On lobster: "Indentured servants had it written into their contracts that they were not to be fed lobster more than twice a week." [Up to the twentieth
century lobsters sold for 2-3 cents each, and were considered trash, as was caviar, which at the turn of the twentieth century was served free in huge bowls in taverns to accompany nickel beers.] More: "The Maine Lobster Promotion Council decided to call lobster 'the ultimate white meat.' The National Pork Production Council, which had come up with the phrase 'the other white meat' for pork, took offense and charged the lobster group with trademark infringement. Since the pork people and the lobster people were in two different states, the lawsuit was filed in federal court. Pork won."

Why I like Sterba: "Piped aboard Malcolm Forbes' yacht 'Highlander,' we went to the bar and spotted Paul Nitze [Undersecretary of State] sitting to one side. I sidled up to him and was about to introduce myself when he, thinking I was a waiter, asked for a vodka and tonic. 'Yes sir, right away,' I said, heading for the bar." [This is EXACTLY what I'd have done: I love being made to feel foolish, and I love doing things for people. At last week's City Market, a guy who was obviously destitute evinced interest in my book, and was chatting with me and another market patron about this and that. I watched as he slipped away with a copy, thinking I hadn't noticed. More power to him, I thought: I could just as well be him. I failed in my being a truly good person, however: I told my market neighbor what I'd done. Should've kept it too myself. As someone said, "It's what you do when no one's looking and you know you won't be found out that determines what you really are." Room to grow, obviously]