Today’s questions begin with a person born on this day and continue in a theme from there.
See question two. Robert Burns Statue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, was born in Alloway, Ayrshire on this day. In what century did he life?
Two
The title character in a Robert Burns narrative poem had a horse, Maggie, which was left without a tail — ‘And left poor Maggie scarce a stump’ — who was this title character?
Three
In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield bases his fantasy of being a ‘catcher in the rye’ on a misheard line from a song. What song?
Four
Where did Robert Burns die in 1796, and where is he buried?
Five
What item was Burns describing with these words?
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face, Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-race!
In sport, where were the Games of the XXX Olympiad held?
Answer: London, United Kingdom
The 2012 Summer Olympics, held in London, featured 10,518 athletes from 206 countries. The United States topped the medal table, while Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian. The Games were praised for their organisation and the opening ceremony, directed by Danny Boyle.
Two
For what film did James Cagney win the Best Actor Oscar in 1942?
Answer: Yankee Doodle Dandy
Yankee Doodle Dandy is a 1942 biographical musical drama film about George M. Cohan, starring James Cagney. The film was a major hit, winning three Academy Awards, and was later selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
Three
In what country did the artist Pablo Picasso die?
Answer: France
Pablo Picasso, a Spanish artist, was a leading figure in 20th-century art. He co-founded the Cubist movement, invented constructed sculpture and collage, and explored various styles throughout his 76-year career. Picasso’s most famous works include Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Guernica.
Four
What sporting organisation does the abbreviation WPBSA stand for?
Answer: World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), headquartered in Bristol, England, governs professional snooker and English billiards. It devises rules, promotes global development, enforces conduct regulations, combats corruption, and supports various related organisations.
Five
An 1831 novel’s major characters include the following: Claude Frollo — the Archdeacon; Pierre Gringoire — a struggling poet; Phoebus de Chateaupers — the Captain of the King’s Archers. What novel, and who was its author?
Answer: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (French title: Notre-Dame de Paris); Victor Hugo
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, a French Gothic novel by Victor Hugo, was published in 1831. The novel, set in 15th-century Paris, focusses on the story of Quasimodo, Esmeralda, and Claude Frollo. Hugo championed historical preservation, particularly of Gothic architecture, through this work.
Omnium Gatherum
The post title —
Definition of omnium gatherum in English:
omnium gatherum NOUN
A collection of miscellaneous people or things:
‘an omnium gatherum of anecdotes’
Origin
Early 16th century: mock Latin, from Latin omnium ‘of all’ and gather + the Latin suffix –um.
In sport, where were the Games of the XXX Olympiad held?
Two
For what film did James Cagney win the Best Actor Oscar in 1942?
Three
In what country did the artist Pablo Picasso die?
Four
What sporting organisation does the abbreviation WPBSA stand for?
Five
An 1831 novel’s major characters include the following: Claude Frollo — the Archdeacon; Pierre Gringoire — a struggling poet; Phoebus de Chateaupers — the Captain of the King’s Archers. What novel, and who was its author?
Some astrologers believed that a 1997 planetary alignment with the Sun and Moon, which had not occurred since 1475, indicated the beginning of a new age. What age?
In 1229, Pope Gregory IX first mentioned the town of Aboa in his bull; Aboa is the Latin name of Turku. This date is increasingly considered the founding of Turku. In what modern country is Turku?
Answer: Finland
Turku, Finland’s oldest city, is the regional capital of Southwest Finland. With a population of approximately 207,000, it is the country’s third-most populous urban area. Turku, a bilingual municipality, is a significant business and cultural centre, known for its rich history, vibrant food scene, and as a major port city.
Three
In 1957, American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sold the rights to his disc to the Wham-O toy company. What did they later rename it?
Answer: Frisbee
A frisbee, also known as a flying disc, is a gliding toy used for recreational and competitive throwing and catching. It is typically made of plastic and has a pronounced lip, allowing it to fly with reduced drag and increased lift.
Four
In 1998, which corporation announced the creation of Mozilla, a free software community?
Answer: Netscape Communications Corporation
Netscape announced its Communicator browser software would be free and open-source in 1998, leading to the creation of the Mozilla project. Initially a technology provider, Mozilla later focused on developing independent applications like Firefox and Thunderbird, and expanded into mobile platforms and other projects.
Five
In 1977, the television miniseries Roots debuted in the United States. The series was an adaptation of whose best-selling novel, and what was that novel’s full title?
Answer: Alex Haley
Roots is a 1977 American television miniseries based on Alex Haley’s novel, Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The series, which aired on ABC, received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including nine Primetime Emmy Awards. It was followed by a sequel, Roots: The Next Generations, and a remake commissioned by the History Channel in 2016.
Some astrologers believed that a 1997 planetary alignment with the Sun and Moon, which had not occurred since 1475, indicated the beginning of a new age. What age?
