Q: How did the “tradition” of pouring Gatorade on the winning coach get started?
— Martha Hunt, Hoschton
A: The tradition started when defensive lineman Jim Burt of the New York Giants dumped a Gatorade cooler over coach Bill Parcells after a regular-season victory over the Washington Redskins in 1985, according to the book “First in Thirst: How Gatorade Turned the Science of Sweat Into a Cultural Phenomenon.” Burt originally drenched Parcells to avenge a particularly tough week at practice, in which Parcells continually tried to motivate Burt by telling him that a particular Redskins offensive lineman was going to outplay him. The Gatorade shower became a regular part of the Giants’ victories the next season as they went 14-2 and won the Super Bowl.
Q: What is the meaning of the different foods eaten on New Year’s Day?
— Judy Brooks, Mableton
A: The foods represent good luck and prosperity. The black-eyed peas symbolize coins and collard greens symbolize paper money, and when rice is added to the dish, the extra water symbolizes an increase of riches, according to information from the Library of Congress Science, Technology and Business Division. Researchers with the Library of Congress also say pork symbolizes moving into the future because of how a pig roots forward.
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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