Lobster Quote by Bill Bryson
““Lobsters bred in such abundance around Britain’s coastline that they were fed to prisoners and orphans or ground up for fertilizer; servants sought written agreements from their employers that they would not be served lobster more than twice a week.””
About This Quote
Source Book: A Short History of Nearly Everything, 2003
In 19th‑century Britain, lobsters were so plentiful they were used as cheap food for the poor and as fertilizer, leading workers to negotiate limits on how often they’d eat them.
In simple terms: Lobsters were abundant and cheap, prompting labor negotiations.
Key Takeaway
Even abundant resources can be undervalued.
Themes
resource abundance
labor rights
food history
Mood
historical
critical
Type
educational
analytical
When to use this quote
- industrial era
- food policy
- worker contracts
Key Concepts
economic surplus
class dynamics
negotiation tactics
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern resources are taken for granted?
- How can workers protect themselves from cheap, low‑quality provisions?
A Different Perspective
Abundance can lead to exploitation and devaluation.
