Oldest English Words

Researchers at Reading University, using computer modelling, have identified some of the oldest words in the English language. I'm not sure I understand it myself, but follow this link to learn more!

Your teasers for the weekend are: -

1. Olof Palme was the Prime Minister of which country when he was assassinated today in 1986?
   
   
2. Chef Ainsley Harriott (right), who was born today in 1957, is the host of which US TV show?
   
   
3. In which country was tennis player Jelena Jankovic (below) born today in 1985?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. "The Grapes of Wrath"; 2. 2 ("BUtterfield 8" & "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf"); 3. Paddy Ashdown

Something Different Today

There's not much news that inspires me today, so I'll just leave you with the teasers for today. After all, that's the main purpose of this blog!

Friday's questions are: -

1. Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck was born today in 1902 and won a Pulitzer Prize for which 1939 novel?
   



2. Actress Elizabeth Taylor (right) was born today in 1932 and has won how many Oscars?
   



3. Which former Liberal Democrat leader was born today in 1941 in New Delhi?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Levi Strauss; 2. "Put Your Records On"; 3. Elba

Don't Text and Drive

Using a mobile phone whilst driving is a common, but ultimately unsafe, act (and I speak as someone who was caught driving and talking on my mobile!) I fully appreciate how dangerous it can be just talking, but TEXTING, as Lord Ahmed was doing on Christmas Day 2007, is plainly dangerous and he has quite rightly (in my opinion) been sent to jail. I don't see how anyone can justify such an act...but I believe that it is fairly common!!


Your teasers for today are: -

1. Which German born clothing designer and manufacturer was born today in 1829?
   


2. Corinne Bailey Rae (right) was born today in 1979 and had a UK No 2 hit in 2006 with which single from her eponymous debut album?
   


3. From which island did Napoleon escape today in 1815?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Billie Jean King; 2. Ferrari; 3. Téa Leoni

Carbon Dioxide Satellite Fails

Nasa's first dedicated mission to measure carbon dioxide from space has failed following a rocket malfunction. Was this just an unfortunate accident...or was it sabotage?

It would be very useful for many people if the actual sources of Carbon Dioxide emissions were not accurately known. It could be very costly for those organisations that pump out vast amounts of the so-called greenhouse gas that it might just be worthwhile engaging in a bit of sabotage...or have I read too many conspiracy theories?

Wednesday's questions are: -

1. Which famous tennis player beat Bobby Riggs, who was born today in 1918, in the so-called “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973?
   


2. Jean Todt (right) was born today in 1947 in France and was the team principal for which Formula 1 Racing team from 1993 - 2007?
   


3. Which actress, who was born today in 1966, starred in “Jurassic Park III” and “The Family Man” and is the wife of David Duchovny?
   
   Yesterday's Answers: 1. National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party); 2. "Black Books"; 3. 2 (US Open 2001; Wimbledon 2002)

Venice - It's the Real Thing!

Extraordinary!! The City of Venice has entered into a sponsorship deal with Coca Cola! This has caused a row about the city "selling out" to one of the world's corporate 'devils' in order that major artworks and architectural features can be preserved.

I'm not an historian, but as far as I'm aware, Venice was originally one of the greatest trading and commercial centres in the world (if not THE greatest for many years) and was built on the principles of business and capitalism. So, who better to help save the city than one of today's greatest commercial institutions!

Tuesday's questions: -

1. What name did the German Worker's Party adopt today in 1920?
   


2. Comedian Bill Bailey (right), who was born today in 1964, co-starred with Dylan Moran in which TV sitcom?
   


3. How many Grand Slam singles titles have been won by Lleyton Hewitt (below) who was born today in 1981?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Lawn Tennis; 2. USA (Chicago); 3. Ukraine

The Razzies® 2009

By the time many of you read this, the Oscars will have been awarded. But last night the 29th Annual Golden Raspberry (Razzie®) Awards were announced. And the big winners are...Mike Myers (Worst Actor); Paris Hilton (Worst Actress AND Worst Supporting Actress) and Uwe Boll (Worst Director AND Worst Career Achievement). Uwe is rated as being Germany's version of Ed Wood! I hope they all turned up to receive their awards.

New week; new questions: -

1. Today in 1874, Major Walter Wingfield patented a game called sphairistike. How is it known today?
   
2. In which country was the Rotary Club founded today in 1905?
   
3. Victor Yushchenko (below), who was born today in 1954, is the current president of which former Soviet state?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Fiji; 2. Oscar Wilde; 3. Franklin Winfield Woolworth; 4. Seven of Nine

Atlantis Lost, Found, Lost Again

The lost city of Atlantis seemed to have been rediscovered by Google Earth this week. Google have moved swiftly to explain that the grid pattern seen on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean isn't Atlantis. Oh well, we'll just have to keep looking for it!!

