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What's the pyramid joke?
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In The Light Fantastic, after talking about the dimensions of the Pyramid of Tsort, it says
All in all, it was a lot of effort to go through just to sharpen a razor.
What's the joke here?
discworld terry-pratchett
edited Aug 20 at 15:20
Machavity
23.7k572130
asked Aug 18 at 17:45
Antheloth
7131318
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
58
down vote
favorite
In The Light Fantastic, after talking about the dimensions of the Pyramid of Tsort, it says
All in all, it was a lot of effort to go through just to sharpen a razor.
What's the joke here?
discworld terry-pratchett
edited Aug 20 at 15:20
Machavity
23.7k572130
asked Aug 18 at 17:45
Antheloth
7131318
11
Just like to add that I asked TP this very question at a book signing. The answers given are very much in line with what he said.
– Loop Space
Aug 18 at 22:30
2
There was a Donald Duck, many many years ago, with a story about a salesman trying to sell hand-sized Pyramid replica's. One of it's features was indeed sharpening a razor. While I can't find that story (otherwise I'd have made this an answer), I do have this cartoon from a newspaper (Gadsden Times, November 2 1977).
– Mast
Aug 19 at 11:05
1
@Mast The Donald Duck cartoon references the same thing, but certainly isn't the originator of the superstition.
– mattdm
Aug 19 at 18:16
@mattdm Oh, definitely. But it goes to show how well-known Pyramid Power story was. As support to the other answers. TP wasn't the first or the last to make jokes about it.
– Mast
Aug 19 at 18:19
I could only find the second half, but here's some background watching: youtube.com/watch?v=Ja09AO5TocA&t=13s
– AJFaraday
Aug 20 at 8:46
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
58
down vote
favorite
up vote
58
down vote
favorite
In The Light Fantastic, after talking about the dimensions of the Pyramid of Tsort, it says
All in all, it was a lot of effort to go through just to sharpen a razor.
What's the joke here?
discworld terry-pratchett
edited Aug 20 at 15:20
Machavity
23.7k572130
asked Aug 18 at 17:45
Antheloth
7131318
In The Light Fantastic, after talking about the dimensions of the Pyramid of Tsort, it says
All in all, it was a lot of effort to go through just to sharpen a razor.
What's the joke here?
discworld terry-pratchett
edited Aug 20 at 15:20
Machavity
23.7k572130
asked Aug 18 at 17:45
Antheloth
7131318
edited Aug 20 at 15:20
Machavity
23.7k572130
edited Aug 20 at 15:20
Machavity
23.7k572130
edited Aug 20 at 15:20
Machavity
23.7k572130
23.7k572130
asked Aug 18 at 17:45
Antheloth
7131318
asked Aug 18 at 17:45
Antheloth
7131318
asked Aug 18 at 17:45
Antheloth
7131318
7131318
11
Just like to add that I asked TP this very question at a book signing. The answers given are very much in line with what he said.
– Loop Space
Aug 18 at 22:30
2
There was a Donald Duck, many many years ago, with a story about a salesman trying to sell hand-sized Pyramid replica's. One of it's features was indeed sharpening a razor. While I can't find that story (otherwise I'd have made this an answer), I do have this cartoon from a newspaper (Gadsden Times, November 2 1977).
– Mast
Aug 19 at 11:05
1
@Mast The Donald Duck cartoon references the same thing, but certainly isn't the originator of the superstition.
– mattdm
Aug 19 at 18:16
@mattdm Oh, definitely. But it goes to show how well-known Pyramid Power story was. As support to the other answers. TP wasn't the first or the last to make jokes about it.
– Mast
Aug 19 at 18:19
I could only find the second half, but here's some background watching: youtube.com/watch?v=Ja09AO5TocA&t=13s
– AJFaraday
Aug 20 at 8:46
 |Â
show 2 more comments
11
Just like to add that I asked TP this very question at a book signing. The answers given are very much in line with what he said.
– Loop Space
Aug 18 at 22:30
2
There was a Donald Duck, many many years ago, with a story about a salesman trying to sell hand-sized Pyramid replica's. One of it's features was indeed sharpening a razor. While I can't find that story (otherwise I'd have made this an answer), I do have this cartoon from a newspaper (Gadsden Times, November 2 1977).
