Margaret Suran > wrote:

> Victor Sack wrote:
>
> > Yes. It is a young virginal Dutch herring which is lightly salted
> > and stored in barrels for a few days only,
>
> Victor, What happens if the "virginal" herring had a little G'spusi
> when she found out she is about to be killed and eaten? Is she no
> longer worthy of being a Matjes herring or herringette? Are only the
> Dutch that strict or is that universal? Who acts as Sittenpolizei,
> other herrings or trouts or carps? No wonder that Matjes herrings are
> no longer on many menus.

A Matjes herring, just like a Vestal, is always very proud of her
special status and, again like a Vestal, if she loses her virginity, she
is publicly shamed and sentenced to be buried alive, becoming a gravad
sild in the process. Other Matjes herrings act as Sittenpolizei - they
are the ones most interested in protecting their exclusive status after
all. Trouts and carps would like to take part but are disqualified for
being freshwater fish.

Bubba