The Messed Up Origins™ of Mistletoe | Folklore Explained - Jon Solo

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▼ Timestamps ▼
» 0:00 - Intro
» 1:56 - Saturnalia (Greco-Roman Mythology)
» 4:58 - A Symbol of Peace? (Norse Mythology)
» 7:47 - The Druids (Celtic Mythology)
» 10:11 - Smooches (British/American History)
» 15:11 - Thank you for everything! See you next year!
► Want more?
» ALL Messed Up Origins: bit.ly/MessedUpOrgins
» Disney Explained: bit.ly/DisneyExplained
» ALL Mythology Explained: bit.ly/MythologyExplained
» Norse Mythology: bit.ly/NorseMythologyExplained
» Folklore Explained: bit.ly/FablesExplained
» Astrology: bit.ly/AstrologyExplained
» Messed Up Murders: bit.ly/MurderPlaylist
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► Social Media:
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▼ Credits ▼
Researched by: Meredith Walker & Jon Solo
Written by: Jon Solo
▼ Resources ▼
» my favorites: messeduporigins.com/books
» Saturnalia: penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/e...
» Pliny the Elder's Natural History: www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/t...
» Summary of The Golden Bough: www.encyclopedia.com/history/...
» Prose Edda (Amazon Affiliate Link): amzn.to/3pg68XM
» Poetic Edda (Amazon Affiliate Link): amzn.to/3Ee9i2E
» Washington Irving's "The Sketch Book": www.gutenberg.org/files/2048/...
» A Christmas Cornucopia, by Mark Forsyth (Amazon Affiliate Link): amzn.to/3pbDyqy
» Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers: www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/...
▼ Music Sources ▼
» REVEALING MY INTRO SONG! goo.gl/Z9eHu1
» Background Music: Killing Time Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
#mistletoe #mistletoetradition #messeduporigins

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

OLIVE: I am a sign of peace MISTLETOE: You're just a pizza ingredient OLIVE: You're a parasite MISTLETOE: You're picking a fight

[@markoz673bajen8]

Marijuana: Get ready to be Blown Sky High.

[@canaisyoung3601]

Now that's just not true. Olives are also a salad ingredient and the crown piece in a martini.

[@leeanndelgizzo193]

I love the sweater Jon is wearing of a deer jumping another deer and the third deer is humping the second

[@Neontiger77]

I guess only you and I did notice his sweater hahaa XD Merry Christmas :)

[@wordforger]

Also noticed the sweater, lol.

[@zacharyweaver5605]

I was gonna make a comment, then I saw this one lol

[@Wolfy39565]

Think they're humping. 🤔 I want one 😆

[@Ash.Crow.Goddess]

It's actually just 2 deer humping the deer in front of them.

[@carolynponder4953]

"Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the house, the AC was running because I live in the South."

[@snackwayz4216]

I always though my interest in mythology was just a phase or something but i still find your videos incredibly interesting and informational. Merry Christmas!

[@rachaelknudsen8801]

I used to wonder if my interest in folklore and fairy-tales was weird. Now, I'm just glad so many other people dig them, too.

[@vixis]

@@rachaelknudsen8801 I collect nursery rhymes, and trace their alternatives/alterations. Love this channel too!

[@EDDIELANE]

But we should make missile-toads a thing.

[@rachaelknudsen8801]

@@EDDIELANE Animal cruelty? Or good way to ward off unwanted would-be mistletoe kissers?

[@LXW-Arts]

Turns out your just a Greek God in disguise

[@wolfgirl5636]

I can only speak on druidism from an Irish perspective so not everything I say will apply to all celtic culture. A lot of people think that using oral storytelling was a mistake because "it's been lost over time" I can tell you in ireland we still learn stories like that of tir na nog or Cu Cullen to this day considering they have been around since celtic times that's pretty impressive if you ask me.

[@coleenocasturme]

What's more, the early written literature is pretty reliable. Recent genetics testing bore out part of the lineage of Niall of the Nine Hostages (2nd century CE) as recorded in one of the Annals from the 10th or 11th century. Also a reminder that Pliny and Caesar are Classical sources, and Caesar was writing anti-Gaulish propaganda!

[@wolfgirl5636]

@@coleenocasturme exactly! People forget storytelling was seen as an extremely skilled profession and storytellers had to be incredibly accurate to keep their status. So their culture preserved its history without the need for writing. It's insane how much detail has been preserved.

