Curious Events
Migratory Birds
Distinctly New England Foods
American Inventions
Worker Safety (or lack of)
Funny People
Potpourri
100
Huberta, a well-known one of these watery mammals in South Africa, began her walk from St Lucia Estuary in 1928. 3 years later, she arrived in East London (also in South Africa, 1000 miles south).
What is a hippo?
100
Arctic terns have the longest known migratory path, employing a figure-8 course from the Arctic Circle to this faraway destination.
What is Antarctica?
100
Albert Bean of Bangor started a Maine food trend in 1860 when he added _______________ to his butcher shop's offerings, in order to distinguish them from the competition. Similar products are still consumed in Maine, and are beloved for their "natural casings".
What is red food dye? (Added to hot dogs)
100
This implement came into common use thanks to an American dentist, Levi Spear Parmly. In an 1819 book, he recommended running “waxed silken thread” between the teeth to "dislodge that irritating matter which no brush can remove."
What is Dental floss?
100
Named for this paid driver in well-off houses, an arm fracture was common as early automobiles had to be hand-cranked from the outside using a starter’s handle. The engine might backfire while holding the handle and crack the driver's radius.
What is a chauffeur?
100
This comedian was forever 39 and was renowned for his stinginess. He appeared on radio and TV from 1934 to 1964.
Who is Jack Benny?
100
Before becoming VP and then President, Joe Biden represented this state in the US Senate.
What is Delaware?
200
Since 2007, at least 21 of these body parts (mostly rights) have washed up on the beaches in the Pacific Northwest. Investigators believe they may be washing up due to storms in the area.
What are feet?
200
Known for their ability to hover in mid-air and their rapid wing beats, which allow them to fly backwards and upside down, these are the smallest of all migratory birds.
What is a hummingbird?
200
in 1918, Emma Curtis (Paul Revere's great, great, great granddaughter) invented this sandwich, then called the Liberty Sandwich, when she paired marshmallow creme with peanut butter on oat bread.
What is the Fluffernutter?
200
Invented by Elias Howe and perfected by Isaac Singer, this invention revolutionized the textile industry. It made it possible to mass-produce clothing and textiles, making them more affordable without having to make them by hand.
What is the sewing machine?
200
The problem with hammering the soles of shoes in your lap all day, every day, for a lifetime is that the hammering causes dozens of tiny, painless fractures to open up in your thighbones, leading to a condition named for this shoe repair professional.
What is a cobbler?
200
This funny lady from the 1930s and 1940s became well known for risque double entendres such as "When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad I'm better" and "Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before".
Who is Mae West?
200
This author of Freckle Juice, Are You There God, Its Me Margaret? and Summer Sisters works with the National Coalition Against Censorship
Who is Judy Blume?
300
In 1919, a massive tank filled with this gooey stuff in Boston, Massachusetts, burst open, unleashing a wave of it flooding the streets. The wave was estimated to be 25 feet high and traveled at a speed of 35 miles per hour, causing buildings to collapse and drowning 21 people.
What is Molasses?
300
The bar-headed variety of these migratory birds are known for their exceptional ability to fly over the Himalayan mountains, reaching altitudes of up to 29,500 feet.
What are geese?
300
Here in New England, this concoction of noodles, seasoned beef, and tomato-y goodness is named for an American Chinese dish consisting of meat, eggs, rice and vegetables in a thick sauce.
What is American Chop Suey?
300
Before Jonas Salk developed this vaccine, the disease was devastating; causing paralysis and death, particularly among children.
What is Polio?
300
The phrase "mad as a hatter" describes someone as completely insane and comes from the 18th and 19th centuries, when using this chemical to treat the beaver fur often used for hats, caused neurological symptoms like tremors and delirium.
What is mercury?
300
This comedian developed a routine which included the "Seven Words You Can't Say on Television". He was also the first host of Saturday Night Live
Who is George Carlin?
300
in 1893, this was the first country to give women the right to vote
What is New Zealand?
400
Greek tragedian Aeschylus died in a most tragic, albeit funny way, when an eagle saw his bald head, thought it was a rock and dropped this reptile on his head.
What is a tortoise?
400
These large white birds migrate to nest on roofs in Europe. If your parents didn't want to tell you where babies really come from, they may have told you these birds brought them.
What is a White Stork?
400
Starting in South Portland in 1947, this Maine potato chip favorite with a memorable cartoon mascot has popular flavors which include “Sour Cream & Clam” and “All Dressed,” a flavor that combines barbecue sauce, ketchup, and salt & vinegar.
What are Humpty Dumpty chips?
400
Otto Frederick Rodwedder, a jeweler from Iowa, spent more than a decade perfecting his design to make this; it finally hit commercial production in 1928. We often compare how great something is compared to the product his machine makes.
What is Sliced bread?
400
Playing too much of this instrument can cause a localized inflammation of the part of the neck that the instrument rests against.
What is the violin or fiddle?
400
Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, known professionally by this stage name, was an American comedian and country singer who appeared at the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years. She was known for wearing a big hat with a price tag attached.
Who is Minnie Pearl?
400
Floating in the waters off Majorca, you might find the fried egg version of this free swimming marine animal.
What is a jellyfish?
500
Known for his death defying stunts, this magician met his end on Halloween 1926, from peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix which may have been aggravated by a punch to the stomach.
Who is Harry Houdini?
500
A migrating bird that is just passing through is known by this T word that we use to describe tourists, short-term workers, students, or those experiencing homelessness.
What is Transient?
500
This favorite Maine soda, to some, tastes like a subtle, not-too-sweet blend of wintergreen and licorice, but others…well…they toss around words like medicine, motor oil, and “root beer that’s gone really funky.”
What is Moxie?
500
John W. Hetrick was awarded the patent for this invention in August 1953; using his experiences in the US Navy, where compressed air was used to propel torpedoes, he saw their potential for automotive safety.
What are Car Airbags?
500
The lead used in paint was causing chronic constipation among painters and paint manufacturers, which could eventually become very painful. They named it "Painter's (this)" as its similar to a condition common in babies with immature immune and digestive systems.
What is Colic?
500
In the 1990s, this "Saturday Night Live" alumnus starred Wayne's World, Shrek and So I Married an Axe Murderer. He later starred in a trilogy about a mysterious British spy, and his evil nemesis.
Who is Mike Myers?
500
Players remove and re-stack wooden blocks in this game whose name comes from Swahili for "to build".
What is Jenga?