LOL Ebay photo description

[Dollander]

This reminds me of Guinea pigs.

Not pigs, not from Guinea.

Other than that, the description is perfect.

No, but back in the day they only cost a guinea, for those who were too poor to afford pork...in North America they're pets, but in South America they're food.

[Terry Searl]

22 shillings! by golly that ain't cheap meat.....in the cities rats would have been free I'm thinking, and maybe even a bit meatier......in the country rabbits would have given a lot more meat.......a rodent is a rodent, we sometimes get too caught up on the parts we don't eat....the ears and the tails , The only difference between a squirrel and a rat is the rat is often larger and the ears and tails,............ having said that, the hairless tail and the not so cute ears is what makes us squeamish about eating vermin......heh! heh!........how does the ol' sayin' go ......a rose by any other name ...........

[kingandrew]

Remember, in Pre-Columbian times, Guinea pigs were the only domesticated food animal south of Mexico (where they had the turkey as well).

That said, I am sure they were happy to have access to other meat sources when the Europeans arrived, although given the issues with disease, warfare, and conquest that also appeared with the Europeans, "what's for dinner" may not have been the most pressing concern.

Andrew

[OC Richard]

BTW I messaged the seller and he has updated the description.