Famous Grumps, Grouches & Curmudgeons


Curmudgeony Uncle Joe of The Petticoat JunctionEdgar Buchanan (Uncle Joe, Petticoat Junction)
Around the same time, 1963-1970, we learned about a place called Petticoat Junction. This surreal country town of Hooterville somehow had a bed-and-breakfast type of operation run by three beautiful women. The Shady Rest Hotel was along the CF&W railroad, and Uncle Joe was supposedly involved in running the place. But like any curmudgeon, work is something much too complicated. Avoiding work is always preferable. And explaining how other people should work, is ideal.
 
Grumpy Queen VictoriaQueen Victoria
The Victorian Age takes its name from Queen Victoria. All of England became uptight, moral prudes. It's no wonder, when you look at who was the boss at the time! Good Grief! Can you imagine sitting down to a holiday dinner, looking down the table and coming up against Her Royal Highness? And yet, it just goes to show you that grumps and grouches have been around a long, long time.
 
Arthur Shopenhauer (Philosopher, 1788-1860)Arthur Shopenhauer (Philosopher, 1788-1860)
Some of you may be thinking that curmudgeons aren't all that influential in world history. Not true! Shopenhauer came up with a philosophy that everything in existence is relative to other things. From there, we ended up with today's moral and ethical relativism, the modern legal system, and everything else that's wrong with the world. Maybe not ALL of this can be blamed on Shopenhaur, but a lot of it sure can be! He proposed that "will" is supreme, and negates all of human desires! That means sex, too! (Obviously, he wasn't gettin' any!)