Thursday, September 26, 2013
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - September 24
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. When education policymakers fret over America's struggle to compete in the acronymic "STEM" fields, what four fields are they talking about? they are talking about my field - science, technology, engineering and math
2. What is by far the largest Greek island, more than twice as big as runner-up Euboea? Crete or Rhodes? I'll guess Rhodes
3. Rockatansky is the unusual last name of what iconic movie character who made his debut in 1979? a guess - Jaws from Moonraker. I could not think of any other iconic characters from 1979 movies.
4. What color is the cover of a current American passport? they were blue in 2009 when I last renewed
5. Three of the NFL's four current oldest players, including 40-year-old Adam Vinatieri, play what position? placekicker
6. What four-word sentence does Westinghouse factory worker Geraldine Hoff appear to be a saying in a famed 1943 propaganda poster by J. Howard Miller? I assume this is a WWII war slogan but nothing is coming to me. "Kilroy was here" is only three words.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these animals? Antelope, buffalo, cod, deer, elk, moose, sheep, shrimp, squid. Plural is the same as the singular?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. In January 2011, two songs named for explosives traded off several times at the top of the pop chart. One was a Katy Perry song; the other was by Bruno Mars. Name either one. "Firework" and "Grenade" were the two dueling explosive hits. Choose your weapon. meh
2. If you use a bottle of a common household product that includes zinc pyrithione as its active ingredient, what chronic condition are you most likely treating? Zinc pyrithione is an antifungal and antibacterial agent most commonly used over-the-counter to prevent...dandruff. It's the "active ingredient" in Head & Shoulders and similar shampoos. correct
3. What large world city was home to the original "favela" neighborhoods, where 1.2 million people live today? The favelas are the hillside slums in Brazilian cities, especially the famed favelas of Rio de Janeiro. correct
4. All eight of the lead regulars on The Mary Tyler Moore are still alive, except for one who died in 1986. Name that performer. Ted Knight is the show's lone non-survivor. What a funny goof by them, to outlive him by almost 30 years! He got goofed. correct
5. What first name is shared by all three of the youngest men to be named Chief Justice of the United States? The three boyishly handsome jurists in question are John Jay, John Marshall and John Roberts. correct
6. What novel devoted 70 pages, in its first edition, to a single speech, a radio lecture delivered by inventor John Galt? Atlas Shrugged. That speech is totally cool because it actually makes the rest of the book seem, by contrast, well-written and full of incident. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries? Cambodia, China, Hungary, Japan, North and South Korea, Madagascar, Taiwan, Vietnam. Tough one--nearly impossible, maybe. These are countries whose residents typically put their surname (family name) ahead of their given name. Or, to our point of view, they put their last name first. yes, just about impossible
1. When education policymakers fret over America's struggle to compete in the acronymic "STEM" fields, what four fields are they talking about? they are talking about my field - science, technology, engineering and math
2. What is by far the largest Greek island, more than twice as big as runner-up Euboea? Crete or Rhodes? I'll guess Rhodes
3. Rockatansky is the unusual last name of what iconic movie character who made his debut in 1979? a guess - Jaws from Moonraker. I could not think of any other iconic characters from 1979 movies.
4. What color is the cover of a current American passport? they were blue in 2009 when I last renewed
5. Three of the NFL's four current oldest players, including 40-year-old Adam Vinatieri, play what position? placekicker
6. What four-word sentence does Westinghouse factory worker Geraldine Hoff appear to be a saying in a famed 1943 propaganda poster by J. Howard Miller? I assume this is a WWII war slogan but nothing is coming to me. "Kilroy was here" is only three words.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these animals? Antelope, buffalo, cod, deer, elk, moose, sheep, shrimp, squid. Plural is the same as the singular?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. In January 2011, two songs named for explosives traded off several times at the top of the pop chart. One was a Katy Perry song; the other was by Bruno Mars. Name either one. "Firework" and "Grenade" were the two dueling explosive hits. Choose your weapon. meh
2. If you use a bottle of a common household product that includes zinc pyrithione as its active ingredient, what chronic condition are you most likely treating? Zinc pyrithione is an antifungal and antibacterial agent most commonly used over-the-counter to prevent...dandruff. It's the "active ingredient" in Head & Shoulders and similar shampoos. correct
3. What large world city was home to the original "favela" neighborhoods, where 1.2 million people live today? The favelas are the hillside slums in Brazilian cities, especially the famed favelas of Rio de Janeiro. correct
4. All eight of the lead regulars on The Mary Tyler Moore are still alive, except for one who died in 1986. Name that performer. Ted Knight is the show's lone non-survivor. What a funny goof by them, to outlive him by almost 30 years! He got goofed. correct
5. What first name is shared by all three of the youngest men to be named Chief Justice of the United States? The three boyishly handsome jurists in question are John Jay, John Marshall and John Roberts. correct
6. What novel devoted 70 pages, in its first edition, to a single speech, a radio lecture delivered by inventor John Galt? Atlas Shrugged. That speech is totally cool because it actually makes the rest of the book seem, by contrast, well-written and full of incident. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries? Cambodia, China, Hungary, Japan, North and South Korea, Madagascar, Taiwan, Vietnam. Tough one--nearly impossible, maybe. These are countries whose residents typically put their surname (family name) ahead of their given name. Or, to our point of view, they put their last name first. yes, just about impossible
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - September 17
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. In January 2011, two songs named for explosives traded off several times at the top of the pop chart. One was a Katy Perry song; the other was by Bruno Mars. Name either one. no idea
2. If you use a bottle of a common household product that includes zinc pyrithione as its active ingredient, what chronic condition are you most likely treating? dandruff
3. What large world city was home to the original "favela" neighborhoods, where 1.2 million people live today? Rio de Janeiro
4. All eight of the lead regulars on The Mary Tyler Moore are still alive, except for one who died in 1986. Name that performer. Ted Knight
5. What first name is shared by all three of the youngest men to be named Chief Justice of the United States? John (Marshall, Jay, Roberts?)
6. What novel devoted 70 pages, in its first edition, to a single speech, a radio lecture delivered by inventor John Galt? Atlas Shrugged. Who is that John Galt guy anyway?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries? Cambodia, China, Hungary, Japan, North and South Korea, Madagascar, Taiwan, Vietnam. is this something that is taken from popular culture? I cannot see a common thread otherwise
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. "Ikebana" is a Japanese art whose name literally means "giving life to" what objects? Ikebana is the art of flower arranging. I knew this at one time. Shoot, I could have scored 100% this week.
