The Daily Teaser

Now that’s a bloody oddity.

Usually I’d be writing this post using OS X’s on-board browser, Safari.

Version 4.04, on a Mid-2007 model Mac Mini, running Mac OS X 10.6.2, so you know.

This morning, though?

I’m actually using Google Chrome, as — for some reason — Safari keeps crashing on me.

Hmmm …

First time I’ve come across that, I know that much. I’ve found Safari to be a fairly reliable web-browser, over the past 8 years or so: I also am very fond of the way it’s integrated into OS X so well, that I can use those ever so nice Apple font’s, out of the box.

So seeing it crash like that? Is definitely odd.

Hopefully that’ll sort itself out, in the next round of updates, but …

Anyway, let’s move on, shall we?

Yes, let’s!

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Simon get both the First-In-Clap, and score 6 out of 6.

Let’s see how he — and everyone else — does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’ and License …

Q1) 12th February, 1809, saw the birth of the 16th President of the USA: who was he?

Q2) By a huge co-incidence, 12th February, 1809, also saw the birth of which scientist?

Q3) 12th February, 1994, saw determined art-thieves steal which famous painting by Edvard Munch?

Q4) 12th February, 1818, saw political leader, Bernardo O’Higgins approve his country’s Declaration of Independence: what was his country?

Q5) And finally … 12th February, 2000, saw the death of which flamboyant pianist?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 11th February, 660 BC, is the traditionally date of foundation of which East Asian nation?

A1) Japan.

Q2) Many year’s later, 11th February, 55AD, saw Tiberius Claudius Cæsar Britannicus — the heir to Emperor Claudius — die under mysterious circumstances: who replaced him as heir?

A2) Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (15 December AD 37 – 9 June AD 68): born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus and also called Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus. But you knew that already …

Q3) 11th February, 1938, saw BBC produce the first known science-fiction TV show: which play was this an adaptation of?

A3) RUR

Q4) 11th February saw Britain choose its first woman as a political party leader: we all know that was Margeret Thatcher, but in which year of the 1970s was this?

A4) 1975.

Q5) 11th February, 2006, saw the death of author, Peter Benchley: what rather fishy story was his best known novel?

A5) Jaws. (da-DA … da-DA- da-DA … Yeah, I know, I know, but everybody and his dog doing that, or a “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” gag … )

Q6) And finally … Twenty years ago, today, 11th February, 1990, saw the release of which political prisoner?

A6) Nelson Mandela. (Is now a good time to dig up the ol’ gag about never getting ’round to claiming me free Nelson Mandela … ? No? Oh well … )

And here’s today’s 60-question-set, for struggling pub quiz master’s …

Round One. General Knowledge.

Q1) If an antique has been made from tortoiseshell, what animal has it been made from?

A1) A Turtle.

Q2) Which US city has been nicknamed the City of Brotherly Love?

A2) Philadelphia.

Q3) John Louis and Barry Briggs are stars of which sport?

A3) Speedway.

Q4) Whose autobiography was called, Neither Shaken, Nor Stirred?

A4) Sean Connery’s.

Q5) How many countries are there in Africa?

A5) 53.

Q6) Which creature’s name can go in front of the word’s, ‘crab,’ ‘monkey,’ ‘plant,’ and ‘wasp?’

A6) Spider.

Q7) Diluted Acetic acid is better known as what?

A7) Vinegar.

Q8) What is a water moccasin?

A8) A snake.

Q9) What was Dutch rock band’s Golden Earrings first top ten hit?

A9) Radar Love.

Q10) Who, according to legend, was the last king of Troy?

A10) King Priam.

Round Two. Astronomical Animals.

Q11) The Bull is associated with which sign of the Zodiac?

A11) Taurus.

Q12) The constellation Delphinus has that name, as it is thought to be in the shape of which animal?

A12) A dolphin.

Q13) Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor, are also known as the Great, and Little what?

A13) Bear.

Q14) What type of animal is associated with the constellation, Lacerta?

A14) A lizard.

Q15) The constellation of Capricorn is a mythological version of which farmyard animal?

A15) The Goat.

Q16) Vulcepula is associated with which animal?

A16) The fox.

Q17) Sirius B is also known as the what star?

A17) The Dog Star.

