What were the first names of Mason and Dixon, after whom the Mason-Dixon Line is named?
Three
What eight letter word means ‘the study of Chinese language, history, customs, and politics’, and from what does the first three letters of the word ultimately derive?
Four
In the northern hemisphere, what astronomical season ends at the vernal equinox and what three months form the equivalent meteorological season?
Five
Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically.
The opening words of which English novel, first published in Florence Italy in 1928, are quoted above. What is the novel’s title and who is the author?
On which of the Great Lakes did the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sink with the loss of her entire crew in 1975?
Lake Michigan
Lake Ontario
Lake Superior
Answer: 3. Lake Superior.
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, the largest ship on the Great Lakes, sank during a storm on November 10, 1975, with all 29 crew members lost. The cause of the sinking remains unknown, though it is believed to have been due to a combination of factors such as structural failure and high waves. The disaster led to changes in Great Lakes shipping regulations and practices. The Edmund Fitzgerald disaster, immortalised in Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad, led to significant changes in Great Lakes shipping regulations, including mandatory survival suits and increased inspections.
Two
This Eurasian woodland plant, Allium uranium, with broad shiny leaves and round heads of flowers, producing a strong aroma of garlic is also called wild garlic. What is it?
Larsons
Ramsons
Tamsons
Answer: 2. Ramsoms.
Allium ursinum, or wild garlic, is a bulbous perennial flowering plant native to Eurasia. It is a wild relative of onion and garlic. It has several names including ramsons; it is also known as buckrams, broad-leaved garlic, cowleekes, cows’s leek, cowleek, wood garlic, Eurasian wild garlic, onion grass, bear leek and bear’s garlic.
Three
What letter(s) is the symbol which represents the element tungsten?
T
Gs
W
Answer: 3. W.
Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a chemical element with the symbol W and atomic number 74. It is a metal found naturally in compounds and was first isolated as a metal in 1783.
Four
Who, on a sixties album, released a version of the Christmas carol Silent Night with a simulated 7 O’clock News, which featured real events from the preceding summer, being read over it?
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Joni Mitchell
Simon & Garfunkel
Answer: 3. Simon & Garfunkel.
7 O’Clock News/Silent Night by Simon & Garfunkel is a sound collage from their 1966 album, combining Silent Nightwith a simulated news bulletin. A sound collage juxtaposes Silent Night with a news report, highlighting social issues like civil rights, Lenny Bruce’s death, and the Vietnam War. The track’s mix emphasises the contrast between the news and the Christmas song.
Five
In which Scottish body of water was the German High Seas Fleet scuttled in June 1919?
Loch Ness
Scapa Flow
Firth of Lorn
Andwer: 2. Scapa Flow.
Scapa Flow is a strait in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It was an important British naval base, especially in the First World War. The German High Seas Fleet was interned there after its surrender, and was scuttled in 1919 as an act of defiance against the terms of the Versailles peace settlement.
The Wind in the Wires Made a Tattle-tale Sound — Post Title
The post title is a line from The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot. Full lyrics below from AZ Lyrics.
The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
By Gordon Lightfoot.
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead When the skies of November turn gloomy With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty [Former version:] That good ship and true was a bone to be chewed [Latter version:] That good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed When the gales of November came early
The ship was the pride of the American side Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most With a crew and good captain well seasoned Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms When they left fully loaded for Cleveland Then later that night when the ship’s bell rang Could it be the north wind they’d been feelin’?
The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound When the wave broke over the railing And every man knew, as the captain did too ‘Twas the witch of November come stealin’ The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait When the gales of November came slashin’ When afternoon came it was freezing rain In the face of a hurricane west wind
When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck Saying, “Fellas, it’s too rough to feed ya.” [Former version:] At seven PM a main hatchway caved in [Latter version:] At seven PM it grew dark, it was then He said, “Fellas, it’s been good to know ya.” The captain wired in he had water comin’ in And the good ship and crew was in peril And later that night when his lights went out of sight Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Does anyone know where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours? The searchers all say they’d have made Whitefish Bay If they’d put fifteen more miles behind her They might have split up or they might have capsized They may have broke deep and took water And all that remains is the faces and the names Of the wives and the sons and the daughters
Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings In the rooms of her ice-water mansion Old Michigan steams like a young man’s dreams The islands and bays are for sportsmen And farther below, Lake Ontario Takes in what Lake Erie can send her And the iron boats go as the mariners all know With the gales of November remembered
[Former version:] In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed [Latter version:] In a rustic old hall in Detroit they prayed In the Maritime Sailors’ Cathedral The church bell chimed ’til it rang twenty-nine times For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee Superior, they said, never gives up her dead When the gales of November come early. AZ Lyrics.