Sunday's quizzing foursome are: -

1. In which country was golfer Vijay Singh (right) born today in 1963?
   


2. Who wrote the play “Lady Windermere’s Fan” which was first performed today in 1892?
   


3. Who opened the first of his 'five and dime' stores in Utica, New York today in 1879?


4. What character in “Star Trek; Voyager” was played by Jeri Ryan who was born today in 1968?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Identity Cards; 2. Sideshow Bob; 3. Polaroid

Tiger Woods Returns

After reconstructive knee surgery, Tiger Woods is set to return to professional golf at next week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona. This should be his first step back on the road to overhauling Jack Nicklaus' haul of 18 Major Championships. Starting back now gives Tiger plenty of time to fine tune his game before the US Masters in April. All his fellow pros are making the right noises, but it must be hard, knowing that their chances of winning tournaments is now reduced!

Today's questions are: -

1. What were abolished today in 1952 by the British Government, under Winston Churchill, to "set the people free"?
   


2. Kelsey Grammer (right), who was born today in 1955, has provided the voice for which recurring character in “The Simpsons”?
   


3. What type of camera was demonstrated by Edwin Land today in 1947?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. John Cleese; 2. Antarctica; 3. James

Brit Awards 2009

Last night the winners were announced at the 2009 Brit Awards. Welsh singer Duffy was the major winner with three awards and despite being nominated in four categories, Coldplay left empty handed. Aside from that it was the usual mix of showmanship, shambles and champagne - a typically British event.

Your posers this Friday are: -

1. Who married American born actress Connie Booth today in 1968?
   
   
2. Caroline Mikkelsen became the first woman to set foot on which continent today in 1935?
   
   
3. What is the first name of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (below, with Vladimir Putin) who was born today in 1951?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Britt Ekland; 2. "Traffic"; 3. Bridget Jones

Scunthorpe United off to Wembley

My home town team have made it through to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final at Wembley after beating Rotherham 3-0 on aggregate last night. Although I was born in Scunthorpe, I've only ever seen them play once before - a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion in an FA Cup replay many years ago. However, I always look to see their results. When they won Coca Cola League 1 in 2007 it was the first time, in my lifetime, that they had won a league trophy! Up 'The Iron'!

Thursday's questions are: -

1. Which actress married Peter Sellers today in 1964?
   


2. Benicio del Toro (right), who was born today in 1967, won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe for his performance in which 2000 film?
   


3. Author Helen Fielding, who was born today in 1958, created which fictional diarist?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Catherine of Aragon; 2. Maureen Lipman; 3. Michael Buerk

Bull's Head Quiz Night

Tuesday night is Quiz Night at the Bull's Head in Hall Green and I'm writing this just before I set off to present the quiz. Last week's runners-up were the Wacky Racers, who came second in a tie breaker. One member of the team is John Garghan who writes the blog You'll Never Look at them in the Same Way Again. He's also set himself the objective of taking a photograph every day and posting it on his Flikr site. Last Tuesday's photo is of me presenting him and the team with their bottle of wine and can be seen here.

Your Wednesday posers: -

1. Which of Henry VIII’s wives gave birth to Queen Mary I today in 1516?
   
2. Playwright Jack Rosenthal married which actress today in 1973?
   
3. Born today in 1946, whose reporting of a famine of “biblical proportions” in Ethiopia led to the Live Aid concerts?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Ruth Rendell; 2. "The Simple Life"; 3. Milan (La Scala)

Atlantic Submarine Collision

Two nuclear powered submarines, carrying nuclear warheads, crash into each other in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean - amazing! The fact that a British and a French submarine were in the same area of the ocean suggests to me that they were both looking for something. What, we will probably never know, but it is a rather curious incident, though, thankfully not a serious one!!

Today's questions are: -

1. What is the real name of writer Barbara Vine who was born today in 1930 in London?
   


2. Paris Hilton (right), who was born today in 1981, co-starred with Nicole Richie in which reality TV show??
   


3. Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly" premiered in which Italian city today in 1904?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. John McEnroe; 2. Geordi La Forge; 3. North Korea

Why Don't Polar Bears Eat Penguins?

"Because they can't get the wrappers off!" - It's an age old joke hiding the fact that they are, quite literally, Poles apart. Now, I thought that species present in the Arctic regions were not to be found in Antarctic regions (except for migratory species of birds and sea life), but apparently this is not the case.

