Flatulist

Le Pétomane was a professional flatulist in turn of the century France.

A flatulist, fartist, or professional farter is a comedian or actor whose routine consists solely or primarily of farting in an amusing and/or musical manner.

History

In the Innu mythology of Canada, Matshishkapeu (literally the "Fart Man") is the most powerful spirit, a legendary shaman capable of inflicting gastrointestinal pain or relief.

There are also a number of scattered references to ancient and medieval flatulists, who could produce various rhythms and pitches with their intestinal wind. Saint Augustine in City of God (De Civitate Dei) (14.24) mentions some performers who did have "such command of their bowels, that they can break wind continuously at will, so as to produce the effect of singing." Juan Luis Vives in his 1522 commentary to Augustine's work, testifies to having himself witnessed such a feat, a remark referenced by Michel de Montaigne in an essay.

The professional farters of medieval Ireland were called braigetori. They are listed together with other performers and musicians in the 12th century Tech Midchúarda, a diagram of the banqueting hall of Tara. As entertainers, these braigetori ranked at the lower end of a scale headed by bards, fili and harpers.

One late medieval flatulist is mentioned in an entry in the 13th-century English Liber Feodorum or Book of Fees. It lists one Roland the Farter, who held Hemingstone manor in the county of Suffolk, for which he was obliged to perform "Unum saltum et siffletum et unum bumbulum" (one jump, one whistle, and one fart) annually at the court of king Henry II every Christmas. But professional farting no longer seems to be restricted to the aristocracy. The Activa Vita character in the 14th century allegorical poem Piers Plowman appears to number farting among the abilities desirable in a good entertainer in general, paralleling with storytelling, fiddling, or playing the harp. This poem translates to "As for me, I can neither drum nor trumpet, nor tell jokes, nor fart amusingly at parties, nor play the harp."

Evidence of deliberate farting at social occasions continues into the Modern Age. In the 16th century, Rabelais details how Panurge when getting up, gave "a fart, a leap, and a whistle, and joyously cried out 'Long live Pantagruel!" Pantagruel so addressed immediately intends to respond in like fashion, but miserably soils himself in the attempt. Panurge's salute is closely paralleled by the obligation of Roland the Farter detailed above.

In popular culture

• Terrance and Phillip, from the animated series South Park, could be classified as flatulists.
• Peräsmies, featured in the Pahkasika magazine, is a superhero whose only superpower is the ability to fart supernaturally hard, similar to Fartman (Howard Stern).
• An episode of the sketch comedy series Mr. Show features two fictional flatulists named Fartin' Gary and Fartin' Rudy. In the sketch, Rudy steals a comedy show from professional Fartin' Gary, a professional comedic flatulist. Rudy then earns the title of "Clown Prince of Fartistry" and his talents win him a starring role in his own television sitcom entitled Second Wind.
• In the 1999 film Mystery Men, Paul Reubens plays The Spleen. Cursed by a gypsy, The Spleen can aim his super-powered flatulence to take out his targets, but he smells terrible at all times.
• Sometimes, an object used to make a farting sound commands laughs during performances.
• The 1994 Interplay video game Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure also features a costumed superhero with flatulist superpowers.
• Howie Mandel is famous for using his hand-held "farting machine" during concerts.
• On the 1977 comedy album, Derek and Clive Come Again, Dudley Moore posed as a Professional Farter from Scotland called Ross McPharter on a mock Scottish radio show hosted by a character played by Peter Cook.

Notable flatulists

• Mr. Methane, contemporary flatulist
• Le Pétomane, performed in France from 1887 until 1914
• Roland the Farter, flatulist in the court of King Henry II of England.

References

Further reading

• Valerie J. Allen; Broken Air Exemplaria (2004). ([1] PDF version)
• Jim Dawson; Who Cut the Cheese?: A Cultural History of the Fart (Ten Speed Press, 1999)
• Steve Bryant; The Art Of The Fart

External links

• Mr Methane - The World's Only Performing Flatulist
• Innu myth of the Fart Man