On which of the Great Lakes did the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sink with the loss of her entire crew in 1975?
Lake Michigan
Lake Ontario
Lake Superior
Two
This Eurasian woodland plant, Allium uranium, with broad shiny leaves and round heads of flowers, producing a strong aroma of garlic is also called wild garlic. What is it?
Larsons
Ramsons
Tamsons
Three
What letter(s) is the symbol which represents the element tungsten?
T
Gs
W
Four
Who, on a sixties album, released a version of the Christmas carol Silent Night with a simulated 7 O’clock News, which featured events from the preceding summer, being read over it?
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Joni Mitchell
Simon & Garfunkel
Five
In which Scottish body of water was the German High Seas Fleet scuttled in June 1919?
Chico, born Leonard Joseph Marx in 1887, was the eldest. Harpo, born Adolph Marx in 1888, followed. Groucho, born Julius Henry Marx in 1890, then came Gummo, born Milton Marx in 1893. Finally, Zeppo, born Herbert Manfred Marx in 1901, was the youngest and last of the five Marx brothers. The picture shows them in age order but missing Gummo. From top: Chico, Harpo, Groucho and Zeppo.
Two
The African polecat is also known as a …
Zimbal
Zorilla
Zugerro
Answer: 3. Zorilla.
The striped polecat, native to sub-Saharan Africa, is a nocturnal, mostly carnivorous mammal with distinctive black and white fur. It uses its long claws to dig for prey and its spray to deter predators. While mostly solitary, females tolerate males during breeding season, and the species is not considered threatened.
Three
What movement which flourished in the early twentieth century was also referred to as Style Moderne?
Art Deco
Naturalism
Realism
Answer: 1. Art Deco.
Art Deco, a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design, emerged in Paris in the 1910s and flourished internationally during the 1920s and 1930s. Influenced by various artistic movements and cultures, it represented luxury and progress, utilising both rare and new materials. While its popularity waned after World War II, Art Deco remains a significant architectural and design style.
Four
At what age did Alexander the Great die?
32 years old
41 years old
49 years old
Answer: 1. 32 years old.
Alexander the Great, king of Macedon (20/21 July 356 BCE – 10/11 June 323 BCE), created one of the largest empires in history through a decade-long military campaign. He conquered the Persian Empire, invaded India, and founded numerous cities, spreading Greek culture and initiating the Hellenistic period. His legacy includes cultural diffusion, military tactics, and legendary status in both Greek and non-Greek cultures.
Five
Florida
Louisiana
Texas
Answer: 3. Texas.
The latitude of the three cities listed are as follows with the southernmost first…
Austin, Texas (30.2672° N)
Tallahassee, Florida (30.4383° N)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (30.4571° N)
Why a Duck? — Post Title
Why a Duck? is a well-known comedy routine from the Marx Brothers’ movie The Cocoanuts (1929). The scene, features Groucho mentioning an ‘viaduct’ and Chico asking ‘Why a duck?’. This turns into a prolonged routine which is a favourite among fans and has been analysed in Richard Anobile’s book of the same name. The script for the scene is on the Marx Brothers website here.
On this day a proposal was submitted to The European Organization for Nuclear Research for an information management system which would subsequently develop in the World Wide Web.
Who submitted the proposal?
What is The European Organization for Nuclear Research more commonly known as?
Answers.
Tim Berners-Lee
CERN Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989 at CERN to facilitate information sharing among scientists. CERN released the web software into the public domain in 1993, enabling its widespread adoption. The acronym CERN relates to the original provisional council which was set up in 1952 — Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (European Council for Nuclear Research).
Two
Urban II, elected Pope on this day, initiated the Crusades. In which century did he become Pope?
Answer: 11th Century.
Urban II, pope from 1088 to 1099, furthered ecclesiastical reforms, launched the Crusade movement, and strengthened the papacy’s political power.
Three
James Taylor was born on this day in 1948. The singer-songwriter’s breakthrough came in 1970 with the single Fire and Rain, which reached number three in the charts. The following year, he had his first number one hit with You’ve Got a Friend. Who wrote these two songs?
