publication date: Thursday, November 5, 2020 (part of Fall 2020)

category: Controversy

clue: Long before today's professional competitive eaters, this Frenchman made a freak-show living eating anything and everything, and briefly tried serving in the military as a courier by using his stomach.

explanation: Tarrare was an 18th-century Frenchman remembered for his insatiable appetite and willingness to eat solid objects. He served in the French military and briefly tried conveying classified documents via his stomach. more…

intended difficulty: easy

solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, LaVonne Lemler, Samir Mehta, Chris Lemler, Richard Slominsky, Denise Sawicki, and Erik Bates


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