/u/baquea's posts in /r/AskHistorians

Year:

Only show posts with narrations

The @ symbol is widely used these days, such as for email addresses and as an online short-hand, yet is rarely seen in non-computer/internet contexts. How common was it before the invention of computers? Would the average person from the mid-20th Century be expected to recognize the symbol?

184 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

When it is said that Avicenna was excessively sexually active, what exactly would this have meant in the context of the 11th Century Islamic World? [NSFW] NSFW

96 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

Candy canes: What do they have to do with Christmas? Why are they peppermint-flavoured? Why do they have red-and-white stripes?

65 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

When did commonly used contractions such as I'm, don't, etc. start being used in English? Was there ever a time when this kind of contraction wasn't used at all or were there similar contractions in place prior to this that have fallen out of use?

24 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

Could the resistance to colonial rule in New Zealand during the late 1860's by Tītokowaru, Te Kooti and, potentially, the Kīngitanga movement, have succeeded? What would have been the likely outcome if it did?

10 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

On the whole, did the existence of the Soviet Union help or hinder the success of left-wing politics internationally?

10 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

When did knowledge of Islam first arrive in Japan?

4 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

To what extent would the average inhabitant of the Roman Empire have identified themselves as 'Roman' rather than as a member of their local community or region?

3 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

Is there a historical connection between modern harness racing and classical chariot racing?

2 upvotes

Mark as read: Add to a list

Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
The @ symbol is widely used these days, such as for email addresses and as an online short-hand, yet is rarely seen in non-computer/internet contexts. How common was it before the invention of computers? Would the average person from the mid-20th Century be expected to recognize the symbol?	184
When it is said that Avicenna was excessively sexually active, what exactly would this have meant in the context of the 11th Century Islamic World? [NSFW] NSFW	96
Candy canes: What do they have to do with Christmas? Why are they peppermint-flavoured? Why do they have red-and-white stripes?	65
When did commonly used contractions such as I'm, don't, etc. start being used in English? Was there ever a time when this kind of contraction wasn't used at all or were there similar contractions in place prior to this that have fallen out of use?	24
Could the resistance to colonial rule in New Zealand during the late 1860's by Tītokowaru, Te Kooti and, potentially, the Kīngitanga movement, have succeeded? What would have been the likely outcome if it did?	10
On the whole, did the existence of the Soviet Union help or hinder the success of left-wing politics internationally?	10
When did knowledge of Islam first arrive in Japan?	4
To what extent would the average inhabitant of the Roman Empire have identified themselves as 'Roman' rather than as a member of their local community or region?	3
Is there a historical connection between modern harness racing and classical chariot racing?	2