2. In 27 of the 50 U.S. states, the highest-paid state employee does what specific job? He's a football coach--typically at the largest state university. In 13 other states, the top-earning public employee is a basketball coach. And in 11 states, it's some loser who doesn't yell at sweaty men. (Unless that's what s/he is into in his/her spare time.) correct
3. Two of the greatest challenges to Bill Clinton's presidency happened on the same date: April 19, in 1993 and 1995. In what two U.S. cities did these events take place? These events are the Waco siege and the Oklahoma City bombing. This wasn't a coincidence; Timothy McVeigh planned the bombing to take place on the second anniversary of Waco. correct
4. What Roman god appropriately lent his name to the planet that was, until 1915, believed to orbit between the Sun and Mercury? Vulcan, the Roman god of the fire, was the namesake of this (non-existent but) very hot planet. If you think about it, that's totally [LOWERS SUNGLASSES] logical. correct
5. What titular advice does Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg give the women reading her 2013 bestseller? "Lean In." correct
6. What 1974 film--the only outright comedy to top the yearly box-office gross between the 1940s and the 1980s--was set a century earlier, in 1874? Mel Brooks's Blazing Saddles. What a weird, almost 40-year dry spell for comedies. By some accounts, The Graduate was the highest grossing film of 1967, but it's a quasi-drama with many fewer fart jokes, so I added the word "outright" to the question. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these world leaders? Silvio Berlusconi, Anthony Eden, Bob Hawke, Nelson Mandela, Angela Merkel, Andreas Papandreou, Vladimir Putin, Ronald Reagan, Nicolas Sarkozy, Pierre Trudeau. All have been divorced. Many are the only divorcees--past, present, or future--ever to lead their respective nations. correct!
1. In January 2011, two songs named for explosives traded off several times at the top of the pop chart. One was a Katy Perry song; the other was by Bruno Mars. Name either one. no idea
2. If you use a bottle of a common household product that includes zinc pyrithione as its active ingredient, what chronic condition are you most likely treating? dandruff
3. What large world city was home to the original "favela" neighborhoods, where 1.2 million people live today? Rio de Janeiro
4. All eight of the lead regulars on The Mary Tyler Moore are still alive, except for one who died in 1986. Name that performer. Ted Knight
5. What first name is shared by all three of the youngest men to be named Chief Justice of the United States? John (Marshall, Jay, Roberts?)
6. What novel devoted 70 pages, in its first edition, to a single speech, a radio lecture delivered by inventor John Galt? Atlas Shrugged. Who is that John Galt guy anyway?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries? Cambodia, China, Hungary, Japan, North and South Korea, Madagascar, Taiwan, Vietnam. is this something that is taken from popular culture? I cannot see a common thread otherwise
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. "Ikebana" is a Japanese art whose name literally means "giving life to" what objects? Ikebana is the art of flower arranging. I knew this at one time. Shoot, I could have scored 100% this week.
2. In 27 of the 50 U.S. states, the highest-paid state employee does what specific job? He's a football coach--typically at the largest state university. In 13 other states, the top-earning public employee is a basketball coach. And in 11 states, it's some loser who doesn't yell at sweaty men. (Unless that's what s/he is into in his/her spare time.) correct
3. Two of the greatest challenges to Bill Clinton's presidency happened on the same date: April 19, in 1993 and 1995. In what two U.S. cities did these events take place? These events are the Waco siege and the Oklahoma City bombing. This wasn't a coincidence; Timothy McVeigh planned the bombing to take place on the second anniversary of Waco. correct
4. What Roman god appropriately lent his name to the planet that was, until 1915, believed to orbit between the Sun and Mercury? Vulcan, the Roman god of the fire, was the namesake of this (non-existent but) very hot planet. If you think about it, that's totally [LOWERS SUNGLASSES] logical. correct
5. What titular advice does Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg give the women reading her 2013 bestseller? "Lean In." correct
6. What 1974 film--the only outright comedy to top the yearly box-office gross between the 1940s and the 1980s--was set a century earlier, in 1874? Mel Brooks's Blazing Saddles. What a weird, almost 40-year dry spell for comedies. By some accounts, The Graduate was the highest grossing film of 1967, but it's a quasi-drama with many fewer fart jokes, so I added the word "outright" to the question. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these world leaders? Silvio Berlusconi, Anthony Eden, Bob Hawke, Nelson Mandela, Angela Merkel, Andreas Papandreou, Vladimir Putin, Ronald Reagan, Nicolas Sarkozy, Pierre Trudeau. All have been divorced. Many are the only divorcees--past, present, or future--ever to lead their respective nations. correct!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - September 10
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. "Ikebana" is a Japanese art whose name literally means "giving life to" what objects? is this the art of folding paper cranes?
2. In 27 of the 50 U.S. states, the highest-paid state employee does what specific job? college football coach
3. Two of the greatest challenges to Bill Clinton's presidency happened on the same date: April 19, in 1993 and 1995. In what two U.S. cities did these events take place? Waco, Oklahoma City
4. What Roman god appropriately lent his name to the planet that was, until 1915, believed to orbit between the Sun and Mercury? Vulcan?
5. What titular advice does Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg give the women reading her 2013 bestseller? Lean In
6. What 1974 film--the only outright comedy to top the yearly box-office gross between the 1940s and the 1980s--was set a century earlier, in 1874? Blazing Saddles!
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these world leaders? Silvio Berlusconi, Anthony Eden, Bob Hawke, Nelson Mandela, Angela Merkel, Andreas Papandreou, Vladimir Putin, Ronald Reagan, Nicolas Sarkozy, Pierre Trudeau. All divorced or are separated and presumed to be headed for divorce (Putin)
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The 1598 Edict of Nantes, while reiterating that Catholicism was the state religion of France, granted more freedoms to what Calvinist Protestant minority? They were Huguenots. Huguenot? Hugue-Yes!
2. Doctor Who actor David Tennant, born David McDonald, took his stage name in honor of the lead singer of what 1980s duo? It was a nod to Neil Tennant, of the Pet Shop Boys. was David McDonald an East End Boy with West End Girls?
3. Robert Rayford, who died in St. Louis in 1969, is now believed to be the first American to have died from what cause? Recent testing has revealed that the teenaged Rayford died of AIDS, more than a decade before the North American AIDS epidemic proper began, and fifteen years before the discovery of HIV. No one knows how this is possible. correct4. In the original Space Invaders game, players faced how many rows of eleven aliens each? Five rows of eleven--though some of the early ports, like the one I played on my Atari 2600 back in 1980, were 6x6 instead due to resolution issues. I thought that it would probably be an odd number
5. Before he began collaborating with Oscar Hammerstein in 1942, Richard Rodgers did most of his work with what lyricist? Before there was Rodgers & Hammerstein, there was Rodgers & Hart. correct
6. Of the African countries that border the Mediterranean, which is by far the smallest in area? Tunisia is MUCH smaller than Morocco, Algeria, Libya, or Egypt. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these movies? The Bling Ring, Dog Day Afternoon, The Fast and the Furious, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Insider, I Want To Live!, Live Free or Die Hard, On the Waterfront, Top Gun, Zulu. All these movies were based on magazine articles. I was inspired by a New York Times article about a couple of writers working to fund longform journalism in a post-print media era by working with reporters to pre-sell the movie rights to their stories! What a world. correct!
1. "Ikebana" is a Japanese art whose name literally means "giving life to" what objects? is this the art of folding paper cranes?
2. In 27 of the 50 U.S. states, the highest-paid state employee does what specific job? college football coach
3. Two of the greatest challenges to Bill Clinton's presidency happened on the same date: April 19, in 1993 and 1995. In what two U.S. cities did these events take place? Waco, Oklahoma City
4. What Roman god appropriately lent his name to the planet that was, until 1915, believed to orbit between the Sun and Mercury? Vulcan?
5. What titular advice does Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg give the women reading her 2013 bestseller? Lean In
6. What 1974 film--the only outright comedy to top the yearly box-office gross between the 1940s and the 1980s--was set a century earlier, in 1874? Blazing Saddles!