Two
In 1229, Pope Gregory IX first mentioned the town of Aboa in his bull; Aboa is the Latin name of Turku. This date is increasingly considered the founding of Turku. In what modern country is Turku?
Three
In 1957, American inventor Walter Frederick Morrison sold the rights to his disc to the Wham-O toy company. What did they later rename it?
Four
In 1998, which corporation announced the creation of Mozilla, a free software community?
Five
In 1977, the television miniseries Roots debuted in the United States. The series was an adaptation of whose best-selling novel, and what was that novel’s full title?
Truth is always strange, stranger than fiction. Image Quoteslyfe
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Today’s questions not only relate to January 22nd, they are also all about quotes. The first two questions are multiple choice, while the remainder are not.
One
Today’s post title is ‘Truth is always strange, stranger than fiction’. The person, born today in 1788, who originated this saying, was whom?
Lord Byron
Mark Twain
Rudyard Kipling
Answer: Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron)
‘T is strange,—but true; for Truth is always strange—
Stranger than fiction: if it could be told,
How much would novels gain by the exchange!
— Lord Byron: Don Juan (1819)
Mark Twain is also associated with this phrase, but it was originated by Byron.
Two
Which science fiction author wrote ‘How does one hate a country, or love one?’?
Isaac Asimov
Philip K. Dick
Ursula K. Le Guin
Answer: Ursula K. Le Guin
How does one hate a country, or love one? Tibe talks about it; I lack the trick of it. I know people, I know towns, farms, hills and rivers and rocks, I know how the sun at sunset in autumn falls on the side of a certain plowland in the hills; but what is the sense of giving a boundary to all that, of giving it a name and ceasing to love where the name ceases to apply? What is love of one’s country; is it hate of one’s uncountry? Then it’s not a good thing. Is it simply self-love? That’s a good thing, but one mustn’t make a virtue of it, or a profession… Insofar as I love life, I love the hills of the Domain of Estre, but that sort of love does not have a boundary-line of hate. And beyond that, I am ignorant, I hope.
On this day in 2004, Wikiquote had this as its Quote of the Day: ‘I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.’ Whose words are being quoted?
Answer: Douglas Adams
Douglas Adams, English author and humourist, created The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a radio comedy that became a successful book series and was adapted into various media. He also wrote Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, and contributed to Doctor Who and Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
Four
What king, who had previously said, ‘I don’t mind praying to the Eternal Father, but I must be the only man in the country afflicted with an eternal mother,’ ascended the British throne on this day in 1901, and who was his mother?
Answer: King Edward VII; Queen Victoria
The quote was a joke referring to his mother’s famously long reign of almost 64 years. Queen Victoria died in 1901, and Edward succeeded to the throne at the age of sixty.
Five
A 1960 song which was written by a singer-songwriter born today in 1931 includes these lines: ‘All day long they work so hard / Till the sun is goin’ down.’ Who is the singer-songwriter and what is the song?
Answer: Sam Cooke; Chain Gang
All day long they work so hard Till the sun is goin’ down. Working on the highways and byways And wearing, wearing a frown. You hear them moanin’ their lives away. Then you hear somebody say: “That’s the sound of the men working on the chain gang. That’s the sound of the men working on the chain gang.”
Truth is always strange, stranger than fiction. Image Quoteslyfe
Today’s questions not only relate to January 22nd, they are also all about quotes. The first two questions are multiple choice, while the remainder are not.
One
Today’s post title is ‘Truth is always strange, stranger than fiction’. The person, born today in 1788, who originated this saying, was whom?
Lord Byron
Mark Twain
Rudyard Kipling
Two
Which science fiction author wrote ‘How does one hate a country, or love one?’?
Isaac Asimov
Philip K. Dick
Ursula K. Le Guin
Three
On this day in 2004, Wikiquote had this as its Quote of the Day: ‘I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.’ Whose words are being quoted?
Four
What king, who had previously said, ‘I don’t mind praying to the Eternal Father, but I must be the only man in the country afflicted with an eternal mother,’ ascended the British throne on this day in 1901, and who was his mother?
Five
A 1960 song which was written by a singer-songwriter born today in 1931 includes these lines: ‘All day long they work so hard / Till the sun is goin’ down.’ Who is the singer-songwriter and what is the song?
In what century were this corps of soldiers entrusted with the duties of watchmen for the holder of a particular office, and what office was that?
Answer: 16th century
The Pontifical Swiss Guard, established in 1506, protects the Pope and the Vatican. Their duties include accompanying the Pope on journeys, guarding Vatican access points, and protecting the College of Cardinals during the Vacant See.
Two
The professional golfer Jack Nicklaus was born on this day in 1940. During his professional career, how many Masters Tournaments did he win?
