[M&D p. 22] Spoiler -- Question

[dennis grace]

>> > Spoiler-cum-question below:
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>> > On page 22, the L.E.D. says:
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>> >  "[...] we go on as tail-wagging Scheherezades, ever a step away from
>> >   the dread Palm Leaf, nightly delaying the Blades of our Masters by
>> >   telling back to them tales of their humanity."
>> > 
>> > What does the Palm Leaf mean?  What is it?  I am guessing that
>> > Scheherezade must be the wife in "1001 Nights", am I correct?
>> > (Right after that a sailor says: "Oh I say, Dog in Palm Leaf, what 
>> > nonsense")
>> > 
>> S is indeed the Sultan's wife, who postpones her execution by
>> telling a helluva lot of great stories.  When I read this section,
>> it seemed that Dog in Palm Leaf referred to a (theoretical?) dish,
>> like Bass Wrapped in Banana Leaf--or Macaroni Italian Style and Fop
>> Fricasee, which the LED goes on to mention.  Looking at it again, I
>> feel the same way, but maybe there's another usage too.  
>> 
>> Hmmm...the more I look at this, the less I'd be surprised if meats
>> weren't cooked in palm leaves at this time.  And then there's....
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>> palmier (pahlm-YAY)  Also called *palm leaves*, this crispy delicacy
>> is PUFF PASTRY dough that is sprinkled with granulated sugar, folded
>> and rolled several times, then cut into thin strips.  After baking,
>> these golden brown, caramelized pastries are served with coffee or
>> tea or as a dessert accompaniment. (Barron's Food Lover's Companion)
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>> Maybe they can be stuffed with dog meat as a kind of hors d'oeuvre?
>
>There are a lotta Asian dishes wrapped in banana(!) leaves, 
>sticky rice for instance. Don't see dog (rather like steak) going well
>with a palmier. though. What's the deal in Romeo & Juliet about "holy
>palmers?" 


No no no.  You're all making this far too hard (of course, I'm new to this
list; mayhaps you're TRYING to make this too hard).  The palm leaf refers to
the interchange on the previous page:

        "Hold," cautions Mason.  "I've heard they *eat* dogs out there."
        "Wrap 'em in palm leaves," Dixon solemnly, "and bake 'em on the
beach...?"
        "First time you turn your back," Mason warns, "that Dog's going to
be some Savage's Luncheon."

Dennis Grace
Recovering Medievalist