– Mast
Aug 19 at 11:05
1
@Mast The Donald Duck cartoon references the same thing, but certainly isn't the originator of the superstition.
– mattdm
Aug 19 at 18:16
@mattdm Oh, definitely. But it goes to show how well-known Pyramid Power story was. As support to the other answers. TP wasn't the first or the last to make jokes about it.
– Mast
Aug 19 at 18:19
I could only find the second half, but here's some background watching: youtube.com/watch?v=Ja09AO5TocA&t=13s
– AJFaraday
Aug 20 at 8:46
11
11
Just like to add that I asked TP this very question at a book signing. The answers given are very much in line with what he said.
– Loop Space
Aug 18 at 22:30
Just like to add that I asked TP this very question at a book signing. The answers given are very much in line with what he said.
– Loop Space
Aug 18 at 22:30
2
2
There was a Donald Duck, many many years ago, with a story about a salesman trying to sell hand-sized Pyramid replica's. One of it's features was indeed sharpening a razor. While I can't find that story (otherwise I'd have made this an answer), I do have this cartoon from a newspaper (Gadsden Times, November 2 1977).
– Mast
Aug 19 at 11:05
There was a Donald Duck, many many years ago, with a story about a salesman trying to sell hand-sized Pyramid replica's. One of it's features was indeed sharpening a razor. While I can't find that story (otherwise I'd have made this an answer), I do have this cartoon from a newspaper (Gadsden Times, November 2 1977).
– Mast
Aug 19 at 11:05
1
1
@Mast The Donald Duck cartoon references the same thing, but certainly isn't the originator of the superstition.
– mattdm
Aug 19 at 18:16
@Mast The Donald Duck cartoon references the same thing, but certainly isn't the originator of the superstition.
– mattdm
Aug 19 at 18:16
@mattdm Oh, definitely. But it goes to show how well-known Pyramid Power story was. As support to the other answers. TP wasn't the first or the last to make jokes about it.
– Mast
Aug 19 at 18:19
@mattdm Oh, definitely. But it goes to show how well-known Pyramid Power story was. As support to the other answers. TP wasn't the first or the last to make jokes about it.
– Mast
Aug 19 at 18:19
I could only find the second half, but here's some background watching: youtube.com/watch?v=Ja09AO5TocA&t=13s
– AJFaraday
Aug 20 at 8:46
I could only find the second half, but here's some background watching: youtube.com/watch?v=Ja09AO5TocA&t=13s
– AJFaraday
Aug 20 at 8:46
 |Â
show 2 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
81
down vote
accepted
In the real world, there is or was a belief, brought on by the Egyptomania of the early 20th century, that pyramids had special powers—including, specifically, the power to sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades.
Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits. Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods, sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades, improve health, function "as a thought-form incubator", trigger sexual urges, and cause other effects. Such unverified theories regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.
Czechoslovakian Karel Drbal even patented a pyramid-shaped device specifically designed for razor blades. Among the specifications:
It is beneficial to leave a new blade in the pyramid one to two weeks before using it. It is essential to place it there immediately after the first shave, and not the old, dull one. But it is possible to use an old one, if it is properly resharpened. The blade placed using the method above is left unobstructed until the next shave. The west edge should always face west. It improves the sharpening effect.
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Ryan Veeder
3,66721721
4
My uncle had a "keeps razors sharp forever" pyramid in (at least) the late 1970s.
– RonJohn
Aug 19 at 18:53
@RonJohn Well? Did it work?
– pipe
Aug 20 at 11:01
1
@pipe he swore it did. I was more than dubious then (just as I am now), but wasn't going to argue with him about it, in the same way I wouldn't argue religion.
– RonJohn
Aug 20 at 11:06
17
"Sharped a razor blade, put it in this pyramid, don't use it for 2 weeks - and it'll still be sharp!"
– Cubic
Aug 20 at 11:19
2
This was busted on mythbusters: kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_jetpack_pyramid_po.html
– AncientSwordRage♦
Aug 20 at 15:36
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
47
down vote
This is a reference to the popular myth that placing a razor blade inside a pyramid shape somehow confers magical powers on it, keeping it sharp, something that that inspired multiple patents in the 1950s.