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these world leaders? Silvio Berlusconi, Anthony Eden, Bob Hawke, Nelson Mandela, Angela Merkel, Andreas Papandreou, Vladimir Putin, Ronald Reagan, Nicolas Sarkozy, Pierre Trudeau. All divorced or are separated and presumed to be headed for divorce (Putin)
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The 1598 Edict of Nantes, while reiterating that Catholicism was the state religion of France, granted more freedoms to what Calvinist Protestant minority? They were Huguenots. Huguenot? Hugue-Yes!
2. Doctor Who actor David Tennant, born David McDonald, took his stage name in honor of the lead singer of what 1980s duo? It was a nod to Neil Tennant, of the Pet Shop Boys. was David McDonald an East End Boy with West End Girls?
3. Robert Rayford, who died in St. Louis in 1969, is now believed to be the first American to have died from what cause? Recent testing has revealed that the teenaged Rayford died of AIDS, more than a decade before the North American AIDS epidemic proper began, and fifteen years before the discovery of HIV. No one knows how this is possible. correct4. In the original Space Invaders game, players faced how many rows of eleven aliens each? Five rows of eleven--though some of the early ports, like the one I played on my Atari 2600 back in 1980, were 6x6 instead due to resolution issues. I thought that it would probably be an odd number
5. Before he began collaborating with Oscar Hammerstein in 1942, Richard Rodgers did most of his work with what lyricist? Before there was Rodgers & Hammerstein, there was Rodgers & Hart. correct
6. Of the African countries that border the Mediterranean, which is by far the smallest in area? Tunisia is MUCH smaller than Morocco, Algeria, Libya, or Egypt. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these movies? The Bling Ring, Dog Day Afternoon, The Fast and the Furious, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Insider, I Want To Live!, Live Free or Die Hard, On the Waterfront, Top Gun, Zulu. All these movies were based on magazine articles. I was inspired by a New York Times article about a couple of writers working to fund longform journalism in a post-print media era by working with reporters to pre-sell the movie rights to their stories! What a world. correct!
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - September 3
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. The 1598 Edict of Nantes, while reiterating that Catholicism was the state religion of France, granted more freedoms to what Calvinist Protestant minority? Lutherans? I don't think that Methodists, Episcopalians and Baptists came along until later
2. Doctor Who actor David Tennant, born David McDonald, took his stage name in honor of the lead singer of what 1980s duo? can't be Toni Tennille. The Captain and Tennille was not an 80s duo. Duos? Eurythmics, Tears for Fears, Wham. Can't think of a musician named Tennant.
3. Robert Rayford, who died in St. Louis in 1969, is now believed to be the first American to have died from what cause? AIDS? this would be much earlier than the person who has been considered Patient Zero
4. In the original Space Invaders game, players faced how many rows of eleven aliens each? 7?
5. Before he began collaborating with Oscar Hammerstein in 1942, Richard Rodgers did most of his work with what lyricist? finally, one I really know. Lorenz Hart
6. Of the African countries that border the Mediterranean, which is by far the smallest in area? Tunisia
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these movies? The Bling Ring, Dog Day Afternoon, The Fast and the Furious, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Insider, I Want To Live!, Live Free or Die Hard, On the Waterfront, Top Gun, Zulu. I think they are all based on magazine articles
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. In what European city would you find Hotel Europa, called "the most bombed hotel in the world" for the 28 bomb attacks it suffered between 1971 and 1998? The Hotel Europa, a popular target during "the Troubles," is in Belfast, Northern Ireland. correct
2. NINJA loans, a mortage industry product made famous when the housing bubble popped, were (according to the expansion of the acronym) available even to people lacking what three things? NINJA stands for "No Income, No Job/Assets". correct
3. What two summer Olympic sports award medals for "synchronized" events? There is now synchronized diving, if the swimming wasn't enough for you. correct
4. What bacteria is the best known member of genus Escherichia? That's what the "E." stands for in out friend "E. coli." correct!
5. What fictional characters were briefly joined by a fifth member, a female called Venus de Milo? She was a short-lived addition to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Why are four of them Renaissance artists and the other a classical sculpture? I give up. Because TV cartoon writers don't have art degrees? correct
6. What Chinook word meaning "to give away" refers to an economic system based on gift-giving gatherings and practiced by many Indian tribes? This is a potlatch. don't think I knew that this word meant a system of barter
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these kitchen mainstays? Cheese puffs, chocolate chip cookies, corn flakes, matches, microwave ovens, Popsicles, potato chips, saccharin, stainless steel, teabags, Teflon, and Worcestershire sauce? All were invented by accident. Think how much poorer our lives would be if no one ever screwed up their job! Note to self: make an inspirational poster or t-shirt based on this Question Seven. Possibly with a kitten on it? Hmmm. I knew that microwave ovens were accidentally discovered. Did not know the story of the other items.
1. The 1598 Edict of Nantes, while reiterating that Catholicism was the state religion of France, granted more freedoms to what Calvinist Protestant minority? Lutherans? I don't think that Methodists, Episcopalians and Baptists came along until later
2. Doctor Who actor David Tennant, born David McDonald, took his stage name in honor of the lead singer of what 1980s duo? can't be Toni Tennille. The Captain and Tennille was not an 80s duo. Duos? Eurythmics, Tears for Fears, Wham. Can't think of a musician named Tennant.
3. Robert Rayford, who died in St. Louis in 1969, is now believed to be the first American to have died from what cause? AIDS? this would be much earlier than the person who has been considered Patient Zero
4. In the original Space Invaders game, players faced how many rows of eleven aliens each? 7?
5. Before he began collaborating with Oscar Hammerstein in 1942, Richard Rodgers did most of his work with what lyricist? finally, one I really know. Lorenz Hart
6. Of the African countries that border the Mediterranean, which is by far the smallest in area? Tunisia
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these movies? The Bling Ring, Dog Day Afternoon, The Fast and the Furious, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Insider, I Want To Live!, Live Free or Die Hard, On the Waterfront, Top Gun, Zulu. I think they are all based on magazine articles
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. In what European city would you find Hotel Europa, called "the most bombed hotel in the world" for the 28 bomb attacks it suffered between 1971 and 1998? The Hotel Europa, a popular target during "the Troubles," is in Belfast, Northern Ireland. correct
2. NINJA loans, a mortage industry product made famous when the housing bubble popped, were (according to the expansion of the acronym) available even to people lacking what three things? NINJA stands for "No Income, No Job/Assets". correct
3. What two summer Olympic sports award medals for "synchronized" events? There is now synchronized diving, if the swimming wasn't enough for you. correct
4. What bacteria is the best known member of genus Escherichia? That's what the "E." stands for in out friend "E. coli." correct!
