Scott F

Mixed Up—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Unscramble the capitalised ANAGRAM to find the answer in each of the following questions phrases and clues.

See question four. Fieldfare (*Turdus pilaris*).
Image Wikipedia

Example

Washington DC is the capital of the ESTATE NUDIST

Answer: United States

One

A quote from the BBC in which the first ANAGRAM is a band name, the second and third are a singer’s name.

When the ITCHY SERUM scored their first global hit in the early 1980s all eyes were on ONLINE ANNEX, the singer whose powerful androgynous look defied the male gaze.

and

The video accompanying the single, in which ONLINE ANNEX appeared with closely cropped orange hair and wearing a man’s business suit, was both striking and surreal. …extraordinary image was at odds with her female contemporaries.

— BBC

What is the band (One word) and who is the singer? (First name and surname)

Answer: Eurythmics; Annie Lennox

In 1983, the Eurythmics achieved global chart success, topping the US charts with their hit Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This). Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox achieved international success with Dave Stewart in the Eurythmics in the 1980s. She embarked on a successful solo career in 1992, releasing six studio albums and winning numerous awards, including eight Brit Awards and four Grammy Awards. Lennox is also a prominent political and social activist, raising awareness for HIV/AIDS and women’s empowerment.

Two

This Oxford English Dictionary definition for pewter has what element mixed up: ‘a grey alloy of tin with copper and MY NATION.’ (One word)

Answer: Antimony

Antimony (Sb), a lustrous grey metal or metalloid, is primarily sourced from stibnite (Sb2S3). It is used in alloys, flame retardants, semiconductors, and historically in medicine and cosmetics. Historically, pewter was an alloy of tin with up to 40% lead.

Argentinian tennis player Guillermo Vilas at the 1974 Dutch Open tournament.
Image Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 nl
File:Guillermo Vilas.jpg Created: 14 July 1974

Three

In 1977, this Argentinian tennis player set a record of a 53-match winning streak on clay courts, which stood until it was surpassed by Rafael Nadal in 2006. He will be found in VILLAGE RUM SILO. (First name and surname)

Answer: Guillermo Vilas

Guillermo Vilas is an Argentine former professional tennis player. Argentine Guillermo Vilas, a former professional tennis player, was ranked world No. 1 in the Grand Prix seasons of 1974, 1975 and 1977. He won 62 singles titles, including four majors, and is renowned for his dominance on clay courts, holding the record for most clay court match wins. Despite studies suggesting he should have been ranked No. 1 for seven weeks, the ATP has not officially recognised this.

Four

A species of thrush (see picture at the top of this post): DEAF RIFLE

Answer: Fieldfare

The fieldfare is a migratory thrush found in northern Europe and the Palearctic. It breeds in woodland and scrub, and winters in the UK, Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

A sign on the Eyre Highway indicating that an RFDS emergency airstrip is ahead. There are three such strips on the highway.
Image Wikipedia

Five

This sign for a Flying Doctor Service emergency airstrip is on what Australian road which crosses the Nullarbor Plain: GEE HAIRY WHY (two words)

Answer: Eyre Highway

Eyre Highway, a 1,664-kilometre highway, links Western Australia and South Australia via the Nullarbor Plain. Constructed during World War II, it was initially named Forrest Highway before being officially named after explorer Edward John Eyre.

Mixed Up

Unscramble the capitalised ANAGRAM to find the answer in each of the following questions phrases and clues.

See question four.
Image Wikipedia (Attribution link in answer post)

Example

Washington DC is the capital of the ESTATE NUDIST

United States

One

A quote from the BBC in which the first ANAGRAM is a band name, the second and third are a singer’s name.

When the ITCHY SERUM scored their first global hit in the early 1980s all eyes were on ONLINE ANNEX, the singer whose powerful androgynous look defied the male gaze.

and

The video accompanying the single, in which ONLINE ANNEX appeared with closely cropped orange hair and wearing a man’s business suit, was both striking and surreal. …extraordinary image was at odds with her female contemporaries.

