
Will you get a lump of coal at Christmas?
Those on the naughty list will supposedly get a lump of coal in their stocking this Christmas Day, while those who have been good will receive presents.
Why do bad children get a lump of coal instead of presents?
The Christmas lore that bad children will get a lump of coal in their stocking instead of presents actually has several possible origins. The difference between each origin story is cultural, varying between countries.
Why do poor people get coal in their stockings?
In England, while the children of rich families got candy and toys in their stockings, those who were poor (believed to have been made poor by God, as punishment for their family's bad deeds) would get coal, if they were lucky. A proud but poor nobleman had three daughters ready to marry.
Where did the lumps of coal story come from?
Some people say that the lumps of coal story started in Holland in the 16th century. Before Christmas, children would put their clogs by the fireplace before stockings were used.

What does coal in a Christmas stocking mean?
a child being punishedA lump of coal in a stocking is the universal sign for a child being punished. It is well known that Santa brings presents to children who have been good throughout the year, and to the bad ones, he only gives a black rock.
What are coal lumps?
Definition of lump coal : bituminous coal in the large lumps remaining after a single screening that is often designated by the size of the mesh over which it passes and by which the minimum size lump is determined ³/₄-inch lump coal 2-inch lump coal.
What is a lump of coal good for?
Beyond that, lump charcoal has a lot of attractive qualities; it lights faster, burns hotter, and leaves very little ash compared to briquettes. Lump charcoal is also more responsive to oxygen, making it easier to control the fire's temperature if your grill has adjustable air vents.
When did lump of coal start?
The Lump of CoalAuthorDaniel Handler (as Lemony Snicket)GenreHumorPublisherHarperCollinsPublication dateDecember 12, 2004 (USA Weekend) September 30, 2008 (stand-alone)Media typeprint5 more rows
What is a lump of coal worth?
In 2020, the national average sales price of coal (excluding anthracite) at coal mines was $28.88 per short ton, and the average delivered price of all coal delivered to the electric power sector was $36.14 per short ton.
In what country did the practice of coal in a stocking come from?
Holland. Some people say that the lumps of coal story started in Holland in the 16th century. Before Christmas, children would put their clogs by the fireplace before stockings were used. When a child was bad they got a lump of coal, but if they were good they got a small toy, cookies or candy.
Has anyone ever got coal for Christmas?
I am firm believer that if you say you're going to do something, you do it. With that being said, this mom truly stuck her guns when it came to Christmas… This Mom Actually Gave Her Kids Coal for Christmas For Being Bad All Year and I am torn on how to feel about it.
What is the symbolic meaning of coal?
Coal might bring up things around past lives, or really old things… being themes in your life somehow. Family trees, old stuff. Naughty children get left a sack of coal for Christmas from Santa, an old tradition that goes back.
What is coal dust called?
Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as "black lung disease," occurs when coal dust is inhaled. Over time, continued exposure to the coal dust causes scarring in the lungs, impairing your ability to breathe. Considered an occupational lung disease, it is most common among coal miners.
Is Santa real?
He is based on St. Nicholas of Myra, who, according to Christian tradition, was a bishop in that small Roman town during the 4th century. Nicholas's reputation for generosity and kindness gave rise to legends of miracles he performed for the poor and unhappy.
What is the origin of the Christmas stocking?
The origin of the Christmas stocking is thought to originate in the life of Saint Nicholas. While there are no written records of the origin of the Christmas Stocking, there are popular legends that attempt to tell the history of this Christmas tradition.
How big is a lump of coal?
Background and introduction. Lump sized coal is used by Sasol as a feedstock to produce synthesis gas via the Sasol-Lurgi Fixed-Bed Dry-Bottom (FBDB) gasification process. Once the coal is mined, it is crushed down to less than 100 mm (typical top-size of about 65 mm) and screened to a bottom size of 5–8 mm.
How can you tell if a rock is coal?
0:061:12Identifying Coal - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou might confuse it with some other black rocks like basalt or in this case gabbro the gabbro. IsMoreYou might confuse it with some other black rocks like basalt or in this case gabbro the gabbro. Is made out of this one's mostly plagioclase silicate minerals it has a higher density.
