this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2024
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[–] someguy3@lemmy.world 34 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I heard a thing in NYC was the immigrants could look for work, and if they didn't find anything they could go to the shore, get enough oysters to survive, and keep going.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So common, NYC streets were often paved with a mix of oyster shells.

[–] BarrelAgedBoredom@lemm.ee 8 points 2 months ago (2 children)

That must've been giving off a wonderful aroma. Especially combined with the cholera squirts of the era and ever present urine stank

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Local oyster place chunked the shells outside, covered the parking lot in fact. Attracted quite a feral cat population, but it didn't stink.

Also, I think you're confusing modern "stink" vs. 1800s NYC "stink".

[–] PhlubbaDubba@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago

So apparently that piss smell wasn't actually from the open sewage.

It was because before cars took over horses were the primary mode of transport for people who could afford it, and horse piss is absolutely rancid smelling if it lands on something that doesn't just absorb it like dirt or soil.