Love at First Bite
Sometimes called a yam in the Western world, it’s really one of these.
What is sweet potato? The root vegetables look similar, but you have probably never tasted a yam. Ninety-five percent of yams are grown in West Africa, and they can grow to 45 inches in length.
These two words are exchanged at the altar during a wedding ceremony.
What is “I do”? While many couple write their own vows, they still say their “I do’s.”
In I Love Lucy, the Ricardos live in this borough of New York City.
What is Manhattan? Fun fact: In reality, their address—623 East 68th Street on the Upper East Side—would be in the middle of the East River between Manhattan and Roosevelt Island.
A four-letter word beginning with N that describes an alcove or small, recessed section of a room, usually devoted to one activity
What is nook? Examples include a breakfast nook in the kitchen or a corner of a living room.
Clocks go this way at the end of daylight saving time in November, granting a precious extra hour of sleep.
What is back? In the United States and Canada, we turn our clocks back an hour when we change from daylight saving time to standard time on November 2.
A simple, yet decadent, dessert is this whole fruit dipped in chocolate.
What is a strawberry? The concept of dipping strawberries is a fairly recent introduction, originating in the 1960s at the gourmet food store Stop & Shop in Chicago, Illinois.
This epic double “do” is from JFK’s inaugural address.
What is [My fellow Americans,] “ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”? An equally poignant passage from the same speech that is rarely quoted is “My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Green Acres and Petticoat Junction are both set in this small rural community.
What is Hooterville? Though both series are set in the mythical town of Hooterville, the town appears differently in each series.
A burglar, robber, extortionist, etc.
What is crook? Crook is not a legal term; rather, it is a generic name we give to perpetrators who commit a crime.
This federal holiday honoring the military is held in November.
What is Veterans Day? It is observed every November 11. The day honors all military members who have served honorably, living or deceased.
This shellfish is often served raw on the half shell with lemon; it’s a French Quarter favorite.
What are oysters? They are thought to have aphrodisiac qualities. Medical News Today website writes, “Oysters contain compounds that may improve sexual performance or desire, but science has not proven their effects.”
This 1937 song by the Andrews Sisters warns the listener: Don’t do this with “anyone else but me.”
What is “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree.”
Andy, Aunt Bee, Opie, Barney, Goober, and Gomer live here.
What is Mayberry? The Andy Griffith Show is emblematic of small towns in the 1960s.
One who is not an accountant but tracks inflows and outflows
What is bookkeeper? The bookkeeper records transactions, though there can be some overlap with the accountant’s work. The accountant also analyzes data and performs audits, and some are tax preparers. Bookkeepers and bookkeeping are the only two English words with three sets of double letters.
These U.S. national political “contests” are held in November.
What are (federal) elections? State and local elections are sometimes held in conjunction with federal elections, but there are no federal statutes or constitutional requirements that mandate them to be held at the same time.
Known for its rich flavor and mood-enhancing qualities, this sweet treat contains phenylethylamine, the “love molecule.”
What is chocolate? That would explain why it is so popular as a Valentine’s gift. It must be real chocolate to contain the “love chemical.”
Neither underdress nor overdress, but it’s important to do this.
What is dress for the occasion? When you’re underdressed or overdressed, you can feel conspicuous, and that ruins the joy of the occasion.
The 1960s spy sitcom Get Smart is set in this city.
What is Washington, D.C.? In the show, CONTROL’s assignment is to neutralize KAOS, a malevolent international organization. The audience doesn’t ever learn what CONTROL and KAOS stand for, but we learn in Episode 38 that KAOS was founded in Bucharest.
The “Wi” in Wi-Fi is assumed to stand for this.
What is wireless? Wi-Fi doesn’t really stand for anything, but the organization that thought up the term as part of a marketing campaign used the tag line “The Standard for Wireless Fidelity.” Wi-Fi uses a radio spectrum to send signals through the ether via a network without the use of cables.
November is the only month this classic British playwright never mentioned in his plays or sonnets.
Who is William Shakespeare? No one knows if it was an oversight or intentional.
This creamy Italian dessert is a popular romantic treat, and its name means “cooked cream.”
What is panna cotta? It’s not a custard, and it doesn’t taste like or resemble gelatin, though it’s made with gelatin. It’s more like a cross between a firm mousse and a custard without eggs. It’s sinfully rich and silky and often topped with fruit.
Men wear this color and type of jacket at white-tie affairs.
What is black (evening) tailcoat? The dress code for a white-tie event is strict. For example, the shirt must be wing-collared, and a white vest coat is required.
Batman and Robin were headquartered in this city.
What is Gotham City? The Batman franchise has been filmed in several large cities, including London, New York, and Chicago.
The double-S word astronauts experience in space due to microgravity
What is weightlessness? Extended periods of weightlessness cause many physiological changes. In June 2024, two astronauts who were originally scheduled for an eight-day trip were stranded on the space station for more than eight months. After that length of time, they could have lost up to 20 percent of lean muscle mass and one to two percent of bone density.
November is derived from the Latin novem, which is this number.
What is nine? November is now the 11th month of the year, but it wasn’t always. Under the original Roman calendar, there was no January or February, which made November the ninth month.