We were alerted to a news item headlined "Giant penis man needs 're-chalkers.'" We didn't know what that meant, but the possibility of a news story about a man with a giant penis is never passed up here...
Turns out, according to Metro in the UK, the headline refers to a giant penis man who is in danger of extinction. (Scanner Emily might quip: "Tell me about it.") The giant penis man is actually a drawing on a Dorset, England hillside... and whopper of whoppers... has been there since 1694!
Hell, the big bastard had to be covered up in case the Germans tried to use him as a landmark for parachute jumps during WWII. For God's sake, the man is a historical figure of grand stature.
The organisation [National Trust] usually borrows around 100 sheep for a few weeks in May and September to graze on the vegetation and keep the giant in shape.
[Director Rob] Rhodes said: "The grass is now pretty much smothering the whole of the giant. He is not completely invisible but he is quite overgrown." [Mm-hmm. -Ed.]
Can you imagine this kind of thing being allowed in America? Religious wackos would picket and maybe even burn the field to get rid of the "insult to God."
Many believe the figure is a symbol of ancient spirituality and fertility and he has been used to advertise products as diverse as condoms, jeans and bicycles.
Since then he has always been visible, receiving regular grass trimmings and a full re-chalking every 10 years. The last re-chalking was in September 2001 but it was brought forward to this year because of the erosion caused by the recent wet summers.
Volunteers are encouraged to show up anytime, day or night, with their long white sticks. Of chalk, of course.
Via Metro.
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