Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - June 30
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. After their Olympic successes, Bob Beamon, Bruce Jenner, and Carl Lewis were all drafted, as publicity stunts, by teams in which pro sports organization? the NFL has a history of drafting Olympic athletes. See Bob Hayes and Renaldo Nehemiah. But I don't remember hearing about any of these guys being drafted.
2. Paul Simon has yet to comment on the recently-announced retirement of "64" and "64 Professional," the last two products marketed using what brand? Here 64 does not mean Commodore computers. It is a film speed. Kodak just announced they would stop making Kodachrome film.
3. What author's first novel begins, "The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning"? could this be Ian Fleming's Casino Royale?
4. What's the home state of rapper Tramar Dillard, of "Right Round" fame? what kind of question is this? This is an artist whose "fame" has previously been unknown to me. Unless there is a hidden clue to the answer, this is so arcane as to be really uninteresting. Many rappers are from Atlanta, so I'll guess Georgia.
5. Who's the only person ever to twice assume temporary presidency of the U.S. under the 25th Amendment? must be a recent president since the 25th amendment was passed sometime in the 1960s. I will guess GHB Bush - once when Reagan was shot and once when Reagan may have gone under anaesthesia for some kind of medical procedure.
6. What Central American country's name is believed to mean "surrounded by water"? Nicaragua has the word "agua" in it.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? J. J. Abrams, Roseanne Barr, Bono, Stephen Colbert, Tom Ford, Nick Hornby, Heidi Klum, Monica Lewinsky, Maria Sharapova, Kanye West.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What actress-turned-union leader is the author of the new memoir Prairie Tale? Melissa Gilbert, formerly "Half Pint" on TV's Little House on the Prairie, now heads the Screen Actors' Guild. correct
2. In what language does the word "Basij" mean "mobilization"? This is your "have you been watching CNN?" test. The Basiji are militia members in Iran, so the answer is Persian (or Farsi). correct
3. What biblical name is commonly given to your body's laryngeal prominence? That's your Adam's apple (unless you are not a man or transgender individual, in which you case you may not have much of one). correct
4. What TV network gives out "Buckle" Awards to musicians every year? CMT apparently likes to reinforce popular prejudices about country music by giving out awards shaped like, yes, giant belt buckles. Apparently their idea to give statuettes shaped like trailer homes was considered offensive. aha
5. The "small blind" and the "big blind" sit immediately to the left of whom? The dealer--well, the player with the dealer button--in poker games like Texas hold'em. right game, wrong answer
6. Two of the U.S.'s three biggest employers are government agencies--one a Cabinet-level department, the other a former Cabinet-level department. What are they? The Department of Defense is first, the U.S. Postal Service is third. (Wal-Mart is second.) USPS used to be a Cabinet Department? I checked - Homeland Security only has 207K employees. USPS has 786K.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and (to my knowledge) no others? Benin, Bhutan, Burma, China, Congo, East Timor, Gabon, Guyana, Japan, Lebanon, Malta, Marshall Islands, Nepal, Portugal, San Marino, Senegal, Sudan, Surinam, Taiwan, Togo, and Vietnam. These are all the country names whose "demonyms," or adjectival forms, end with "-ese." It's true: the Chinese, the Portuguese, even the Togolese: they all do it with -ese. This question was not that "e-zee"
1. After their Olympic successes, Bob Beamon, Bruce Jenner, and Carl Lewis were all drafted, as publicity stunts, by teams in which pro sports organization? the NFL has a history of drafting Olympic athletes. See Bob Hayes and Renaldo Nehemiah. But I don't remember hearing about any of these guys being drafted.
2. Paul Simon has yet to comment on the recently-announced retirement of "64" and "64 Professional," the last two products marketed using what brand? Here 64 does not mean Commodore computers. It is a film speed. Kodak just announced they would stop making Kodachrome film.
3. What author's first novel begins, "The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning"? could this be Ian Fleming's Casino Royale?
4. What's the home state of rapper Tramar Dillard, of "Right Round" fame? what kind of question is this? This is an artist whose "fame" has previously been unknown to me. Unless there is a hidden clue to the answer, this is so arcane as to be really uninteresting. Many rappers are from Atlanta, so I'll guess Georgia.
