SHINY OBJECTS
($100) You can hang this on a Christmas tree strand by strand, or you can throw handfuls onto the tree.
Answer: What is tinsel (or icicles)? This tradition originated in Germany in the 1600s, and real silver strands were originally used.
This is short for mayonnaise.
Answer: What is mayo?
When you order Chinese food, you’ll get this cookie at the end of a meal.
Answer: What is fortune? No one knows the origin of fortune cookies, but they didn’t originate in China. That flavor you can’t quite put your finger on comes from vanilla and sesame oil.
On May 27, 1937, this landmark bridge that connects San Francisco to Marin County opened.
Answer: What is Golden Gate Bridge? Opening Day was dubbed “Pedestrian Day,” when only pedestrian traffic was allowed. Its bright orange color allows it to stand out in the fog.
Born May 23, 1933, she played the role of Alexis Carrington on Dynasty.
Answer: Who is Joan Collins? Her sister Jackie Collins was a prolific novelist.
“[Repeated word] on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”
Answer: What is mirror? It’s “Mirror, mirror, on the wall” in the original Brothers Grimm tale, but Disney changed it to “Magic mirror, on the wall.”
Finish the saying: “Gather ye rosebuds…”
Answer: What is “while ye may”? It’s another way of telling us to do things while there’s still time. It’s the first line of a poem by Robert Herrick.
It is bread dipped in eggs, fried on a griddle or in a pan, and served with syrup.
Answer: What is French toast?
On May 7, 1847, this medical professional society was established.
Answer: What is AMA or American Medical Association? Nathan Smith Davis was its founder and first president.
Born May 6, 1856, this Austrian neurologist founded the discipline of psychoanalysis.
Answer: Who is Sigmund Freud?
This type of leather used to be worn only from Easter to Labor Day.
Answer: What is patent? Patent leather is now worn throughout the year. Real patent leather starts with a leather base.
In this 1964 film starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, the military plots a coup against the sitting president.
What is Seven Days in May? It was nominated for two Academy Awards and won a Golden Globe.
This white flatfish has a mild taste.
Answer: What is flounder? Northeastern flounder is also called fluke.
On May 19, 1910, this comet came as close to Earth as it ever has.
Answer: What is Halley’s? The part of the comet that is visible is the tail, which is actually melting ice that releases some of its particles and rocks.
Born May 2, 1885, this actress was best known as a syndicated gossip columnist whose arch-rival was Louella Parsons.
Answer: Who is Hedda Hopper? Can you guess why she changed her published birthdate to June 2, 1890? She wanted to conceal her true age.
These little, round embellishments on clothing serve no function but are used to add sparkle to garments.
What are sequins?
It is a phrase describing a casual or carefree attitude, particularly in the face of danger or consequences.
Answer: What is “devil may care”?
This white bulb tastes of anise with wispy fronds that resemble dill.
Answer: What is fennel? This crunchy vegetable can be served raw in salads or roasted. The fronds can be used as garnish.
On May 14, 1796, British physician Edward Jenner, also known as the “Father of Immunology,” first vaccinated a patient against this disease.
Answer: What is smallpox? He used a strain of cowpox, which is a less virulent disease. He made his discovery when he met a young dairymaid, Sarah Nelms, who was immune, thanks to long-term exposure to the disease.
Born May 24, 1819, this Queen ruled over England for longer than any of her predecessors.
Answer: Who is Queen Victoria? She ruled for 63 years and seven months, the longest until Queen Elizabeth II, who has ruled for over 65 years.
It is a child’s toy that propels itself down the stairs after a little nudge.
Answer: What is Slinky? It was developed by accident, hit the Christmas market in 1945, and has earned a spot in the National Museum of Play.
It’s another way of saying you may not receive the same results I have and is often represented by the acronym YMMV.
Answer: What is “Your mileage may vary”?
Add egg yolks to vanilla ice cream, and you get this type of vanilla ice cream
Answer: What is French? French vanilla ice cream has a yellow hue; vanilla ice cream is white.
On May 17, 1954, this landmark Supreme Court case did away with segregation in public schools.
Answer: What is Brown v. Board of Education? Prior to the ruling, the “separate but equal” doctrine was in effect.
On May 31, 1909, this actor and all-around showman became famous after his starring role in the 1939 film The Story of Alexander Graham Bell.
Who is Don Ameche?