Attended a series of workshops on "Newfoundland traditions" given by superb musicians Christina Smith & Jean Hewson (there, that takes care of the folk tie-in). They tell the story of Joey Smallwood: in the days before he became a politician and Premier of the province, he was a journalist sent out on one assignment to interview a lady on the occasion of her hundredth birthday. The interview contained this gem; not necessarily a stupid question, but certainly one too many:

JS: "And you say you've never been sick a day in your life?"

Lady: "That's right."

JS: "You mean to tell me you've never been bedridden?"

Lady (looking surprised for a moment): "Oh yes. Thousands of times. And once in a dory."