5. Who's the only person ever to twice assume temporary presidency of the U.S. under the 25th Amendment? must be a recent president since the 25th amendment was passed sometime in the 1960s. I will guess GHB Bush - once when Reagan was shot and once when Reagan may have gone under anaesthesia for some kind of medical procedure.
6. What Central American country's name is believed to mean "surrounded by water"? Nicaragua has the word "agua" in it.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these famous people? J. J. Abrams, Roseanne Barr, Bono, Stephen Colbert, Tom Ford, Nick Hornby, Heidi Klum, Monica Lewinsky, Maria Sharapova, Kanye West.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What actress-turned-union leader is the author of the new memoir Prairie Tale? Melissa Gilbert, formerly "Half Pint" on TV's Little House on the Prairie, now heads the Screen Actors' Guild. correct
2. In what language does the word "Basij" mean "mobilization"? This is your "have you been watching CNN?" test. The Basiji are militia members in Iran, so the answer is Persian (or Farsi). correct
3. What biblical name is commonly given to your body's laryngeal prominence? That's your Adam's apple (unless you are not a man or transgender individual, in which you case you may not have much of one). correct
4. What TV network gives out "Buckle" Awards to musicians every year? CMT apparently likes to reinforce popular prejudices about country music by giving out awards shaped like, yes, giant belt buckles. Apparently their idea to give statuettes shaped like trailer homes was considered offensive. aha
5. The "small blind" and the "big blind" sit immediately to the left of whom? The dealer--well, the player with the dealer button--in poker games like Texas hold'em. right game, wrong answer
6. Two of the U.S.'s three biggest employers are government agencies--one a Cabinet-level department, the other a former Cabinet-level department. What are they? The Department of Defense is first, the U.S. Postal Service is third. (Wal-Mart is second.) USPS used to be a Cabinet Department? I checked - Homeland Security only has 207K employees. USPS has 786K.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and (to my knowledge) no others? Benin, Bhutan, Burma, China, Congo, East Timor, Gabon, Guyana, Japan, Lebanon, Malta, Marshall Islands, Nepal, Portugal, San Marino, Senegal, Sudan, Surinam, Taiwan, Togo, and Vietnam. These are all the country names whose "demonyms," or adjectival forms, end with "-ese." It's true: the Chinese, the Portuguese, even the Togolese: they all do it with -ese. This question was not that "e-zee"
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - June 23
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What actress-turned-union leader is the author of the new memoir Prairie Tale? Melissa Gilbert was president of the Screen Actors Guild and on Little House on the Prairie.
2. In what language does the word "Basij" mean "mobilization"? I have heard this word in connection with the protests in Iran. What language do they speak there? Persian?
3. What biblical name is commonly given to your body's laryngeal prominence? Adam's apple
4. What TV network gives out "Buckle" Awards to musicians every year? I think of buckle on the Bible belt, but I cannot imagine a Christian network being that tongue-in-cheek. Does not sound like MTV. That leaves VH1 and BET. Buckle does not connect with anything to help me guess. I'll guess BET.
5. The "small blind" and the "big blind" sit immediately to the left of whom? sounds like a poker term. Are they next to the flop? or the river?
6. Two of the U.S.'s three biggest employers are government agencies--one a Cabinet-level department, the other a former Cabinet-level department. What are they? Cabinet level department must be Homeland Security. The other sounds like the Army since there used to be a Department of the Army.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and (to my knowledge) no others? Benin, Bhutan, Burma, China, Congo, East Timor, Gabon, Guyana, Japan, Lebanon, Malta, Marshall Islands, Nepal, Portugal, San Marino, Senegal, Sudan, Surinam, Taiwan, Togo, and Vietnam. Have to work on this when I have more time.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The Italian "marasca" is a wild, bitter variety of what fruit? Maraschino liqueur is named for the fruit that flavors it--the marasca is a cherry. correct
2. What's the only U.S. state ever to change its two-letter postal abbreviation, to avoid confusion with a Canadian maritime province? Nebraska, now NE, used to be NB, but apparently too much Omaha mail was showing up in New Brunswick. correct
3. Bulldogging and barrel racing are competitions in what sport? The roping and riding events are the more popular ones: this is rodeo. correct
4. The "Sons of the Desert" are the international fan club of what famed movie pair? Sons of the Desert is one of the best-loved movies of Laurel and Hardy, in which I believe they get into, quote, another fine mess. correct
5. What did Luxembourg do first, on September 1, 2006, that the U.S. finally did on June 12, 2009, at midnight Eastern? That's when they officially got tired of the expression "It's all good." No, I'm only kidding. Luxembourg was a trailbrazer when it comes to the digital TV switchover that Americans managed to survive a week or two ago. correct
6. "Nevemore" is the last word of the final eleven stanzas of what famous poem? "Nevermore" is what Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" quoth. And quoth. And just kept on quoth-ing. correct
7. What unusual distinction is or was shared by all these famous people? Marlon Brando, Richard Branson, Bjorn Borg, David Copperfield, Johnny Depp, Mel Gibson, Dean Kamen, Andrew Wyeth. They all own (or owned at one time) their own islands. I would have had to win a few hundred more Jeopardy! games to make it onto that list, I'm afraid. Alex got this one. He was able to connect it to a Simpsons episode he remembered.
