing my childhood was sixty years after the Banks'.
– DJClayworth
9 hours ago
1
I always assumed their objection was based on the association between barley water and old people (much like we now assume that if someone enjoys prune juice, they are likely elderly.) They also request that their nanny be "fairly pretty", so perhaps they are implying that they require a young woman as their nanny.
– Meg
9 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
Barley Water is not, in fact, beer or scotch, although those are good guesses in the absence of context. Water in which barley has been boiled was considered a health drink dating back centuries, in the same way that cod liver oil was a healthful supplement for American kids in the '50s. The British version is made by boiling barley, straining, and then pouring the hot water over lemon rind. It's disgusting, kids know it's disgusting, and the Banks children wanted no part of anyone who was going to make them drink it.
8
I think it's quite nice
– Valorum
13 hours ago
2
@Valorum Different strokes for different folks. I did not appreciate it growing up. My mother said it would keep me "regular". I would much rather have had Tang.
– Seneca
12 hours ago
10
It's also worth mentioning that tastes literally change as we get older, particularly bitter ones. We're genetically programmed to find bitter flavors somewhat distasteful due to them often being associated with poisons, but we taste it less as we get older (and presumably have learned what is and is not poisonous).
– FuzzyBoots
10 hours ago
1
I remember as a kid having a drink called 'barley water' which was quite nice. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same thing described by Seneca. For one thing my childhood was sixty years after the Banks'.
– DJClayworth
9 hours ago
1
I always assumed their objection was based on the association between barley water and old people (much like we now assume that if someone enjoys prune juice, they are likely elderly.) They also request that their nanny be "fairly pretty", so perhaps they are implying that they require a young woman as their nanny.
– Meg
9 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
Barley Water is not, in fact, beer or scotch, although those are good guesses in the absence of context. Water in which barley has been boiled was considered a health drink dating back centuries, in the same way that cod liver oil was a healthful supplement for American kids in the '50s. The British version is made by boiling barley, straining, and then pouring the hot water over lemon rind. It's disgusting, kids know it's disgusting, and the Banks children wanted no part of anyone who was going to make them drink it.
Barley Water is not, in fact, beer or scotch, although those are good guesses in the absence of context. Water in which barley has been boiled was considered a health drink dating back centuries, in the same way that cod liver oil was a healthful supplement for American kids in the '50s. The British version is made by boiling barley, straining, and then pouring the hot water over lemon rind. It's disgusting, kids know it's disgusting, and the Banks children wanted no part of anyone who was going to make them drink it.
answered 13 hours ago
SenecaSeneca
46319
46319
8
I think it's quite nice
– Valorum
13 hours ago
2
@Valorum Different strokes for different folks. I did not appreciate it growing up. My mother said it would keep me "regular". I would much rather have had Tang.
– Seneca
12 hours ago
10
It's also worth mentioning that tastes literally change as we get older, particularly bitter ones. We're genetically programmed to find bitter flavors somewhat distasteful due to them often being associated with poisons, but we taste it less as we get older (and presumably have learned what is and is not poisonous).
– FuzzyBoots
10 hours ago
1
I remember as a kid having a drink called 'barley water' which was quite nice. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same thing described by Seneca. For one thing my childhood was sixty years after the Banks'.
– DJClayworth
9 hours ago
1
I always assumed their objection was based on the association between barley water and old people (much like we now assume that if someone enjoys prune juice, they are likely elderly.) They also request that their nanny be "fairly pretty", so perhaps they are implying that they require a young woman as their nanny.
– Meg
9 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
8
I think it's quite nice
– Valorum
13 hours ago
2
@Valorum Different strokes for different folks. I did not appreciate it growing up. My mother said it would keep me "regular". I would much rather have had Tang.
– Seneca
12 hours ago
10
It's also worth mentioning that tastes literally change as we get older, particularly bitter ones. We're genetically programmed to find bitter flavors somewhat distasteful due to them often being associated with poisons, but we taste it less as we get older (and presumably have learned what is and is not poisonous).
– FuzzyBoots
10 hours ago
1
I remember as a kid having a drink called 'barley water' which was quite nice. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same thing described by Seneca. For one thing my childhood was sixty years after the Banks'.
– DJClayworth
9 hours ago
1
I always assumed their objection was based on the association between barley water and old people (much like we now assume that if someone enjoys prune juice, they are likely elderly.) They also request that their nanny be "fairly pretty", so perhaps they are implying that they require a young woman as their nanny.
– Meg
9 hours ago
8
8
I think it's quite nice
– Valorum
13 hours ago
I think it's quite nice
– Valorum
13 hours ago
2
2
@Valorum Different strokes for different folks. I did not appreciate it growing up. My mother said it would keep me "regular". I would much rather have had Tang.
– Seneca
12 hours ago
@Valorum Different strokes for different folks. I did not appreciate it growing up. My mother said it would keep me "regular". I would much rather have had Tang.