I discovered this article on the BBC website which says that, "At least 235 marine species are living in both polar regions, despite being 12,000km apart". Fascinating...as Mr Spock would have said!

Today's questions are: -

1. Which three-time Wimbledon and four-time US Open Men’s singles champion was born today in 1959 in Wiesbaden, Germany?
   
   
2. Actor LeVar Burton (right), who was born today in 1957, played which role in “Star Trek: The Next Generation”?
   
   
3. Kim Jong-Il, who was born today in 1941 in Russia, is now leader of which Asian country?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Matt Groening; 2. Fu Manchu; 3. New Zealand; 4. UB40

Shameless Plug

As I've said in my profile, I have written a quiz book entitled "The Easy Quiz Master". This is available via Amazon, Amazon.co.uk, and Lulu.com. The book is designed to give you enough questions each week to run your own quiz night for a whole year. Combined with some 'Today in History' questions, you should have an entertaining little quiz for friends and acquaintaces alike. OK, that's my shameless plug out of the way!!

Your Sunday teasers: -

1. Who was born today in 1954 to a father whose name was Homer and a mother whose maiden name was Wiggum?




2. Author Sax Rohmer (below), who was born today in 1883 in Birmingham, created which Chinese criminal mastermind?

   
3. Which country beat England in a Cricket Test Match, for the first time, after 48 years, today in 1978?




4. Ali Campbell (below), who was born in Birmingham today in 1961, was the lead singer and founding member with which band?

   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Sugar Ray Robinson vs Jake La Motta; 2. "Shaun of the Dead"; 3. Dennis Quaid

The Romance of the FA Cup

What better time for the 'Romance of the Cup' than Valentine's Day weekend. Can Derby County beat World Champions Manchester United, again? Will Chelsea overcome Watford away from home? Can Swansea take another Premier League 'scalp' by beating Fulham? Will Aston Villa progress at the expense of Everton?

Who knows, but it's at this time of year, when the air is still cold and the skies grey, that football fans, whose team is still in the FA Cup, can start to dream of a warm Saturday afternoon in May at Wembley. Just the tonic now that the nights are starting to draw out!

And the 'romantic' Valentine's Day questions are: -

1. Which two middleweight boxers met for their sixth and final bout together in what was dubbed 'The St Valentine's Day Massacre' in Chicago today in 1951?
   


2. Simon Pegg (right), who was born today in 1970, starred in and co-wrote which 2004 film described as "A Romantic Comedy. With Zombies"?
   


3. Which actor married actress Meg Ryan today in 1991?
   
   Yesterday's Answers: 1. Chuck Yeager; 2. United Kingdom (East Finchley Tube Station, London); 3. Macdonald

Part-Time Coach for Chelsea

Following the departure of 'Big Phil' from Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have appointed Guus Hiddink as their coach for the rest of the season. He's a very good manager and should do well at Chelsea, but how are Russian fans feeling today? Should their World Cup aspirations take a back seat to an English club? Imagine the uproar if Fabio Capello took on the coaching role at, say, Juventus for the rest of this season...I think the England fans would be a bit unhappy!!

Your fun selection for Friday are: -

1. Who was born today in 1923 and was the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound?


2. In which country was TV host Jerry Springer (right) born today in 1944?


3. Which Scottish clan was the victim of the Massacre of Glencoe today in 1692?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. An Asteroid (Eros); 2. Annette Crosbie; 3. Ballerina

Michelle Obama - Vogue Cover Girl

That's right, Michelle Obama is the cover girl on the March issue of Vogue magazine. However, she is not the first First Lady to grace the cover of Vogue...guess who was first? The answer can be found here.

Your posers for this Thursday are: -

1. Space probe NEAR Shoemaker (below) became the spacecraft to soft land on what planetary body today in 2001?

   
   

2. Who was born today in 1934 in Scotland and played Victor Meldrew's long-suffering wife in the TV sitcom "One Foot in the Grave"? (pictured below)

   


3. What was the occupation of Anna Pavlova who was born today in 1881 in St Petersburg, Russia?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. 'The Wizard of Menlo Park'; 2. "Tuesday Night Music Club"; 3. Burt Reynolds

Bankers Say Sorry

Who'd have thought it possible, senior British bankers apologised today for causing the banking crisis and losing loads of our money! Well, not mine, in fact I still owe them rather a lot. If they'd like to write off my debts I'd be more than happy!!

