Do you think Punxsutawney Phil is a joke?

Question

We can't even trust human weather forecasters, what's so special about a fat gerbil?

Also, is groundhog meat any good? It sounds like it would make a great sausage.

Answer 1

Groundhog is very tough. Even a young one cooked all day is still tough and stringy.



As far as forecasting, he is right 100% of the time. If he sees his shadow, 6 more weeks of winter. If not, spring will arrive in 6 weeks.

Answer 2

Punxsutawney Phil is only an extension of the celebration of Groundhog Day...which has been around forever and is also known as Candlemas. It's a Groundhog, because German settlers in Pennsylvania couldn't find a badger which they relied on for the winter forecast in their homeland. It has even been a bear. Hundreds of years ago, they didn't have Doppler 8Billion to tell them the weather, they had to rely on something. Here is a snippet from an article and a link/citation to the complete artcile.



Candlemas was originally a Celtic festival celebrating the fact that the days were getting longer and spring was not far off.

Sunshine on Candlemas was said to indicate the return of winter. Similarly, "When the wind’s in the east on Candlemas Day / There it will stick till the second of May." A bear brought the forecast to the people of France and England, while those in Germany looked to a badger for a sign. In the 1800s, German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought their Candlemas legends with them. Finding no badgers but lots of groundhogs, or woodchucks, there, they adapted the New World species to fit the lore.

Answer 3

I think the sausage question is disgusting but...yeah it is a joke. Just because he sees his shadow doesn't mean he is right about the weather. I think he is just there to give people hope that winter is almost over, like "Only six more weeks, I guess that isn't too bad."

Answer 4

its not a gerbil...it doesnt sound like a meal...go try one if you like...its a tradition. true or not its a tradition. joke is not the word but no i cant say i trust the prediction of the groundhog because i read this morning one saw his shadow and one did not, so.... which one is right??

Answer 5

Punxsutawney Phil sux

Answer 6

Fat gerbils make the world go round....pardon the pun:P

Answer 7

Its a strange tradition in America, but no one really believes it its just a tradition and fun for those in that area.

Answer 8

Phil is an old wives tale. I wouldn't eat it.

Answer 9

That is just for entertainment purposes. No one actually believes that stuff.

Answer 10

He is not a joke, he is a marketing tool.