TIDBITS® CELEBRATES THE PRINTING PRESS
by Janet Spencer
Johannes Gutenberg, inspired by the contraptions called the screw press used to crush grapes and olives, invented the printing press in the 1440s. In doing so, he had a huge impact on the development of not only human culture but also our language. Come along with Tidbits as we celebrate the printing press!
APRESSING MATTER
• Before Gutenberg’s press, books were handwritten at the rate of several pages per day. The Gutenberg design could print 3,600 pages per day.
• The first printing press was located in Mainz, Germany, but only 40 years later, there were presses in an estimated 110 cities throughout Europe, expanding to 270 cities by the year 1500.
• In the thousand years prior to Gutenberg, it’s been estimated that there were perhaps 30,000 to 50,000 books created worldwide, all of which were copied by hand. Most were owned either by clergy or royalty. In the 50 years following the first successful operational printing press, there were an estimated 20 million books. Within the next century, the output increased by tenfold. The introduction of the printing press ushered in a new era of mass communication, permanently altering the structure of society while also shaping the language. (cont)
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THE PRINTING PRESS (cont)
• Because of the printing press, information and ideas spread quickly. The press made education widely available. Previously only rich people could afford books, but now everyone could. The literacy rate skyrocketed. The printing press enabled the scientific and industrial revolutions by making it easy to share and store knowledge. It also had an amazing impact on the English language.
• If you wonder why there are so many weird spellings in English, an early English printer named William Caxton is largely to blame. Caxton was one of the first people in England to own a printing press in the mid1400s. He decided to translate all the books in foreign languages into English. The problem was that there were many English dialects with no set rules for spelling or pronouncing any particular word. Caxton winged it. He chose the dialect used by royalty, the courts, and the educated, known as “the King’s English.”
• A further issue is that Caxton brought in helpers from Belgium, and they added their own spelling quirks to the process. The English spelled it “gost” but in Belgium they spelled it “ghost” so Bibles spoke of “the holy ghost” instead of “the holy gost.”
• This was all happening in the mid-1400s when English was quickly evolving because of the influence of many other languages. The printing press, however, tended to set a now-archaic method of spelling in stone.
PRINTING PHRASES
• The printing press gave the English language a number of common words and phrases:
• Casting is the process of shaping metal by melting it down and then pouring it into a mold. Each letter of type was made through this casting process, which was called “typecasting,” indicating the art of making many identical copies from the same mold. (cont)
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THE PRINTING PRESS (cont)
• The printing press used metal stamps created in a foundry. Each stamp, called a “sort,” was “sorted” into its correct slot in the cabinet that held all of the stamps. If a printer didn’t have enough of a particular letter sort to complete his page, he was literally “out of sorts.” The printer then could not print the page, which would be highly annoying.
• The lowercase letters b, d, p, and q look almost identical when flipped over. Consider that the printer, when lining up the letters in preparation for printing a page, would be creating a mirror image of the page to be printed. All these nearly identical letters were hard to keep track of, meaning a printer must “mind their p’s and q’s.”
• All of these individual pieces of type were kept in a “type case” with capital letters being stored in the “upper case” and the smaller letters being stored in the “lower case.”
• If a printer consistently needed a specific set of letters, for instance to use the name of an advertiser in nearly every edition of a publication, they would fuse those letters in a single unit to avoid having to set those letters up individually every time. This was called a “logotype,” later shortened to “logo.” The word “logo” comes from the Greek word meaning “word.”
• When the carefully arranged letters were pressed into the paper, the printer literally wanted to “make a good impression.” The word springs from the Latin “imprimere” meaning “to stamp” or “to press upon.”
• Typesetters picked up each individual letter and set them, in order, into a tray called a composing stick. They had to arrange everything backwards so the writing would be correct after being printed. If they put the composing stick into the press the wrong way, the words would be backwards or upside down on the page. This led to the phrase “getting the wrong end of the stick.” (cont)
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THE PRINTING PRESS (cont)
• If a book had been painstakingly set in type and the required number of copies printed off, the printer might be concerned that more copies would be needed later if the book sold well. The printer needed to deconstruct each page because there was a limited number of letters available in the type case. The risk of later having to reconstruct that book, letter by letter, was frightful. Therefore, the printer would make an impression of the type on the page on a piece of thick, damp paper similar to paper mache. When this paper dried, it became stiff enough to yield an accurate impression of the page when run through the press. This image was called a “stereotype.”
• The French thought the “kachunk kachunk” of a revolving printing press sounded like “cliché, cliché.” It’s from the French “clicher” meaning “to click” and refers to the sound the metal plates made when striking the paper.
