Filler

November 4, 2005 8:09 AM

Sword swallowing uncertainties The sword passes within millimetres of the heart, aorta, and other vitals but, surprisingly, few deaths related to sword swallowing have been described. A Canadian sword swallower did die, but that was after swallowing an umbrella.
posted by hank (21 comments total)

I bet the silly bugger tried to open it.
Circus folks, eh?
posted by NinjaPirate at 8:21 AM on November 4, 2005

This is completely crazy. I've always wondered how they did it, and this article just throws up more and more incredible ideas.
e.g. "a sword swallower helped Dr Kussmaul of Freiberg to develop a rigid endoscope in 1868 using a straight tube, mirrors, and a gasoline lamp"

Good find.
posted by NinjaPirate at 8:27 AM on November 4, 2005

X-Rays of sword swallowers. [Courtesy of SSAI. an organiztion made up OF swordswallowers FOR swordswallowers. Which is fair enough]

Dan Meyer ("if at first you don't succeed, don't take up swordswallowing!") [annoying music embed]
posted by kosem at 8:30 AM on November 4, 2005

What's up with that friggin fork, kosem?
posted by ColdChef at 8:33 AM on November 4, 2005

and a gasoline lamp

Fire in the (cake)hole!
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:33 AM on November 4, 2005

What's up with that friggin fork, kosem?


See, ColdChef, I was not happy about that either. This is not, after all, the noseforkjammers association international. But SSAI does keep records of non sword events, like the legendary, if vague, "Sword Swallowing Jackhammer". High value performance art indeed.
posted by kosem at 8:45 AM on November 4, 2005

Amy Saunders has a nipple ring. That's hot.
posted by antifuse at 8:53 AM on November 4, 2005

kosem, those X-rays are amazing. I especially like the ones where the subject was wearing jewelry or piercings.
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:53 AM on November 4, 2005

More Forks: in the nose.
posted by Nelson at 8:58 AM on November 4, 2005

I read this article while eating a sandwich.
posted by devbrain at 9:04 AM on November 4, 2005

WHY would you think sword-swallowing was a good idea when drunk?
posted by Lotto at 9:05 AM on November 4, 2005

Read the fine print. They don't actually swallow it; they just shove it down their throat. Pansies.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:07 AM on November 4, 2005

Sword swallowing is said to be dangerous. Like, duh?
posted by magpie68 at 9:09 AM on November 4, 2005

The many faces of sword swallowing:
"Rockstar - the chicks dig this shit"
"Mom! Jeb's been snortin' the cutlery again!"
"You can praise the Lord in many ways"
posted by NinjaPirate at 9:11 AM on November 4, 2005

WHY would you think sword-swallowing was a good idea when drunk?

It appears to be a good idea to eat your underwear when drunk.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:19 AM on November 4, 2005

Apparently they minor in tongue twisters too:
"Most Sword Swallowers Swallowing Swords Simultaneously"
posted by patricio at 9:29 AM on November 4, 2005

I think the phrase "after swallowing an umbrella" may be the most painful thing I've read on Metafilter.
posted by medialyte at 9:45 AM on November 4, 2005

Sword swallowing? Umbrella swallowing? Not impressive.

Two umbrellas, five swords, stuck through your face? Impressive.
posted by ToasT at 10:02 AM on November 4, 2005

A Canadian sword swallower did die, but that was after swallowing an umbrella.

If it was drawn open, maybe this is further proof of the pen being mightier than the sword? eh! Get it!
posted by Peter H at 10:25 AM on November 4, 2005

Maybe next time he won't use an automatic opening umbrella, ya think?
posted by warbaby at 7:08 PM on November 4, 2005

Nelson, that picture is great. I love the 'don't fuck with me I've got a fork in my nose' look he's got going. The overly manicured beard is a nice touch too,
posted by Jawn at 1:02 AM on November 5, 2005