[@miciarokiri5182]

@@wolfgirl5636 Yep, it's not just random stories like today. While yes, many were shared that way in private, culturally there were important skilled people

[@silverbullet1620]

Funny, you don't look Druish.

[@porcelina956]

Many cultures have an oral tradition and still traditions and stories are passed down

[@ladyoftheabyss13]

Somehow I had a feeling that kissing under the mistletoe was just something someone did to get a kiss from someone they liked. Personally I think the best mention of mistletoe is in the second Michael Keaton Batman movie. I think the first time it's mentioned Batman said to Catwoman, "Mistletoe is deadly if you eat it." Catwoman replies, "A kiss can be deadlier if you mean it." It's even more fascinating that those line are how Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle discover who they really are by saying the line but what the other said. I don't know maybe I'm weird. Anyways Happy Holidays!

[@TheRealNormanBates]

It’s never a bad day to quote *Batman Returns…* and it _is_ a Christmas movie!

[@donnasnyder6890]

JjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjJ

[@lalehiandeity1649]

I’m envisioning some mistletoe above the couple in your pfp. 😂

[@mickgorro]

"It's a prestigious university! How dare you pronounce it how it's spelt?" 😂🤣

[@absb.5978]

Forget about mistletoe. I need more of British Jon in my life.

[@JonSolo]

Right-o! (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞

[@chandler6183]

“How dare you pronounce it how it’s spelled”😂😂

[@OliviaLovejoy13]

I would love for him to finally talk about Egyptian mythology. It would be great to learn more about the God's from Egypt.

[@gregyanni3800]

That would be awesome

[@DeadlyAlienInvader]

Want to hear my favorite Egyptian myth?

[@OliviaLovejoy13]

Sure, which ones are they? OuO

[@raquel.garcia.1995]

Yes! That would be so dope! I'm also waiting for the Pre-Columbian central American gods to get mentioned, not just the Aztecs and Mayans, but the smaller dieties from the villages that were pillaged for human sacrifices as well. POC have to wait out turn :') I still love the way he presents everything so far. He did mention Anasasi so I'm giving him props

[@dontsettle4243]

"Where we ruin shit with the truth" Jon Solo Love it!!!

[@nymeriastark9652]

Hot cockles is when someone sits in a chair and a friend is blindfolded and rests their head on the lap of the one in the chair. Then, another friend will spank the blindfolded one and will have to guess which friend did it. Learned it from a GMM episode lol

[@maieen2665]

Ummm … WAT!?

[@spiwolf6998]

@@maieen2665 You said it.

[@ArcFallOrder1919]

Oh if they did a video of this that would be a good understanding of this

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

And with the lights out and some quick fumbling, the game's name takes on new dimensions.

[@stellamotuapuaka4215]

Aint no one going to mention the sweater 😂 love it👌🏽

[@dontsettle4243]

"Reindeers flying through the sky so high" -- Mistletoe; Constantine Comics!

[@pauli7457]

What's up Solo Cups? I hope you all have as much fun during the holidays as the reindeer on Jon's sweater.😘 🎄😇🍑🍆🎉🍆🍑😇🎄

[@octopuzz7039]

I feel like whenever I see mistletoe I will just be like "Let's Express our love under the parasitic plant life"

[@cassandozzy6450]

Hahaha, beautiful, just beautiful.

[@dantekole6742]

Can we, and especially the OG JonGasm crew, take a moment to appreciate Jon's amazing... Ugly Christmas Sweater? I mean, a Reindeer threesome? Amazing and original. Way ta stick it to them.

[@carlv1379]

Ho ho and ho

[@timothygreer188]

@@carlv1379 Tru dat. Male reindeer shed their antlers in the Fall. Female reindeer shed their antlers in the Winter, and it's usually the pregnant ones that keep theirs until they give birth in the Spring. So, that sweater is far more messed up than anyone thinks and Santa was twisted

[@susiestarwars9584]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to everyone!

[@greyworld6242]

We need an messed up origins for mrs clause at some point in the future. And maybe Rudolph the red nose reindeer.