• Designers and printers know that “leading” refers to the space between sentences. Originally there were thin bars of lead metal in place to guide placement, and these bars were adjustable depending on how much open space the printer wanted on the page.
• A new printing method called Linotype was invented in 1884. This involved having the operator use a keyboard to enter text which was then impressed into a mold. Then molten lead was poured into the mold. Linotype gave us the phrase “hot off the press” not because the paper was warm or the machine was hot but because the printing was done through a process called “hot metal printing.”
• The invention in 1814 of the steam-powered rotary press allowed 1,100 impressions to be made per hour, which more than doubled to 2,400 by 1818. This made publishing newspapers and periodicals so cheap and easy that the entire industry was condensed into a single word: “the press.”
One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Rice:
A Dish That's Easy, Elegant, and Surprisingly Frugal Shrimp, once seen as a splurge, has become a frugal choice not because shrimp prices have dropped, but because everything else has gone up!
This seafood favorite is now an economical protein compared to the skyrocketing costs of beef, chicken and even eggs. Pair that with one-pot preparation, and you've got dinner that's easy on your wallet and your schedule.
One-pot recipes streamline prep, cooking and cleanup, leaving you with more time to enjoy your meal and less time spent scrubbing dishes. This dish is fast, flavorful and destined to become a weeknight favorite.
ONE POT LEMON GARLIC SHRIMP
Yield: 4-6 servings
Total Time: 30 minutes
16 ounces uncooked shrimp (41-60 size), thawed and peeled
1 fresh lemon, see note below*
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
2 cups long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
Prep the Ingredients: If using frozen shrimp, thaw and peel before starting.
*Zest the lemon, reserving the zest. Slice lemon in half, juice half the lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice) and slice the other half for garnish. Saute the Garlic and Rice: Heat a deep skillet over medium heat. Add butter and garlic, and red pepper, sauteing until fragrant (1-2 minutes). Stir in the rice and continue sauteing for another 1-2 minutes until the rice begins to toast lightly. You might hear a faint crackling sound.
Add Liquid and Seasoning: Carefully pour in the chicken broth, water, lemon juice and half the lemon zest. Stir in the Old Bay and parsley. Give everything a good stir to combine. Cook the Rice: Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 12 minutes.
Add the Shrimp: After 12 minutes, most of the liquid should be absorbed. Lift the lid briefly to scatter the shrimp across the top of the rice. Replace the lid and continue cooking on low for 5 minutes.
Let It Rest: Without removing the lid, remove the skillet from the heat. Let it rest for an additional 5 minutes. During this time, the shrimp will finish cooking, becoming pink and opaque.
Fluff and Serve: Gently fluff the rice with a fork, mixing in the shrimp slightly. Garnish with the reserved lemon slices, lemon zest and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
To save time, use pre-minced garlic or frozen shrimp that's already peeled. Want to switch up the flavors? Try Italian seasoning with a sprinkle of Parmesan for a Mediterranean twist, or
black pepper and grated Parmesan for a cacio e pepe-style dish. Craving spice? A dash of Cajun seasoning, or smoked paprika adds a bold kick. For a fresh take, toss in fresh dill and a touch of crumbled feta. Love warm, aromatic flavors? Stir in a pinch of curry powder and a splash of coconut milk for a subtle, creamy depth. Or go zesty with lime juice, cilantro and a hint of chili for a vibrant, Southwest-inspired version.
The combination of tender shrimp, fluffy rice and bold seasonings whether it's zesty lemon and garlic, smoky Cajun spice or a Mediterranean twist makes this dish a winner. We hope you try your favorite variations and love it as much as we do! ***
Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, partyplanning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
BIRD BITS
• There are around 10,000 species of birds. About 75% of them are found in rainforests.
• All birds have several things in common: wings, feathers, beaks (or bills), and eggs.
• Like mammals, birds are warm-blooded and can generate their own heat from within.
• Birds are the descendants of dinosaurs, but not just any dinosaurs. Birds came from the suborder of dinosaurs called theropods, whose members often had hollow bones and three toes or claws on each limb.
• Birds are the only creatures with feathers, but they are not the only creatures that can fly (bats and bugs). Not all birds can fly (penguins, ostriches).
• Owls can rotate their head 270 degrees, which is necessary because they cannot move their tube-shaped eyes.
• African grey parrots have been taught up to 800 words and appear to understand their meaning, using them in the appropriate way.
• Chickens have over 200 distinct noises for communicating. Chickens provide humans with the largest source of animal protein.
• Downy woodpeckers can peck as fast as 16 times a second. A woodpecker can eat around 2,000 bugs per day.
• The phrase “eat like a bird” if taken literally would mean consuming twice your weight in food daily. A bird requires more food in proportion to its size than a baby or a cat.