5. What fictional characters were briefly joined by a fifth member, a female called Venus de Milo? She was a short-lived addition to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Why are four of them Renaissance artists and the other a classical sculpture? I give up. Because TV cartoon writers don't have art degrees? correct
6. What Chinook word meaning "to give away" refers to an economic system based on gift-giving gatherings and practiced by many Indian tribes? This is a potlatch. don't think I knew that this word meant a system of barter
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these kitchen mainstays? Cheese puffs, chocolate chip cookies, corn flakes, matches, microwave ovens, Popsicles, potato chips, saccharin, stainless steel, teabags, Teflon, and Worcestershire sauce? All were invented by accident. Think how much poorer our lives would be if no one ever screwed up their job! Note to self: make an inspirational poster or t-shirt based on this Question Seven. Possibly with a kitten on it? Hmmm. I knew that microwave ovens were accidentally discovered. Did not know the story of the other items.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - August 27
Still catching up. Only three weeks behind.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. In what European city would you find Hotel Europa, called "the most bombed hotel in the world" for the 28 bomb attacks it suffered between 1971 and 1998? Athens? Belfast? Wasn't the Good Friday peace agreement signed under Clinton? I'll guess Belfast.
2. NINJA loans, a mortgage industry product made famous when the housing bubble popped, were (according to the expansion of the acronym) available even to people lacking what three things? no income, no job and no assets
3. What two summer Olympic sports award medals for "synchronized" events? swimming and diving
4. What bacteria is the best known member of genus Escherichia? ecoli? I am hard pressed to think of too many other bacteria
5. What fictional characters were briefly joined by a fifth member, a female called Venus de Milo? Venus de Milo might have joined the other Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
6. What Chinook word meaning "to give away" refers to an economic system based on gift-giving gatherings and practiced by many Indian tribes? tupperware party. Not that? how about barter
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these kitchen mainstays? Cheese puffs, chocolate chip cookies, corn flakes, matches, microwave ovens, Popsicles, potato chips, saccharin, stainless steel, teabags, Teflon, and Worcestershire sauce? common names for these items are corporate-owned trademarks - Cheetos cheese puffs, Toll House cookies, Kelloggs corn flakes, Diamond matches, etc.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The mouth of the Amazon River is in Brazil, but its main source is found in what other country? A tiny glacial stream called the Nevado Mismi, in the Andres Mountains of Peru, is the birthplace of the mighty Amazon. shoot, once again I narrow down to 2 answers and pick the wrong one.
2. The philosopher Diogenes is best-known for his practice of carrying a lamp in the daytime, claiming to be looking for what? An honest man. Oh, you're a cut-up, Diogenes. correct
3. What ubiquitous new word was popularized as the title motto of Drake's 2011 song "The Motto"? The titular motto is "you only live once," or, in acronym form, YOLO. I'm sure you're not tired of that yet. Alex knew this but I did not. It may show up on a future pub quiz in some form.
4. What quantity is defined in physics as the product of force and displacement, and usually measured in joules? Work. If you got this one wrong, your parents probably aren't surprised, lazy-ass. correct. I asked this question on my most recent quiz but I actually wrote it months before KJ included it on TT.
5. What youngest U.S. Navy pilot in 1943 flew 58 World War II combat missions in his plane, the "Barbara"? That pilot went on to marry the plane's namesake, Barbara Pierce, in 1945, and eventually became the 41st President of the United States: George H. W. Bush. I am kind of tired of presidential trivia, but this is a fun factoid
6. The four Halliwell sisters on TV's Charmed all had first names beginning with what letter? Well, one was a half-sister, I guess. Their names were Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige. yeah ok
7. What surprising (but not unusual!) distinction is shared by these famous people? Cesar Chavez, Mahatma Gandhi, Vaclav Havel, Stephen Hawking, James Joyce, Lise Meitner, Dmitri Mendeleev, Vladimir Nabokov, Marcel Proust, Nikola Tesla. Despite their eminence in their fields of literature, science, or statesmanship, none of these people have ever received a Nobel Prize. (Obviously not an unusual distinction, as you and I haven't won one either, but it's a little weird that Proust and Gandhi and Hawking never won, right?) correct!
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. In what European city would you find Hotel Europa, called "the most bombed hotel in the world" for the 28 bomb attacks it suffered between 1971 and 1998? Athens? Belfast? Wasn't the Good Friday peace agreement signed under Clinton? I'll guess Belfast.
2. NINJA loans, a mortgage industry product made famous when the housing bubble popped, were (according to the expansion of the acronym) available even to people lacking what three things? no income, no job and no assets
3. What two summer Olympic sports award medals for "synchronized" events? swimming and diving
4. What bacteria is the best known member of genus Escherichia? ecoli? I am hard pressed to think of too many other bacteria
5. What fictional characters were briefly joined by a fifth member, a female called Venus de Milo? Venus de Milo might have joined the other Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
6. What Chinook word meaning "to give away" refers to an economic system based on gift-giving gatherings and practiced by many Indian tribes? tupperware party. Not that? how about barter
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these kitchen mainstays? Cheese puffs, chocolate chip cookies, corn flakes, matches, microwave ovens, Popsicles, potato chips, saccharin, stainless steel, teabags, Teflon, and Worcestershire sauce? common names for these items are corporate-owned trademarks - Cheetos cheese puffs, Toll House cookies, Kelloggs corn flakes, Diamond matches, etc.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The mouth of the Amazon River is in Brazil, but its main source is found in what other country? A tiny glacial stream called the Nevado Mismi, in the Andres Mountains of Peru, is the birthplace of the mighty Amazon. shoot, once again I narrow down to 2 answers and pick the wrong one.
2. The philosopher Diogenes is best-known for his practice of carrying a lamp in the daytime, claiming to be looking for what? An honest man. Oh, you're a cut-up, Diogenes. correct
3. What ubiquitous new word was popularized as the title motto of Drake's 2011 song "The Motto"? The titular motto is "you only live once," or, in acronym form, YOLO. I'm sure you're not tired of that yet. Alex knew this but I did not. It may show up on a future pub quiz in some form.
4. What quantity is defined in physics as the product of force and displacement, and usually measured in joules? Work. If you got this one wrong, your parents probably aren't surprised, lazy-ass. correct. I asked this question on my most recent quiz but I actually wrote it months before KJ included it on TT.
5. What youngest U.S. Navy pilot in 1943 flew 58 World War II combat missions in his plane, the "Barbara"? That pilot went on to marry the plane's namesake, Barbara Pierce, in 1945, and eventually became the 41st President of the United States: George H. W. Bush. I am kind of tired of presidential trivia, but this is a fun factoid
6. The four Halliwell sisters on TV's Charmed all had first names beginning with what letter? Well, one was a half-sister, I guess. Their names were Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige. yeah ok
7. What surprising (but not unusual!) distinction is shared by these famous people? Cesar Chavez, Mahatma Gandhi, Vaclav Havel, Stephen Hawking, James Joyce, Lise Meitner, Dmitri Mendeleev, Vladimir Nabokov, Marcel Proust, Nikola Tesla. Despite their eminence in their fields of literature, science, or statesmanship, none of these people have ever received a Nobel Prize. (Obviously not an unusual distinction, as you and I haven't won one either, but it's a little weird that Proust and Gandhi and Hawking never won, right?) correct!
Friday, September 13, 2013
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - August 20
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. The mouth of the Amazon River is in Brazil, but its main source is found in what other country? Ecuador?
2. The philosopher Diogenes is best-known for his practice of carrying a lamp in the daytime, claiming to be looking for what? an honest man
3. What ubiquitous new word was popularized as the title motto of Drake's 2011 song "The Motto"? I think the only thing I know about Drake is that he is Jewish. twerk?
