Category: Pursuit of the Trivial

Flight of fancy, or is it? | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

“The name is Bond, James Bond”. James Bond.
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  1. James Bond was the hero of Kingsley Amis’s 1968 novel Colonel Sun, which was published under the pseudonym Robert Markham, true or false?
    • True—Colonel Sunby Kingsley Amis—the first published James Bond continuation novel—follows Bond as he rescues M from communist Chinese kidnappers, uncovering a plot to cause an international incident.
  2. Is the following true or false: Captain Yossarian is a character in Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days?
    • False—he is from Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. Captain John Yossarian, the protagonist of Joseph Heller’s Catch-22, is a 28-year-old bombardier stationed on Pianosa during World War II. Yossarian’s exploits are based on Heller’s experiences as a bombardier in the Army Air Corps, with the name Yossarian derived from Heller’s wartime friend, Francis Yohannan.
  3. Oliver Mowat was the gamekeeper in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, is this true or is it false?
    • False—Oliver Mellors was the name of the gamekeeper. D.H. Lawrence’s final novel, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, published privately in 1928 and 1929, is renowned for its explicit content and led to a landmark obscenity trial in the UK in 1960 after being banned in several countries. The story follows Constance Chatterley, a married woman whose husband is paralysed, as she embarks on an affair with the gamekeeper, Oliver Mellors. This relationship highlights the class disparity between them .
  4. James Charles Bigglesworth is a fictional character created by author Captain W.E. Johns, true or false?
    • True—Biggles, as Bigglesworth is known, is a fictional pilot and adventurer, and the hero of the Biggles series of adventure books written by W.E. Johns. The series, spanning both world wars, includes nearly a hundred volumes and was edited over time to reflect changing norms.

    5. It was a bright cold day in May, and the clocks were striking midday.

  5. The above quote is the opening line of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-four. Is this true or false?
    • False—The opening line of Nineteen Eighty-Four is shown in the quote below. Nineteen Eighty-Four is a dystopian novel by George Orwell, published in 1949. The story, set in a totalitarian future, follows Winston Smith, a Party member who rebels against the oppressive regime led by Big Brother. Through psychological manipulation and torture, Winston is ultimately forced to conform and love Big Brother.

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-four.
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Flight of fancy, or is it?

Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence.
Image Wikipedia
  1. James Bond was the hero of Kingsley Amis’s 1968 novel Colonel Sun, which was published under the pseudonym Robert Markham, true or false?
  2. Is the following true or false: Captain Yossarian is a character in Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days?
  3. Oliver Mowat was the gamekeeper in D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover, is this true or is it false?
  4. James Charles Bigglesworth is a fictional character created by author Captain W.E. Johns, true or false?

    It was a bright cold day in May, and the clocks were striking midday.

  5. The above quote is the opening line of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-four. Is this true or false?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Flying solo | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

Icon from the Mégalo Metéoron Monastery in Greece, representing the First Ecumenical Council of Nikea 325 A.D., with the condemned Arius in the bottom of the icon.
Image Wikipedia

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  1. On 20th May 325, the first council in the history of the Christian church took place. Where did they meet?
    • Nicaea—The First Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine I in 325, addressed the Christological issue of the divine nature of God the Son and his relationship to God the Father. The council also constructed the first part of the Nicene Creed, mandated uniform Easter observance, and promulgated early canon law.
      Portrait of Tomás Estrada Palma
      Image Wikipedia
  2. Tomás Estrada Palma became his country’s first President when it gained independence from the United States. Of what country was he president?
    • Cuba—Tomás Estrada Palma was a Cuban politician, serving as the first President of Cuba from 1902 to 1906. He improved Cuba’s infrastructure, communication, and public health during his presidency.
      Vasco da Gama.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. On this day in 1498, an explorer’s fleet arrived in India, marking the discovery of a sea route to India from Europe. Who was the explorer?
    • Vasco de Gama—Vasco da Gama led a fleet from Lisbon in 1497, successfully sailing to Calicut, India, and returning two years later. This voyage, the first direct European route to India, opened up new trade opportunities and is celebrated in Luís de Camões’ epic poem, Os Lusíadas.

      Two questions with a theme next.

