Misc
According to the proverb, a bird in the hand is worth how many in the bush?
Two. The phrase implies that it is better to appreciate and hold onto something you already have instead of going for something better, because you risk losing everything.
Who had nicknames like "The Hillbilly Cat," "The Memphis Flash," and "The King of Rock 'n' Roll?"
Elvis Presley. Some other nicknames for Elvis included "Elvis the Pelvis," "The Hoppin' Hillbilly," "The Vibrating Valentino," "The Tennessee Troubadour," And "Ol' Snake Hips."
The Pyramids of Giza are found in what country?
Egypt. There are three main pyramids. Each one was commissioned by a different pharaoh: Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. They stand near the present-day city of Cairo.
What is the name of the first U.S. satellite to go into space?
Explorer 1. The satellite was twice the size of a basketball. The 1958 launch of Explorer 1 was a critical moment for the U.S., as the Space Race with the Soviet Union was just beginning.
What does "bon voyage" mean
"Have a nice trip." It's originally French
Why was October 24, 1929, known as "Black Thursday?"
The stock market crashed. Many see that day as the start of the Great Depression. Stocks continued to fall for several years after, until 1932.
What was Norma Jeane Mortenson's stage name? Hint: She starred in the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Marilyn Monroe. Studio executive Ben Lyon suggested she change her name when she first signed her contract with 20th Century Fox.
What symbol is in the center of the Canadian flag?
The maple leaf. The Canadian House of Commons and Senate approved the design for the flag in 1694, and Queen Elizabeth II pronounced it the official flag on February 15, 1965.
What flower shares its name with the Greek goddess of the rainbow and the colorful part of the eye?
Iris. Irises are perennial plants that come in many different types and colors.
What does “Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques, Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?” translate to in English?
“Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Brother John, Brother John.” The English version of the children’s song continues with the lyrics “Morning bells are ringing, Morning bells are ringing, ding, dang, dong, ding, dang, dong.”
What political party is represented by an elephant?
The Republican party. The first time an elephant was used to denote the Republican party was in a political cartoon during the Civil War.
Three sisters named Patty. Maxene, and LaVerne made up what famous singing trio?
The Andrew Sisters. Throughout their career, they had 46 songs become top 10 hits.
What is the capital of Cuba?
Havana. Havana was moved to its current location in 1519. The older portion of the city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
How many layers does the Earth's atmosphere have: two, three, or five?
Five. The troposphere touches the Earth's surface. Above that layer, you have the stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
What English word refers to a head covering and translates to the word for grandmother in Russian?
Babushka. In Russia, the term is used to address not only one’s own grandmother but any woman of grandmotherly age.
"Sailor's delight." This means that favorable weather is coming. The rest of the phrase implies the opposite: "Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning."
The Birds, Psycho, and Rear Window were made by what famous director and producer?
Alfred Hitchcock. Nicknamed "The Master of Suspense," Hitchcock received the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in 1979.
What kind of hats do the queen of England’s guards wear?
Bearskins (tall, furry, black hats). These hats date back to the early 1800s when Napoleon’s French Imperial Guard wore similar hats to intimidate their opponents. The English began wearing them after their victory over the French at Waterloo.
What organ regulates blood sugar by producing insulin?
The pancreas. Insulin makes it possible for your cells to use glucose for energy. It also helps remove excess glucose from your bloodstream.
What does "persona non grata" mean.
"An unacceptable person" in Latin.
What toy comes as a set of colorful interlocking bricks that children can build into various shapes and designs?
Lego. Ole Christiansen, a Danish carpenter, invented the first Legos in 1949. The original colors were only red and white.
The following quotation comes from what movie: “Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy night”?
All About Eve. Bette Davis played the character of an aging Broadway star named Margo Channing in the movie.
What countries are considered to be the four founding nations of Canada?
England, Scotland, France, and Ireland. All four are honored in the present design of the Canadian coat of arms. Their symbols include the three royal lions of England, the royal lion of Scotland, the royal fleur-de-lis of France, and the Irish royal harp of Tara.
What is the job title of a person who studies insects?
Entomologist. They study insects to better understand their behaviors, their environmental needs, and their relationships with other animals.
What does "je ne sais quoi" mean?
'I don't know what': a pleasing quality that cannot be exactly named or described.
Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, and Alessandro Volta were all born and raised in what country?
Italy. Leonardo da Vinci is known for having painted The Last Supper and Mona Lisa. Galileo Galilei made discoveries that shaped the studies of physics and astronomy. Alessandro Volta invented the electric battery.
What 1940s radio program centered around an aircraft plant worker who was always getting into trouble and saying, “What a revoltin’ development this is”?
The Life of Riley. The radio program ran from 1941 to 1951 and was turned into a television program that ran for six seasons. William Bendix starred as the lead character, Chester A. Riley, in both the radio and TV adaptation.
What Australian city hosted the 2000 Summer Olympics?
Sydney. Two new events were added to the program for the summer Olympic games that year: triathlon and tae kwon do.
What scientist invented alternating-current (AC) electricity and discovered the rotating magnetic field? Hint: One of his inventions was a coil that bears his name
Nikola Tesla. The Tesla coil is still used for present-day radio technology. He performed demonstrations of his AC system at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Schadenfreude - What does it mean?
a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction when something bad happens to someone else