Variations 1
BROWN COW
a variation on a root beer float that uses chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla
ROOT BEER FREEZE
Ever tried a root beer milkshake? The root beer freeze is a float with the root beer and ice cream mixed together. Whether you drink it with a straw or eat it with a spoon, the root beer freeze is seriously refreshing.
In which sort of parade are you most likely to see a float?
Carnival
A carnival float is usually built on the back of a flat bed lorry, and can take whatever format fits the event. Floats are associated with many well known carnivals, including the one held in Rio de Janeiro and the Rose Parade in Pasadena. Of course, much smaller and local carnivals also include floats, and I imagine most of us have seen several in our time.
A military parade would normally involve soldiers on foot, displaying their skill at marching, and brass bands would usually be on foot as well. A cavalcade refers specifically to parades on horseback.
Floaters normally affect which part of the human body?
Eye
Floaters appear in the vitreous humour, the thick gel that forms the eye. They are normally harmless and are age related, appearing as the vitreous humour begins to shrink. They can occasionally signify something more serious, and an optometrist will suggest a referral if there is any suspicion of a medical problem.
Who invented the ice cream float?
Robert McCay Green
BLACK COW WITH BROWNIES AND PRETZELS
a classic root beer float or cola with vanilla ice cream with brownies and pretzels
GELATO FLOATS
For a denser root beer float experience, try using gelato instead of ice cream. Chicago’s Au Cheval makes root beer floats with Berghoff's draft root beer and malted vanilla gelato from a local ice cream and gelateria named Zarlengo’s.
'Hope Floats' was a 1998 romantic film starring Harry Connick Jr. and which congenial actress?
Sandra Bullock
The film was directed by Forest Whitaker and tells the story of a marriage break up and the problems faced by Bullock's character as a single mother. Her new romance, with an old school friend portrayed by Harry Connick Jr., causes problems with her daughter who still hopes for her father to return.
Although all the actresses named could well have appeared in this type of romantic film, I hope the hint, a reference to 'Miss Congeniality' (2000) which also starred Sandra Bullock, didn't escape your notice.
In which of these would you normally expect to use a float?
Angling
Floats have been used as an aid in fishing since at least the fifteenth century. They are attached to the fishing line as an indicator of where the bait is located and can also tell the angler that a catch has been made, when the fish causes the float to bob up and down. For this reason, they are often called bobbers in the USA. Different sizes and shapes of float are available, depending on the type of water and/or weather conditions. Early floats were made from feathers or twigs, with modern floats being created from plastic, cork and cellulose, among other materials.
Where was the ice cream float invented?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
PHILADELPHIA STYLE FLOATS
sweet cream with ice cream in soda water
CREAM SODA FLOATS
To make a cream soda float, put a scoop of ice cream into a glass of A&W’s carbonated cream soda. The soda contains yucca extract, which gives the drink extra foam and flavor.
Who, or what, was 'floating in a most peculiar way' musically in 1969?
Major Tom
These lyrics come from David Bowie's hit 'Space Oddity', which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and number fifteen on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song describes Major Tom floating above the earth in his 'tin can' and was Bowie's first hit provided we (as we, and probably he, should) ignore 'The Laughing Gnome' from 1967.
'Telstar' was a 1962 hit for The Tornados, 'I'm the Urban Spaceman' was recorded by The Bonzo Dog Doo-dah Band in 1968 while '99 Red Balloons' was much later, being a hit for Nena in 1984.
If something 'floats your boat', which emotion are you likely to be feeling?
Happiness
Anything that 'floats your boat' could also be described as being your 'cup of tea' or, in the USA, to 'take the cake'. All these idioms relate to something that pleases you, rather than causing regret or sorrow. Expressions which mean the opposite include 'a bitter pill' or, in the UK, to 'take the biscuit', both or which would cause you distress.
What year was the ice cream float invented?
1874
ADULT FLOATS
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to alcoholic root beer
BOURBON FLOAT
A type of adult float, the bourbon float is distinctive to the south. In Alabama, strict liquor laws mean that chefs and bartenders need to get creative with their craft liqueurs. The bourbon root beer float at SpringHouse in Alexander City, Alabama has two scoops of bourbon ice cream, Buffalo Trace bourbon, and a house made root beer syrup. The syrup consists of sassafras root, molasses, wintergreen extract, sugar, and spices (clove, coriander seeds, star anise).
'Float On' was a 1977 top ten hit in both the USA and UK for which band?
The Floaters
For those who don't now the song, or have tried to bury it deep in their memories, it had a rather odd format with each band member introducing himself with his name, star sign and the qualities he was looking for in a girl. The song did well for the band, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the UK Singles Chart, although it was their only major hit.
Which worker in the building trade is most likely to use a tool named a float?
Plasterer
A float is one of the tools used by a plasterer to apply the finishing coats to a wall, usually the internal ones. A thick coat of plaster is applied using a trowel, with the float, often with a foam rubber attachment, used to smooth the finish and remove any marks left by the trowel. The wall is then ready for its final coat, or skim.
What is a soda jerk?
Soda jerk (or soda jerker) is an American term used to refer to a person — typically a young man — who would operate the soda fountain in a drugstore, preparing and serving soda drinks and ice cream sodas.
CUSTARD FLOATS
For an extra thick and creamy root beer float, try using vanilla custard instead of ice cream. Chicago has a long history of soda fountains (dating back to the 1890s), and Scooter’s Frozen Custard in Chicago continues the tradition with their root beer float. Made with Scooter’s own vanilla custard and root beer from Sprecher’s (located in Milwaukee), these custard floats are a foamy, delicious treat.
MEXICAN BROWN COW
Washington’s Mora Iced Creamery imports dulce de leche from Argentina, where caramel is an insanely popular flavor, but the company’s Mexican chocolate ice cream tastes just as authentic. A mix of dark chocolate, nutmeg, and cinnamon, the Mexican chocolate ice cream makes a perfect companion to American Star root beer, which happens to be one of the few root beers available in Mexico.
Laputa is an island found floating in the sky in a novel by which author?
Jonathan Swift
Laputa is one of the lands visited by Lemuel Gulliver in Swift's 1726 novel, usually referred to as 'Gulliver's Travels'. The island can be moved by means of magnetic levitation. The inhabitants are intellectual and extremely clever, but also totally impractical, spending all their time thinking rather than doing.
This part of Swift's book is perceived as reflecting his views of the Royal Society.
Float is another name for which aid to buoyancy, found in many species of fish?
Swim bladder
Not all fish have a swim bladder. Those species who spend their time on the sea floor do not possess one and nor do sharks or other fish with cartilage rather than bones. The swim bladder is also known as the air bladder or gas bladder since it contains (usually) oxygen. One of its functions is to enable the fish to maintain its position in water.
When pet fish, like goldfish, are found upside down it is an indication of problems with the swim bladder.
What is an ice cream float known as in Australia and New Zealand?
In Australia and New Zealand, an ice cream float is known as a "spider" because once the carbonation hits the ice cream it forms a spider web-like reaction. It is traditionally made using either lime or pink cream soda.