Pages

Thursday 7 April 2011

The Daily Teaser …

Oh, now, there’s a thing …

Did you know that today, in 1891, saw the death of the Prince of Showmen, himself, Phineas Taylor Barnum … ?

You didn’t … ?

You do, now … !

Which I’ve got to confess, brings back a memory or two.

Back in the early 1990s, I managed to bag a job at the Dominion Theatre, during the run of Barnum, back when Paul Nicholas was playing the title role.

Quite a show, actually.

If you ever get the catch of catching it … ?

Please do!

It’s quite a fun gig, with songs you can happily hum.

Or, at least, I can.

It’s been a good few years, but adding Michael Crawford’s take on There is A Sucker, Born Ev’ry Minute … ?

Well …

I was singing along.

Lets moving on, shall we … ? That way, I can tactfully spare you the horrible experience …

»»•««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting in her answers, along side Councillor Chilvers adding a comment about the Pet Retreat Scheme. It also saw Debbi managing to bag 6 out of 6: oh, and Debbi, it’s also 14, going by the listing on the Official Olympic site.

Lets see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we … ? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video

Q1) 7th April, 529 CE, saw Eastern Roman Emperor, Justinian 1st issue the first draft of which legal work … ? (And if a certain recovering lawyer doesn’t get this … )

Q2) 7th April, 1795, saw France adopt which unit of measurement … ?

Q3) 7th April, 1986, saw Sir Clive Sinclair sell his computer company to Amstrad: what — in 1972 — was Sir Clive’s first successful product … ?

Q4) 7th April each year is World Health Day: what is the WHO highlighting in this year’s World Health Day … ?

Q5) 7th April, 1506, saw the birth of Frances Xavier: what was the name of the Roman Catholic order he co-founded … ?

Q6) And finally … 7th April, 1891, saw the death of the Prince of Humbug, himself, Phineas Taylor Barnum: he stood as a Republican, for Mayor of which Connecticut town … ?
And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …
Q1) 6th April, 1926, saw the birth of which recently retired Northern Irish politician … ?
A1) Ian Paisley.

Q2) 6th April, 1896, saw the opening of the first modern Olympic Games: how many nations competed in those games … ?
Q2) 14.

Q3) 6th April, 1199, saw the death of which English king … ?
A3) Richard 1st.

Q4) 6th April, 1965, saw the launch of the first geosynchronous satellite: what was it called … ?
A4) Intelsat 1: but nicknamed the Early Bird.

Q5) More to the point, which science fiction writer came up with the idea of communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit?
A5) Arthur C. Clarke.

Q6) And finally … 6th April, 1973, saw the American League of Major League Baseball begin using which rule: the designated hitter, designated batter or designated pitcher … ?
A6) Designated hitter. (Which, if I’ve understood thing’s correctly, allows for a substitute batter, in place of the pitcher … )
Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later …


2 comments:

  1. 1. Codex Justinianus (they didn't cover that in law school :))
    2. the metric system
    3. the world's first pocket calculator, the Sinclair Executive
    4. antimicrobial resistance and its global spread
    5. the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits
    6. Bridgeport

    BTW, you're spot on about the DH rule. Dumb rule, if you ask me. Pitchers should bat. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Can’t be as debateable as the Offside Rule, Debbi …

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offside_(association_football)

    ReplyDelete

I love it when someone comments. But, having had anonymous comments I feel may be libellous, actionable or just plain offensive, over the years?

I’d appreciate you* leaving your name — with a link to your website or social-media profile†, for preference — before you post a comment.

Should you choose to use a pseudonym/name, I’d appreciate it if that name were to be polite and inoffensive. I’d rather you kept it clean, and relatively grown up. Comments left with a pseudonym will be posted at my discretion: I really prefer a link.

Contentious, actionable or abusive posts left anonymously will not be posted. Nor will comments using offensive pseudonyms or language, or that are abusive of other commenters.

Thank you.

*   I know many value their online privacy. I respect that. But hope you respect my wish to see who’s commenting on my blog: and my wish for you to introduce your self to me, and to your fellow commentors.

†   Your Facebook, X/Twitter, Blogger, Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn profile are acceptable. I also like seeing folks webpages.