Q18) The constellation of Pegasus is named after a mythological flying what?

A18) Horse.

Q19) The constellation of Aquila is named after what type of bird?

A19) An Eagle.

Q20) The infant version of which animal is linked with Cygnus?

A20) The Swan.

Round Three. Sporting Chances.

Q21) Which water event was introduced to the Olympics, in 1984?

A21) Synchronised Swimming.

Q22) Who was in goal for Bobby Moore’s last international appearance?

A22) Sylvester Stallone, in the film, Escape to Victory.

Q23) During the 20th century, did Cambridge, or Oxford won more Varsity rugby Union matches?

A23) Cambridge.

Q24) What name is given to the stick used in hurling, a ling, or a hurl?

A24) A hurl.

Q25) What was Nick Skelton sitting on, when he won the 1995 Volvo World Cup?

A25) A horse; - he’s a show jumper.

Q26) During the First World War, the Grand National was staged at an airport. But was it Gatwick, or Heathrow?

A26) Gatwick.

Q27) In rounders, is the ball made of leather, or wood?

A27) Leather.

Q28) Can ice hockey players kick the puck?

A28) Yes.

Q29) Is an archery target divided into 5, or 10 zones?

A29) 10.

Q30) Does Everton play homes matches in Leeds, or Liverpool?

A30) Liverpool.

Round Four. The Written Word.

Q31) Carrie was one of the earliest novels by which horror writer?

A31) Stephen King.

Q32) Edgar Rice Burroughs created Tarzan, and John Carter; - on which planet did John Carter spend most of his time?

A32) Mars.

Q33) Who wrote the short story what got turned into the Hellraiser movies?

A33) Clive Barker.

Q34) Whose chilling works include The Fog and The Rats?

A34) James Herbert.

Q35) Who, according to Robert Louis Stevenson, is the darker side of Dr Jeckyll?

A35) Mr Hyde.

Q36) Titus Andronicus includes a scene where a young woman is raped, and then her hands cut off; - who wrote it?

A36) William Shakespeare.

Q37) Who wrote The Devil Rides Out and To The Devil, A Daughter?

A37) Dennis Wheatley.

Q38) What’s the English title of the book that features Quasimodo?

A38) The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Q39) Which screen monster was first written about by Mary Shelley?

A39) Frankenstein.

Q40) The Arabian Nights features the story of Aladdin, and which sailor?

A40) Sinbad.

Round Five. Backing Bands.

Q41) Whose backing band were the Attractions?

A41) Elvis Costello.

Q42) Who were Jimmy James’ backing band?

A42) The Vagabonds.

Q43) The Famous Flames were which soul stars backing band.

A43) James Brown.

Q44) Who were Freddie Garity’s backing band?

A44) The Dreamers.

Q45) Whose backing band were the Union Gap?

A45) Gary Puckett.

Q46) The E Street Band were the backing band for which boss of rock?

A46) Bruce Springsteen.

Q47) During the 80’s, whose backing band were called The Plastic Population?

A47) Yazz.

Q48) The Spiders from Mars backed which glam rock star?

A48) David Bowie.

Q49) What name did Tom Petty’s backing band use?

A49) The Heartbreakers.

Q50) What about Joan Jett’s backing band?

A50) The Blackhearts.

Round Six. General Ignorance.

Q51) The video for which 80’s hit had a running man, in the bottom right hand corner of the screen?

A51) Road To Nowhere by Talking Heads.

Q52) Louis Washkansky was the first person to receive what?

A52) A heart transplant.

Q53) Before becoming an MP, what was Robin Cook’s first job?

A53) A teacher.

Q54) According to legend, how many horns does a unicorn have?

A54) One.

Q55) What is measured in decibels?

A55) Sound.

Q56) Which fruit, when dried, produces raisins?

A56) The grape.

Q57) The Yuan is the currency of which East Asian country?

A57) China.

Q58) What name is usually — and incorrectly — given to the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament?

A58) Big Ben. (Big Ben is actually the bell.)

Q59) After a selling price, in a classified ad, what does ‘ono’ stand for?

A59) Or Near Offer.

Q60) What two colours usually feature on a roulette wheel?

A60) Red and black.

Enjoy those, everyone, I’ll catch you later …