Medieval History
R.I.P. Portlandia
Random Facts I know you'll know, ya nerd
Ray's Daily Icebreaker Hall of Fame
100
This terrible disease has been estimated to have killed over half the population of Europe, coming from the fleas that were on infected rats from Asian cargo ships.
What is the Black Death?
100
This iconic Portland outdoor market, held every weekend along the waterfront, is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest.
What is the Portland Saturday Market?
100
The ancient Library of Alexandria, often cited as the greatest repository of knowledge in the ancient world, was located in this modern-day country.
What is Egypt?
100
"I am my favorite clown."
DIB Question: Who is your favorite clown? 
200
This (nowadays) common pantry item, used to season food was worth more was than its weight in gold during medieval times.
What is salt?
200
Known as the "Man of a Thousand Voices, this legendary voice actor has voiced an iconic cartoon bunny (among other anthropomorphic animals) whose classic greeting is "What's up, doc?"
Who is Mel Blanc?
200
The original 1974 rulebook for this role-playing game was so vague about how to actually play that Gary Gygax famously said the only way to learn was to find someone who already knew — there were no real instructions.
What is Dungeons and Dragons?
200
Ray received this stringed instrument as a graduation gift and aptly named it 'Ebanjoline.'
DIB Question: What was a particularly good/memorable/useful graduation gift that you either received or gave?
300
This historical and cultural concept granted a medieval court's version of a modern-day comedian the unique right to mock, criticize and speak harsh truths to authority figures without facing punishment.
What is jester's privilege?
300
The creator of this long-running animated sitcom Matt Groening grew up in Portland, Oregon — and named the series' perpetually drunk, donut-loving patriarch after his own father.
What is the Simpsons?
300
Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics first appeared in a 1942 short story set in this fictional universe of the future.
What is the Foundation / Robot universe?
300
In response to this DIB question about fashion icks, Ray proclaimed that this sloped hat famously sported by babies and dads at theme parks should be banned.
What is a bucket hat?
400
A bizarre artistic motif of the middle ages, chivalric knights can be found bravely jousting these garden-dwelling gastropods in the margins of illuminated manuscripts dating back to the 13th century.
What are snails?
400
Portland, Oregon is home to Mill Ends Park -- located in the median strip of SW Naito Parkway in downtown and featuring one tree -- the current holder of this Guinness World Record.
What is the smallest urban park in America?
400
In Star Trek, this unit of faster-than-light travel is used to measure a starship's speed.
What is warp factor?
400
I sit at a computer in my room all day and read and write a lot
DIB Question: How would you describe what you do for work to a small child (or someone else with zero knowledge of the field)?
500
In 14th century Alsace, France, a woman named Frau Troffea and her daughter began to do this all day and night long without stopping, eventually "plagueing" and claiming the lives of up to 400 people in a mysterious case of mass hysteria.
What is dancing?
500
The phrase 'Keep Portland Weird' was inspired by a campaign originating in this Texas city.
What is Austin?
500
This is the only letter of the alphabet that does not appear in the name of any U.S. state.
What is Q?
500
Ray's answer to this DIB question that concerned this starchy, tuberous vegetable sparked a 13+ long comment thread of fierce debate.
What is a potato?