Mints Imperial?

[Hammers]

Not exactly on topic but I can't help myself...

In a behind the camera documentary about Downton Abbey one of the actor, during the shooting of the Somme trench scenes says that 'Maggie Smith should be in this scene, lobbing Mints Imperial over the top'. I get the reference as far as Maggie Smith plays one of these old school Imperials, the The Rt Hon Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham and therefore is fearless and patriotic but I don't get any further than that, even by googling. Could someone enlighten me?

[joroas]

These are sweets:

[Hammers]

Yes, I gathered that they are sweets but I don't quite get the joke, if there is one... A trifle thing, I know, but...

[joroas]

I imagine he meant that she should be throwing them like grenades...............

[OSHIROmodels]

I'm afraid it's one of those British things 

A lifetime exposure to our 'culture' sometimes doesn't even help 

cheers

James

[Hammers]

I'm afraid it's one of those British things 

A lifetime exposure to our 'culture' sometimes doesn't even help 

cheers

James

That's why it bothers me. I suspected for a while that posh ladies used to hand out Mints Imperial to the troops as a gesture, to seem involved and patriotic, and that this was a familiar cliché to you British.

[Bugsda]

Don't over analyze it Hammers, I get it but it ain't very funny 

[Hammers]

Don't over analyze it Hammers, I get it but it ain't very funny 

Well, there you have it then.

[Ignatieff]

They were/ are bloody big.  One got stuck in my gullet as a kid.  Couldn't breathe.  Was banging he floor to get help, only to hear my dad shout up "stop banging the bloody floor!". Hilarious, after the event.

[discok3]

Now that is funny Ignatieff!