• Crows and ravens have the biggest brain-tobody size ratio of any bird.
• The flamingo can only eat when its head is upside down. They are born grey but acquire their pink coloring from the beta-carotene in the shrimp they eat. (Continued page #7)
Gutenberg went heavily into debt to develop his printing press. The same year the Bibles were completed, his financier confiscated all his equipment and used it to make himself rich. Gutenberg died in poverty.
My neighbor yells at her dog. Is it abuse?
DEAR PAW'S COR-
NER: Every morning, my next-door neighbor walks her dog past my house. Every morning, she berates her dog, calling him an idiot and a bad dog, especially after picking up his poo. I cannot see the dog doing anything wrong, so I don't know why she's constantly yelling at him. I know it's affecting him, though he has his tail between his legs most of the time. Is there anything I can do for that dog? Bill in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
DEAR BILL: That's hard to watch emotional abuse can be as damaging to an animal as physical abuse.
Strong verbal correction is OK in obedience training when you need a dog to stop doing something immediately. But it should be limited to a firm "No!" and a quick tug on the leash if necessary followed by proper corrective training. When an owner simply berates the dog and takes out their anger verbally on them, it isn't training. It doesn't correct their behavior. Behavioral issues often get worse, not better. And the mixed signals and negative feedback that the dog constantly receives can cause trust issues that never fully go away. What can you do as an outside observer? Rescues or animal control likely won't intervene in a simple case of yelling at a dog. If you feel safe talking to the owner, try starting a conversation with them. You may be able to glean more info about why they are yelling at the dog, and you might be able to give training advice.
However, you should also observe and document the situation. Write down the dog's physical condition and behavior and note if they deteriorate. If you see physical abuse from the owner, note the date, time and place and, contact animal control. Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
BIRD BITS (cont)
• The average hummingbird weighs about as much as a single sheet of paper. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.
• The smallest egg belongs to the hummingbird and is the size of a pea. The largest egg, from the ostrich, is the size of a cantaloupe. The ostrich is the largest and heaviest bird in the world. It can weigh up to 345 lbs (156 kg) and stand up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall.
• Hummingbirds have around 1,000 feathers, which is the densest collection of feathers-to -body size in the bird kingdom. A large tundra swan might have over 25,000 feathers. Emperor penguins have extremely tiny feathers, crowded in at about 60 per square inch and totaling around 80,000 on their body. Dark feathers are stronger and more resistant to wear than colorful feathers.
• The penguin is the only bird that can swim but cannot fly. Underwater, penguins can swim at 22 mph (36 kph).
• The alpine swift can eat and sleep while aloft, often spending up to 200 days airborne without ever coming to earth.
• The bar-tailed godwit, a wading shorebird, holds the record for the longest non-stop flight of any bird, covering over 7,000 miles (11,000 km) in eight days. Godwits migrate from Alaska and Siberia to Australia and New Zealand. The fairy tern holds the record for the longest migration of any bird, traveling over 9,000 miles (14,000 km) each way, from Australia to the Arctic and back again. However, the tern stops along the way.
• The only bird that’s known to be poisonous is the pitohui of Papua, New Guinea. This bird is similar in size and coloring to an oriole or robin. The poison is found in its skin and feathers.
* Smartphones and computers are notorious for viruses- but I'm thinking of the kind that can make YOU sick. These devices are touched by us constantly. And then we stick them right to our faces! Take the time daily to clean off your device with an alcohol wipe to decontaminate it. Your respiratory and digestive systems will thank you.
* "We are always prompted to choose strong passwords, but a random collection of letters, numbers and special symbols can be hard to remember. I make a strong password by using a coded phrase, like "My three boys are number one," which might be "MY3boysR#1." Just thought I'd share my trick, but not my password!" R.W. in Iowa
* Use secure networks to transfer data. When out and about, if you are using free Wi-Fi hotspots, choose ones that encrypt data. You can check the web address and look for a padlock icon, or addresses that begin with https://. The "S" means "secure."
* "Sign out of all accounts when you are using someone else's computer. I can't tell you how
often I have used the computers at the library and went to sign into my webmail only to find that the previous user's email comes up. Navigating away from a page usually doesn't work, closing the browser sometimes doesn't work, but logging off ALWAYS works. The same for shopping sites, like Amazon. If you don't log off, because these sites use "cookies" to remember you, someone could potentially use your account." M.L. in Florida
* Lock your device! Just as you wouldn't leave your door unlocked, so too should you not leave your phone unlocked, particularly if you have applications on your smartphone that can be easily accessed. Lock it up, and be smart.
Send your tips to Now Here's a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