— BBC

What is the band (One word) and who is the singer? (First name and surname)

Two

This Oxford English Dictionary definition for pewter has what element mixed up: ‘a grey alloy of tin with copper and MY NATION.’ (One word)

Argentinian tennis player VILLAGE RUM SILO at the 1974 Dutch Open tournament.
Image Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 nl
(Attribution links in answer post)

Three

Four

A species of thrush (see picture at the top of this post): DEAF RIFLE

A sign on the GEE HAIRY WHY indicating that an RFDS emergency airstrip is ahead. There are three such strips on the highway.
Image Wikipedia (Attribution link in answer post)

Five

This sign for a Flying Doctor Service emergency airstrip is on what Australian road which crosses the Nullarbor Plain: GEE HAIRY WHY (two words)

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Writing is on the Wall—Answers

The first two questions focus on authors born on November 29th, while the remaining three questions maintain a literary theme but avoid that date.

One

Born in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) in 1898, an author wrote a classic children’s literature series of seven fantasy novels published between 1950 and 1956. These novels are often referred to as a collective. Here are seven clues to the individual books in the series; each clue points to a single word in the relative title. They are listed in publication order (1 to 7):

Cat
A landlocked sea
Ship
A piece of furniture
Equus
A relative
An engagement

What is the collective name of the series, and who is the author?

Answer: The Chronicles of Narnia; CS Lewis

For your information the seven clues and the individual books are as follows. NB. The word the clue referred to is in bold in each title.

Cat — The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
A landlocked sea — Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
Ship — The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
A piece of furniture — The Silver Chair
Equus — The Horse and His Boy
A relative — The Magician’s Nephew
An engagement — The Last Battle

The author was close friends with JRR Tolkien, and the two belonged to an informal Oxford literary group known as the Inklings, where they often read drafts of their work aloud for critique.

Louisa May Alcott circa 1870.
Image Wikipedia

Two

An American author born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on this day in 1832, moved to Boston, Massachusetts in her infancy. She’s best known for her children’s book first published in 1868. Though its two-word title is widely recognised, it was originally published with the subtitle ‘Or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy’. Who is this author and what is the title of her book?

Answer: Louisa May Alcott; Little Women

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American novelist, best known for Little Women and its sequels. Raised in New England, she was influenced by transcendentalist intellectuals and began writing at a young age. Alcott was an abolitionist, feminist, and active in reform movements, and her life and work have been widely celebrated. Little Women, a coming-of-age novel, follows the March sisters’ journey from childhood to womanhood. It is considered autobiographical or at least partially autobiographical.

Three

Which American author and adventurer wrote The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906), novels inspired by his experiences in the Klondike Gold Rush?

Answer: Jack London

Jack London (1876–1916) was one of the first American authors to become a worldwide celebrity. A pioneer of commercial magazine fiction, he was also a political activist and an early advocate of animal welfare. His rugged adventure stories drew heavily on his own harsh experiences working as an oyster pirate, sailor, and prospector. The Call of the Wild was an immediate success and remains one of the most widely read American novels.

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Four

What British crime novelist created detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Mystery’?

Answer: Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie (1890–1976) is the best-selling novelist of all time, with her works having sold billions of copies worldwide. Her play The Mousetrap holds the record as the longest-running play in history. Christie also wrote several novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. Her intricate plots and surprise twists have made her a foundational figure in detective fiction, influencing countless writers.

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Five

A poet born in Saint Louis, Missouri, wrote the iconic poem Because I could not stop for Death and is now regarded as one of the most important figures in American literature. Who is she?

Answer: Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) wrote nearly 1,800 poems, though fewer than a dozen were published during her lifetime—and those often heavily edited. Known for her distinctive dashes, unconventional capitalization, and compressed style, Dickinson lived much of her life in reclusion. After her death, her sister Lavinia discovered her vast collection of handwritten poems, leading to the posthumous publications that secured her literary legacy.

Writing is on the Wall

The first two questions focus on authors born on November 29th, while the remaining three questions maintain a literary theme but avoid that date.

One

Cat
A landlocked sea
Ship
A piece of furniture
Equus
A relative
An engagement

What is the collective name of the series, and who is the author?

Two

Three

Which American author and adventurer wrote The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906), novels inspired by his experiences in the Klondike Gold Rush?

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Four

What British crime novelist created detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Mystery’?

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Five

A poet born in Saint Louis, Missouri, wrote the iconic poem Because I could not stop for Death and is now regarded as one of the most important figures in American literature. Who is she?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Pleading the Belly—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier post.

These questions all relate to today’s date, November 28th.

Anne Bonny and Mary Read, pirates. Life-size bronze statues. Image CN Statue https://www.cnstatue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Anne-Bonny-and-Mary-Read-statue.jpg

One

Mary Read and Anne Bonny were put on trial in Jamaica in 1720. For what were they tried, convicted, and sentenced to death?

