Ambergris

Oct. 31st, 2001 07:34 pm
scottobear: (Default)
[personal profile] scottobear
[Middle English, from Old French ambre gris : ambre, amber; see amber + gris, gray; see grisaille.]

A substance of the consistence of wax, found floating in the Indian Ocean and other parts of the tropics, and also as a morbid secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), which is believed to be in all cases its true origin. In color it is white, ash-gray, yellow, or black, and often variegated like marble. The floating masses are sometimes from sixty to two hundred and twenty-five pounds in weight. It is wholly volatilized as a white vapor at 212[deg] Fahrenheit, and is highly valued in perfumery. It is added to perfumes to slow down the rate of evaporation.

ambergris...

Date: 2001-10-31 07:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gael.livejournal.com
Hehe... a while ago a cranky customer was going on and on about these vegan muffins our baker makes. "Well - if they don't have butter, sugar or eggs what the hell is in them?" she fumed. Without thinking, I responded, "Ambergris!" "Ambergris?" she replied, "What's that?" "Basically - it's whale puke," I told her, somehow managing to keep a straight face. It was quite amusing.

Re: ambergris...

Date: 2001-10-31 07:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scottobear.livejournal.com
*giggles*

Is whale puke vegan??

*snerk

Re: ambergris...

Date: 2001-10-31 07:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scottobear.livejournal.com
I thought not!

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