Answers: James Taylor; Carole King.
Fire and Rain by James Taylor, released in 1970, is about his friend’s suicide and his struggles with addiction and fame. You’ve Got a Friend is a 1971 song by Carole King, recorded for her album Tapestry. James Taylor’s version, featuring Joni Mitchell, reached number one in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100.
Four
André Le Nôtre, was born on this day, designed a 2,000-acre (800 ha) formal garden that now forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Which one?
Answer: Palace and Park of Versailles.
The Palace and Park of Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the residence and seat of power for the French monarchy from Louis XIV to Louis XVI. The site, a masterpiece of French art and architecture, includes the Palace, Trianon châteaux, and gardens, all designed by renowned artists and architects. Despite the loss of its original function during the Revolution, the site’s integrity and authenticity have been preserved through conservation efforts and the reconstruction of interior spaces and furnishings.
Five
An English author who died on this day in 2015 created characters named Cheery Littlebottom, a dwarf and Detritus a troll who are both sergeants in a city’s police force. Who is the author?
Answer: Terry Pratchett.
The Ankh-Morpork City Watch, founded in 1561 UC, evolved from a small, ineffective force to a modern, multi-ethnic police department. Under the leadership of Sam Vimes and Carrot Ironfoundersson, the Watch was revitalised, merging the Day Watch, Night Watch and Palace Guard. The Watch now serves as a powerful deterrent to crime, with a focus on public service and a strong presence in the city. Cheery, the first female dwarf in the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, revolutionises dwarfish culture by openly identifying as female. Detritus, a troll, joined the Ankh-Morpork City Watch under Lord Vetinari’s hiring procedures. Despite being initially considered stupid, he became a natural sergeant, aided by a cooling helmet that improved his intelligence. He is known for his destructive crossbow, the Piecemaker, and his overprotective nature, earning him the respect of Commander Vimes.
Down the Rabbit Hole
In Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice falls into a rabbit hole and finds herself in Wonderland. Today the phrase ‘down the rabbit hole’ is commonly used to describe endlessly clicking through online links or items. As Collins Dictionary puts it, ‘The internet is a great research tool – but be warned you might end up down a rabbit hole.’
On this day a proposal was submitted to The European Organization for Nuclear Research for an information management system which would subsequently develop in the World Wide Web.
Two
Urban II, elected Pope on this day, initiated the Crusades. In which century did he become Pope?
Three
James Taylor was born on this day in 1948. The singer-songwriter’s breakthrough came in 1970 with the single Fire and Rain, which reached number three in the charts. The following year, he had his first number one hit with You’ve Got a Friend. Who wrote these two songs?
Four
André Le Nôtre, was born on this day, designed a 2,000-acre (800 ha) formal garden that now forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Which one?
Five
An English author who died on this day in 2015 created characters named Cheery Littlebottom, a dwarf and Detritus a troll who are both sergeants in a city’s police force. Who is the author?
Born in 1952, Douglas Adams is known for writing a ’trilogy in five parts’. One of these parts mentions creatures in its title. What creatures?
Answer: Fish
So Long and Thanks for All the Fish (1984) is the fourth part in that well-known trilogy, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. This instalment’s title refers to a message left by the dolphins when they departed planet Earth just before it was demolished in the building of a hyperspace bypass.
Two
In what city was media mogul Rupert Murdoch born in 1931?
Answer: Melbourne.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Rupert Murdoch, an Australian-American media mogul, built a global media empire through News Corp, owning newspapers, book publishers, and television channels like Fox News and Sky News. His influence and wealth have been significant, leading to accusations of right-wing bias and political influence. In 2023, Murdoch announced his retirement as chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp.
Born in 1898, Miss Gish, pictured on the right with her sister, who both became major movie stars during the silent era. What were the sisters’ names?
Answers: Dorothy and Lillian Gish
Dorothy Gish, an American stage and screen actress, was a major movie star of the silent era alongside her sister Lillian. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Dorothy made her stage debut at age four and later, with Lillian, was introduced to director D.W. Griffith by Mary Pickford.
Four
In 1995, Russian athlete Yolanda Chen, appearing at the World Indoor Championships in Barcelona, Spain, set a new world indoor record of 15.03 metres and won the gold medal. In what event was Ms Chen competing?
Answer: Triple jump.
