Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2-4-2022: Catherine the Great

2nd May, 2022.

I’ve got To say, I was following the first half of the World Snooker Championship finals, yesterday.

Ronnie O’Sullivan is leading Judd Trump, 12-5.

In what was a … well, the BBC’s page on it calls it a ‘feisty’ first half.

For a start?   About three frames in, it took the Ref some ten minutes — including five minutes of arguing with Ronnie — to point the cue ball back where it was.

Ronnie also managed to have something of an argument with the Ref, later in the game.

Apparently, Ronnie made a gesture.

That … ?

And At least one re-racked frame?

Made for an interesting first half.

Despite Ronnie’s assertive behaviour?   He’s still 12-5 up.

And frankly?   I think he’s end up with a seventh title … 

~≈Â≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

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



The day also saw Trevor^ leaving us a message. 
Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video. (Today’s video has yesterday’s answers.)

Q1)        Catherine the Great was born: on 2nd May of which year: 1725, 1727 or 1729?

Q2)        In what’s now where: France, Germany or Italy?

Q3)        She was empress of where: Russia, Austro-Hungary or the British Raj?

Q4)        The city of Odesa was founded on Catherine’s orders.   The city’s now in which country: Russia, Turkey or Ukraine?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Catherine died of what: a heart attack, stroke or cancer?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        1st May is Lei Day.   In which US state?

A1)        Hawaii.

Q2)        1st May is Calan Mai.   Where: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales?

A2)        Wales.

Q3)        Many people in England will be doing what, around a maypole: dancing, singing or cow tipping?

A3)        Dancing.

Q4)        The Maypole in the Strand was in the Strand: in the 17th Century.   Where IS the Strand: London, Manchester or Liverpool?

A4)        London.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Mayday is a what: distress signal, chess opening or brewer’s yeast … ?

A5)        Distress signal.

Here’s a thought … 

“Power without a nation’s confidence is nothing.”

Catherine the Great.

And a song …

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.

*        Cheers, Olga: I’ve managed to pass them on to the groups.   And, as we mentioned languages?   It turns out there at least one Andorran member in one group, happy to see something in Catalan.

        The general impression I’ve picked up?   Is that American English is different from British English — in part — because the former is a descendant of Sixteenth Century British English: it’s built on an out of date version.   I’m just wondering if Brazilian Portuguese — and North American French in general — suffer with the same thing?   (I saw a recent answer on Quora, about why Cockneys drop their ‘H’s.   Supposedly, it’s a result of the Normans.   A lot of them lived in London, after the invasion, and the locals started imitating the French accent, to sound posh.   An accent from a language with a lot of silent ‘H’s.)

        Yes: I can understand that, I think: I’ve met one or people like that, myself!

†        Hello, Mum: the playlist got through OK.   I think you need to change the version of Perfect Day, though … !   (We had one in our street, somewhere … )

‡        I don’t think anyone knows why it’s done on May Day, Debbi.   Bar it being fun.   It’s a bit like Morris dancing.

        To be honest?   That’s one of the songs I can remember them performing, Debbi: along side Please, Mr Postman, and Calling Occupants.   I saw the video, years after she died: and wondered why people didn’t see she was ill!