1. What actress-turned-union leader is the author of the new memoir Prairie Tale? Melissa Gilbert was president of the Screen Actors Guild and on Little House on the Prairie.
2. In what language does the word "Basij" mean "mobilization"? I have heard this word in connection with the protests in Iran. What language do they speak there? Persian?
3. What biblical name is commonly given to your body's laryngeal prominence? Adam's apple
4. What TV network gives out "Buckle" Awards to musicians every year? I think of buckle on the Bible belt, but I cannot imagine a Christian network being that tongue-in-cheek. Does not sound like MTV. That leaves VH1 and BET. Buckle does not connect with anything to help me guess. I'll guess BET.
5. The "small blind" and the "big blind" sit immediately to the left of whom? sounds like a poker term. Are they next to the flop? or the river?
6. Two of the U.S.'s three biggest employers are government agencies--one a Cabinet-level department, the other a former Cabinet-level department. What are they? Cabinet level department must be Homeland Security. The other sounds like the Army since there used to be a Department of the Army.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and (to my knowledge) no others? Benin, Bhutan, Burma, China, Congo, East Timor, Gabon, Guyana, Japan, Lebanon, Malta, Marshall Islands, Nepal, Portugal, San Marino, Senegal, Sudan, Surinam, Taiwan, Togo, and Vietnam. Have to work on this when I have more time.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The Italian "marasca" is a wild, bitter variety of what fruit? Maraschino liqueur is named for the fruit that flavors it--the marasca is a cherry. correct
2. What's the only U.S. state ever to change its two-letter postal abbreviation, to avoid confusion with a Canadian maritime province? Nebraska, now NE, used to be NB, but apparently too much Omaha mail was showing up in New Brunswick. correct
3. Bulldogging and barrel racing are competitions in what sport? The roping and riding events are the more popular ones: this is rodeo. correct
4. The "Sons of the Desert" are the international fan club of what famed movie pair? Sons of the Desert is one of the best-loved movies of Laurel and Hardy, in which I believe they get into, quote, another fine mess. correct
5. What did Luxembourg do first, on September 1, 2006, that the U.S. finally did on June 12, 2009, at midnight Eastern? That's when they officially got tired of the expression "It's all good." No, I'm only kidding. Luxembourg was a trailbrazer when it comes to the digital TV switchover that Americans managed to survive a week or two ago. correct
6. "Nevemore" is the last word of the final eleven stanzas of what famous poem? "Nevermore" is what Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" quoth. And quoth. And just kept on quoth-ing. correct
7. What unusual distinction is or was shared by all these famous people? Marlon Brando, Richard Branson, Bjorn Borg, David Copperfield, Johnny Depp, Mel Gibson, Dean Kamen, Andrew Wyeth. They all own (or owned at one time) their own islands. I would have had to win a few hundred more Jeopardy! games to make it onto that list, I'm afraid. Alex got this one. He was able to connect it to a Simpsons episode he remembered.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - June 16
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. The Italian "marasca" is a wild, bitter variety of what fruit? the first fruit that comes to mind is cherry. Marasca sounds like maraschino.
