mefi quote, no. 13

[fiefoe]

In the classic period of Greek history, prostitutes -- hetaerae -- in the dusty Hellenic towns of Asia Minor used to promote their services by a similar method, or so I've read. Using small nails arranged in the soles of their sandals to impress messages like 'Follow Me' and 'One Obol a Ride,' etc., they could lure customers without actually having to converse on the street.
posted by Haruspex at 6:45 PM PST on June 21
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hm, interesting... the (ancient) greek word "barbarian" comes from what they perceived foreign speakers to sound like... all "bar bar bar" (so it didn't technically mean savage, just funny sounding foreigner...)
posted by mdn at 7:38 AM PST on July 8

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