      Charles Lindbergh with Spirit of St. Louis
      Image Wikipedia
  4. On this day in 1927 Charles Lindbergh took to the skies in the Spirit of St. Louis on the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Where did he take off from?
    • Long Island, New York—On 20 May 1927, Charles Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York, in his Spirit of St. Louis aeroplane. After a 33.5-hour flight across the Atlantic, facing challenges like icing and fog, he landed at Le Bourget Aerodrome near Paris, France, on 21 May 1927. His transatlantic flight made him the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic.
      Amelia Earhart, 1928.
      Image Wikipedia https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Amelia_Earhart_1928.jpg
  5. Five years after Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo flight across the Atlantic, Amelia Earhart also made history on 20th May 1932. She embarked on the world’s first solo nonstop flight by a female pilot, taking off from Newfoundland, Canada. Where did she land?
    • Derry, Northern Ireland—On 20 May 1932, Amelia Earhart flew solo from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland in a Lockheed Vega 5B, facing strong winds, icy conditions, and mechanical problems. After 14 hours and 56 minutes, she landed in a pasture near Derry.

Flying solo

Here are a few questions which are related to today’s date, May 20th.

Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis airplane, circa late 1920s.
Image Wikipedia
  1. On 20th May 325, the first council in the history of the Christian church took place. Where did they meet?
    • Constantinople
    • Ephesus
    • Nicaea
  2. Today in 1902, Tomás Estrada Palma became his country’s first President when it gained independence from the United States. Of what country was he president?
    • Aruba
    • Barbados
    • Cuba
  3. On this day in 1498, an explorer’s fleet arrived in India, marking the discovery of a sea route to India from Europe. Who was the explorer?
    • Ferdinand Magellan
    • Fernão do Pó
    • Vasco de Gama

      Two questions with a theme next.

  4. On this day in 1927 Charles Lindbergh took to the skies in the Spirit of St. Loius on the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Where did he take off from?
    • Bar Harbor, Maine
    • Cape Cod, Massachusetts
    • Long Island, New York
  5. Five years after Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo flight across the Atlantic, Amelia Earhart also made history on 20th May 1932. She embarked on the world’s first solo nonstop flight by a female pilot, taking off from Newfoundland, Canada. Where did she land?
    • Derry, Northern Ireland
    • Dumbarton, Scotland
    • Dieppe, France

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

From Paris to Kashyyyk | Answers

The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

First distribution of the Legion of Honor crosses at the church of Les Invalides on July 14, 1804.
Jean-Baptiste Debret, Ca. 1812
Image Wikipedia
  1. The Légion d’honneur (Legion of Honour), France’s highest order of merit, was established on May 19. Who was responsible for its establishment?
    • Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802—The National Order of the Legion of Honour, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, is France’s highest national order of merit, applicable to both military and civil achievements. It is open to all citizens and foreigners, regardless of birth, religion, or rank, and has been maintained by all French governments with minor changes. The order consists of five classes and is led by the President of France as Grand Master. Its insignia includes the head of the Republic and the motto Honour and Country.
      Sam Smith, 2015.
      Image Wikipedia
  2. Born on 19 May 1992, the singer-songwriter of the theme for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre is…
    • Sam Smith—Samuel Smith, an English singer and songwriter, rose to prominence in 2012 with a feature on Disclosure’s Latch. Smith’s song Writing’s on the Wall became the theme for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre, earning Smith a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
      Map of North America.
      Guillaume Sanson, Rome, 1687.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. On 19 May 1845, British explorer John Franklin set out in command of two ships, the Erebus and Terror, on an ill-fated expedition to find what?
    • Northwest Passage—The Northwest Passage (NWP) is a sea lane connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic Ocean. It passes near the northern coast of North America, traversing waterways within the Arctic Archipelago of Canada. Franklin’s search for the Northwest Passage began on May 19, 1845, with two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, carrying 128 men. Last seen in July 1845, their fate remained unknown until 1859 when a search found skeletons and a written account on King William Island. The ships wintered at Beechey Island in 1845-46 and became trapped in ice in Victoria Strait in September 1846. By April 1848, Franklin and 23 others had died, and the remaining 105 survivors deserted the ships, resorting to cannibalism. Postmortems suggested botulism, scurvy and lead poisoning contributed to their decline. In 2014, the Erebus was discovered off King William Island, and in 2016, the Terror was found in Terror Bay, well-preserved and suggesting the crew had prepared for winter before leaving.
      St George’s Chapel, Windsor. St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
      The Nave is dominated by this Great West Window, often claimed to be the third largest in the UK. The chapel dates from 1475 and is built in the richest Perpendicular Gothic style. The whole building is Cathedral size, at over 315ft (96m) in length.
      Image Jack Pease/Wikipedia
  4. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding took place on May 19, 2018, in the UK. Where did they get married?
    • St George’s Chapel—Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married on 19 May 2018 in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The ceremony, officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, included elements of African-American culture.
      Peter Mayhew, 2015.
      Image Wikipedia
  5. Born on 19 May 1944, this actor was chosen by George Lucas to play a being from the planet Kashyyyk. Who is he?
    • Peter Mayhew—Peter Mayhew, a British-American actor, is best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series from 1977 to 2015. Born on 19 May 1944 in Barnes, Surrey, Mayhew was diagnosed with gigantism at the age of eight and later developed Marfan syndrome. This genetic tissue disorder caused his peak height to reach 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m). He was cast as Chewbacca by director George Lucas, who sought a tall actor for the role. He modelled his performance on observing animals at London Zoo and continued working as a hospital orderly during filming.
Chewbacca.
Image Star Wars Universe