[@welovephilippineswithmylov5419]

😁

[@Blu9_Nin9]

"Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it" - Batman

[@noctisthehumanslayer777]

I mean, I get that people use Pliny for information on ancient Druids because its one of the few written classics, but considering the shear amount of propaganda Roma was pumping out I get why people dont know much about them. However I personally come from a family of druid lineage, and thankfully, the stories are still told while were young. Basically, in Druidic culture the Mistletoe was a harvested ingredient for medicine used in both delivering babies while the mother/child went through sacred stone pillars with holes in them, as well as used in the revitalization process Kings would use during a sacrificial ritual in a bog/swamp so the druids could kill/revive him over and over. And it was BRUTAL!

[@faheemabdul-karriem5220]

Did anyone else notice Jon trademarked his title??? @JonSolo is thus be true, CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎉 you've been doing a great job delivering origins of many known and unknown folklore, holidays, songs, and many many more. This is something that I will secretly subscribe my kids to when they become of age so they will also be knowledgeably scarred and taught the many true origins of these things, while schools are changing the truths of history and how it created our culture and society today. Thank you. I only ask 1 TINY thing.... Can you extend into some of the Islamic history/lore. My mother used to read me many of the Abrahamic stories that Islam expands on greatly. Many are fascinating like the story of Ismael (one of Abraham's sons and prophet); or the story of Yusuf, one of the prophets. Aside from the dope stories that you'll be reading, I would want my kids and many others that I KNOW watch your Chanel already to see some representation of their religion's lore told by someone who is very great at researching and extrapolating many origin topics. Thank you Jon Solo for the great work you're doing.

[@DamonNomad82]

The first time I heard the word "Mistletoe", I was a small child and misheard it as "Missile Toe". Naturally, I thought that was a cool superpower, to be able to fire missiles from one's toes. I was quite disappointed when I found out it meant something completely different...

[@TheJessicahammerly]

Aww 😂

[@maieen2665]

Lol, that’s adorable

[@taminapiwocki3423]

Haha! That's awesome

[@abbypetit2167]

Three things: 1. LIVING FOR SOLO’S BADASS SWEATER!!! 2. I thought Mistletoe was poisonous if you ate it 3. I’m loving this video!!! Definitely informative and awesome!

[@edwardbirdsall6580]

Mistletoe IS a mild toxin. Not usually fatal.

[@MadDragon-lb7qg]

Saying Cambridge incorrectly and playing us a bit.....well played sir, well played!!

[@Dxzzy_dx]

I'm Muslim so I don't celebrate Christmas but I enjoy watching my little brother Wich is not a Muslim open his presents

[@shellinicole9033]

I feel like Christmas might have been a positive turn. Like: let's spoil the children now for all the children sacrificed in the past. Sorry sacrificed children. We're doing better.

[@heathercontois4501]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ld4206]

I know this is off topic but Jon should do a video on The Messed up Origins of trick or treating for next halloween also I want him to do a video for Swan Lake/ The Swan Princess.

[@abhiramn474]

Interesting thing, in Scandinavia, Mistletoe predominantly grows natively in a small part of Southern Scandinavia.

[@jenielleennis8553]

Thanks for a year of entertaining and educational content Jon! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us next year :)

[@ellieb5830]

Another Jon Solo video, just what the Dr ordered ✅.

[@barbarahouk1983]

Yep just what I ordered: Dr. Barbara J. Houk, Psychiatrist retired. Merry Christmas and let's have a great 2022.

[@sallygirl2066]

I can't wait for the messed up origins of Capricorn! So excited!

[@nightreaper1824]

Santa Claus and I exchanged a few eggnogs, then some kisses. Now you can only expect Krampus this year. I break the bad news.

[@tinagoli2022]

baldur: I fear no man OR thing, but that thing *points to mistletoe* i t s c a r e s m e

[@tiffanyofthebooks]

That was so awesome! Love the quick family shot at the end!

[@darriendastar3941]

What a great way to end the year. Entertaining, informative and authoritative. One thing, though: how do Americans pronounce the name of the Cambridge in Massachusetts? Apart from that, Seasons Greetings to you, your wife, your adorable dogs, your team (who may also be adorable) and all the other subscribers here and all good wishes for a rambunctious entry to a New Year full of health, happiness and prosperity.

[@InThisEssayIWill...]

