The things you learn on the web

...In particular, the morbid things you learn on Wikipedia.

For example, I always thought that the town I grew up in was a simple cattle market town. Turns out that its traditional industry was in fact rope making; or to be exact, supplying ropes for public hangings to Great Britain and the Colonies. Lovely.

This fits in quite nicely with the next town along, which happens to be one of the most popular suicide spots in England. It's no wonder growing up, I developed such a dark sense of humour. Even more of a wonder that I made it out of there in one piece!

But to be fair, it has evolved since then... its most recent claim to fame being the "13-year old dad" story covered by popular British tabloid, The Sun. When asked by reporters how he planned to support his child financially, the young tyke answered "What's fin-an-ciall-y?"

Someone bring back the rope.