Wednesday's questions are: -

1. What was the nickname of inventor Thomas Alva Edison who was born today in 1847?
   


2. What was the title of the multi-platinum 1993 debut album by Sheryl Crow (right) who was born today in 1962?
   


3. Who was born today in 1936 and played porn movie director Jack Horner in the 1997 film “Boogie Nights”?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Deep Blue; 2. Nine; 3. Queen Victoria

Man Flu or Just a Cold?

It had to happen, I've finally succumbed to the cold that's being going around these parts. I thought I was going to avoid it, having had a similar one last year...but no...it's finally got me. Am I going to let it stop me from carrying on? No!! Mind you, it does tend to slow down the mental processes a bit, hopefully not manifested below!!

Here are your Tuesday teasers: -

1. What was the name of the computer that became the first machine to win a game of chess against a reigning world champion (Garry Kasparov) today in 1996?
   
2. How many Olympic Gold Medals were won by swimmer Mark Spitz (right) who was born today in 1950?
   
3. Who married Francis Albert Augustus Charles Emmanuel Saxe-Coburg today in 1840?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Joanne Woodward; 2. Grandad Trotter; 3. Sydney

David Beckham Returns for England

David Beckham's loan move to AC Milan has paid off as he was selected in England's squad for the friendly international against Spain on Wednesday. He will probably gain his 108th cap, thus equalling the number of caps won by the late, great Bobby Moore.

I, for one, think this is a good move and that England have a better chance of winning games with him in the team.

Your posers to start the week are: -

1. Which actress received the first star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today in 1960?
   
2. Actor Lennard Pearce, who was born today in 1915, played which role in the TV sitcom “Only Fools and Horses”?
3. In which Australian city is the airport named after famed pilot Charles Kingsford Smith who was born today in 1897?
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. "A Time to Kill"; 2. Mary, Queen of Scots; 3. Roger Lloyd-Pack; 4. Trinny Woodall

Tornado in London

No...not that sort of tornado!! This is about the first new steam locomotive for almost 50 years to be built in Britain that has made it's maiden passenger carrying run to London from Darlington today.

Tornado has taken 19 years to build at a cost of £3 million. Who says that we in Britain are not at the forefront of technology!!


Today's questions are (and I've treated you to an extra teaser as it's Sunday!): -

1. What was the first novel published by John Grisham (right) who was born today in 1955?
   
   


2. Who was executed at Fotheringay Castle today in 1587?
   
   


3. Who was born today in 1944 and played Owen Newitt in "The Vicar of Dibley" and John Lumic, creator of the Cybermen in "Doctor Who"?
   
   


4. Which of Trinny and Susannah (below) is celebrating her 45th birthday today?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. 10 Downing Street (while the Cabinet was sitting); 2. Alan Shore; 3. All got Married

Cannabis with Your Daily Pint of Milk

Here's a bizarre story from today's news - a milkman from Burnley was convicted of supplying cannabis resin, along with the daily pint of milk to seventeen of his customers! How times have changed, when I was a lad the most exotic thing delivered by our milkman was Gold Top milk and maybe yoghurt if you were feeling adventurous...how times have changed!!

Your questions for today: -

1. Against which building did the IRA launch a mortar attack today in 1991?
   


2. Which character in "Boston Legal" and "The Practice" was played by James Spader (right) who was born today in 1960?
   


3. What is significant about This Day in History (February 7th) for world champion boxers John L Sullivan, Jack Dempsey and Mike Tyson?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. 6 Iron; 2. "Never Gonna Give You Up"; 3. François Truffaut

Joe Calzaghe Retires from Boxing

I'm not a major boxing fan, but I can appreciate when we have a world class talent. Thankfully, Joe Calzaghe has decided to get out of the ring while he is at the top. Undefeated in 46 fights, he has been a true champion.

Today's posers are: -

1. Which golf club did Alan Shepard use today in 1971 to hit golf balls on the Moon?
   



2. What was the first UK No 1 single for Rick Astley (right) who was born today in 1966?
   



3. Which film director, who was born today in 1932 in Paris, won an Oscar and a BAFTA for the 1974 film "Day for Night" (or "La Nuit Américaine")?
   
   

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Sir Robert Peel; 2. Madeira; 3. Comic Relief (Red Nose Day)

Annual Race Up the Empire State Building

I must admit, I thought this event had ceased to exist, but I was pleasantly surprised to find this on the BBC website. There are 1576 steps and the winners were German Thomas Dold, 24 (10 mins 7 secs) and Australian Suzy Walsham, 35 (13 mins 27 secs) who both retained their titles on Tuesday. And I thought that it was just we British who were daft!!

