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Truth is always strange, Stranger than Fiction—Answers

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.

— Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness

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?

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.”

— Chain Gang

Truth is always strange, Stranger than Fiction

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

Five

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

Doubly Tuned—Answers

Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

Five random questions today.

Billy the Kid.
Image Encyclopædia Britannica

One

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.

— Oxford English Dictionary

Five

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.

Doubly Tuned

Five random questions today.

One

Billy the Kid was shot and killed at Fort Sumner by whom?

Two

Whose first novel was When the Lion Feeds?

Three

Tennis: The Woodies won six Wimbledon men’s doubles titles. What were their surnames?

Four

DOUBLY TUNED is an anagram of an English word, an adverb meaning certainly. What is the word?

Five

Simon and Garfunkel’s first U.S. number one single hit was what?

Good luck! I’ll post the answer later.

Game, Set and Match—Answers

The Championships, Wimbledon.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

Which tennis player fills in the gap in this list of Wimbledon Men’s Champions from the early nineties: Edberg — … — Agassi — Sampras — Sampras

Answer: Michael Stich

In the list shown Edberg vein in 1990 and Stich in 1991. Michael Stich, a former German professional tennis player, achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in singles and No. 9 in doubles. He won 18 singles titles, including Wimbledon and the ATP Tour World Championships, and ten doubles titles, including Wimbledon and the Olympic gold medal.

Two

What is the capital of Lithuania?

Answer: Vilnius

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is known for its well-preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a multicultural centre during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and is now a financial centre and important fintech hub.

Three

Who created the fictional detective Lord Peter Wimsey?

Answer: Dorothy L. Sayers

Lord Peter Wimsey, a gentleman detective created by Dorothy L. Sayers, solves mysteries for amusement, often assisted by his valet, a police detective, and later, his wife.

Four

What word does the ‘U’ in U-boat actually refer to?

Answer: Unterseeboot

U-boats, German naval submarines, were used in unrestricted submarine warfare during both World Wars to disrupt UK merchant traffic. While initially successful, improved Allied tactics, particularly during the Battle of the Atlantic, led to significant U-boat losses, culminating in ‘Black May’ 1943.

Five

The title of Pink Floyd’s debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn derived from what children’s novel?

Answer: The Wind in the Willows

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is Pink Floyd’s debut album, released in 1967. It was recorded at EMI Studios and produced by Norman Smith, blending improvisational pieces with Syd Barrett’s pop songs and psychedelia. The Wind in the Willows was a childhood favourite of Barrett.

Game, Set and Match

One

Which tennis player fills in the gap in this list of Wimbledon Men’s Champions from the early nineties: Edberg — … — Agassi — Sampras — Sampras

Two

What is the capital of Lithuania?

Three

Who created the fictional detective Lord Peter Wimsey?

Four

What word does the ‘U’ in U-boat actually refer to?

Five

The title of Pink Floyd’s debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn derived from what children’s novel?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

GRANS A MA—Answers

Here are the answers to my questions from earlier.

No multiple-choice today as the five trivia questions below start with the answer in the form of an ANAGRAM (in capitals), for example…

Example 1
WREN AS what is expected in response to a question.?
Answer: Answer

Example 2
GRANS A MA might give you a clue from the title of this post?
Answer: Anagrams

One

AKA EPIC LAPTOP provides an Istanbul residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, last occupied by Mahmut II (1808–39) and now a museum. What is it known as?

Answer: Topkapi Palace

‘AKA EPIC LAPTOP’ is an anagram of Topkapi Palace. Topkapı Palace, a large museum and library in Istanbul, served as the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire from the 1460s to 1856. The palace complex, which expanded over centuries, includes the Imperial Harem, treasury and various buildings used by state officials. Today, the palace is a museum showcasing Ottoman artefacts and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Historic Areas of Istanbul.

Two

A CHI TIN is a dry red Italian wine produced in Tuscany. What wine?

Answer: Chianti

‘A CHI TIN’ is an anagram of Chianti. Chianti is an Italian red wine from the Chianti region of Tuscany, primarily made from Sangiovese grapes. The Chianti region was first defined in 1716 and later divided into seven sub-areas in 1932, with Chianti Classico being the most prominent. Chianti must be made with at least 80% Sangiovese grapes, with Riserva and Superiore designations indicating higher quality and stricter production requirements.

Three

The German heavy cruiser *ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE*, 1937.
Image IWM via Wikimedia Commons

ARMADA FLEES GRIP of the pursuing ships. What three-word, fifteen letters in total, is the name of the ship being pursued in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1939?

Answer: Admiral Graf Spee

‘ARMADA FLEES GRIP’ is an anagram of Admiral Graf Spee which was a German Panzerschiff, or ‘pocket battleship’, that served during World War II. It was deployed to the South Atlantic before the war, sinking nine vessels before being damaged and then scuttled after the Battle of the River Plate.

__

Four

RED GOLFING is the villain in this Bond movie. What villain?

