In early nineteenth-century Britain, a new type of valentine became trendy. Nicknamed the “vinegar valentine”, it was characterized by a particular type of message. What type?
A) An apology B) A break-up message C) A lecture on the evils of alcohol D) A series of insults ü
One vinegar valentine began, “Miss Grey hairs and wrinkles, don’t look quite so cold.” Age was a favorite target, but anyone was fair game — teachers, spinsters, barbers, bakers, doctors, lawyers, cooks — anyone you disliked could be targeted by your “vinegar”. Until the advent of postage stamps in 1840, there was financial injury to go along with the insult, for postage was paid by the recipient!