Interestingly, this does actually work in the world of the Discworld, but not for the reasons you might think. Pyramids cause a slowing (and in extreme cases reversal) of time.
By the way, contrary to popular opinion pyramids don’t sharpen razor
blades. They just take them back to when they weren’t blunt. It’s
probably because of quantum.
Pyramids by Terry Pratchett
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Valorum
372k9527152945
add a comment |Â
up vote
16
down vote
This is the legend of 'Pyramid Power'
From Wikipedia..
Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits.
Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods,[1] sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades,[2] improve health,[3] function "as a thought-form incubator",[4] trigger sexual urges,[5] and cause other effects.
Such unverified theories regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.
There is no scientific evidence that pyramid power exists.
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_power
answered Aug 18 at 18:02
Danny3414
2,30711546
6
As an additional note: pyramidology often makes a lot of noise about the precise dimensions of the pyramids and how impossibly advanced the measurements are. (In reality, the Egyptians knew what they were doing, and had perfectly serviceable geometry and tools for the task.)
– Cadence
Aug 18 at 18:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
The best resource to find the explanation of jokes in Terry Pratchett books is the trusty old Annotated Prattchet File on L-Space Web. If you look up the annotations for The Light Fantastic in it, and search for "razor", you will find a short explanation there.
- [p. 35] "He read that its height plus its length divided by half its width equalled exactly 1.67563..."
A parody of the typical numerical pseudo-science tossed about regarding the Great Pyramid and the 'cosmic truths' (such as the distance from the Earth to the Sun) that the Egyptians supposedly incorporated into its measurements.
The remark about sharpening razor blades at the end of the paragraph is similarly a reference to the pseudo-scientific 'fact' that (small models of) pyramids are supposed to have, among many other powers, the ability to sharpen razor blades that are left underneath the pyramids overnight.
answered Aug 20 at 23:47
b_jonas
20.3k1189245
Thanks for the L-Space Link.
– Jontia
Aug 21 at 8:59
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
81
down vote
accepted
In the real world, there is or was a belief, brought on by the Egyptomania of the early 20th century, that pyramids had special powers—including, specifically, the power to sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades.
Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits. Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods, sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades, improve health, function "as a thought-form incubator", trigger sexual urges, and cause other effects. Such unverified theories regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.
Czechoslovakian Karel Drbal even patented a pyramid-shaped device specifically designed for razor blades. Among the specifications:
It is beneficial to leave a new blade in the pyramid one to two weeks before using it. It is essential to place it there immediately after the first shave, and not the old, dull one. But it is possible to use an old one, if it is properly resharpened. The blade placed using the method above is left unobstructed until the next shave. The west edge should always face west. It improves the sharpening effect.
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Ryan Veeder
3,66721721
4
My uncle had a "keeps razors sharp forever" pyramid in (at least) the late 1970s.
– RonJohn
Aug 19 at 18:53
@RonJohn Well? Did it work?
– pipe
Aug 20 at 11:01
1
@pipe he swore it did. I was more than dubious then (just as I am now), but wasn't going to argue with him about it, in the same way I wouldn't argue religion.
– RonJohn
Aug 20 at 11:06
17
"Sharped a razor blade, put it in this pyramid, don't use it for 2 weeks - and it'll still be sharp!"
– Cubic
Aug 20 at 11:19
2
This was busted on mythbusters: kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_jetpack_pyramid_po.html
– AncientSwordRage♦
Aug 20 at 15:36
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
81
down vote
accepted
In the real world, there is or was a belief, brought on by the Egyptomania of the early 20th century, that pyramids had special powers—including, specifically, the power to sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades.
Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits. Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods, sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades, improve health, function "as a thought-form incubator", trigger sexual urges, and cause other effects. Such unverified theories regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.
Czechoslovakian Karel Drbal even patented a pyramid-shaped device specifically designed for razor blades. Among the specifications:
It is beneficial to leave a new blade in the pyramid one to two weeks before using it. It is essential to place it there immediately after the first shave, and not the old, dull one. But it is possible to use an old one, if it is properly resharpened. The blade placed using the method above is left unobstructed until the next shave. The west edge should always face west. It improves the sharpening effect.
