• PugJesus@lemmy.worldOPM
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    1 month ago

    Explanation: To the irritation of his son Titus, the Emperor Vespasian instituted a tax on urine, which was collected for a variety of uses in Ancient Rome. From a famous exchange between them on the issue, we also get the phrase “Pecunia non olet” - “Money doesn’t smell”.

    • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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      1 month ago

      Titus? More like tight-ass, amiright?!?

      Loosen up Titus. The world isn’t all lavender and silphium. Sometimes you just need a potent source of ammonia.

      • PugJesus@lemmy.worldOPM
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        1 month ago

        Funny enough, before becoming Emperor, Titus was renowned as something of a party boy, especially compared to his father.

    • PugJesus@lemmy.worldOPM
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      1 month ago

      I’ve heard that connection made before, but I think piss-poor is more recent than that. Don’t quote me, though.