The same way you do, he's just saying the word doesn't sound how it looks (I'm thinking it's possible he's mispronounced it before and caught some flack for it)

[@darriendastar3941]

@@InThisEssayIWill... I thought so, but thank you for confirming it. I was just teasing Jon. I was being a bit arch, but I hope he chuckles if he reads the comment.

[@TitularHeroine]

Rambunctious, ribald, and rare indeed, a veritable Saturnalia to you as well.

[@darriendastar3941]

@@TitularHeroine :-) :-) :-)

[@sjean2166]

I pronounce it as "Cambridge"

[@firefoxkari]

Recommend map men. They explain the origins of alot of British words be them from Celtic,Norse or Norman evolved

[@professorfarmgirl9662]

Thanks for a year of messed up content. Looking forward to more shows in the new year.

[@kvn12pal]

Loving that sweater Solo. I want to buy one ASAP.

[@DEMONOFLOVEANDDEATH]

Bless the Solo Cup

[@gracesellars4568]

Oh my I just noticed Jon’s sweater 🙈

[@sabrinacruz3496]

OMG! That sweater too good! Happy Holidays

[@freckle_face2254]

Cant wait to watch!! I also hope my mom got me your merch for Xmas lol I sent her the Black Friday Link awhile ago :) 💕

[@watchforever1724]

Happy holiday and merry Christmas Jon solo

[@riceracm]

10:55 _”It’s a prestigious university, _*_how dare you_*_ pronounce it the way it’s spelled!”_ 🇬🇧 🧐 That. Was. A. Hilarious. Bit. 🤣🤣

[@hannhmalfoy395]

My family last year accidentally kept our mistletoe up all year and we just kept having to make sure guests didn't stand under it when we remembered it was there😅

[@alicewilloughby4318]

OMG, Jon, I just had an amazing thought! There should be a Pets of KZbin calendar, showing the most adorable pets of KZbin - Gunther and... Poppy is it? Kash from Alonzo Larone(sp?)'s videos, and so on! A bunch of you should get together and create this for 2023!

[@dontsettle4243]

6:25 "Instead of cursing the mistletoe Frig declared it weapon of peace. And should anyone meet under it. They must lay down their weapon and cease fire" Ohh thats what the Cease Fire song is about!

[@hayden4361]

Hey man I just wanna say that your videos are great and very informative! My girlfriend is in mythology class and it's really helping her out with writing assignments and projects. Information it's really hard to gather on mythology now a days because there are so many sites that give false information so your channel is really helpful when it comes to gathering information. Keep making this great content man, you're really doing a lot for some people

[@louislapointe287]

Dude I love this channel and your sweater is killing it my friend

[@robertmoore1472]

What we celebrate today is Saturnalia. We just call it Christmas. Yahshua was born during the summer most likely..... making his birthday in the summer. Most informed people know that the Catholic Church converted a bunch of pagan holidays over to Christian holidays to convert pagans into Christians.

[@thesame4076]

IKR it's so exhausting being smarter than everyone else

[@TazHall]

Pretty much. Jesus likely born during feast of Tabernacles on the Hebrew calendar.

[@eiriniamaniti5697]

Wish you happy Christmas and a happy new year!! You are awesome, keep it up Jon Solo!!🎄✨

[@hitaka2962]

bin my first year with u an it’s bin amazing can’t wait to see what u have up your sleeve next year

[@glorygloryholeallelujah]

Ahhhh a new solo video? *IT’S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!*

[@hamada3ido125]

Thank you for an awesome year.

[@danielmeredith4222]

Merry Christmas to you and happy new year cheers and thankyou so much for another great and inspiring year of learning. Your the best English/ history teacher ever. Your fan always Dan xo :)

[@maryjoyspohrer256]

Thank you so much for all the fun this last year as I'm new to your channel. Looking forward to a new one!

[@cleoharper1842]

Oh thank f*ck something more cheerful than SWU Thanks Jon, you saved the day again! And happy...whatever. ❤

[@kenya1067]

Whoa! Final episode of the year! Happy holidays and best wishes to all! Thanks for the content

[@juliafoxx3438]

Can't wait for the videos next year. May you and your family have a merry Christmas ☃️.

[@mamariley2823]

Can't wait for all of your stories in 2022! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@alesiahowington5507]

Thank you for the video!!!! Have a Merry Christmas!

[@brendenkuku5071]

Merry Christmas Jon Solo and everyone

[@jacquelinehealey6312]

Great video! Happy holidays to everyone!

