Focus On August
This major sporting event takes place every four years.
What are the Olympic Games? Fun Fact: The last time the Olympic gold medal was made of solid gold was 1912.
Heavens to this person.
Who is Betsy? This is an early version of “oh my goodness,” or “OMG.”
This 1969 musical event, featuring performers including Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, became a defining symbol of the counterculture of the 1960s.
What is Woodstock? The music festival was banned by its original venue due to the lack of toilets, but it was saved by a local farmer.
What hero killed Medusa in Greek mythology?
Perseus. Medusa was a gorgon who had a human face with venomous snakes for hair. He used Medusa’s head as a weapon until he gave it to Athena.
Vertically challenged
What is short?
This street sign could say “No outlet.”
What is dead end? Cul-de-sacs are considered dead-end streets. The longest dead-end street in Britain is 22 miles (35 km) long and a single-lane road.
This multi-bloomed perennial on a long stem, also called a sword lily, is in full bloom in August.
What is gladiolus? Gladiolus is the official flower of August. They are native to South Africa and grow in all areas of the country
This kind of head refers to a person who is not particularly bright.
What is air? The term airhead was also used to refer to a silly person.
This civil rights leader is known for his “I Have a Dream” speech.
Who is Martin Luther King Jr.? One of the famous quotes from the speech is “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
What ragtime composer wrote “Maple Leaf Rag”?
Scott Joplin. It is one of his first pieces and is one of the most famous ragtime compositions.
Let go (as in from your job)
What is fired?
This lock has no spring and is often a secondary lock.
What is deadbolt? The lock forces a bolt into a hardened doorframe. It cannot be picked by using a credit card to force it open, and it requires tools and knowledge to open it without a key. Some models lock and unlock only from the inside.
On this continent, many shops close for the month of August.
What is Europe? You might have heard people say, “Europe is closed in August.” It’s a very popular month for Europeans to vacation. But fear not, there is still plenty for tourists to see and do in Europe in August.
See you later, [this animal].
What is alligator? The corresponding reply is “After a while, crocodile.”
In the generation gap of the age, many 1960s children were part of this movement, a movement most parents neither understand nor liked.
What is hippie? The movement was characterized by communal living, a focus on peace and love, and unconventional clothing and hairstyles.
In what fairy tale does a young man sell a cow for five “magic” beans?
“Jack and the Beanstalk.” In the fairy tale, Jack climbs the beanstalk and ends up in the home of a giant.
Between jobs
What is unemployed?
A do-nothing, lazy person or one who fails to pay debts is known as this.
What is deadbeat? The term can easily apply to cats, as any cat owner knows. Adult cats sleep 18 hours a day and make it known when they want something, most likely treats.
This popular fruit associated with South Carolina and Georgia is harvested in August.
What is peach? For a luscious after-dinner treat, slice peaches in half, brush with olive oil, and grill them.
You do not want this sandwich to connect with your face.
What is knuckle? “I will give you a knuckle sandwich” was a common 1950s threat that meant giving someone a punch in the face.
This groovy ride with a distinct boxy shape and spacious interior was a sign of the times.
What is a Volkswagen van (or bus)? Its proper model name was Microbus.
What literary character has been portrayed by the most actors?
Sherlock Holmes. More than 70 actors have played the detective on film, stage, screen, and radio.
Under the weather
What is sick or ill?
This is the term for mail the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) cannot deliver.
What is dead mail? In 2022, the USPS had around 270 million pieces of dead mail.
This country celebrates Independence Day on August 15.
What is India? Celebrations include festivals across the country, parades, and kite flying. The prime minister holds a flag-raising ceremony in Old Delhi, followed by a parade and a nationally televised address.
This five-letter word starting with S means “to leave now.”
What is scram? It’s the early version of “getouttahere” (all one word).
When this Grateful Dead musician died, Volkswagen ran an ad in his honor that featured a tear falling from a headlight of the brand’s iconic ’60s vehicle.
Who is Jerry Garcia? He was originally a country music fan who grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry.
What two countries fought during the Falklands War?
Great Britain and Argentina. During the 74-day conflict, 255 British and 649 Argentine military personnel died.
Previously owned
What is used?
Fans of the Grateful Dead band are called this.
What are Deadheads? The band allowed their fans to record their live performances and distribute them.
This famous annual meteor shower peaks in August. .
What is the Perseid meteor shower? It’s the most popular meteor show of the year, known for its fireballs, or exceptionally bright and intense meteors
This was a popular word in the ’50s and early ’60s for a nonconformist creative type.
What is beatnik? Jack Kerouac was the ultimate beatnik.
This Harvard psychologist referred to the 1960s generation as a segment of the population that decided to “turn on, tune in, and drop out.”
Who is Timothy Leary? He was known for advocating in favor of psychedelic drugs.
What trophy is awarded to the most outstanding college football player in the United States?
The Heisman trophy. Some past winners include Roger Staubach (1963), O.J. Simpson (1968), Marcus Allen (1981), and Hershel Walker (1982).
Economical with the truth
What is Lying?
Comedians who have mastered this expressionless style include Bea Arthur, Jack Benny, Harvey Korman, and Tim Conway.
What is deadpan? Tim Conway and the other actor-comedians on The Carol Burnett Show often took it upon themselves to improvise. Conway’s masterful deadpan often broke his fellow stars to the point they couldn’t contain their laughter.