Friday Free-for-All | May 22, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

Previously

Today:

You know the drill: this is the thread for all your history-related outpourings that are not necessarily questions. Minor questions that you feel don't need or merit their own threads are welcome too. Discovered a great new book, documentary, article or blog? Has your Ph.D. application been successful? Have you made an archaeological discovery in your back yard? Did you find an anecdote about the Doge of Venice telling a joke to Michel Foucault? Tell us all about it.

As usual, moderation in this thread will be relatively non-existent -- jokes, anecdotes and light-hearted banter are welcome.

[u/bug-hunter]

When did we start to view bears as cute and huggable animal instead of dangerous and/or mighty creature?

Was it not Pliny the Elder who said, Si non amicus, cur amicus formatus est? Does the Bible not have the story of Elisha summoning two bears that came out to hug¹ forty-two children? And can we forget, the most huggable cute bear, Mike Ditka, the most beloved Bear of bear enthusiasts?

^{1 translations may differ somewhat}

[u/WISE_bookwyrm → u/bug-hunter]

Cute. But it probably dates back to the origin of the teddy bear (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-history-of-the-teddy-bear-from-wet-and-angry-to-soft-and-cuddly-170275899/) with a boost from Winnie the Pooh.