From Paris to Kashyyyk

Here are a few questions related to today’s date, May 19th.

Legion of Honour (Légion d’honneur).
Image Wikipedia
  1. The Légion d’honneur (Legion of Honour), France’s highest order of merit, was established on May 19. Who was responsible for its establishment?
    • Louis XV in 1745
    • Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802
    • Charles de Gaulle in 1945
  2. Born on 19 May 1992, the singer-songwriter of the theme for the 2015 James Bond film Spectre is…
    • Adele
    • Billie Eilish
    • Sam Smith
  3. On 19 May 1845, British explorer John Franklin set out in command of two ships, the Erebus and Terror, on an ill-fated expedition to find what?
    • Northeast Passage
    • Northwest Passage
    • Southeast Passage
  4. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding took place on May 19, 2018, in the UK. Where did they get married?
    • St George’s Chapel
    • St Paul’s Cathedral
    • Westminster Abbey
  5. Born on 19 May 1944, this actor was chosen by George Lucas to play a character from the planet Kashyyyk. Who is he?
    • Anthony Daniels
    • David Prowse
    • Peter Mayhew

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

Down by the river | Answers


The answers to my earlier post are shown in bold below. I have included the question simply for your information.

Volga Delta.
Image Wikipedia
  1. Europe’s largest river delta, the Volga River delta, is mostly in Russia, but part of it extends into which other country?
    • Kazakhstan—The Volga Delta, Europe’s largest river delta, is located in Russia’s Astrakhan Oblast, draining into the Caspian Sea. It spans the Caspian Depression, with its easternmost part extending into Kazakhstan.
      Mississippi River.
      Image Wikipedia
  2. How many US states does the Mississippi River border or pass through?
    • 10—The Mississippi River, originating in Minnesota, flows south for 2,340 miles through or bordering ten states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. It eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The river’s watershed drains 32 US states and two Canadian provinces.
      The steamships Aymoré and Sucre on the Madeira river.
      Image Wikipedia
  3. What river is the major tributary of the Amazon?
    • Madeira—The Madeira River, a major South American waterway, is the largest tributary of the Amazon, accounting for 15% of its water. It is estimated to be 1,450 km long, with the Madeira-Mamoré tributary extending to 3,250-3,380 km.
      River Nile, Cairo.
      Image Wikipedia
  4. The River Nile is formed when its two major tributaries, the Blue Nile and the White Nile, meet. In which country does this meeting occur?
    • Sudan—The Nile River has two major tributaries: the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The White Nile, being the longer river, is traditionally considered the headwaters stream. However, the Blue Nile actually contributes 80% of the water and silt below the confluence of the two rivers. The White Nile’s source is still being disputed d discussed. Traditionally, it rises in the Great Lakes region, beginning at Lake Victoria and flowing through Uganda and South Sudan. The Blue Nile begins at Lake Tana in Ethiopia and flows into Sudan from the southeast. The two rivers meet at the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.
      Yangtze River.
      Image Wikipedia
  5. Where is China’s Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, located?
    • Yangtze River—The Yangtze River, the longest in Eurasia and third longest in the world, flows 6,300 kilometres from the Tibetan Plateau to the East China Sea.  Crucial to China’s history, culture, and economy, the Yangtze Delta generates 20% of China’s GDP. However, the river faces environmental challenges such as pollution, siltation, and habitat loss, impacting its diverse ecosystems and endangered species.  Notably, the Three Gorges Dam in China is the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, generating an impressive average of 95 TWh of electricity annually.

