Uh . . . is there a hinge on a hijab?

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Why, when a man and a woman are walking on a sidewalk, is it considered courteous for the man to walk on the outside and the woman to "take the wall," that is, walk closest to the buildings rather than the curb (kerb, for our English friends)?

These days, because a passing car may throw water or mud, and the courteous man tries to protect her from this. But—

The origins of "taking the wall" go further back than this. In medieval towns and still in older sections of cities in Europe, the upper floors of buildings often project out over the sidewalk below.

CLICKY.

The sanitary system of most abodes consisted of a chamber pot. And people tended to throw their "slops" out of an upper window into the street, which often had a slight "V" to it, intended to serve as a sewer main. To avoid getting unpleasantness down your neck, you generally tried to stay as close to the wall as you could. And, of course, a gentleman would make sure that the lady he was with should be spared this indignity, so he made sure that she "took the wall."

Two gentlemen passing each other on the sidewalk presented a somewhat different problem. The gentleman of higher rank took the wall. If he were a duke and you were a mere marquis, you took your chances and allowed him to take the wall. The problem came up when two gentlemen of equal rank or indeterminate rank confronted each other. Which one and how to determine it?

During one year alone in Paris in the early 1600s, some 10,000 duels were fought, either right there on the spot or early the following dawn in the Bois de Boulogne over matters of great moment, often such disputes as these!

Don Firth

P. S. During my younger years, I was an enthusiastic fencer, and read several books on such things as the history of dueling.

Fascinating stuff!!

For example, the best fencer does not always win a duel. Two gentlemen, Messers Cavalotti and Macola found themselves at odds, and Cavalotti challenged Macola. Macola was not a swordsman or fencer at all, whereas Cavalotti had been victorious in several duels. When they met at dawn, Cavalotti led the attack, trying to intimidate his opponent by shouting and roaring and waving his sword about wildly. Macola froze in terror, closed his eyes, ducked his head, and simply stuck his sword out. The point of his sword entered Cavalotti's open mouth, came out the back of his neck, and he died on the spot. Macola was unharmed.

They say that Macola wrote Cavalotti a beautiful obituary.