Foodie Factoids
Brie and Roquefort cheese come from this country.
What is France? France makes somewhere between 400 and 1,000 different types
of cheese, depending on whether you count sub-types of cheese. It takes 10 pounds of milk
to make one pound of cheese.
From the 1960s through the early 1990s, he said “Heeeeere’s Johnny!” every weeknight.
Who is Ed McMahon? He was Johnny Carson’s sidekick for 30 years on The
Tonight Show. While in college, McMahon sold veggie slicers on the Atlantic City boardwalk.
On January 27, 1961, the Time magazine cover featured this man’s inauguration.
Who is Kennedy (JFK)? The edition featured excerpts from
his inaugural address along with an account of the snowy inauguration.
Red sky at night, sailor’s delight” means this kind of weather in the morning.
What is good or fair? The saying is generally true because the red you see at
sunset reflects dust particles, which indicate high pressure and stable conditions
This fast-food restaurant chain named for the “King of the Cowboys” opened its doors
in 1968.
What is Roy Rogers? Executives selected the name because they wanted
something all-American.
Orange juice and champagne comprise this adult beverage.
What is a mimosa? It’s a traditional Sunday brunch drink.
We can thank England for giving us brunch and France for bringing
the mimosa to it.
The phrase “Danger, Will Robinson!” was famously uttered by
a robot on this 1960s show.
What is Lost in Space? In pop culture, the phrase caught on
as a way to warn someone that they were about to make a mistake or
that they were overlooking something.
The March 2, 1962, cover was out of this world with this man,
the first American to orbit Earth.
Who is John Glenn? Artist Boris Artzybasheff painted the
image, and it was one of approximately 800 works of original cover
art donated by Time to the National Portrait Gallery in 1978.
When you feel these parts of the body ache for no apparent reason, expect rain.
What are joints? According to the Washington Post, “In one 1990 paper published
in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, the authors stated that ‘pain was significantly
increased for patients with osteoarthritis on days with rain.’”
This is the alliterative name for the wide-legged jeans style popular in the 1970s.
What are bell-bottoms? Did you know that British and American sailors wore pants
fashioned this way in the 19th century so it would be easier to snag a man if he fell overboard?
The Barefoot Contessa is the nickname of this celebrity chef.
Who is Ina Garten? Long before she was a TV sensation,
Garten’s specialty food store was named the Barefoot Contessa, and
she adopted the name for herself.
"Live long and prosper” comes from Mr. Spock and this show.
What is Star Trek? Before making it big in show business,
Leonard Nimoy, who plays Mr. Spock, drove a taxi as a side job and
once drove President John F. Kennedy.
The March 14, 1960, cover featured this iconic Swedish director,
known for The Seventh Seal.
Who is Ingmar Bergman? Bergman was first introduced to movies by his
grandfather, as his strict father did not approve of them.
Some say a large crop of these on the ground foretells
a harsh winter.
What are acorns or walnuts? Thick nut shells also
portend a cold winter.
This alliterative cereal popular in the 1960s is a chocolate version of Rice Krispies.
What are Cocoa Krispies? Introduced in 1958, the cereal had several early mascots,
including a monkey and an elephant.
With the slogan “Service at the speed of sound,” this drive-in, fast-food restaurant has
skating servers.
What is Sonic? The restaurant began life as a root beer stand on the same
property as a steakhouse. If you have a craving for one of their discontinued items, you can
still order it, and they will try to fill the order.
This family was known for their distinctive bedtime routine that
began with “Good night, John-Boy.”
Who are the Waltons? The Waltons creator Earl Hamner Jr. said this was
something his own family did each night before going to sleep when he was growing up.
This author of Catcher in the Rye was the cover feature on September 15, 1961.
Who is J. D. Salinger? The reclusive writer was also known for his short stories,
often published in The New Yorker.
This fluffy cloud resembling cotton candy is accompanied by bright, blue skies.
What is cumulus? These brilliant clouds typically
forecast fair weather and float from 10,000 feet up to 39,000 feet.
You often fly through cumulus clouds during a commercial
airplane flight.
This actress is known for roles in Calamity Jane, Pillow Talk, and The Man Who
Knew Too Much.
Who is Doris Day? She was born Doris Mary Ann von Kappelhoff
and got her start dancing and singing as a child.
The Italian al dente translates to this in English.
What is “to the tooth”? Traditional al dente pasta provides more nutrients, is easier
to chew, and holds sauces better than overcooked pasta.
This child actor often said, “What’choo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?”
Who is Gary Coleman? Coleman plays Arnold Jackson on the show Diff’rent
Strokes. Arnold often says this quip to his brother, Willis (played by Todd Bridges).
This “most trusted man in America” graced the October 14, 1966, magazine cover.
Who is Walter Cronkite? The accompanying article called him “the single most
convincing and authoritative figure in TV news.”
When you don’t hear a sound from these insects, the
temperature has fallen below 55°F/13°C.
What are crickets? They won’t chirp when the
temperature dips below 55°F or rises above 100°F/38°C.
This 1980s slang means “rebellious in an exciting way,” and is also the title of a
1982 song by George Thorogood.
What is “Bad to the Bone”? The song inspired this use of the phrase to describe a
rebellious, stylish, or cool person.