4. What quantity is defined in physics as the product of force and displacement, and usually measured in joules? work
5. What youngest U.S. Navy pilot in 1943 flew 58 World War II combat missions in his plane, the "Barbara"? JFK?
6. The four Halliwell sisters on TV's Charmed all had first names beginning with what letter? I know nothing about this show but I do have a 1 in 26 chance of being correct. A
7. What surprising (but not unusual!) distinction is shared by these famous people? Cesar Chavez, Mahatma Gandhi, Vaclav Havel, Stephen Hawking, James Joyce, Lise Meitner, Dmitri Mendeleev, Vladimir Nabokov, Marcel Proust, Nikola Tesla. These are all highly accomplished individuals who never won a Nobel prize
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The sometimes-criticized Chief Wahoo is the mascot of what professional sports franchise? Chief Wahoo is the grinning be-feathered mascot of the Cleveland Indians, and is somehow still a thing in 2013. correct
2. What did detractors from 1817 to 1825 refer to as "Clinton's Big Ditch"? Not that Clinton: New York governor DeWitt Clinton. One of his greatest (and most ditch-shaped) legacies was the Erie Canal. correct
3. Robert Indiana is best known for his series of Pop Art sculptures--which have even appeared on a U.S. postage stamp--depicting what word?
L O
V E correct
4. What's the better-known name for the flavor sometimes called "VCS" in the ice cream industry? VCS stands for vanilla-chocolate-strawberry--or, as we usually call it, Neapolitan. aagh! An unforced error.
5. In what 2012 film are the protagonist's mental problems triggered by hearing the Stevie Wonder song "My Cherie Amour"? This rare affliction, not yet catalogued in psychiatry's DSM-5, plagues Bradley Cooper's character in Silver Linings Playbook. I actually did see the movie, but I don't remember this detail
6. Petrichor is what scientists call the distinctive smell, a result of plant oils absorbed in clay, that often follows what? Petrichor is what people are usually thinking of when they talk about "the smell of rain." thought of this as a possible answer. A nice factoid to learn.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these TV characters? Mr. Cunningham (Happy Days), Tom Hanson (21 Jump Street), Jenna Maroney (30 Rock), Father Mulcahey (M*A*S*H), Willow Rosenberg (Buffy), Chrissy Snow (Three's Company), Catelyn Stark (Game of Thrones), Danny Tanner (Full House). All were played, believe it or not, by a different actor in the pilot episode of their respective series. Weirdly, all except for Danny Tanner were originally played by comedian Bob Saget. correct
1. The mouth of the Amazon River is in Brazil, but its main source is found in what other country? Ecuador?
2. The philosopher Diogenes is best-known for his practice of carrying a lamp in the daytime, claiming to be looking for what? an honest man
3. What ubiquitous new word was popularized as the title motto of Drake's 2011 song "The Motto"? I think the only thing I know about Drake is that he is Jewish. twerk?
4. What quantity is defined in physics as the product of force and displacement, and usually measured in joules? work
5. What youngest U.S. Navy pilot in 1943 flew 58 World War II combat missions in his plane, the "Barbara"? JFK?
6. The four Halliwell sisters on TV's Charmed all had first names beginning with what letter? I know nothing about this show but I do have a 1 in 26 chance of being correct. A
7. What surprising (but not unusual!) distinction is shared by these famous people? Cesar Chavez, Mahatma Gandhi, Vaclav Havel, Stephen Hawking, James Joyce, Lise Meitner, Dmitri Mendeleev, Vladimir Nabokov, Marcel Proust, Nikola Tesla. These are all highly accomplished individuals who never won a Nobel prize
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The sometimes-criticized Chief Wahoo is the mascot of what professional sports franchise? Chief Wahoo is the grinning be-feathered mascot of the Cleveland Indians, and is somehow still a thing in 2013. correct
2. What did detractors from 1817 to 1825 refer to as "Clinton's Big Ditch"? Not that Clinton: New York governor DeWitt Clinton. One of his greatest (and most ditch-shaped) legacies was the Erie Canal. correct
3. Robert Indiana is best known for his series of Pop Art sculptures--which have even appeared on a U.S. postage stamp--depicting what word?
L O
V E correct
4. What's the better-known name for the flavor sometimes called "VCS" in the ice cream industry? VCS stands for vanilla-chocolate-strawberry--or, as we usually call it, Neapolitan. aagh! An unforced error.
5. In what 2012 film are the protagonist's mental problems triggered by hearing the Stevie Wonder song "My Cherie Amour"? This rare affliction, not yet catalogued in psychiatry's DSM-5, plagues Bradley Cooper's character in Silver Linings Playbook. I actually did see the movie, but I don't remember this detail
6. Petrichor is what scientists call the distinctive smell, a result of plant oils absorbed in clay, that often follows what? Petrichor is what people are usually thinking of when they talk about "the smell of rain." thought of this as a possible answer. A nice factoid to learn.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these TV characters? Mr. Cunningham (Happy Days), Tom Hanson (21 Jump Street), Jenna Maroney (30 Rock), Father Mulcahey (M*A*S*H), Willow Rosenberg (Buffy), Chrissy Snow (Three's Company), Catelyn Stark (Game of Thrones), Danny Tanner (Full House). All were played, believe it or not, by a different actor in the pilot episode of their respective series. Weirdly, all except for Danny Tanner were originally played by comedian Bob Saget. correct
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - August 13
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. The sometimes-criticized Chief Wahoo is the mascot of what professional sports franchise? Cleveland Indians
2. What did detractors from 1817 to 1825 refer to as "Clinton's Big Ditch"? the Erie Canal
3. Robert Indiana is best known for his series of Pop Art sculptures--which have even appeared on a U.S. postage stamp--depicting what word? LOVE
4. What's the better-known name for the flavor sometimes called "VCS" in the ice cream industry? rocky road? maybe the C is for chocolate
5. In what 2012 film are the protagonist's mental problems triggered by hearing the Stevie Wonder song "My Cherie Amour"? Django Unchained. Not Django? I have no idea. Not sure I saw this movie.
6. Petrichor is what scientists call the distinctive smell, a result of plant oils absorbed in clay, that often follows what? petrichor - is that literally blood of the stone from the Greek? an earthquake might release a distinctive smell from broken rock
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these TV characters? Mr. Cunningham (Happy Days), Tom Hanson (21 Jump Street), Jenna Maroney (30 Rock), Father Mulcahey (M*A*S*H), Willow Rosenberg (Buffy), Chrissy Snow (Three's Company), Catelyn Stark (Game of Thrones), Danny Tanner (Full House). All of these characters were played by different actors in the pilot episode than would play them in the regular series
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. On June 16, 1963, in addition to achieving a more famous milestone, who became the first civilian ever to go to space? Valentina Tereshkova was an engineer only inducted into to the Soviet Air Force as an honorary member. She was also, notably, the first woman in space. ok
2. Missouri and Tennessee each border eight U.S. states, more than any other. But what other state *also* borders eight different states? Texas borders four U.S. states and four Mexican ones. I was on the right track, but went with NM because I did not know that Texas bordered 4 Mexican states
3. What musician, born William Broad, took his stage name from a school nickname referring to his lazy study habits? Billy Idol was once called "Billy Idle" by a cranky schoolteacher. did not know that
4. What beloved literary protagonist will suffer through drunken texting and skinny jeans when she returns in her third novel in October, subtitled "Mad about the Boy"? Helen Fielding's long-awaited third Bridget Jones novel is due in the fall. correct
5. Today Hiram Bingham is best known not for his career in the U.S. Senate, but for uncovering to the public what site in South America? Bingham was the "discoverer," sort of, of Machu Picchu, Peru. correct
6. What company now offers cars like a black Ford Mustang, silver Toyota Camry, and white Chevy Malibu in addition to its most iconic vehicle? The most iconic model is still a pink Cadillac, as these are Mary Kay perks. this question was just too cryptic for me to pick up what he was looking for
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these biblical figures, and no others? Jacob, Jesus of Nazareth, King Solomon, and Thomas the Apostle? These are the four biblical figures with modern-day countries named for them! Respectively: Israel (another name for Jacob), El Salvador ("the Savior"), the Solomon Islands, and Sao Tome e Principe. tough Q7 and a tough week!