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Ryan Veeder
3,66721721
4
My uncle had a "keeps razors sharp forever" pyramid in (at least) the late 1970s.
– RonJohn
Aug 19 at 18:53
@RonJohn Well? Did it work?
– pipe
Aug 20 at 11:01
1
@pipe he swore it did. I was more than dubious then (just as I am now), but wasn't going to argue with him about it, in the same way I wouldn't argue religion.
– RonJohn
Aug 20 at 11:06
17
"Sharped a razor blade, put it in this pyramid, don't use it for 2 weeks - and it'll still be sharp!"
– Cubic
Aug 20 at 11:19
2
This was busted on mythbusters: kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_jetpack_pyramid_po.html
– AncientSwordRage♦
Aug 20 at 15:36
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
81
down vote
accepted
up vote
81
down vote
accepted
In the real world, there is or was a belief, brought on by the Egyptomania of the early 20th century, that pyramids had special powers—including, specifically, the power to sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades.
Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits. Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods, sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades, improve health, function "as a thought-form incubator", trigger sexual urges, and cause other effects. Such unverified theories regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.
Czechoslovakian Karel Drbal even patented a pyramid-shaped device specifically designed for razor blades. Among the specifications:
It is beneficial to leave a new blade in the pyramid one to two weeks before using it. It is essential to place it there immediately after the first shave, and not the old, dull one. But it is possible to use an old one, if it is properly resharpened. The blade placed using the method above is left unobstructed until the next shave. The west edge should always face west. It improves the sharpening effect.
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Ryan Veeder
3,66721721
In the real world, there is or was a belief, brought on by the Egyptomania of the early 20th century, that pyramids had special powers—including, specifically, the power to sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades.
Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits. Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods, sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades, improve health, function "as a thought-form incubator", trigger sexual urges, and cause other effects. Such unverified theories regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.
Czechoslovakian Karel Drbal even patented a pyramid-shaped device specifically designed for razor blades. Among the specifications:
It is beneficial to leave a new blade in the pyramid one to two weeks before using it. It is essential to place it there immediately after the first shave, and not the old, dull one. But it is possible to use an old one, if it is properly resharpened. The blade placed using the method above is left unobstructed until the next shave. The west edge should always face west. It improves the sharpening effect.
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Ryan Veeder
3,66721721
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Ryan Veeder
3,66721721
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Ryan Veeder
3,66721721
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Ryan Veeder
3,66721721
3,66721721
4
My uncle had a "keeps razors sharp forever" pyramid in (at least) the late 1970s.
– RonJohn
Aug 19 at 18:53
@RonJohn Well? Did it work?
– pipe
Aug 20 at 11:01
1
@pipe he swore it did. I was more than dubious then (just as I am now), but wasn't going to argue with him about it, in the same way I wouldn't argue religion.
– RonJohn
Aug 20 at 11:06
17
"Sharped a razor blade, put it in this pyramid, don't use it for 2 weeks - and it'll still be sharp!"
– Cubic
Aug 20 at 11:19
2
This was busted on mythbusters: kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_jetpack_pyramid_po.html
– AncientSwordRage♦
Aug 20 at 15:36
 |Â
show 2 more comments
4
My uncle had a "keeps razors sharp forever" pyramid in (at least) the late 1970s.
– RonJohn
Aug 19 at 18:53
@RonJohn Well? Did it work?
– pipe
Aug 20 at 11:01
1
@pipe he swore it did. I was more than dubious then (just as I am now), but wasn't going to argue with him about it, in the same way I wouldn't argue religion.
– RonJohn
Aug 20 at 11:06
17
"Sharped a razor blade, put it in this pyramid, don't use it for 2 weeks - and it'll still be sharp!"
– Cubic
Aug 20 at 11:19
2
This was busted on mythbusters: kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_jetpack_pyramid_po.html
– AncientSwordRage♦
Aug 20 at 15:36
4
4
My uncle had a "keeps razors sharp forever" pyramid in (at least) the late 1970s.