Answer: Goldfinger

‘RED GOLFING’ is an anagram of Goldfinger. Auric Goldfinger is the title character and main antagonist in both Ian Fleming’s novel and the 1964 film adaptation. The character, portrayed in the film by red-haired Gert Fröbe, was voted the most sinister James Bond villain, and his line ‘No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die’ was voted the best moment in the franchise.

Five

ARRANGED LOAN allows a governor to became a president of the United States. Who is he?

Answer: Ronald Reagan

‘ARRANGED LOAN’ is an anagram of Ronald Reagan. A governor of California, Ronald Reagan served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. A prominent figure in the American conservative movement, his presidency, known as the Reagan era, was marked by economic policies like “Reaganomics,” increased military spending, and a shift in Cold War policy. Reagan’s impact on American conservatism and his role in ending the Cold War are widely recognised.

GRANS A MA

No multiple-choice today as the five trivia questions below start with the answer in the form of an ANAGRAM (in capitals), for example…

Example 1
WREN AS what is expected in response to a question.?
Answer: Answer

Example 2
GRANS A MA might give you a clue from the title of this post?
Answer: Anagrams

One

AKA EPIC LAPTOP provides an Istanbul residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, last occupied by Mahmut II (1808–39) and now a museum. What is it known as?

Two

A CHI TIN is a dry red Italian wine produced in Tuscany. What wine?

Three

Image Imperial War Museum via Wikimedia Commons

ARMADA FLEES GRIP of the pursuing ships. What three-word, fifteen letters in total, is the name of the ship being pursued in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1939?

__

Four

RED GOLFING is the villain in this Bond movie. What villain?

Five

ARRANGED LOAN allows a governor to became a president of the United States. Who is he?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.

We Three Kings—Answers

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

These questions all relate to today’s date, January 6th.

*Adoration of the Magi* by El Greco (1568),
Museo Soumaya, Mexico City.
Image Wikimedia Commons

One

In Western Christianity, the Epiphany celebrates the coming of the Magi. Which Gospel or Gospels tell this story?

Answer: Gospel of Matthew

The biblical account in Matthew 2 describes the visit of unnamed ‘wise men’ to the infant Jesus, not on the night of his birth but at an unspecified later time. While artistic conventions often depict this event alongside the nativity, the text specifies that the wise men visited Jesus in a house, not a stable, and the exact timing of their visit is not provided.

Two

In 1994, ‘The Whack Heard Around the World’ involved an attack on an US figure skater by an assailant hired by, or on behalf of, a rival skater. Who was the attacked skater, and who was the rival?

Answer: Nancy Kerrigan; Tonya Harding

On January 6, 1994, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked by Shane Stant, who was hired by Jeff Gillooly and Shawn Eckardt to prevent her from competing. The incident was later linked to her rival, Tonya Harding, Gillooly’s ex-wife, who was accused of involvement. Despite the attack, Kerrigan recovered and competed in the Lillehammer 1994 Olympic Winter Games, winning a silver medal. Harding, who also competed at the Olympics, faced legal consequences, pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution, and was banned for life from USFSA events.

Three

In 1540, England’s King Henry VIII married his fourth wife, who was she and what was her fate?

Answer: Anne of Cleves; marriage was annulled

Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII’s fourth wife, ruled England for six months in 1540. Their marriage was annulled, but she remained in England, receiving a generous settlement. She lived to see the reigns of Henry’s children. Ten years after Henry’s death and during Mary I’s reign, Anne died and was interred as a queen in Westminster Abbey.

Four

Born in 1955, this British actor voiced Zazu, an uptight hornbill, in The Lion King (1994). Who was this actor?

Answer: Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson is an English actor, comedian and writer, best known for his roles in Blackadder, Mr. Bean, and Johnny English. He has received numerous awards for his work, including a BAFTA and an Olivier Award, and was appointed CBE in 2013.

Five

In 1900, the besieged fortress at Ladysmith, Natal, successfully repelled an attack and drove the attackers back. During what war did this occur, and in what modern country is this location?

Answer: Second Boer War; South Africa

The Siege of Ladysmith, a crucial engagement during the Second Boer War, lasted from 2 November 1899 to 28 February 1900. The Boer republics invaded Natal, leading to battles and a British retreat to Ladysmith. Despite several relief attempts, the Boers encircled the town until the British forces, led by General Buller, broke through and relieved it. The Battle of Wagon Hill, on 6 January 1900, saw Boer forces attack British positions on Platrand. Initially successful, the Boers were repelled by British counterattacks, resulting in heavy casualties. The siege of Ladysmith continued until 28 February 1900, when the British forces finally broke through the Boer lines and relieved the town.

We Three Kings

These questions all relate to today’s date, January 6th.

One

In Western Christianity, the Epiphany celebrates the coming of the Magi. Which Gospel or Gospels tell this story?

Two

Three

In 1540, England’s King Henry VIII married his fourth wife, who was she and what was her fate?

Four

Born in 1955, this British actor voiced Zazu, an uptight hornbill, in The Lion King (1994). Who was this actor?

Five

In 1900, the besieged fortress at Ladysmith, Natal, successfully repelled an attack and drove the attackers back. During what war did this occur, and in what modern country is this location?

Good luck! I’ll post the answers later today.