Answer: Piracy

In 1720, Read and her crew commandeered a sloop, leading the Bahamas governor to declare them enemies of the Crown. Captured, they faced trial in Jamaica, where they were found guilty and sentenced to death. All the male crew members were executed by hanging, but Read and Bonny claimed pregnancy—pleading the belly, which granted them a stay of execution. Read eventually died in prison, likely from a fever, and Bonny was eventually freed.

Two

Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in a series of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, had its world premiere in what country?

Answer: New Zealand

The film premiered in Wellington, New Zealand—the capital of Middle-earth—on 28 November 2012. An Unexpected Journey, set in Middle-earth sixty years before The Lord of the Rings, follows Bilbo Baggins on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. The film, released in 2012, received mixed reviews but grossed $1.017 billion and was nominated for three Academy Awards.

Three

The Vlorë proclamation, issued on this day in 1912, declared independence for ____. Which country is missing from this statement?

Answer: Albania

Independent Albania was declared a parliamentary state in Vlorë on 28 November 1912 during the First Balkan War. Despite seeking international recognition based on ethnic rights, the London Conference of 1913 partitioned much of the claimed Albanian lands, leaving only a central region as an independent territory under Great Power protection. This led to the establishment of the Principality of Albania as a constitutional monarchy in August 1913.

Four

In 1582, Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time, married whom in the Diocese of Worcester, England?

Answer: William Shakespeare

Aged 18, William Shakespeare married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway and had three children: Susanna—six months after their marriage—and twins Hamnet and Judith. After the twins’ birth, he disappeared from historical records until 1592, leading to speculation about his ‘lost years’, including deer poaching, horse minding, and school teaching.

Five

In World War II, the first conference of the ‘Big Three’—Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Franklin Delano Roosevelt (United States), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)—began on this day in 1943. Which of these was the location: Tehran, Iran; or Yalta, Crimea, Soviet Union?

Answer: Tehran, Iran

The Tehran Conference, held from 28 November to 1 December 1943, was the first meeting of the ‘Big Three’ Allied leaders during World War II. The main outcome was a commitment to open a second front against Nazi Germany by 1 June 1944. The conference also addressed relations with Turkey and Iran, operations in Yugoslavia and against Japan, and the envisioned post-war settlement.

Pleading the Belly

These questions all relate to today’s date, November 28th.

One

Mary Read and Anne Bonny were put on trial in Jamaica in 1720. For what were they tried, convicted, and sentenced to death?

Two

Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in a series of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, had its world premiere in what country?

Three

The Vlorë proclamation, issued on this day in 1912, declared independence for ____. Which country is missing from this statement?

Four

In 1582, Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time, married whom in the Diocese of Worcester, England?

Five

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Go With a Bang—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions in my earlier post.

Today’s questions are all connected to the date, November 27th.

The obverse side of the Nobel Prize medals for physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

One

On this day, the Nobel Prizes were established by a provision in Alfred Nobel’s will. In which capital city was Nobel born in October 1833? What eight-letter word is the name of a Nobel invention from 1867?

Answer: Stockholm, Sweden; Dynamite

Alfred Nobel, inventor of powerful explosives, established the Nobel Prizes, possibly to avoid a negative posthumous reputation. His interests in physics, chemistry, physiology and literature, along with his friendship with pacifist Bertha von Suttner, influenced the prize categories.

Two

An author known for writing 14 novels featuring the fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard died today in 2014. Who was this author?

Answer: PD James

PD James, a British mystery novelist, is best known for her fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh. She wrote 14 Dalgliesh novels, as well as other works including An Unsuitable Job for a Woman and The Children of Men. James was made OBE in 1983 and was named a life peer in 1991.

Three

The king of the Franks from 481 until his death in 511 was the ruler of much of Gaul. Was this Clovis I, Louis I, or Pippin I?

Answer: Clovis I

Clovis I, king of the Franks from 481 to 511, consolidated power in Gaul and expanded his influence through military conquests. His conversion to Catholicism, a pivotal moment in Frankish history, is shrouded in legend and debate, with some suggesting he leaned towards Arianism before his baptism. Clovis’s legacy endures as the founder of France and a significant figure in the spread of Christianity in Europe.

Rock guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix in his last concert performance, the Open Air Love & Peace Festival on Fehmarn island, Germany, September 6, 1970. Image Encyclopædia Britannica

Four

Jimi Hendrix was born on this date. Which two cities were his birthplace and his place of death? How old was he when he died?