What is the difference between lump charcoal and briquettes?
Lump charcoal is the product of the process in its purest form—pieces of wood burned into carbon. Charcoal briquettes are manufactured by machines that press the material together. Unlike the pure hardwood lump charcoal, the briquettes contain several additives that help them light and burn consistently.
What kind of sedimentary rock is coal?
Coal is an organic sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation and preservation of plant materials, usually in a swamp environment. Coal is a combustible rock and, along with oil and natural gas, it is one of the three most important fossil fuels.
Sicily
One of the many origin stories begins in Italy where they believe in La Befana (a witch who delivers presents) instead of Santa Claus. When Jesus was born, La Befana saw a bright star in the sky and gathered some toys and other presents to give to the baby Jesus, but she couldn't find the stable.
Holland
Some people say that the lumps of coal story started in Holland in the 16th century. Before Christmas, children would put their clogs by the fireplace before stockings were used. When a child was bad they got a lump of coal, but if they were good they got a small toy, cookies or candy.
England
In the 19th century, most of Europe was powered by coal, and most household furnaces were coal burning. A pan of hot coals would often be kept under the bed to generate heat in the middle of the night.
The Nobleman
A proud but poor nobleman had three daughters ready to marry. The problem was, he had no dowry to give them. Saint Nicholas secretly gave the family enough money so their daughters could start their lives out with their new husbands. He did this by placing the money in some stockings that were drying by the fireplace.
Why do naughty children get coal in their stockings at Christmas?
Much like the tradition of putting oranges or clementines in stockings, the origin of the idea of leaving a lump of coal instead is quite hard to trace .
What did St Nick drop down the chimney?
This dates to around the same time as the legend of St.Nick dropping gold coins down chimneys as a good deed.
Why did Nicholas drop his gold coins down the chimney?
The legend goes that Nicholas dropped some of his gold coins down the chimney as a gift to help the family, the individual coins falling into stockings of the daughters as they hung by the fire to dry.
When did people start putting oranges in their stockings?
Some believe the festive tradition of putting oranges or clementines in Christmas stockings started in America during the Great Depression in the 1930s when families struggled to afford gifts so left the small piece of fruit in their children’s stocking instead.
The AER makes sure that coal mining happens safely in Alberta
C oal and Christmas have a history: Frosty’s eyes are fashioned from it, Scrooge is stingy about burning it in the office, and don’t get us started on the lump that Santa leaves you when you’re naughty.
Now, About That Lump of Coal ..
The Internet is decidedly divided on the origin of coal as a punitive present for bad boys and girls.
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Where does the lump of coal come from?
That lump of coal Santa Claus gives kids on the naughty list comes from Italian folklore and convenience . Santa Claus is coming to town really, really soon. And, as the story goes, if you've been well-behaved, that means that you can expect presents under the tree. But if you've been naughty, then you might not end up with anything ...
Who received coal in his stocking?
Likewise, in Myron Adams' 1912 short story " A Prince of Good Fellows ," the fact that a good-hearted boy named Tom receives coal in his stocking leads to confusion. But why does Santa give out coal for Christmas versus something else undesirable? Brian Horrigan of the Minnesota History Center has a solid theory.
What is the legend of the witch flying around on a broom?
For example, one famous Italian tale involves a witch known as La Befana. She appears in early January, flying around on a broom rather than in a sleigh and gets into people's homes via chimneys and keyholes.
Who said Santa Claus comes down chimneys?
Brian Horrigan of the Minnesota History Center has a solid theory. "Santa Claus comes down chimneys…and he needs something to give the bad kid," he explained to CBS Minnesota in 2012. "So he's looking around and picks up a lump of coal, and sticks that into the kid's stocking .".
Did Santa Claus bring coal to naughty children?
In truth, the legend of Santa Claus did not always involve him bringing coal to naughty children. In the 19th century, for example, there was much more emphasis on how joyful Santa was and how he rewarded good behavior. As you can see in Clement Clarke Moore's legendary 1823 poem from the era " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas ," nowhere is there ...