1. The sometimes-criticized Chief Wahoo is the mascot of what professional sports franchise? Cleveland Indians
2. What did detractors from 1817 to 1825 refer to as "Clinton's Big Ditch"? the Erie Canal
3. Robert Indiana is best known for his series of Pop Art sculptures--which have even appeared on a U.S. postage stamp--depicting what word? LOVE
4. What's the better-known name for the flavor sometimes called "VCS" in the ice cream industry? rocky road? maybe the C is for chocolate
5. In what 2012 film are the protagonist's mental problems triggered by hearing the Stevie Wonder song "My Cherie Amour"? Django Unchained. Not Django? I have no idea. Not sure I saw this movie.
6. Petrichor is what scientists call the distinctive smell, a result of plant oils absorbed in clay, that often follows what? petrichor - is that literally blood of the stone from the Greek? an earthquake might release a distinctive smell from broken rock
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these TV characters? Mr. Cunningham (Happy Days), Tom Hanson (21 Jump Street), Jenna Maroney (30 Rock), Father Mulcahey (M*A*S*H), Willow Rosenberg (Buffy), Chrissy Snow (Three's Company), Catelyn Stark (Game of Thrones), Danny Tanner (Full House). All of these characters were played by different actors in the pilot episode than would play them in the regular series
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. On June 16, 1963, in addition to achieving a more famous milestone, who became the first civilian ever to go to space? Valentina Tereshkova was an engineer only inducted into to the Soviet Air Force as an honorary member. She was also, notably, the first woman in space. ok
2. Missouri and Tennessee each border eight U.S. states, more than any other. But what other state *also* borders eight different states? Texas borders four U.S. states and four Mexican ones. I was on the right track, but went with NM because I did not know that Texas bordered 4 Mexican states
3. What musician, born William Broad, took his stage name from a school nickname referring to his lazy study habits? Billy Idol was once called "Billy Idle" by a cranky schoolteacher. did not know that
4. What beloved literary protagonist will suffer through drunken texting and skinny jeans when she returns in her third novel in October, subtitled "Mad about the Boy"? Helen Fielding's long-awaited third Bridget Jones novel is due in the fall. correct
5. Today Hiram Bingham is best known not for his career in the U.S. Senate, but for uncovering to the public what site in South America? Bingham was the "discoverer," sort of, of Machu Picchu, Peru. correct
6. What company now offers cars like a black Ford Mustang, silver Toyota Camry, and white Chevy Malibu in addition to its most iconic vehicle? The most iconic model is still a pink Cadillac, as these are Mary Kay perks. this question was just too cryptic for me to pick up what he was looking for
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these biblical figures, and no others? Jacob, Jesus of Nazareth, King Solomon, and Thomas the Apostle? These are the four biblical figures with modern-day countries named for them! Respectively: Israel (another name for Jacob), El Salvador ("the Savior"), the Solomon Islands, and Sao Tome e Principe. tough Q7 and a tough week!
Sunday, September 08, 2013
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - August 6
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. On June 16, 1963, in addition to achieving a more famous milestone, who became the first civilian ever to go to space? Sam Shepherd. I mean Chuck Yeager.
2. Missouri and Tennessee each border eight U.S. states, more than any other. But what other state *also* borders eight different states? What about a US state that also touches Mexican states like New Mexico. It touches AZ, UT, CO, OK, TX, KS? Maybe also two Mexican states.
3. What musician, born William Broad, took his stage name from a school nickname referring to his lazy study habits? Professor Longhair?
4. What beloved literary protagonist will suffer through drunken texting and skinny jeans when she returns in her third novel in October, subtitled "Mad about the Boy"? Bridget Jones
5. Today Hiram Bingham is best known not for his career in the U.S. Senate, but for uncovering to the public what site in South America? Macchu Picchu
6. What company now offers cars like a black Ford Mustang, silver Toyota Camry, and white Chevy Malibu in addition to its most iconic vehicle? "iconic vehicle" implies that it is not a car company. Why is the color relevant? That seems like a clue too. Is this something like a golf cart company? Or Oscar Mayer with alternatives to the wienermobile?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these biblical figures, and no others? Jacob, Jesus of Nazareth, King Solomon, and Thomas the Apostle? Something about building or carpentry as mentioned in the Bible? Solomon built the temple, Thomas is the patron saint of architects. Jesus was a carpenter.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What petroleum-derived wax is named for the Latin words for "barely reactive"? Paraffin means "parum affinis," since it has almost no "affinity" for other substances. correct
2. From what occupied German city did the Allied powers issue a 1945 declaration calling for the immediate surrender of Japan? The Potsdam Declaration--you won't believe this--was issued from occupied Potsdam. don't think that I am familiar with the Postdam Declaration
3. The A.P. has given its NFL MVP award to a player with the initials "A.P." twice, both to Minnesota Vikings. In 1971 it was Alan Page; who was it last season? Running back Adrian Peterson. correct
4. What appears after the sender's address but before the recipient's address on a standard business letter? That's where the date goes, in most business letter templates. correct
5. According to a popular classical music superstition, composers like Beethoven, Mahler, Schubert, and Dvorak died after completing what specific work? That's the curse of the ninth symphony! Test it out at your own peril. correct
6. In what 1986 film do the protagonists drive a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT with a vanity plate reading "NRVOUS"? That's Cameron's dad's car in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Also known as "where we all learned that the running-the-car-in-reverse-to-wind-back-the-odometer trick doesn't work." if he had said Ferrari Spyder, it may have been enough to jog my memory of the movie
7. What unusual distinction is shared (more or less!) by these musical tracks? "Backstreets" (1975), "Blue Velvet" (1963), "Family Man" (1987), "LoveGame" (2008), "Love Letter" (2009), "Moon Dreams" (1957), "Rollin' On" (1967), "Superwoman" (1972), "This Boy" (1963), "Thug Style" (1997). Each of these song titles shares (roughly speaking) the initials of its artist. Respectively: Bruce Springsteen, Bobby Vinton, Fleetwood Mac, Lady Gaga, Leona Lewis, Miles Davis, Roy Orbison, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Tupac Shakur. I cast a pretty wide net looking for these and still didn't find too many that were well-known singles...are there others that I missed? well, ok
1. On June 16, 1963, in addition to achieving a more famous milestone, who became the first civilian ever to go to space? Sam Shepherd. I mean Chuck Yeager.
