Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 19-12-2019: Desmond Llewelyn

19th December, 2019.

Yes: at last!

I’ve managed to get hold of some Sellotape!

AND managed to wrap up the few presents I’ve been able to afford this year.

It’s — effectively — done and dusted.

Now all I have to do?

Is make sure my nephew does find them, when he comes over, this afternoon.

Thankfully?

There’s tucked away where he can’t find them … 

~≈É≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga*, David† and Debbi‡ putting in their answers: with Debbi scoring ten out of ten, David on 9 And a half, and Olga on nine.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

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

Q1) 19th December, 1999, saw the sad death of actor, Desmond Llewelyn.   Which James Bond character did he play for many years?

Q2) Who, currently, is playing that role?

Q3) He appeared in one episode of The Life and Times of David Lloyd George: as Lord whom?

Q4) Desmond played the Colonel: in which children’s TV series?

Q5) Finally?   Desmond was a prisoner of war during World War 2.   He was held in which famous prison camp?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) 18th December is UN Arabic Language Day.   Which mythical bird has a name — in English — that comes from the Arabic word, الرُخّ or rukh?

A1) The Roc.

Q2) An Ifrit, or عفريت, is a what: snake, water pipe or demon?

A2) Demon.

Q3) Alcohol comes from the Arabic word, الكحل, al-kohl.   IT actually refers to what: powder, ethanol or cheese? 

A3) Powder.   (Possibly, it’s the root of the phrase, “Take a powder.”   Although we may need to check that with Debbi!   The word ‘kohl,’ from the same root, refers to a type of eyeliner.)

Q4) The English version of the Arabic word, matrah (مَطْرَحٌ), is on your bed.   What IS a matrah?

A4) A mattress.

Q5) The word, مخازن, makhāzin, has entered English as magazine.   In this case, are we talking about storage, or something to read?

A5) Storage: usually of firearms, ammunition or artillery.

Q6) The Hisab al-Jummal are one form of Arabic … what?

A6) Numeral.   They’re based on the Arabic Abjad, or alphabet.   The other form of numerals are the traditional Arabic numerals: that came to the West, through India.

Q7) Khufic, Naskh and Thuluth are Arabic … what?

A7) Calligraphic Scripts.

Q8) Birayl ʿarabīyah (بِرَيْل عَرَبِيَّة) is the Arabic version of what?

A8) Braille.

Q9) Arabic is one of three official languages in Djibouti.   Name one of the other two.

A9) French or Somali.

Q10) Finally … ?   The country with the most Arabic speakers?   Is where: Saudi Arabia, Iran or Egypt?

A10) Egypt.

Here’s a thought …

“Actors never retire, they just get less and less work.”

Desmond Llewelyn.

And a song …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Have a good day.

*        Ooooh, I’ve done coat checking, Olga: many years ago, when I worked in the theatre.   You’re right.   It’s stretches of boredom, in between moments of panic!   I need up getting the tape in Sainbury’s: for a quid.   It was a sensible special offer, as Brentwood’s branch of Poundland is literally around the corner.   And I’m the same with sellotape: I usually have something around.   This year … ?   Hey ho.   Which reminds me, I’ll have to add that course to my CV.   (Oh, I’ve given you the point for the mattress answer.   I can’t help but think the original usage must have referred to something like a futon.   Now … ifrits … )

†        Morning, David.   It’s half a point for question 4, I’m afraid: I think I’m going to have to mention this on the relevant talk pages for the mattress article … 

‡        Really?   That hit-and-miss thing must be frustrating, Debbi!   Especially for someone who’s using their hands a lot.