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Log inWednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
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Jeremiah Mburuburu
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Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:33 pm
Same rule as always: no internet searches please.
1. The expression “pushing the envelope” has come to mean attempting to do something beyond what is generally considered possible. The phrase was invented in the 1970s, and it originated from a field that was invented in the 20th century. What is the origin of the term?
2. This popular television series once featured the lead male character reading Frank O’Hara’s poem Mayakovsky. Soon after, O’Hara’s book jumped from an obscure 15,565th rank in Amazon’s sales to being in the top 50. The show is said to have resulted in the name Betty soaring in popularity for baby girls in the United States in 2010, thanks to the name of one of the key female characters. The British newspaper Guardian reported in 2008 that the show was responsible for a revival in men’s suits, especially those with higher waistbands and shorter jackets, as well as “everything from tortoise shell glasses to fedoras.” On a less significant scale, the show was the source for a SuCH trivia question (regarding Neville Chamberlain’s smoking habit.) Name this show.
3. This man died on the fiftieth anniversary of the day when his most celebrated work became widely known. An accomplished architect who spoke five languages, he represented his country overseas and had a deep interest in science, philosophy and religion. He edited the gospels to remove the miracles that he thought were exaggerations. He wrote his own epitaph. Although he became his country’s head of state and doubled the area of his country during his tenure, neither of those achievements finds place on his epitaph. Instead, he claimed credit on his epitaph for three achievements: the celebrated work (mentioned above), the founding of a university and a statute for religious freedom. Name him and the university he founded.
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
5. The native name for this island means “iron island.” Portuguese explorers who visited it in the 16th century thought it was an archipelago of multiple islands, because of its unusual shape and extensive coast line (see picture below.)
The island is among the world’s largest islands and is home to 15 million people. It is located between Borneo and the Spice Islands. It used to known for gold, iron, and spices, and it is now known for its rapidly depleting forests. Name this island.
6. The modern prime meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, a suburb of London. Ancient Indian geographers used a prime meridian that ran through a city with a central location. It was part of one of the 16 mahAjanapadas of antiquity. Today, it is home to mahAkAla, one of the twelve jyOtirlingas spread across India, and it hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years. It had many periods of prominence in Indian history. Among its illustrious residents were: Bhartrihari, Kalidasa, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara II. Name this city, and the state it is located in.
7. Speaking of the 12 jyotirlingas spread across India: which state has the largest number of them? How many?
8. This corporation was formed with a paid-up capital of £68,373 when it received a royal charter granting it a trade monopoly for a period of 15 years. As one of the world’s earliest limited-liability companies, it traded cotton, silk, indigo dye, salt, saltpeter, tea and opium. The philosopher John Stuart Mill started working for the company at 17, and retired at 52 after rising to the very top. Adam Smith, the advocate of free trade, denounced the company as a burdensome, useless, bloodstained monopoly. It was eventually dissolved 275 years after its founding. Name it.
9. This British imperialist famously said: “I would annex the planets if I could; I often think of that.” He sought to conquer Africa for the British Empire and build a railway line all the way from Cairo to Cape Town. Mark Twain said: “I admire him, I frankly confess it; and when his time comes I shall buy a piece of the rope for a keepsake.” When he died at the age of 48, he was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He made his fortune by founding a monopolistic company that still dominates its industry. He never married, and it is rumored that he was a closeted homosexual. Back in the day, countries were named after him, but today he is mostly remembered for endowing academic scholarships that bring students from the erstwhile empire to his alma mater. Name this man and the company he founded.
10. This short German book credited to more than one writer was originally published in London. Its opening lines are: “A specter is haunting Europe – the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies.” It is considered one of the most influential political writings ever. Name the book and its authors.
1. The expression “pushing the envelope” has come to mean attempting to do something beyond what is generally considered possible. The phrase was invented in the 1970s, and it originated from a field that was invented in the 20th century. What is the origin of the term?
2. This popular television series once featured the lead male character reading Frank O’Hara’s poem Mayakovsky. Soon after, O’Hara’s book jumped from an obscure 15,565th rank in Amazon’s sales to being in the top 50. The show is said to have resulted in the name Betty soaring in popularity for baby girls in the United States in 2010, thanks to the name of one of the key female characters. The British newspaper Guardian reported in 2008 that the show was responsible for a revival in men’s suits, especially those with higher waistbands and shorter jackets, as well as “everything from tortoise shell glasses to fedoras.” On a less significant scale, the show was the source for a SuCH trivia question (regarding Neville Chamberlain’s smoking habit.) Name this show.