– Seneca
12 hours ago
10
10
It's also worth mentioning that tastes literally change as we get older, particularly bitter ones. We're genetically programmed to find bitter flavors somewhat distasteful due to them often being associated with poisons, but we taste it less as we get older (and presumably have learned what is and is not poisonous).
– FuzzyBoots
10 hours ago
It's also worth mentioning that tastes literally change as we get older, particularly bitter ones. We're genetically programmed to find bitter flavors somewhat distasteful due to them often being associated with poisons, but we taste it less as we get older (and presumably have learned what is and is not poisonous).
– FuzzyBoots
10 hours ago
1
1
I remember as a kid having a drink called 'barley water' which was quite nice. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same thing described by Seneca. For one thing my childhood was sixty years after the Banks'.
– DJClayworth
9 hours ago
I remember as a kid having a drink called 'barley water' which was quite nice. But I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same thing described by Seneca. For one thing my childhood was sixty years after the Banks'.
– DJClayworth
9 hours ago
1
1
I always assumed their objection was based on the association between barley water and old people (much like we now assume that if someone enjoys prune juice, they are likely elderly.) They also request that their nanny be "fairly pretty", so perhaps they are implying that they require a young woman as their nanny.
– Meg
9 hours ago
I always assumed their objection was based on the association between barley water and old people (much like we now assume that if someone enjoys prune juice, they are likely elderly.) They also request that their nanny be "fairly pretty", so perhaps they are implying that they require a young woman as their nanny.
– Meg
9 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
Assuming the original Mary Poppins book by P.L. Travers is anything to go by, their objection doesn't seem to be the smell of barley water per se, but more that their old unliked nanny (Katie Nanna) stank of the stuff and they've associated the smell with her.
Well, Mr Banks went off with his black bag, and Mrs Banks went into
the drawing room and sat there all day long writing letters to the
papers and begging them to send some Nannies to her at once as she was
waiting; and upstairs in the Nursery, Jane and Michael watched at the
window and wondered who would come. They were glad Katie Nanna had
gone, for they had never liked her. She was old and fat and smelt of
barley-water. Anything, they thought, would be better than Katie
Nanna – if not much better.
They're keen for the new nanny to be the polar opposite, to whit; young, skinny and not smelling of barley water.
add a comment |
Assuming the original Mary Poppins book by P.L. Travers is anything to go by, their objection doesn't seem to be the smell of barley water per se, but more that their old unliked nanny (Katie Nanna) stank of the stuff and they've associated the smell with her.
Well, Mr Banks went off with his black bag, and Mrs Banks went into
the drawing room and sat there all day long writing letters to the
papers and begging them to send some Nannies to her at once as she was
waiting; and upstairs in the Nursery, Jane and Michael watched at the
window and wondered who would come. They were glad Katie Nanna had
gone, for they had never liked her. She was old and fat and smelt of
barley-water. Anything, they thought, would be better than Katie
Nanna – if not much better.
They're keen for the new nanny to be the polar opposite, to whit; young, skinny and not smelling of barley water.
add a comment |
Assuming the original Mary Poppins book by P.L. Travers is anything to go by, their objection doesn't seem to be the smell of barley water per se, but more that their old unliked nanny (Katie Nanna) stank of the stuff and they've associated the smell with her.
Well, Mr Banks went off with his black bag, and Mrs Banks went into
the drawing room and sat there all day long writing letters to the
papers and begging them to send some Nannies to her at once as she was
waiting; and upstairs in the Nursery, Jane and Michael watched at the
window and wondered who would come. They were glad Katie Nanna had
gone, for they had never liked her. She was old and fat and smelt of
barley-water. Anything, they thought, would be better than Katie
Nanna – if not much better.
They're keen for the new nanny to be the polar opposite, to whit; young, skinny and not smelling of barley water.
Assuming the original Mary Poppins book by P.L. Travers is anything to go by, their objection doesn't seem to be the smell of barley water per se, but more that their old unliked nanny (Katie Nanna) stank of the stuff and they've associated the smell with her.
Well, Mr Banks went off with his black bag, and Mrs Banks went into
the drawing room and sat there all day long writing letters to the
papers and begging them to send some Nannies to her at once as she was
waiting; and upstairs in the Nursery, Jane and Michael watched at the
window and wondered who would come. They were glad Katie Nanna had
gone, for they had never liked her. She was old and fat and smelt of
barley-water. Anything, they thought, would be better than Katie
Nanna – if not much better.
They're keen for the new nanny to be the polar opposite, to whit; young, skinny and not smelling of barley water.
answered 6 hours ago
ValorumValorum
414k11330173239
414k11330173239
add a comment |
add a comment |
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2
I was made to drink barley water as a kid and, though I don't remember the smell, the taste was quite special, and I never came to like it. I understand that some people may enjoy it, but it is understandable that some people will not. It is like any food with special flavour/smell/texture.
– Taladris
13 hours ago