Answer: Six
American professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, born in 1940, dominated world golf from the 1960s to the 1980s. He won 18 major championships, including a record six Masters Tournaments between 1963 and 1986, and was named PGA Player of the Year five times. Nicklaus also designed golf courses and authored several books.
Three
A French fashion designer born in 1905 became known for annually introducing new lines, for example the Muguet/Lily of the Valley line and H-Line in 1954; and the A-Line and Y-Line in 1955. Who was this designer?
Answer: Christian Dior
Christian Dior, a French fashion designer, revolutionised post-war fashion with his New Look style, characterised by feminine, sculpted clothing with rounded shoulders, a cinched waist, and a full skirt. Backed by Marcel Boussac, he founded his fashion house in 1946 and introduced the New Look in 1947. Dior’s influence extended beyond clothing, as he also launched perfumes, shoes, makeup, and accessories, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the fashion industry.
Four
A Spanish singer born in 1941 went on to be one third of the operatic singing trio The Three Tenors. Identify the three singers who comprised The Three Tenors?
Answer: Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras
Plácido Domingo, a Spanish-born singer, conductor, and opera administrator, is renowned for his powerful tenor voice and versatility. He performed over 150 operatic roles, ventured into popular music, and founded the Operalia competition to support young singers. Allegations of sexual misconduct in 2019 led to the cancellation of performances, although Domingo denied any wrongdoing.
On 21 January 1976, two Concorde aircraft, one from British Airways and the other from Air France, made their first commercial flights. What were the two routes flown by these Concorde aircraft on that day?
Answer: (British Airways) London to Bahrain and (Air France) Paris to Rio
The Concorde, a supersonic passenger jet built by British and French manufacturers, made its first transatlantic flight (non-commercial) in 1973 and inaugurated scheduled commercial supersonic service in 1976. Despite its technological prowess and ability to halve transatlantic flight times, the Concorde was never financially viable due to high operating costs and noise pollution. The programme ended in 2003 after a fatal crash in 2000 and financial losses. British Airways Concorde B-GOAA, which flew the first London-Bahrain flight mentioned in this question, is on display at the National Museum of Scotland’s National Museum of Flight.
Hopefully, there will be some more trivia for your amusement here tomorrow.
In what century were this corps of soldiers entrusted with the duties of watchmen for the holder of a particular office, and what office was that?
Two
The professional golfer Jack Nicklaus was born on this day in 1940. During his professional career, how many Masters Tournaments did he win?
Three
A French fashion designer born in 1905 became known for annually introducing new lines, for example the Muguet/Lily of the Valley line and H-Line in 1954; and the A-Line and Y-Line in 1955. Who was this designer?
Four
A Spanish singer born in 1941 went on to be one third of the operatic singing trio The Three Tenors. Identify the three singers who comprised The Three Tenors?
On 21 January 1976, two Concorde aircraft, one from British Airways and the other from Air France, made their first commercial flights. What were the two routes flown by these Concorde aircraft on that day?
Billy the Kid was shot and killed at Fort Sumner by whom?
Answer: Sheriff Pat Garrett
Henry McCarty, aka William H. Bonney and Billy the Kid, an American outlaw and gunfighter, was linked to nine murders, solely responsible for four, and possibly involved in five others. Sheriff Pat Garrett, responding to rumours, questioned Pete Maxwell, a friend of Bonney’s, and encountered Bonney unexpectedly, leading to a confrontation where Garrett fatally shot Bonney.
Two
Whose first novel was When the Lion Feeds?
Answer: Wilbur Smith
Wilbur Addison Smith (1933–2021) was a British-South African novelist known for his historical fiction set in Southern Africa. He wrote 49 books, selling over 140 million copies, and focused on themes like hunting, mining, romance and conflict.
Three
Tennis: The Woodies won six Wimbledon men’s doubles titles. What were their surnames?
Answer: Woodbridge and Woodforde
The Woodies, Australian tennis doubles pairing Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, were one of the most successful in history, winning 61 ATP titles and 11 major titles. They represented Australia in the Olympics and Davis Cup, winning gold and silver medals and contributing to a Davis Cup victory. The Woodies were inducted into the Australian and International Tennis Halls of Fame in 2010.
Four
DOUBLY TUNED is an anagram of an English word, an adverb meaning certainly. What is the word?
Answer: Undoubtedly
undoubtedly /ʌnˈdaʊtɪdli /
▸ adverb without doubt; certainly: they are undoubtedly guilty.
Simon and Garfunkel’s first U.S. number one single hit was what?
Answer: The Sound of Silence
The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, written by Paul Simon, was initially released in 1964 as an acoustic version. A remixed version with electric instruments, released in 1965, became a number-one hit and led to the duo’s reunion and the release of their second album. The song appeared under both the opening and closing credits of the 1967 film The Graduate and was included on its soundtrack album.
Quizology Online 