Here are today's questions: -

1. Which Prime Minister, who was born today in 1788, helped form the first modern police force and repealed the Corn Laws?
   
   
2. On which island was Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (right) born today in 1985?
   
   
3. Which charity event, usually occurring every two years, first took place today in 1988?

Interestingly, other footballers born today were: Carlos Tevez (1984); Giovanni van Bronckhorst (1975); Gheorghe Hagi (1965); Sven-Goran Eriksson (1948) and Cesare Maldini (1932) together with a fair number of American Footballers and Baseball players (Roger Staubach [1942] and Hank Aaron [1934] to name the two most prominent!). Must be something 'special' about February 5th!! Extra points if you can name the nationalities of the five footballers!

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Skiing; 2. Frank Sinatra; 3. Ukraine

Glastonbury Festival Sold Out

When there's snow on the ground...and more on the way...what better time to look forward to the summer? The news that Glastonbury has sold out already is a heartwarming sign that it's not all doom-and-gloom in Britain.

Even though none of the artists have been confirmed, the Great British music public have voted with their wallets again. Hopefully it will be a bit warmer in June when the festival takes place.

Today's treble of teasers are: -

1. Pirmin Zurbriggen, who was born today in 1963, is a former Olympic Gold Medallist, World Champion (four times) and World Cup Winner in which sport?
   
2. Which singer and actor married the first of his four wives, Nancy Barbato, today in 1939?
   
3. Today in 1945, Churchill, Stalin & Roosevelt met at Yalta. In which country is Yalta today?Yesterday's Answers: 1. Doctor; 2. Benelux; 3. Aircraft

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!

England in the snow is a wondrous place! For many parts of the country it is the worst snowfall since 1991. Fortunately I didn't have to venture far yesterday, but today I'll be at the mercy of our rail network to get to Coventry. I then have a 25 minute walk, which under normal circumstances is great exercise, but in these conditions it could be a bit tricky!!

I'll never understand the people who moan about how other countries cope better than us! This is a once in 18 YEARS event, places like Germany, Canada, Norway or USA get this or worse EVERY YEAR so naturally they are better prepared and equipped. (And in those countries, the authorities also get overwhelmed by nature!)

Anyway, your treats for today are: -

1. What is the profession of Henry Heimlich who was born today in 1920 in Wilmington, Delware?
   
2. Which Economic Union in Europe was created today in 1958?
   
3. Innovative German engineer Hugo Junkers, who was born today in 1859 (and died today in 1935), was best known for designing what?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Nicolas Sarkozy; 2. Punxsutawney Phil; 3. Colombia

Rafael Nadal Wins Australian Open

Today, I believe that we witnessed another final between the two best tennis players to have lived. Roger Federer will surely overtake Pete Sampras' total of Grand Slam singles wins, but Rafael Nadal will then surpass Federer (assuming his knees hold up). What makes Nadal the more complete champion is that he has now won on Grass, Hard Court AND on Clay (neither Sampras nor Federer [so far] were able to win in Paris!)

On to the posers for today: -

1. Who married fashion model Carla Bruni today in 2008?
   


2. What is the name of the groundhog that has predicted the end of spring annually since today in 1887?
   


3. In which country was singer/songwriter Shakira (below) born today in 1977?
   

   Photo by Alejandro Bárcenas (2006)

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Ayatollah Khomeini; 2. Peter Sallis; 3. South Africa; 4. Sir Stanley Matthews

Increased Readership - How Is It Done?

Already one month of 2009 has gone by! This blog is now being viewed by quite a few more people and I'd like to share with you how that is possible.

By using StatCounter I can see how people have got to this blog. This revealed people linking from two sites that I'd never heard of!

The first is Alpha Inventions which is a blogroll. All you have to do is to register your blog with them and it goes into the reading cycle. Anyone who is on their site can see your blog and, if they're interested, will stop and have a look.

The other one I'm on is Condron.us Blogroll. This is similar, but whenever you refresh your blog it doesn't knock anyone out of the reading cycle. All in all, both have generated a wider readership which can't be bad!!

But, now for some QUESTIONS - and that's what we're here for: -

1. Who returned to Iran after nearly 15 years of exile, today in 1979?
   


2. Who was born today in 1921 and provides the voice for Wallace in the “Wallace & Gromit” films?
3. Graeme Smith (below) has scored 18 centuries for, and captains, which country's Test cricket team?
4. Who was born today in 1915 and is the only footballer to have been knighted whilst still playing?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Lockerbie Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103; 2. "SexyBack"; 3. SS Great Eastern