2. Missouri and Tennessee each border eight U.S. states, more than any other. But what other state *also* borders eight different states? What about a US state that also touches Mexican states like New Mexico. It touches AZ, UT, CO, OK, TX, KS? Maybe also two Mexican states.
3. What musician, born William Broad, took his stage name from a school nickname referring to his lazy study habits? Professor Longhair?
4. What beloved literary protagonist will suffer through drunken texting and skinny jeans when she returns in her third novel in October, subtitled "Mad about the Boy"? Bridget Jones
5. Today Hiram Bingham is best known not for his career in the U.S. Senate, but for uncovering to the public what site in South America? Macchu Picchu
6. What company now offers cars like a black Ford Mustang, silver Toyota Camry, and white Chevy Malibu in addition to its most iconic vehicle? "iconic vehicle" implies that it is not a car company. Why is the color relevant? That seems like a clue too. Is this something like a golf cart company? Or Oscar Mayer with alternatives to the wienermobile?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these biblical figures, and no others? Jacob, Jesus of Nazareth, King Solomon, and Thomas the Apostle? Something about building or carpentry as mentioned in the Bible? Solomon built the temple, Thomas is the patron saint of architects. Jesus was a carpenter.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What petroleum-derived wax is named for the Latin words for "barely reactive"? Paraffin means "parum affinis," since it has almost no "affinity" for other substances. correct
2. From what occupied German city did the Allied powers issue a 1945 declaration calling for the immediate surrender of Japan? The Potsdam Declaration--you won't believe this--was issued from occupied Potsdam. don't think that I am familiar with the Postdam Declaration
3. The A.P. has given its NFL MVP award to a player with the initials "A.P." twice, both to Minnesota Vikings. In 1971 it was Alan Page; who was it last season? Running back Adrian Peterson. correct
4. What appears after the sender's address but before the recipient's address on a standard business letter? That's where the date goes, in most business letter templates. correct
5. According to a popular classical music superstition, composers like Beethoven, Mahler, Schubert, and Dvorak died after completing what specific work? That's the curse of the ninth symphony! Test it out at your own peril. correct
6. In what 1986 film do the protagonists drive a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT with a vanity plate reading "NRVOUS"? That's Cameron's dad's car in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Also known as "where we all learned that the running-the-car-in-reverse-to-wind-back-the-odometer trick doesn't work." if he had said Ferrari Spyder, it may have been enough to jog my memory of the movie
7. What unusual distinction is shared (more or less!) by these musical tracks? "Backstreets" (1975), "Blue Velvet" (1963), "Family Man" (1987), "LoveGame" (2008), "Love Letter" (2009), "Moon Dreams" (1957), "Rollin' On" (1967), "Superwoman" (1972), "This Boy" (1963), "Thug Style" (1997). Each of these song titles shares (roughly speaking) the initials of its artist. Respectively: Bruce Springsteen, Bobby Vinton, Fleetwood Mac, Lady Gaga, Leona Lewis, Miles Davis, Roy Orbison, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Tupac Shakur. I cast a pretty wide net looking for these and still didn't find too many that were well-known singles...are there others that I missed? well, ok
Monday, September 02, 2013
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - July 30
THIS WEEK"S QUESTIONS
1. What petroleum-derived wax is named for the Latin words for "barely reactive"? paraffin is the only petroleum-based wax I can think of
2. From what occupied German city did the Allied powers issue a 1945 declaration calling for the immediate surrender of Japan? don't think I have heard this before. Berlin?
3. The A.P. has given its NFL MVP award to a player with the initials "A.P." twice, both to Minnesota Vikings. In 1971 it was Alan Page; who was it last season? Adrian Peterson
4. What appears after the sender's address but before the recipient's address on a standard business letter? Adrian Peterson. Wait that was last question. The date?
5. According to a popular classical music superstition, composers like Beethoven, Mahler, Schubert, and Dvorak died after completing what specific work? 9th symphony
6. In what 1986 film do the protagonists drive a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT with a vanity plate reading "NRVOUS"? Trying to think of 1986 movies. Does not seem like it would be Platoon, Stand By Me or Peggy Sue Got Married.
7. What unusual distinction is shared (more or less!) by these musical tracks? "Backstreets" (1975), "Blue Velvet" (1963), "Family Man" (1987), "LoveGame" (2008), "Love Letter" (2009), "Moon Dreams" (1957), "Rollin' On" (1967), "Superwoman" (1972), "This Boy" (1963), "Thug Style" (1997). Maybe something similar in how they were used somewhere? They don't have much in common musically or the lyrics. Maybe something about song titles and movie titles - Superwoman vs. Superman, LoveGame vs. War Games?
2. From what occupied German city did the Allied powers issue a 1945 declaration calling for the immediate surrender of Japan? don't think I have heard this before. Berlin?
3. The A.P. has given its NFL MVP award to a player with the initials "A.P." twice, both to Minnesota Vikings. In 1971 it was Alan Page; who was it last season? Adrian Peterson
4. What appears after the sender's address but before the recipient's address on a standard business letter? Adrian Peterson. Wait that was last question. The date?
5. According to a popular classical music superstition, composers like Beethoven, Mahler, Schubert, and Dvorak died after completing what specific work? 9th symphony
6. In what 1986 film do the protagonists drive a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT with a vanity plate reading "NRVOUS"? Trying to think of 1986 movies. Does not seem like it would be Platoon, Stand By Me or Peggy Sue Got Married.
7. What unusual distinction is shared (more or less!) by these musical tracks? "Backstreets" (1975), "Blue Velvet" (1963), "Family Man" (1987), "LoveGame" (2008), "Love Letter" (2009), "Moon Dreams" (1957), "Rollin' On" (1967), "Superwoman" (1972), "This Boy" (1963), "Thug Style" (1997). Maybe something similar in how they were used somewhere? They don't have much in common musically or the lyrics. Maybe something about song titles and movie titles - Superwoman vs. Superman, LoveGame vs. War Games?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The default ringtone on the iPhone is named for what musical instrument of southern Mexican/Central American origin? It sounds (vaguely) like a marimba. ok
2. In the Bible, what was the family relationship between Ruth and Naomi? Daughter-in-law/mother-in-law. But they're still pals! Because it's the Bible, there can be miracles. Bible knowledge? fail
3. What style of dress, with long, loose skirts rising to a very high waist, was popularized (appropriately enough) by Napoleon's wife Josephine? Popularized by the Empress, these are empire waists. correct
4. What HBO series's final episode, in 1998, was called "Flip," a reference to its title character's catchphrase to viewers: "No flipping!"? The host of The Larry Sanders Show, played by Garry Shandling, instructed viewers during his final late-night monologue, "You can now flip." correct
5. What conflict in American history was derisively nicknamed "Mr. Madison's War"? James Madison was president (and in fact his family had to flee a burning Washington, D.C. just hours ahead of British troops) during the War of 1812. correct
6. What pair of dwarf galaxies are named for the explorer whose expedition spotted them from the Southern Hemisphere in 1520? Magellan's scholarly assistant Antonio Pigafetta noted the galaxies that we today call the (Large and Small) Magellanic Clouds. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these sports teams? The Brewers, Coyotes, Cubs, Dodgers, L.A. Kings, Orioles, Rangers, and Sabres. These are, I believe, all the teams in the four major North America pro sports organizations that have declared bankruptcy. A few people have pointed out that, since I went to the trouble to specify the "L.A." Kings, I probably should have disambiguated the Rangers as well. (It's the Texas baseball team and not the New York NHL team that declared bankruptcy in 2010.) Have there really been no bankruptcies among current NBA or NFL teams? I couldn't find any. correct!
