Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th August 2026

16th August, 2026.

OK: it’s officially Sunday, I’ve started typing this post at 8·15 … and it looks like today is going to be overcast.

Which would make a pleasant change, I think.

Or, at least, take the edge off of the persistent heat.

I can only hope the rain the BBC’s weather page is predicting for Tuesday, turns up.

The rain is going to be much needed.

~≈☁️≈~

There’s possibly a universe where I’d feel comfortable voting for Nigel Farage’s Reform party.

Possibly.

In this one … ?

There’s no possibility what-so-ever.

Especially as Reform have announced they will be cutting the welfare bill by some £50 billion.

As a person on benefits?

I know — know, not feel — this would directly myself, and many of my friends.

Frankly?

The means the chance of my voting Reform goes from zero … to considerably less.

~≈〇≈~

Let’s move on.


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

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

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

Q1)        Angela Bassett was born on 16th August, 1958.   She played Betty Shabazz in which Denzel Washington film?

Q2)        Hugo Gernsback was born on 16th August, 1884.   He published and edited which science fiction magazine: Amazing Stories, Analog or New Worlds?

Q3)        16th August, 1933, saw the birth of actress, Julie Newmar.   She played which Batman villain, during the 1960s?

Q4)        The Principality of Transylvania was established by the Treaty of Speyer: on 16th August, 1570.   The Principality is now part of which modern, European, country?

Q5)        Finally … ?   16th August, 1958, saw the birth of Madonna.   Her first UK hit reached number 2 in 1983.   What was that hit: “Holiday”, “Lucky Star” or “Borderline”?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        15th August is National Acadian Day in the French speaking parts of where: Mexico, the USA or Canada?

A1)        Canada.

Q2)        15th August is the feast day of Alypius of Thagaste.   Thagaste is in which modern-day country: Algeria, Egypt or Libya?

A2)        Algeria.

Q3)        Napoleon Bonaparte was born on 15th August: of which year of the 1760s?

A3)        1769.

Q4)        Antonín Petrof was born on 15th August, 1839.   He designed and built what: guitars, pianos or saxophones?

A4)        Pianos.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Keir Hardie was born on 15th August, 1856.   He was a co-founder of which British political party?

A5)        The Labour Party.

Here’s a thought …

“Listen, everyone is entitled to my opinion.”

Madonna, born 16th August, 1958.

And a Vanessa Carlton song …

The next 10 question sets are on 26th August, and 5th, 7th and 11th September: they’re about International Dog Day, the Muppet Show, Boston and the Nine-Eleven attacks.

There’s a twelve question set on 8th September: about Star Trek.

Your comments, and today’s answers, will be published in tomorrow’s Teaser.

AI is avoided when writing these questions.

Answers are as accurate as possible: at the time of writing.

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum!   (Napoleon was born in 1769, Mum, not 1761!)

†        Blimey, I didn’t know that, Debbi!   Rick would have an easy time getting hold of one, I think: assuming he’s right handed … ?   (They charge more for lefty guitars.)

        From the very little I know, Debbi?   The difference in sound between Gibsons and Fenders — outside of the amps, speakers, and effects pedals!!!!! — is the properties of the guitars, themselves.   If I recall, Gibsons are one piece, made out of dense wood, and have double pickups: Fenders are made of lighter wood, have screw-on necks and single coil pickups.   The screw-on necks on a Fender means they’re easy to replace.

        Oh, Fenders have a longer scale length, a longer string length: means they’re tinnier sounding.