Down by the river

Here are a few questions to do with rivers.

Three Gorges dam locks and bridge.
Image Wikipedia
  1. Europe’s largest river delta, the Volga River delta, is mostly in Russia, but part of it extends into which other country?
    • Azerbaijan
    • Kazakhstan
    • Turkmenistan
  2. How many US states does the Mississippi River border or pass through?
    • 10
    • 16
    • 21
  3. What river is the major tributary of the Amazon?
    • Madeira
    • Madre de Dios
    • Marañón
  4. The River Nile is formed when its two major tributaries, the Blue Nile and the White Nile, meet. In which country does this meeting occur?
    • Egypt
    • Sudan
    • Uganda
  5. Where is China’s Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, located?
    • Yangtze River
    • Yellow River
    • Yuan River

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.

WYSIWYG part deux | Answers

“Swalk” written on envelope in 1942.
Image Wikipedia
  1. Often found written on the black of an envelope, what does S.W.A.L.K. mean? Sealed With A Loving Kiss—During World War II, postal acronyms were first used to convey messages between servicemen and their loved ones back home. These acronyms were often written on the back of envelopes.
    Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) Logo.
    Image CND
  2. The initialism CND refers to which British peace organisation? Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament—The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament advocates for unilateral nuclear disarmament by the UK, international disarmament and stricter arms regulations. It opposes military action involving nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and the construction of nuclear power stations in the UK.
    NATO Logo.
    Image Wikipedia
  3. The acronym NATO refers in full to the… North Atlantic Treaty Organisation—NATO is a military alliance of 32 member states, implementing the North Atlantic Treaty. It operates as a collective security system, defending member states against attacks.
    The original Qantas Office, Longreach, Queensland.
    Vintage photographic print, Sir Hudson Fysh papers, ca.1817-1974.
    Image NSW Gov Archives / Wikipedia
  4. The acronym Qantas derives from the name of a company founded in 1920. What was the company name that Qantas spells out? Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services—’Limited’, which was the final word in that original company name, does not form part of the acronym. Qantas is the flag carrier, the International airline of Australia, and the largest airline in Australia and Oceania; serving all seven continents from its hubs in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. Founded in 1920, it is the oldest airline in the English-speaking world and operates over 60 domestic destinations.
    A U.S. Navy Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King helicopter from Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 15 (HS-15) Red Lions lowers its AN/AQS-13 sonar.
    Image Wikipedia
  5. The acronym SONAR means what? SOund Navigation And Ranging—Sonar, or sound navigation and ranging, uses sound waves to navigate, measure distances and detect objects underwater. It can be passive, listening for sounds, or active, emitting pulses and listening for echoes. The technique has a long history, dating back to Leonardo da Vinci in 1490.

“If you cause your ship to stop and place the head of a long tube in the water and place the outer extremity to your ear, you will hear ships at a great distance from you.”

— Leonardo da Vinci, 1490.
From Sonar in the Sea Services By Lieutenant Commander Thomas J. Cutler, U.S. Navy (Retired), April 2020. U.S. Naval Institute.

WYSIWYG part deux


Here are a few more questions about acronyms and initialisms. You don’t have multiple choices today; you need to provide your own answer. What words decipher these groups of initials?

“Swalk” written on envelope in 1942.
Image Wikipedia
  1. Often found written on the black of an envelope, what does S.W.A.L.K. mean?
  2. The initialism CND refers to which British peace organisation?
  3. The acronym NATO refers in full to the…
  4. The acronym Qantas derives from the name of a company founded in 1920. What was the company name that Qantas spells out?
  5. The acronym SONAR means what?

Good luck! I will post the answers later today.