And Now for Something Completely . . .

[Tachikaze]

I've noticed recently certain references creeping into forum discussions here, like "Oscar", Shadow's g**, etc.

Well, the Japanese are not immune from pre-occupation with jade stems. In fact they have developed entire public festivals around it (that *surprise!* include drinking).
http://www.thoeny.com/peter/tagata/index.html

[solypsist]

whoa.

Well worship or veneration of phallic (and their female equivalent) has been a part of every culture the world over practically since the beginning. Some of them sort a look like firecrackers...