Answer: Seattle, Washington, US; London, UK; 27 years old

Jimi Hendrix, an American rock guitarist, singer and composer, redefined the electric guitar by fusing American blues, jazz, rock and soul with British avant-garde rock. Despite a brief career, Hendrix’s innovative techniques, charismatic performances and genre-defying music made him a highly influential figure in popular music. His impact continues to inspire musicians, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

Five

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was held in New York City. In what decade did this occur?

Answer: 1920s

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 as a Christmas parade to promote holiday shopping. It features giant balloons, floats, marching bands and performers, with Santa Claus marking the parade’s end. The parade has been televised since 1947, becoming a beloved Thanksgiving morning ritual for millions.

Go With a Bang

Today’s questions are all connected to the date, November 27th.

One

Two

An author known for writing 14 novels featuring the fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard died today in 2014. Who was this author?

Three

The king of the Franks from 481 until his death in 511 was the ruler of much of Gaul. Was this Clovis I, Louis I, or Pippin I?

Four

Jimi Hendrix was born on this date. Which two cities were his birthplace and his place of death? How old was he when he died?

Five

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was held in New York City. In what decade did this occur?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Good Grief!—Answers

Here are the answers to my earlier post.

Today’s first question relates to a cartoonist born on this date, November 26th. The remaining questions are on a comic strip theme.

Charles Schulz drawing Charlie Brown in 1956.
Image Roger Higgins, World Telegram staff photographer/Wikipedia

One

Which cartoonist, pictured above, created the comic panel published weekly from 1947 to 1950 under the title Li’l Folks, and what name was given to his new syndicated strip that launched in 1950 and ran until 2000?

Answer: Charles M. Schulz; Peanuts

Li’l Folks was a weekly single-panel feature Schulz produced for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. When he began national syndication in 1950, he launched a new strip drawing on similar themes—but United Feature Syndicate renamed it Peanuts, a title Schulz himself never liked. It went on to become one of the most influential comic strips of all time.

The catchphrase of Charlie Brown, the principal character of the comic strip Peanuts is ‘Good grief!’, hence the post title.

Charlie Brown ‘Good Grief!’
Image Credit: Peanuts Worldwide/BBC

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Two

What was created by a Belgian cartoonist in 1929 featured a young reporter embarking on globe-spanning adventures? This character became a cornerstone of European comics. Who was the cartoonist?

Answer: The Adventures of Tintin; Hergé

Hergé’s clear-line (ligne claire) drawing style shaped generations of European artists. Tintin books have been translated into over 70 languages, making the character one of the world’s best-travelled cartoon heroes.

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Three

First published in 1959, what is the name of the diminutive Gaulish warrior whose strength comes from a magic potion brewed by a druid, and what is the druid’s name?

Answer: Asterix; Getafix

Created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, Asterix became a European cultural landmark. The first animated film, Asterix the Gaul (1967), was produced without the creators’ knowledge—leading them to take direct control over later adaptations.

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Four

Which British stop-motion animated series, debuting in 1989, follows a farmer, his dog, and a mischievous flock of sheep in largely dialogue-free comedic stories? What other comedy series was this a spin-off of?

Answer: Shaun the Sheep; Wallace & Gromit

Aardman Animations in Bristol, UK, produced the show. Its universal physical humour, despite almost no spoken dialogue, made it popular worldwide.

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Five

In the Popeye comic strip, which character was originally intended to be the star before Popeye’s popularity took over?

Answer: Olive Oyl

When E.C. Segar created the comic strip Thimble Theatre in 1919, Olive Oyl and her boyfriend—and later her family—were the main characters. Popeye didn’t appear until 1929, a full decade later, but he became so popular that he soon took over the strip entirely, eventually transforming it into the Popeye series we know today.

Good Grief!

Today’s first question relates to a cartoonist born on this date, November 26th. The remaining questions are on a comic strip theme.

Which cartoonist created Charlie Brown in 1956.
Image Roger Higgins, World Telegram staff photographer/Wikipedia

One

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Two

What was created by a Belgian cartoonist in 1929 featured a young reporter embarking on globe-spanning adventures? This character became a cornerstone of European comics. Who was the cartoonist?

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Three

First published in 1959, what is the name of the diminutive Gaulish warrior whose strength comes from a magic potion brewed by a druid, and what is the druid’s name?

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Four

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Five

In the Popeye comic strip, which character was originally intended to be the star before Popeye’s popularity took over?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.