– RonJohn
Aug 19 at 18:53
My uncle had a "keeps razors sharp forever" pyramid in (at least) the late 1970s.
– RonJohn
Aug 19 at 18:53
@RonJohn Well? Did it work?
– pipe
Aug 20 at 11:01
@RonJohn Well? Did it work?
– pipe
Aug 20 at 11:01
1
1
@pipe he swore it did. I was more than dubious then (just as I am now), but wasn't going to argue with him about it, in the same way I wouldn't argue religion.
– RonJohn
Aug 20 at 11:06
@pipe he swore it did. I was more than dubious then (just as I am now), but wasn't going to argue with him about it, in the same way I wouldn't argue religion.
– RonJohn
Aug 20 at 11:06
17
17
"Sharped a razor blade, put it in this pyramid, don't use it for 2 weeks - and it'll still be sharp!"
– Cubic
Aug 20 at 11:19
"Sharped a razor blade, put it in this pyramid, don't use it for 2 weeks - and it'll still be sharp!"
– Cubic
Aug 20 at 11:19
2
2
This was busted on mythbusters: kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_jetpack_pyramid_po.html
– AncientSwordRage♦
Aug 20 at 15:36
This was busted on mythbusters: kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/06/mythbusters_jetpack_pyramid_po.html
– AncientSwordRage♦
Aug 20 at 15:36
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
47
down vote
This is a reference to the popular myth that placing a razor blade inside a pyramid shape somehow confers magical powers on it, keeping it sharp, something that that inspired multiple patents in the 1950s.
Interestingly, this does actually work in the world of the Discworld, but not for the reasons you might think. Pyramids cause a slowing (and in extreme cases reversal) of time.
By the way, contrary to popular opinion pyramids don’t sharpen razor
blades. They just take them back to when they weren’t blunt. It’s
probably because of quantum.
Pyramids by Terry Pratchett
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Valorum
372k9527152945
add a comment |Â
up vote
47
down vote
This is a reference to the popular myth that placing a razor blade inside a pyramid shape somehow confers magical powers on it, keeping it sharp, something that that inspired multiple patents in the 1950s.
Interestingly, this does actually work in the world of the Discworld, but not for the reasons you might think. Pyramids cause a slowing (and in extreme cases reversal) of time.
By the way, contrary to popular opinion pyramids don’t sharpen razor
blades. They just take them back to when they weren’t blunt. It’s
probably because of quantum.
Pyramids by Terry Pratchett
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Valorum
372k9527152945
add a comment |Â
up vote
47
down vote
up vote
47
down vote
This is a reference to the popular myth that placing a razor blade inside a pyramid shape somehow confers magical powers on it, keeping it sharp, something that that inspired multiple patents in the 1950s.
Interestingly, this does actually work in the world of the Discworld, but not for the reasons you might think. Pyramids cause a slowing (and in extreme cases reversal) of time.
By the way, contrary to popular opinion pyramids don’t sharpen razor
blades. They just take them back to when they weren’t blunt. It’s
probably because of quantum.
Pyramids by Terry Pratchett
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Valorum
372k9527152945
This is a reference to the popular myth that placing a razor blade inside a pyramid shape somehow confers magical powers on it, keeping it sharp, something that that inspired multiple patents in the 1950s.
Interestingly, this does actually work in the world of the Discworld, but not for the reasons you might think. Pyramids cause a slowing (and in extreme cases reversal) of time.
By the way, contrary to popular opinion pyramids don’t sharpen razor
blades. They just take them back to when they weren’t blunt. It’s
probably because of quantum.
Pyramids by Terry Pratchett
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Valorum
372k9527152945
edited Aug 18 at 19:30
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Valorum
372k9527152945
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Valorum
372k9527152945
answered Aug 18 at 18:07
Valorum
372k9527152945
372k9527152945
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
16
down vote
This is the legend of 'Pyramid Power'
From Wikipedia..
Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits.
Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods,[1] sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades,[2] improve health,[3] function "as a thought-form incubator",[4] trigger sexual urges,[5] and cause other effects.
Such unverified theories regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.
There is no scientific evidence that pyramid power exists.
