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July 1942. "Hayti, Missouri. Breaking a wishbone at the Cotton Carnival picnic." Acetate negative by Arthur Rothstein for the Office of War Information. View full size.
There's at least one farmer at this year's Cotton Carnival picnic. The man seated at right took off his hat for this picnic; but his tan line tells you he wears one out in the sun most every day.
You can tell it's an informal affair by the hats on the car. Drive to picnic site, wearing hat in car. Get out of car, take off hat.
Well, I'll be -- a 1941 Pontiac Streamliner hatrack. Must have been part of the wartime conversion program.
I realize times were different then but aren't these folks a little overdressed for a picnic?
I count ten Coke bottles in view, fellow Shorpyites. Find them all!!
Back in the day purchasing chicken usually meant the whole bird sans head and feet. To get the wishbone piece one would first cut off the wings and thighs and legs leaving you with the two breast pieces still attached to the carcass. In the very front of the carcass, attached to the breast, was the wishbone. If you wanted a whole wishbone you had to cut into the backbone a couple inches from the front of the bird to release the wishbone to batter and fry with the rest of the pieces.
In the photo I believe the lady will win this one since his grip is higher and his side of the bone should snap first leaving her the winner.
I was taught to pull the wishbone using my pinky finger, of course that is usually with a turkey wishbone, which is a bit larger.
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