2. What's the only U.S. state ever to change its two-letter postal abbreviation, to avoid confusion with a Canadian maritime province? perhaps Nebraska (NE) to avoid confusion with New Brunswick
3. Bulldogging and barrel racing are competitions in what sport? rodeo
4. The "Sons of the Desert" are the international fan club of what famed movie pair? is this Laurel and Hardy? Steve F would know for sure
5. What did Luxembourg do first, on September 1, 2006, that the U.S. finally did on June 12, 2009, at midnight Eastern? cut over from analog to digital tv signals to free up the analog spectrum
6. "Nevemore" is the last word of the final eleven stanzas of what famous poem? The Raven
7. What unusual distinction is or was shared by all these famous people? Marlon Brando, Richard Branson, Bjorn Borg, David Copperfield, Johnny Depp, Mel Gibson, Dean Kamen, Andrew Wyeth.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What number appears in the title of two of the last five Best Picture Oscar winners? The movies are Million Dollar Baby and Slumdog Millionaire, if that helps. Gone with the Wind has "1" in it, and The Best Years of Our Lives has "4" in it, but that has nothing to do with the question. correct
2. What's the only inanimate object to get a verse in "The Farmer in the Dell"? The cheese stands alone. correct
3. The historical "Orange Free State" is found in what modern-day country? The Orange River makes up much of the border of South Africa. correct
4. What shoulder condition related to tennis elbow and first diagnosed in 2007 is one of the only words in English to contain a triple letter? That would be Wiiitis, so dubbed in the New England Journal of Medicine a couple years ago, a video game condition caused by too much Wii Tennis. It seems evident when you see the answer, but it seemed cryptic unti then. I thought it could have been re-written to help players get it. "What joint condition, first diagnosed in 2007, has a triple letter and is caused by overuse of a video game?"
5. Derailleur systems are the "gears" on what type of device? A derailleur is the system that includes the gears (sprockets, actually) on a bicycle. I just found out this week that the classic Cream album Disraeli Gears is named for a roadie's mispronunciation of the word "derailleur." Cool, right? correct
6. What 1981 song has been recently revived twice as a hit, once on the last episode of The Sopranos, and once on the first episode of Glee? Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" is more popular today than it ever was! For people like me who preferred Journey as a punchline, this is a demoralizing situation. correct
7. What pair of closely related distinctions is shared by these U.S. presidents, and no others? Teddy Roosevelt, Coolidge, Franklin Roosevelt, Truman, and Nixon on the one hand, and McKinley, Coolidge, and Clinton on the other? This was tough. The first five had Secretaries of State win a Nobel Peace Prize, and the last three had Vice Presidents win that award. (We accepted more general answers like "Cabinet members who won Nobel Prizes.") My thinking was not in the ballpark on this one.
1. The Italian "marasca" is a wild, bitter variety of what fruit? the first fruit that comes to mind is cherry. Marasca sounds like maraschino.
2. What's the only U.S. state ever to change its two-letter postal abbreviation, to avoid confusion with a Canadian maritime province? perhaps Nebraska (NE) to avoid confusion with New Brunswick
3. Bulldogging and barrel racing are competitions in what sport? rodeo
4. The "Sons of the Desert" are the international fan club of what famed movie pair? is this Laurel and Hardy? Steve F would know for sure
5. What did Luxembourg do first, on September 1, 2006, that the U.S. finally did on June 12, 2009, at midnight Eastern? cut over from analog to digital tv signals to free up the analog spectrum
6. "Nevemore" is the last word of the final eleven stanzas of what famous poem? The Raven
7. What unusual distinction is or was shared by all these famous people? Marlon Brando, Richard Branson, Bjorn Borg, David Copperfield, Johnny Depp, Mel Gibson, Dean Kamen, Andrew Wyeth.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What number appears in the title of two of the last five Best Picture Oscar winners? The movies are Million Dollar Baby and Slumdog Millionaire, if that helps. Gone with the Wind has "1" in it, and The Best Years of Our Lives has "4" in it, but that has nothing to do with the question. correct
2. What's the only inanimate object to get a verse in "The Farmer in the Dell"? The cheese stands alone. correct
3. The historical "Orange Free State" is found in what modern-day country? The Orange River makes up much of the border of South Africa. correct
4. What shoulder condition related to tennis elbow and first diagnosed in 2007 is one of the only words in English to contain a triple letter? That would be Wiiitis, so dubbed in the New England Journal of Medicine a couple years ago, a video game condition caused by too much Wii Tennis. It seems evident when you see the answer, but it seemed cryptic unti then. I thought it could have been re-written to help players get it. "What joint condition, first diagnosed in 2007, has a triple letter and is caused by overuse of a video game?"
