Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - March 18
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. Out of every set of 24, six are false and four are floating. What are they? ribs
2. Since 1988, L.A.'s Griffith Park Observatory has featured, alongside its astronomy exhibits, a monument to what actor? didn't Leonard Nimoy donate money to help repair the Observatory? Monument to the actor who played Mr. Spock. That would make sense.
3. In legend, what name was given to the tailor struck blind for looking at Lady Godiva? Peeping Tom
4. What South American capital city was named for the feast day it was founded: August 15, 1537? Asuncion. That sounds like a good Catholic feast day.
5. On TV's My Name Is Earl, what NBC network-mate does Earl Hickey believe invented the concept of "karma"? Never watched the show. Current or former NBC network-mate? Jerry Seinfeld. Jay Leno. Matt Lauer. A sports personality perhaps?
6. What iconic food brand also owns Prego, Pepperidge Farms, Pace, and V8? Pillsbury? Kraft General Foods? General Mills? Quaker Oats?
7. What distinction is shared by these nations and--as far as I can tell--no others? Canada, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Malta, Morocco, Russia, the Ukraine, the U.K., and the U.S.?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The cold weather of the 17th century is often associated with the Maunder Minimum, a dramatic decrease in what astronomical phenomenon? The so-called "Little Ice Age" of the 17th century was accompanied by an almost total lack of sunspots. And some signs point to a new round of solar cooling starting up now, so maybe you can buy that Hummer after all. correct
2. Actor John O'Hurley is also now a major owner of what mail-order company? O'Hurley, who played "J. Peterman" on Seinfeld, helped bail out the real Peterman company a few years back, and now sits on the board. I tried without success to remember the name of the mail order company they spoofed on Seinfeld
3. What dog breed comes from a German word meaning "to splash"? The poodle was bred as a water-dog, and took its name from the word "pudlen." Yup, the same place we get the word "puddle." this is real trivia
4. What fictional character celebrated her 30th birthday by appearing on the first cover of Ms. magazine? It was Wonder Woman on the very first Ms. You go, girl. who knew?
5. The principal mountain range of New Zealand is named in honor of what overseas range? The Southern Alps are named for the (northern) Alps. correct
6. Who died after being stabbed 23 times, though only one stab wound was lethal? Suetonius tells us that only one of Julius Caesar's 23 stab wounds (by his count) was fatal--the second one to the chest. Et tu, second one to the chest? correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these songs? "The Boy Is Mine," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love," "Embraceable You," "Happy Birthday to You," "Hey Little Cobra," "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," and "Summer in the City." All were written by siblings-- famous ones like the Gershwins in some cases ("Embraceable You") and not-famous ones like Patty and Mildred Hill ("Happy Birthday") in others.
1. Out of every set of 24, six are false and four are floating. What are they? ribs
2. Since 1988, L.A.'s Griffith Park Observatory has featured, alongside its astronomy exhibits, a monument to what actor? didn't Leonard Nimoy donate money to help repair the Observatory? Monument to the actor who played Mr. Spock. That would make sense.
3. In legend, what name was given to the tailor struck blind for looking at Lady Godiva? Peeping Tom
4. What South American capital city was named for the feast day it was founded: August 15, 1537? Asuncion. That sounds like a good Catholic feast day.
5. On TV's My Name Is Earl, what NBC network-mate does Earl Hickey believe invented the concept of "karma"? Never watched the show. Current or former NBC network-mate? Jerry Seinfeld. Jay Leno. Matt Lauer. A sports personality perhaps?
6. What iconic food brand also owns Prego, Pepperidge Farms, Pace, and V8? Pillsbury? Kraft General Foods? General Mills? Quaker Oats?
7. What distinction is shared by these nations and--as far as I can tell--no others? Canada, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Malta, Morocco, Russia, the Ukraine, the U.K., and the U.S.?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The cold weather of the 17th century is often associated with the Maunder Minimum, a dramatic decrease in what astronomical phenomenon? The so-called "Little Ice Age" of the 17th century was accompanied by an almost total lack of sunspots. And some signs point to a new round of solar cooling starting up now, so maybe you can buy that Hummer after all. correct
2. Actor John O'Hurley is also now a major owner of what mail-order company? O'Hurley, who played "J. Peterman" on Seinfeld, helped bail out the real Peterman company a few years back, and now sits on the board. I tried without success to remember the name of the mail order company they spoofed on Seinfeld
3. What dog breed comes from a German word meaning "to splash"? The poodle was bred as a water-dog, and took its name from the word "pudlen." Yup, the same place we get the word "puddle." this is real trivia
4. What fictional character celebrated her 30th birthday by appearing on the first cover of Ms. magazine? It was Wonder Woman on the very first Ms. You go, girl. who knew?
5. The principal mountain range of New Zealand is named in honor of what overseas range? The Southern Alps are named for the (northern) Alps. correct
6. Who died after being stabbed 23 times, though only one stab wound was lethal? Suetonius tells us that only one of Julius Caesar's 23 stab wounds (by his count) was fatal--the second one to the chest. Et tu, second one to the chest? correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these songs? "The Boy Is Mine," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love," "Embraceable You," "Happy Birthday to You," "Hey Little Cobra," "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," and "Summer in the City." All were written by siblings-- famous ones like the Gershwins in some cases ("Embraceable You") and not-famous ones like Patty and Mildred Hill ("Happy Birthday") in others.
