Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5-1-2022: Umberto Eco

5th January, 2022.

Do you ever get that, first thing in the morning?

That time when staring at walls seems to make sense?

Possibly just me, then: unless everyone’s brain takes a while to get into gear, as they get older!

At any rate … ?

It’s now the day after yesterday: and?   I’ve now got a working bathroom light.

And managed to drop off samples, have a job centre meeting, and get a little shopping.

Which doesn’t sound like much, I know: but did make for a busy day.

Today’s going to be quieter.

Although, saying that … ?

I’ve got an official CV re-writing course, this afternoon: through a Microsoft Teams video call.

We’ll have to see how that goes … 

~≈艰≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum* and Debbi† putting in their answers: with both scoring five out of five.



The day also sawOlga‡ letting us know how her day went!

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

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

Q1)        5th January saw the birth of writer, Umberto Eco.   In which year of the 1930s?

Q2)        In which European country: France, Romania or Italy?

Q3)        His debut novel, The Name of the Rose, was set in a 14th Century what: monastery, nunnery or vicarage?

Q4)        His book, Foucault’s Pendulum, was published in which year of the 1980s?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Eco was known for studying semiotics. Semiotics is a study of what: law, signs or fish?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        4th January, 1972, saw Rose Heilbronn become the first female Judge to sit at the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales.   The Court is also known as what: the Old Bailey, the Old Peculiar or the Old Shag?

A1)        The Old Bailey.

Q2)        4th January, 2010, saw the opening of the Burj Khalifa: currently the world’s tallest building.   It’s where: Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Sharjah?

A2)        Dubai.

Q3)        4th January is World Braille Day.   Braille is ‘read’ with what: your eyes, ears or fingers?

A3)        Your fingers.

Q4)        4th January is the feast day of Saint Angela of Foligno.   Where is Foligno: Italy, France or Croatia?

A4)        Italy.   (Angela, herself, is the patron saint of people ‘afflicted by sexual temptation.’   It’s not The first thing you think of, is it … ?)

Q5)        Finally … ?   4th January, 1813, saw the birth of linguist, Sir Isaac Pitman.   Famously, he developed a form of what: hieroglyphs, braille or shorthand?

A5)        Shorthand.   (Ironically? Pitman was exactly four years younger than Louis Braille: the latter was born on 4th January, 1809.)

Here’s a soundtrack … 

And a thought …

“The language of Europe is translation.”

Umberto Eco.

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

The quizmaster’s decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum!

†        I’ve got to admit, it’s the first I’ve heard of it, Debbi: about the only US horse race I know about is the Kentucky Derby.   Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s nowhere NEAR Baltimore … !

        It’s also the first time I’ve heard pf a Pimlico in the US: there’s tons of Londons, Lincolns, Bostons, and various versions of York … but Pimlico’s a first. 

(The Race for the Black-eyed Susans?   There’s a hard-boiled title!   Has your friend used it?)

‡        Now that looks like quite a layout, Olga: the station obviously puts in quite an effort!   At any rate … ?  Enjoy the parade!