5. Derailleur systems are the "gears" on what type of device? A derailleur is the system that includes the gears (sprockets, actually) on a bicycle. I just found out this week that the classic Cream album Disraeli Gears is named for a roadie's mispronunciation of the word "derailleur." Cool, right? correct
6. What 1981 song has been recently revived twice as a hit, once on the last episode of The Sopranos, and once on the first episode of Glee? Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" is more popular today than it ever was! For people like me who preferred Journey as a punchline, this is a demoralizing situation. correct
7. What pair of closely related distinctions is shared by these U.S. presidents, and no others? Teddy Roosevelt, Coolidge, Franklin Roosevelt, Truman, and Nixon on the one hand, and McKinley, Coolidge, and Clinton on the other? This was tough. The first five had Secretaries of State win a Nobel Peace Prize, and the last three had Vice Presidents win that award. (We accepted more general answers like "Cabinet members who won Nobel Prizes.") My thinking was not in the ballpark on this one.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - June 9
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What number appears in the title of two of the last five Best Picture Oscar winners? Million - Million Dollar Baby and Slumdog Millionaire
2. What's the only inanimate object to get a verse in "The Farmer in the Dell"? isn't there a verse about cheese - the mouse gets the cheese, the mouse gets the cheese . . .
3. The historical "Orange Free State" is found in what modern-day country? South Africa
4. What shoulder condition related to tennis elbow and first diagnosed in 2007 is one of the only words in English to contain a triple letter? I am very curious to learn the answer here because I did not know there were any words with a triple letter
5. Derailleur systems are the "gears" on what type of device? bikes
6. What 1981 song has been recently revived twice as a hit, once on the last episode of The Sopranos, and once on the first episode of Glee? I can only think of one song from the last episode of The Sopranos. Don't Stop Believing by Journey. Have not seen Glee yet.
7. What pair of closely related distinctions is shared by these U.S. presidents, and no others? Teddy Roosevelt, Coolidge, Franklin Roosevelt, Truman, and Nixon on the one hand, and McKinley, Coolidge, and Clinton on the other? The first thing I notice is that all were presidents in the 20th century. That could be a red herring, but it is a place to start.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. In the titles of #1 hits, what did Andy Gibb and Tommy Paige both want to bge, and Wham! and Vertical Horizon both offer you? The songs in question are "I Just Want To Be Your Everything," "I'll Be Your Everything," "Everything She Wants," and "Everything You Want." correct
2. Except for Novak Djokovic's Australian Open win in 2008, the last four years of men's Grand Slam titles have all been won by players from what two countries? Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are from Switzerland and Spain, respectively. correct
3. What popular stationery item is packaged using the tartan of the Wallace clan? That tartan is the plaid that gives Scotch tape its Scottish look. correct
4. What hit comedy of 2009 was recently released on DVD with a free Cinnabon coupon included? Cinnabon = malls + fat guys. So the answer is that immortal screen classic Paul Blart: Mall Cop. correct
5. What famous item, worn from around 1699 to 1703 in French history and liteature, was actually made of a much more comfortable material: black velvet cloth? The iron mask worn by the mysterious "Man in the Iron Mask" was actually just a piece of velvet. I know, pretty lame, right? correct
6. What South American capital city was named for August 15, 1537, the Catholic feast day on which it was founded? Asuncion, Paraguay was named for the feast of Assumption. Because when you "Asun," you make an "as" out of U and N. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these mammals in this order, and (as far as I can tell) no others? Monkeys, mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, chimpanzees, guinea pigs, humans, and cats? That's the order in which different species of mammals first entered outer space. (The cat was Felix, sent up by the French in 1963, not "Jake" from the awesome 1978 Disney flick The Cat from Outer Space.) If you think I missed any missions, let me know. That was the full list I came up with by comparing NASA's web page with a couple books on the subject. No "pigs in space" yet. Alex nailed it
1. What number appears in the title of two of the last five Best Picture Oscar winners? Million - Million Dollar Baby and Slumdog Millionaire
2. What's the only inanimate object to get a verse in "The Farmer in the Dell"? isn't there a verse about cheese - the mouse gets the cheese, the mouse gets the cheese . . .