[@0nlyThis]

Like pines and spruces, mistletoe remains green year-long and is therefore magical.

[@davidogundipe808]

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to John Solo and all the Solo cups.

[@mleighqs]

Great vid Jon, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours :)

[@judithcatlett8518]

Merry Christmas and happy New Year, Jon Solo and family.

[@raylester3307]

Hey this might be a stupid question but what are those reindeer on your jersey doing?

[@AbstractMedicine888]

Yay! HAppy Christmas and Happy New Year x

[@wolflover306]

I'll miss you! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you, Jon! Enjoy the Holidays!

[@oktoberskyy8661]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you 🎉🎉 thank you for another great year with great content !

[@trolletuva]

Thanks for a year of enjoyable videos. I'm looking forward to next year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[@maieen2665]

Shoutout to the reindeer sweater 😛 So, the origin of the mistletoe tradition is based on an “80s teen s3x comedy-esque” scheme? Aight, then. Happy holidays! See you all next year!

[@welovephilippineswithmylov5419]

Tell Him... D😁nt Forget my gift

[@orlandobabe]

Always love your videos and looking forward to see more. Merry Christmas and be safe

[@denisemcdougal6445]

Wishing you and your family a merry Christmas and continued blessings

[@musiclover01ization]

Thanks for this video, Jon. I've been watching your videos since last year and I always find your stuff informative and entertaining. I hope you have a good Christmas.

[@FilmFire96]

Merry Christmas & a Very Happy New Year!! Much love to you all!!!

[@katiaazizi]

Thanks for a great year of videos I learned a lot by watching your videos, I can’t wait for next year video. Have a Happy new year and happy holidays.

[@denxylboart4403]

Thank you so much Jon Solo for your awesome and educational origin story telling. I've really enjoyed listening to you! Merry Christmas to you and your family hope you have a lovely day 🎅🎄

[@michaelboehle1161]

Merry Christmas and happy new year solo fam

[@malloryknox1637]

I'm so glad you do this and are as through and dacated to making sure that you have all your sorces ad accurate as possible. I love that there's someone out there keeping this information alive. Thank you. Please excuse my sp my dyslexia takes over when I attempte to type! Happy holidays

[@rubyambler2005]

Love the sweater!

[@makiroll218]

Merry Christmas Solo Cups!!! 2022 I can’t wait to see your new vid Jon!!!

[@Demoneyeskyo1000]

"Your mistletoe is no match for my T.O.W. missile!" - Robot Santa

[@lorihicks340]

My favorite X-max sweater I've seen this season. 🎅

[@pamelamays4186]

This channel has made this year a little more pleasant for me. Looking forward to what's in store in 2023.

[@shannon9180]

Why 2023?

[@jaewallace6715]

I believe you mean 2022 😅

[@coleenocasturme]

@@shannon9180 Optimism!

[@watchforever1724]

Probably expects things to change I guess

[@shannon9180]

@@coleenocasturme I’ve run all out of that 😢

[@barbarahouk1983]

TY for 2021's 52 videos.

[@ishaq72681]

Dude you are AWESOME. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

[@v.r.m.891]

Happy holidays thank you for posting your videos

[@austincraig3089]

Thank u for all. The great content Jon

[@LUCiFER-LYNN]

Merry Christmas 🎄 Jon, wife, and family

[@glittergirljmm]

Happy New Year Mr. Solo!

[@hippo1701]

I love your sweater, Jon. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

[@aleissa07]

Merry Christmas to you both and happy new year ty for the content

[@LadyChatterly]

It’s the sweater for meeeee!!!! Happy Holidays, Solo🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@tarawalker7193]

Happy holidays, Jon and Solo Fam! More druidic lore, please!

[@jaqjynx]

Excellent video. Even better Christmas jumper. Merry Christmas and happy new year Jon!

[@nancyvanderhart9018]

Thank you Jon! I have thoroughly enjoyed the time and effort that you put into your videos. I have always been interested in history and mythology. I love your sarcasm, it is truly entertaining.....Merry Christmas and hope for a Happy and Healthy New Year 💞🇨🇦

[@FaerieStar]

Merry Christmas Solos!

[@Stephanie568]

I'm actually early?! What is this?! Great video as always Jon Solo, here's to more great videos in the new year!