1. The default ringtone on the iPhone is named for what musical instrument of southern Mexican/Central American origin? It sounds (vaguely) like a marimba. ok
2. In the Bible, what was the family relationship between Ruth and Naomi? Daughter-in-law/mother-in-law. But they're still pals! Because it's the Bible, there can be miracles. Bible knowledge? fail
3. What style of dress, with long, loose skirts rising to a very high waist, was popularized (appropriately enough) by Napoleon's wife Josephine? Popularized by the Empress, these are empire waists. correct
4. What HBO series's final episode, in 1998, was called "Flip," a reference to its title character's catchphrase to viewers: "No flipping!"? The host of The Larry Sanders Show, played by Garry Shandling, instructed viewers during his final late-night monologue, "You can now flip." correct
5. What conflict in American history was derisively nicknamed "Mr. Madison's War"? James Madison was president (and in fact his family had to flee a burning Washington, D.C. just hours ahead of British troops) during the War of 1812. correct
6. What pair of dwarf galaxies are named for the explorer whose expedition spotted them from the Southern Hemisphere in 1520? Magellan's scholarly assistant Antonio Pigafetta noted the galaxies that we today call the (Large and Small) Magellanic Clouds. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these sports teams? The Brewers, Coyotes, Cubs, Dodgers, L.A. Kings, Orioles, Rangers, and Sabres. These are, I believe, all the teams in the four major North America pro sports organizations that have declared bankruptcy. A few people have pointed out that, since I went to the trouble to specify the "L.A." Kings, I probably should have disambiguated the Rangers as well. (It's the Texas baseball team and not the New York NHL team that declared bankruptcy in 2010.) Have there really been no bankruptcies among current NBA or NFL teams? I couldn't find any. correct!
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - July 23
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. The default ringtone on the iPhone is named for what musical instrument of southern Mexican/Central American origin? Have I ever heard an iPhone default ringtone?
2. In the Bible, what was the family relationship between Ruth and Naomi? a guess - Naomi is Ruth's daughter
3. What style of dress, with long, loose skirts rising to a very high waist, was popularized (appropriately enough) by Napoleon's wife Josephine? is there such a thing as an empire skirt?
4. What HBO series's final episode, in 1998, was called "Flip," a reference to its title character's catchphrase to viewers: "No flipping!"? lots of guessing this week - Larry Sanders Show?
5. What conflict in American history was derisively nicknamed "Mr. Madison's War"? War of 1812
6. What pair of dwarf galaxies are named for the explorer whose expedition spotted them from the Southern Hemisphere in 1520? Magellan?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these sports teams? The Brewers, Coyotes, Cubs, Dodgers, L.A. Kings, Orioles, Rangers, and Sabres. True of some but not all - moved cities and changed nicknames, changed colors. But I think I just hit on another shared distinction - owners have gone through bankruptcy.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What does one add to lemonade to make the (non-alcoholic) drink called an Arnold Palmer? Arnold Palmer used to add iced tea to his lemonade, changing the history of lunchtime beverages forever. (You can add vodka to an Arnold Palmer to make a John Daly, which is about the best thing I've ever heard.) correct
2. Actor Krishna Pandit Bhanji, born in Yorkshire in 1943, is better known by what stage name? Ben Kingsley is of Indian descent, but anglicized his name when he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in the early 1970s. correct
3. The Log Cabin Republicans are a conservative U.S. lobbying organization advocating for what? Gay rights. The Log Cabin Republicans is the largest U.S. organization for gay conservatives. correct
4. What Spanish word for "straight" is also a meteorological term for a straight squall line of thunderstorms? That's called a "derecho," as you might have seen in coverage of the storms in the Midwest last month. derecho also means straight? I understood that it meant right as in the opposite of left. izquierdo vs. derecho.
5. Is This the Real Life? was a 2011 book telling "The Untold Story of" what band? "Is this the real life?" is the first line of "Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen. correct
6. In what country is Serengeti National Park? The Serengeti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest national park in the nation of Tanzania. close, but not correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by Jeb Bush, Edward VIII, George Foreman Jr., Connie Francis, Ira Gershwin, Captain Kirk, Liberace, Stuart Little, Telly Savalas, Ron Weasley, and Angus Young? Easiest Question Seven in recent memory? Maybe. They each had a brother named George. correct
1. The default ringtone on the iPhone is named for what musical instrument of southern Mexican/Central American origin? Have I ever heard an iPhone default ringtone?
2. In the Bible, what was the family relationship between Ruth and Naomi? a guess - Naomi is Ruth's daughter
3. What style of dress, with long, loose skirts rising to a very high waist, was popularized (appropriately enough) by Napoleon's wife Josephine? is there such a thing as an empire skirt?
4. What HBO series's final episode, in 1998, was called "Flip," a reference to its title character's catchphrase to viewers: "No flipping!"? lots of guessing this week - Larry Sanders Show?
5. What conflict in American history was derisively nicknamed "Mr. Madison's War"? War of 1812
6. What pair of dwarf galaxies are named for the explorer whose expedition spotted them from the Southern Hemisphere in 1520? Magellan?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these sports teams? The Brewers, Coyotes, Cubs, Dodgers, L.A. Kings, Orioles, Rangers, and Sabres. True of some but not all - moved cities and changed nicknames, changed colors. But I think I just hit on another shared distinction - owners have gone through bankruptcy.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What does one add to lemonade to make the (non-alcoholic) drink called an Arnold Palmer? Arnold Palmer used to add iced tea to his lemonade, changing the history of lunchtime beverages forever. (You can add vodka to an Arnold Palmer to make a John Daly, which is about the best thing I've ever heard.) correct
2. Actor Krishna Pandit Bhanji, born in Yorkshire in 1943, is better known by what stage name? Ben Kingsley is of Indian descent, but anglicized his name when he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in the early 1970s. correct
3. The Log Cabin Republicans are a conservative U.S. lobbying organization advocating for what? Gay rights. The Log Cabin Republicans is the largest U.S. organization for gay conservatives. correct
4. What Spanish word for "straight" is also a meteorological term for a straight squall line of thunderstorms? That's called a "derecho," as you might have seen in coverage of the storms in the Midwest last month. derecho also means straight? I understood that it meant right as in the opposite of left. izquierdo vs. derecho.
5. Is This the Real Life? was a 2011 book telling "The Untold Story of" what band? "Is this the real life?" is the first line of "Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen. correct
6. In what country is Serengeti National Park? The Serengeti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest national park in the nation of Tanzania. close, but not correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by Jeb Bush, Edward VIII, George Foreman Jr., Connie Francis, Ira Gershwin, Captain Kirk, Liberace, Stuart Little, Telly Savalas, Ron Weasley, and Angus Young? Easiest Question Seven in recent memory? Maybe. They each had a brother named George. correct