3. The historical "Orange Free State" is found in what modern-day country? South Africa
4. What shoulder condition related to tennis elbow and first diagnosed in 2007 is one of the only words in English to contain a triple letter? I am very curious to learn the answer here because I did not know there were any words with a triple letter
5. Derailleur systems are the "gears" on what type of device? bikes
6. What 1981 song has been recently revived twice as a hit, once on the last episode of The Sopranos, and once on the first episode of Glee? I can only think of one song from the last episode of The Sopranos. Don't Stop Believing by Journey. Have not seen Glee yet.
7. What pair of closely related distinctions is shared by these U.S. presidents, and no others? Teddy Roosevelt, Coolidge, Franklin Roosevelt, Truman, and Nixon on the one hand, and McKinley, Coolidge, and Clinton on the other? The first thing I notice is that all were presidents in the 20th century. That could be a red herring, but it is a place to start.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. In the titles of #1 hits, what did Andy Gibb and Tommy Paige both want to bge, and Wham! and Vertical Horizon both offer you? The songs in question are "I Just Want To Be Your Everything," "I'll Be Your Everything," "Everything She Wants," and "Everything You Want." correct
2. Except for Novak Djokovic's Australian Open win in 2008, the last four years of men's Grand Slam titles have all been won by players from what two countries? Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are from Switzerland and Spain, respectively. correct
3. What popular stationery item is packaged using the tartan of the Wallace clan? That tartan is the plaid that gives Scotch tape its Scottish look. correct
4. What hit comedy of 2009 was recently released on DVD with a free Cinnabon coupon included? Cinnabon = malls + fat guys. So the answer is that immortal screen classic Paul Blart: Mall Cop. correct
5. What famous item, worn from around 1699 to 1703 in French history and liteature, was actually made of a much more comfortable material: black velvet cloth? The iron mask worn by the mysterious "Man in the Iron Mask" was actually just a piece of velvet. I know, pretty lame, right? correct
6. What South American capital city was named for August 15, 1537, the Catholic feast day on which it was founded? Asuncion, Paraguay was named for the feast of Assumption. Because when you "Asun," you make an "as" out of U and N. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these mammals in this order, and (as far as I can tell) no others? Monkeys, mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, chimpanzees, guinea pigs, humans, and cats? That's the order in which different species of mammals first entered outer space. (The cat was Felix, sent up by the French in 1963, not "Jake" from the awesome 1978 Disney flick The Cat from Outer Space.) If you think I missed any missions, let me know. That was the full list I came up with by comparing NASA's web page with a couple books on the subject. No "pigs in space" yet. Alex nailed it
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - June 2
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. In the titles of #1 hits, what did Andy Gibb and Tommy Paige both want to be, and Wham! and Vertical Horizon both offer you? I think that KJ has an unhealthy knowledge of Wham songs. I recall Andy Gibb's song was something like I Just Want to be Your Everything.
2. Except for Novak Djokovic's Australian Open win in 2008, the last four years of men's Grand Slam titles have all been won by players from what two countries? Switzerland (Federer) and Spain (Nadel)
3. What popular stationery item is packaged using the tartan of the Wallace clan? scotch tape
4. What hit comedy of 2009 was recently released on DVD with a free Cinnabon coupon included? Cinnabon --> mall food --> Paul Blart, Mall CoP
5. What famous item, worn from around 1699 to 1703 in French history and literature, was actually made of a much more comfortable material: black velvet cloth? is this a reference to the Man In the Iron Mask?