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_power
answered Aug 18 at 18:02
Danny3414
2,30711546
6
As an additional note: pyramidology often makes a lot of noise about the precise dimensions of the pyramids and how impossibly advanced the measurements are. (In reality, the Egyptians knew what they were doing, and had perfectly serviceable geometry and tools for the task.)
– Cadence
Aug 18 at 18:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
16
down vote
This is the legend of 'Pyramid Power'
From Wikipedia..
Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits.
Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods,[1] sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades,[2] improve health,[3] function "as a thought-form incubator",[4] trigger sexual urges,[5] and cause other effects.
Such unverified theories regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.
There is no scientific evidence that pyramid power exists.
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_power
answered Aug 18 at 18:02
Danny3414
2,30711546
6
As an additional note: pyramidology often makes a lot of noise about the precise dimensions of the pyramids and how impossibly advanced the measurements are. (In reality, the Egyptians knew what they were doing, and had perfectly serviceable geometry and tools for the task.)
– Cadence
Aug 18 at 18:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
16
down vote
up vote
16
down vote
This is the legend of 'Pyramid Power'
From Wikipedia..
Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits.
Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods,[1] sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades,[2] improve health,[3] function "as a thought-form incubator",[4] trigger sexual urges,[5] and cause other effects.
Such unverified theories regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.
There is no scientific evidence that pyramid power exists.
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_power
answered Aug 18 at 18:02
Danny3414
2,30711546
This is the legend of 'Pyramid Power'
From Wikipedia..
Pyramid power refers to the belief that the ancient Egyptian pyramids and objects of similar shape can confer a variety of benefits.
Among these assumed properties are the ability to preserve foods,[1] sharpen or maintain the sharpness of razor blades,[2] improve health,[3] function "as a thought-form incubator",[4] trigger sexual urges,[5] and cause other effects.
Such unverified theories regarding pyramids are collectively known as pyramidology.
There is no scientific evidence that pyramid power exists.
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_power
answered Aug 18 at 18:02
Danny3414
2,30711546
edited Aug 18 at 18:06
answered Aug 18 at 18:02
Danny3414
2,30711546
answered Aug 18 at 18:02
Danny3414
2,30711546
answered Aug 18 at 18:02
Danny3414
2,30711546
2,30711546
6
As an additional note: pyramidology often makes a lot of noise about the precise dimensions of the pyramids and how impossibly advanced the measurements are. (In reality, the Egyptians knew what they were doing, and had perfectly serviceable geometry and tools for the task.)
– Cadence
Aug 18 at 18:04
add a comment |Â
6
As an additional note: pyramidology often makes a lot of noise about the precise dimensions of the pyramids and how impossibly advanced the measurements are. (In reality, the Egyptians knew what they were doing, and had perfectly serviceable geometry and tools for the task.)
– Cadence
Aug 18 at 18:04
6
6
As an additional note: pyramidology often makes a lot of noise about the precise dimensions of the pyramids and how impossibly advanced the measurements are. (In reality, the Egyptians knew what they were doing, and had perfectly serviceable geometry and tools for the task.)
– Cadence
Aug 18 at 18:04
As an additional note: pyramidology often makes a lot of noise about the precise dimensions of the pyramids and how impossibly advanced the measurements are. (In reality, the Egyptians knew what they were doing, and had perfectly serviceable geometry and tools for the task.)
– Cadence
Aug 18 at 18:04
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
The best resource to find the explanation of jokes in Terry Pratchett books is the trusty old Annotated Prattchet File on L-Space Web. If you look up the annotations for The Light Fantastic in it, and search for "razor", you will find a short explanation there.
- [p. 35] "He read that its height plus its length divided by half its width equalled exactly 1.67563..."
A parody of the typical numerical pseudo-science tossed about regarding the Great Pyramid and the 'cosmic truths' (such as the distance from the Earth to the Sun) that the Egyptians supposedly incorporated into its measurements.
The remark about sharpening razor blades at the end of the paragraph is similarly a reference to the pseudo-scientific 'fact' that (small models of) pyramids are supposed to have, among many other powers, the ability to sharpen razor blades that are left underneath the pyramids overnight.
answered Aug 20 at 23:47
b_jonas
20.3k1189245
Thanks for the L-Space Link.
