QotW: Would you rather...
This week I asked you;
Which would you rather use: the communal sponge on a stick like a Roman or moss, grass and leaves like a Viking
I'm sure the result won't surprise you; most people said they'd rather use moss, grass or leaves. I was not one of those people. The thought of picking up a handful of leaves and finding a spider is enough to put me off the idea. I also don't like the amount of preparation that's needed, like what if I really need the bathroom and I've run out of moss? "But Signa, you'd be in your garden if you were a viking." I do not care, the spider risk is way too much for me to handle, nope.
No. Thank. You.
While I was explaining my reasoning, my partner said, "Disease is less of an issue for you than spiders, huh?" Yes, Sam, yes it is.
The Roman alternative, which consists of a sea sponge attached to a stick, is way more appealing to me. There's no preparation needed; it's right there in the communal bathroom. Yes, it's a communal sponge on a stick, but it does get washed after each use in running water, which would often (not always) contain salt and vinegar.
Wait a moment, wouldn't that be quite painful? Rubbing salt and vinegar on what is commonly considered some of the most delicate skin on your body?
That, and various other reasons, could be why academics don't actually agree on the primary use for the Xylospongium (sponge on a stick). While it has been recognised as a personal hygiene tool, some scholars are starting to wonder if it was actually for cleaning toilets instead of bums. Sadly, the citation for that research looked a little something like this...
So, I'll have to do a bit more digging. It is an interesting idea though. Have you seen the size of a sponge on a stick? It's definitely closer to toilet brush size than toilet paper size.
In conclusion, if you're not put off by the idea of spiders running up your back, or worse... why not use both? Use the moss, leaves, and grass to clean you and the sponge on a stick to clean your toilet.
Thank you so much to everyone who took part! Look out for the next question tomorrow!
Each week, I'll be asking all of you Nooklings a question inspired by my studies and research. There will be no right or wrong answers. Instead, this is an opportunity for you to nerd out and chat with your fellow history and mythology fans. You'll find the Question of the Week every Sunday morning in the History Nook Discord server, as well as on Instagram, Threads, Patreon, and Bluesky. I'll gather your answers and write a blog post featuring them each Saturday.
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