6. What South American capital city was named for August 15, 1537, the Catholic feast day on which it was founded? Asunción sounds like a Catholic holiday
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these mammals in this order, and (as far as I can tell) no others? Monkeys, mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, chimpanzees, guinea pigs, humans, and cats? I think Alex has it - animals in space.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. First and second place ribbons are traditionally red and blue, respectively. What color ribbon is awarded for third place? Third-place ribbons are white. You know, I've long thought this quiz could use more county-fair trivia. correct
2. What unusual former occupation is shared by the current mayors of Sacramento and Detroit? Kevin Johnson and Dave Bing are both former NBA players. My home city could follow suit, as James Donaldson is currently running to be mayor of Seattle. correct
3. What Best Picture-winning film was sarcastically called "Kevin's Gate" for much of its troubled production? The "Heaven's Gate" joke is a reference to Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves. correct
4. What product did three New Yorkers named Bradley, Voorhees, and Day team up to manufacture in 1876? Their company, BVD, produced underwear. I spent quite a while trying to find the first names of these three entrepreneurs, but to no avail. Internet underwear history FAIL! Maybe they all just had the one name, like Cher or Madonna. correct
5. What was repaired this month for the final time, since it's due to be replaced in 2014 by the JWST? The James Webb Space Telescope will replace the just-repaired Hubble. correct
6. In much of the world, motorcycle helmet laws are written to exempt male members of what religion? Sikhs are generally allowed to go helmet-less, since helmets don't fit over their turbans. Couldn't you just wear a huge, turban-shaped helmet OVER your turban? I smell a can't-miss moneymaking idea here. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these TV series? Heroes, How to Boil Water, Kitchen Confidential, Once and Again, The Shield, thirtysomething, Trapper John M.D., The Waltons. Each featured a female cast member with a stereotypically male first name. The respective gender-benders are named Hayden, Jack, James, Evan, Glenn, Mel, Christopher, and Michael. That never occurred to me. Pretty good question this time, at least better than the ridiculous Q7s from past weeks.
1. In the titles of #1 hits, what did Andy Gibb and Tommy Paige both want to be, and Wham! and Vertical Horizon both offer you? I think that KJ has an unhealthy knowledge of Wham songs. I recall Andy Gibb's song was something like I Just Want to be Your Everything.
2. Except for Novak Djokovic's Australian Open win in 2008, the last four years of men's Grand Slam titles have all been won by players from what two countries? Switzerland (Federer) and Spain (Nadel)
3. What popular stationery item is packaged using the tartan of the Wallace clan? scotch tape
4. What hit comedy of 2009 was recently released on DVD with a free Cinnabon coupon included? Cinnabon --> mall food --> Paul Blart, Mall CoP
5. What famous item, worn from around 1699 to 1703 in French history and literature, was actually made of a much more comfortable material: black velvet cloth? is this a reference to the Man In the Iron Mask?
6. What South American capital city was named for August 15, 1537, the Catholic feast day on which it was founded? Asunción sounds like a Catholic holiday
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these mammals in this order, and (as far as I can tell) no others? Monkeys, mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, chimpanzees, guinea pigs, humans, and cats? I think Alex has it - animals in space.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. First and second place ribbons are traditionally red and blue, respectively. What color ribbon is awarded for third place? Third-place ribbons are white. You know, I've long thought this quiz could use more county-fair trivia. correct
2. What unusual former occupation is shared by the current mayors of Sacramento and Detroit? Kevin Johnson and Dave Bing are both former NBA players. My home city could follow suit, as James Donaldson is currently running to be mayor of Seattle. correct
3. What Best Picture-winning film was sarcastically called "Kevin's Gate" for much of its troubled production? The "Heaven's Gate" joke is a reference to Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves. correct
4. What product did three New Yorkers named Bradley, Voorhees, and Day team up to manufacture in 1876? Their company, BVD, produced underwear. I spent quite a while trying to find the first names of these three entrepreneurs, but to no avail. Internet underwear history FAIL! Maybe they all just had the one name, like Cher or Madonna. correct
5. What was repaired this month for the final time, since it's due to be replaced in 2014 by the JWST? The James Webb Space Telescope will replace the just-repaired Hubble. correct
6. In much of the world, motorcycle helmet laws are written to exempt male members of what religion? Sikhs are generally allowed to go helmet-less, since helmets don't fit over their turbans. Couldn't you just wear a huge, turban-shaped helmet OVER your turban? I smell a can't-miss moneymaking idea here. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these TV series? Heroes, How to Boil Water, Kitchen Confidential, Once and Again, The Shield, thirtysomething, Trapper John M.D., The Waltons. Each featured a female cast member with a stereotypically male first name. The respective gender-benders are named Hayden, Jack, James, Evan, Glenn, Mel, Christopher, and Michael. That never occurred to me. Pretty good question this time, at least better than the ridiculous Q7s from past weeks.