– Jontia
Aug 21 at 8:59
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
The best resource to find the explanation of jokes in Terry Pratchett books is the trusty old Annotated Prattchet File on L-Space Web. If you look up the annotations for The Light Fantastic in it, and search for "razor", you will find a short explanation there.
- [p. 35] "He read that its height plus its length divided by half its width equalled exactly 1.67563..."
A parody of the typical numerical pseudo-science tossed about regarding the Great Pyramid and the 'cosmic truths' (such as the distance from the Earth to the Sun) that the Egyptians supposedly incorporated into its measurements.
The remark about sharpening razor blades at the end of the paragraph is similarly a reference to the pseudo-scientific 'fact' that (small models of) pyramids are supposed to have, among many other powers, the ability to sharpen razor blades that are left underneath the pyramids overnight.
answered Aug 20 at 23:47
b_jonas
20.3k1189245
Thanks for the L-Space Link.
– Jontia
Aug 21 at 8:59
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
The best resource to find the explanation of jokes in Terry Pratchett books is the trusty old Annotated Prattchet File on L-Space Web. If you look up the annotations for The Light Fantastic in it, and search for "razor", you will find a short explanation there.
- [p. 35] "He read that its height plus its length divided by half its width equalled exactly 1.67563..."
A parody of the typical numerical pseudo-science tossed about regarding the Great Pyramid and the 'cosmic truths' (such as the distance from the Earth to the Sun) that the Egyptians supposedly incorporated into its measurements.
The remark about sharpening razor blades at the end of the paragraph is similarly a reference to the pseudo-scientific 'fact' that (small models of) pyramids are supposed to have, among many other powers, the ability to sharpen razor blades that are left underneath the pyramids overnight.
answered Aug 20 at 23:47
b_jonas
20.3k1189245
The best resource to find the explanation of jokes in Terry Pratchett books is the trusty old Annotated Prattchet File on L-Space Web. If you look up the annotations for The Light Fantastic in it, and search for "razor", you will find a short explanation there.
- [p. 35] "He read that its height plus its length divided by half its width equalled exactly 1.67563..."
A parody of the typical numerical pseudo-science tossed about regarding the Great Pyramid and the 'cosmic truths' (such as the distance from the Earth to the Sun) that the Egyptians supposedly incorporated into its measurements.
The remark about sharpening razor blades at the end of the paragraph is similarly a reference to the pseudo-scientific 'fact' that (small models of) pyramids are supposed to have, among many other powers, the ability to sharpen razor blades that are left underneath the pyramids overnight.
answered Aug 20 at 23:47
b_jonas
20.3k1189245
answered Aug 20 at 23:47
b_jonas
20.3k1189245
answered Aug 20 at 23:47
b_jonas
20.3k1189245
answered Aug 20 at 23:47
b_jonas
20.3k1189245
20.3k1189245
Thanks for the L-Space Link.
– Jontia
Aug 21 at 8:59
add a comment |Â
Thanks for the L-Space Link.
– Jontia
Aug 21 at 8:59
Thanks for the L-Space Link.
– Jontia
Aug 21 at 8:59
Thanks for the L-Space Link.
– Jontia
Aug 21 at 8:59
add a comment |Â
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11
Just like to add that I asked TP this very question at a book signing. The answers given are very much in line with what he said.
– Loop Space
Aug 18 at 22:30
2
There was a Donald Duck, many many years ago, with a story about a salesman trying to sell hand-sized Pyramid replica's. One of it's features was indeed sharpening a razor. While I can't find that story (otherwise I'd have made this an answer), I do have this cartoon from a newspaper (Gadsden Times, November 2 1977).
– Mast
Aug 19 at 11:05
1
@Mast The Donald Duck cartoon references the same thing, but certainly isn't the originator of the superstition.
– mattdm
Aug 19 at 18:16
@mattdm Oh, definitely. But it goes to show how well-known Pyramid Power story was. As support to the other answers. TP wasn't the first or the last to make jokes about it.
– Mast
Aug 19 at 18:19
I could only find the second half, but here's some background watching: youtube.com/watch?v=Ja09AO5TocA&t=13s
– AJFaraday
Aug 20 at 8:46