Shit Baked??

All you "Main Landers" are thinking what in the heck is she writing about baking shit for?? Well it's not quite as literal as it sounds. Us Newfoundlanders refer to "Shit Baked" as something we say when we are terrified. I figured with it being Friday the 13th this might be a good newfoundland word to write about.

B'ys what is it about friday the 13th that's so scary though really?? I mean It's just another day isn't it? I'm not so sure i believe in superstitions. In all honesty though tell me i wouldn't be "shit baked" if some freak was peeping through my windows, or i was driving along and seen something freaky in the middle of the road.

A few weeks ago i actually had a car accident on the 401 Highway in Toronto. Something mysterious came flying out of some guys truck and mangled the front end of my car. I tell you i almost shit my self that night. Now that would of put a whole new meaning on the term "shit baked" now woudn't it. Can you picture calling "ya" mudder, and saying misses you wouldn't believe the "state" (mess) i'm in now. I got in a accident, i'm alright but i'm "shit baked", and i shit "me" self. Really is friday the 13th any worst luck than just randomly driving into debris on a random day?

What about if you answered your door to a bunch of odd shaped things made up of anything you could randomly find laying around a house hold, asking if they can come in and have a chat? Would you be "shit baked" well i can guess anyone not from newfoundland would find that disturbing and slam the door. "Shit Baked" might be an under statement. You might even think aliens have come to earth.

Let me introduce you to a newfoundland tradition called "mummering" Sometime during the twelve days of Christmas, usually on the twelfth night people would disguise themselves with old articles of clothing and visit the homes of their friends and neighbors. They would even cover their faces with a hood, scarf, mask or pillowcase to keep their identity hidden. Men would sometimes dress as women and women as men. They would go from house to house. They usually carried their own musical instruments to play, singing and dancing in every house they visit.

The people they choose to visit would be expected to serve a small lunch. When mummers visit, everyone in the house starts playing a guessing game. They try to guess the identity of each mummer. As each one is identified they uncover their faces, but if their true identity is not guessed they do not have to unmask. All mummers usually drink a Christmas “grog” before they leave each house. (Grog-a drink such as rum or whiskey.)

When mummering first originated it was actually very loud and rowdy to the point of people getting hurt. Mummering was often violent and unpleasant. Mummers often carried “splits” or large sticks and fought with other groups of mummers or attacked innocent people. They did a lot of damage to houses, Many people were afraid of them. "Shit Baked" You can watch for them, but you won’t know who they are!

I can't help but think to my self, why is this a Christmas thing? Why is it not apart of halloween, or even something they do when the calendar falls on Friday the 13th? In this generation mummers is nothing to be "shit baked" about. It's all about fun and laughter. But with the history of what mummers used to be shouldn't we be "shit baked" when seeing mummers out side the streets of newfoundland??? That's for you to decide. Me I'm most definitely all for mummering anywhere, anytime!