Yolanda Chen, a retired Russian athlete, specialised in long jump and later triple jump—hop, skip and jump—achieving a personal best of 14.97 metres in 1993. She won gold at the World Indoor Championships in 1995 with a world indoor record of 15.03 metres.
Five
The Daily Courant was Britain’s first national daily newspaper. In what decade was it published?
Answer: 1700s.
Elizabeth Mallet founded Britain’s first daily newspaper, The Daily Courant, on 11 March 1702, at her premises near the King’s Arms tavern at Fleet Bridge, London. Despite her pioneering efforts, Mallet received little recognition and sold the paper after just 40 days. The single-page newspaper, with advertisements on the reverse, featured only foreign news, as Mallet believed her readers could reflect for themselves. She sold The Daily Courant to Samuel Buckley, who later became the publisher of The Spectator. The Daily Courant continued until 1735, when it merged with the Daily Gazetteer.
Stage Struck
The post is named after the 1917 American silent drama film starring Dorothy Gish (see question three). A copy survives in the Library of Congress.
Born in 1898, Miss Gish, pictured on the right with her sister, who both became major movie stars during the silent era. What were the sisters’ names?
Four
In 1995, Russian athlete Yolanda Chen, appearing at the World Indoor Championships in Barcelona, Spain, set a new world indoor record of 15.03 metres and won the gold medal. In what event was Ms Chen competing?
Five
The Daily Courant was Britain’s first national daily newspaper. In what decade was it published?
Here are the answers to my questions from earlier.
Today five pieces of miscellany.
See question five. Franklin D. Roosevelt, president of the United States. Image Wikimedia Commons
One
What two words appear with ‘Band’, ’Heart’, and ’Fields’ in the titles of three songs from 1970, 1972 and 1993 respectively?
Answer: of Gold.
Band of Gold by Freda Payne, a 1970 hit, was written by Holland-Dozier-Holland and Ron Dunbar. Heart of Gold by Neil Young, from his album Harvest, is his only US No. 1 single and reached No. 1 in Canada twice. Fields of Gold is a 1993 song by Sting from his album Ten Summoner’s Tales. It reached No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Two
This modern city was mentioned in the Icelandic sagas when it was known as Mikligarðr — from the Old Norse mikill ‘big’ and garðr ‘wall’ or ‘stronghold’. What city?
Answer: Istanbul.
Pliny the Elder called it Lygos, Augusta Antonina and New Rome were other names for Istanbul. Originally called Byzantium, it evolved into Constantinople and is now known by its Turkish name reflecting its rich history. The Turkish government advocated for “Istanbul” in English which the US State Department adopted in 1930.
Three
The Catahoula Leopard Dog became the State Dog of which U.S. state in 1979?
Answer: Louisiana.
The Catahoula Leopard Dog, named after Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, is a herding breed recognised by the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service. Despite it having a herding designation it has traditionally been used in hunting feral boars It was officially named the state dog of Louisiana in 1979.
Four
What creatures home world is the planet Kashyyyk?
Answer: Wookies.
Wookiees are fictional humanoid aliens from the Star Wars franchise, originating from the planet Kashyyyk. They are known for their large size, furry appearance, and intelligence, with Chewbacca being a prominent character.
Five
Three questions rolled into one. Hi-Catoctin was a retreat in Frederick County, Maryland for U.S. Federal Agents and their families from the mid-1930s. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt converted it to a presidential retreat and renamed it. In 1953, the then incumbent president gave it its present name in honour of two people.
What did President Roosevelt name it in 1942?
Which president renamed it in 1953?
By what current name has it been known since?
Answers
Shangri-La
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Camp David The origin of the name Camp David seems to be agreed but Shangri-La raises different opinions. Both extracts below sourced 9 March 2026.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt took it over in a few years and named it “Shangri-La,” for the mountain kingdom in Lost Horizon, the 1933 novel by James Hilton.
It was renamed in 1953 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in honor of his then-five-year-old grandson, Dwight David Eisenhower II. — United States National Archives
President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s grandson David Eisenhower posed beneath his name on the sign at Camp David in 1960. According to Press Secretary Jim Haggerty, President Eisenhower renamed the retreat after his grandson and father, both named David, and David was his own middle name. President Franklin Roosevelt’s name “Shangri-La, was just a little fancy for a Kansas farm boy,” according to the president. — The White House Historical Association
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