Saucy Sauces
It is cooked, pureed apples combined with cinnamon and sugar.
What is applesauce? It’s a staple of kids’ diets. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was frequently on the school lunch menu.
On Sunday mornings, we used to listen to his American Top 40 on the radio.
Who is Casey Kasem? Kasem hosted the show from 1970–1988. On the inaugural show, the No. 1 hit was “Mama Told Me Not to Come” by Three Dog Night.
AWOL stands for this.
What is “absent without leave”? The maximum penalty is stiff: confinement for one month, reduction of status to the lowest enlisted grade, and a one-month reduction of pay to one-third of current pay.
This best-selling toy from the 1950s began life as a wallpaper cleaner until a teacher decided to have her students use it as clay for sculpting.
What is Play-Doh? The original colors were red, yellow, and blue. The colors have been expanded, and it’s still non-toxic.
Advice vs. advise: the noun
What is advice? To advise (the verb) is to give advice.
On March 10, Canada and the United States switch to this time.
What is daylight saving time? We turn our clocks ahead one hour. An effortless way to remember which way to turn the clocks is “spring forward, fall back.”
Served with pasta, its main ingredient is basil.
What is pesto? Other ingredients are garlic, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts. You can substitute walnuts without compromising flavor.
Concurrent with the rise of rock ’n’ roll, soul music came to the scene as Black artists flocked to this label.
What is Motown? Berry Gordy established the predecessor to the label and then merged it into Motown in 1960. He started the original label with $800. Top Motown artists included the Jackson 5, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye.
The special forces of the U.S. Navy are called this.
What are the Navy SEALs? Navy SEAL training is so tough that only around 20 percent of recruits complete it successfully.
These paint kits are still popular with young and mature alike.
What are paint-by-number kits? A commercial artist conceived the idea when he was asked to find a way to sell more paint.
Accept vs. except: the verb that means to receive
What is accept? Except means to exclude or leave out.
The poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth describes these flowers that bloom in March.
What are daffodils? The first stanza reads: “I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”
This red sauce is served with tortilla chips.
What is salsa? Basic ingredients include chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Add cumin and salt to taste.
It has been rumored that this Beatle died and was replaced with an imposter.
Who is Paul McCartney? He allegedly died in a car accident in 1966. Songs on the White Album are said to have hidden messages about Paul being dead when played backward.
This is the newest branch of the military.
What is Space Force? It was established in 2019. It’s a separate branch, but it falls under the air force in the same way the marines fall under the navy.
When you were growing up, boys played with this military figure.
What is G.I. Joe? The figure is ready for action with its movable joints.
The building in Washington, D.C., that houses the U.S. Congress and Senate: capital or capitol?
What is capitol? Capitol with an O refers only to a building, not a city. The United States Capitol is in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States.
In the United States, this Japanese national flower begins to bloom in March.
What is cherry blossom? The original 2,000 cherry blossom trees Japan gifted the United States were destroyed by pests and disease, but they gave a second gift of 3,000 trees, which you can see in Washington, D.C. Look but don’t pick the blossoms from those gifts, because it’s illegal to do so.
This mayo-based sauce includes minced dill pickles, mustard, lemon juice, and spices and often accompanies fried fish.
What is tartar sauce? The name comes from the French tartare, but its roots might date to the Roman era.
You knew Robert Weston Smith, the wild-haired DJ who became a national sensation in the 1960s, by this name.
Who is Wolfman Jack? He received national press from the major outlets, and they all asked, “Who is Wolfman Jack, and where did he come from?” Naturally, everyone wanted to listen to him, and he remained in the spotlight for the rest of the decade
People from around the world join this French military
What is the French Foreign Legion? Recruits are given a new identity for the first one to three years of service. After that time, they can revert to their real identity. Criminals keep their new identity for their entire term of service.
These pictures come in hundreds of irregular pieces and occupy a good portion of the dining room table.
What are (jigsaw) puzzles? These puzzles date to 1860 in England and the United States. They come with fewer pieces for young children, and they’re addictive once you start one.
Principal vs. principle: the head of a schoo
What is principal? An easy way to remember this is that a pal is a person. Principle is a value or tenet.
Meteorological spring starts on this day
What is March 1? That’s also around the time spring fever hits, and we’re more than ready to leave winter behind.
This is the French name for natural gravy and pan drippings served with roast beef.
What is au jus? The juices are released during cooking.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is in this state.
What is Ohio? The Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland in 1995. In 2023, the induction ceremonies were televised for the first time.
This military force guards Vatican City.
What is the (Pontifical) Swiss Guard? They’re easily recognized by their colorful red, white, yellow, and blue uniforms.
This popular children’s game involves balls and metal pieces.
What is jacks? This used to be a popular sidewalk game.
Censor vs. censure: a reprimand or criticism
What is censure? Censor means to remove harmful material. The problem is that determining what material is harmful is a subjective exercise.
This is the name for the full moon in March.
What is worm moon? Many believe the name comes from earthworms that begin to appear in March. Another explanation is beetle larvae begin to emerge.
This French white sauce made with milk, butter, and flour is one of the five mother sauces.
What is béchamel? Black pepper and nutmeg are optional ingredients. The key to a perfect béchamel is constant whisking until it reaches a thick, creamy consistency
The first recorded rock ’n’ roll song was “Rocket 88,” recorded in 1951 by this artist
Who is Jackie Brenston? He used a distorted guitar
The Greek Presidential Guards are elite soldiers that go by this name.
What is Evzone? Their white-skirted Sunday and holiday uniform with white hose and clogs are recognized around the world. During the week, they wear a similar skirted uniform in khaki.
She is Barbie’s best friend.
Who is Midge? She was introduced in 1963. Her last name is Hadley.
Inequity vs. iniquity: wickedness or sin
What is iniquity? Inequity means unequal, unfair, or biased.
On the first day of spring, the first glimpse of the sun since the polar night happens here.
What is the Arctic Circle? The polar night lasts approximately one month, when there is no sign of the sun.
What test, which was developed and named after a mathematician, determines if a computer is capable of thinking like a human being?
The Turing test. Aside from the Turing test, created by Alan Turing in 1950, the mathematician also played a key role in cracking the Enigma, a mechanical device used by the Germans to encode messages.