3. This man died on the fiftieth anniversary of the day when his most celebrated work became widely known. An accomplished architect who spoke five languages, he represented his country overseas and had a deep interest in science, philosophy and religion. He edited the gospels to remove the miracles that he thought were exaggerations. He wrote his own epitaph. Although he became his country’s head of state and doubled the area of his country during his tenure, neither of those achievements finds place on his epitaph. Instead, he claimed credit on his epitaph for three achievements: the celebrated work (mentioned above), the founding of a university and a statute for religious freedom. Name him and the university he founded.
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
5. The native name for this island means “iron island.” Portuguese explorers who visited it in the 16th century thought it was an archipelago of multiple islands, because of its unusual shape and extensive coast line (see picture below.)
The island is among the world’s largest islands and is home to 15 million people. It is located between Borneo and the Spice Islands. It used to known for gold, iron, and spices, and it is now known for its rapidly depleting forests. Name this island.
6. The modern prime meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, a suburb of London. Ancient Indian geographers used a prime meridian that ran through a city with a central location. It was part of one of the 16 mahAjanapadas of antiquity. Today, it is home to mahAkAla, one of the twelve jyOtirlingas spread across India, and it hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years. It had many periods of prominence in Indian history. Among its illustrious residents were: Bhartrihari, Kalidasa, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara II. Name this city, and the state it is located in.
7. Speaking of the 12 jyotirlingas spread across India: which state has the largest number of them? How many?
8. This corporation was formed with a paid-up capital of £68,373 when it received a royal charter granting it a trade monopoly for a period of 15 years. As one of the world’s earliest limited-liability companies, it traded cotton, silk, indigo dye, salt, saltpeter, tea and opium. The philosopher John Stuart Mill started working for the company at 17, and retired at 52 after rising to the very top. Adam Smith, the advocate of free trade, denounced the company as a burdensome, useless, bloodstained monopoly. It was eventually dissolved 275 years after its founding. Name it.
9. This British imperialist famously said: “I would annex the planets if I could; I often think of that.” He sought to conquer Africa for the British Empire and build a railway line all the way from Cairo to Cape Town. Mark Twain said: “I admire him, I frankly confess it; and when his time comes I shall buy a piece of the rope for a keepsake.” When he died at the age of 48, he was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He made his fortune by founding a monopolistic company that still dominates its industry. He never married, and it is rumored that he was a closeted homosexual. Back in the day, countries were named after him, but today he is mostly remembered for endowing academic scholarships that bring students from the erstwhile empire to his alma mater. Name this man and the company he founded.
10. This short German book credited to more than one writer was originally published in London. Its opening lines are: “A specter is haunting Europe – the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies.” It is considered one of the most influential political writings ever. Name the book and its authors.
charvaka- Posts : 4347
Join date : 2011-04-28
Location : Berkeley, CA
Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by .|Sublime|. Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:03 pm
charvaka wrote:Same rule as always: no internet searches please.
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
Brahmaputra
5. The native name for this island means “iron island.” Portuguese explorers who visited it in the 16th century thought it was an archipelago of multiple islands, because of its unusual shape and extensive coast line (see picture below.)
The island is among the world’s largest islands and is home to 15 million people. It is located between Borneo and the Spice Islands. It used to known for gold, iron, and spices, and it is now known for its rapidly depleting forests. Name this island.
Philippines
6. The modern prime meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, a suburb of London. Ancient Indian geographers used a prime meridian that ran through a city with a central location. It was part of one of the 16 mahAjanapadas of antiquity. Today, it is home to mahAkAla, one of the twelve jyOtirlingas spread across India, and it hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years. It had many periods of prominence in Indian history. Among its illustrious residents were: Bhartrihari, Kalidasa, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara II. Name this city, and the state it is located in.
Allahabad, UP
7. Speaking of the 12 jyotirlingas spread across India: which state has the largest number of them? How many?
Maharashtra. dont know how many
8. This corporation was formed with a paid-up capital of £68,373 when it received a royal charter granting it a trade monopoly for a period of 15 years. As one of the world’s earliest limited-liability companies, it traded cotton, silk, indigo dye, salt, saltpeter, tea and opium. The philosopher John Stuart Mill started working for the company at 17, and retired at 52 after rising to the very top. Adam Smith, the advocate of free trade, denounced the company as a burdensome, useless, bloodstained monopoly. It was eventually dissolved 275 years after its founding. Name it.
East India Company
9. This British imperialist famously said: “I would annex the planets if I could; I often think of that.” He sought to conquer Africa for the British Empire and build a railway line all the way from Cairo to Cape Town. Mark Twain said: “I admire him, I frankly confess it; and when his time comes I shall buy a piece of the rope for a keepsake.” When he died at the age of 48, he was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He made his fortune by founding a monopolistic company that still dominates its industry. He never married, and it is rumored that he was a closeted homosexual. Back in the day, countries were named after him, but today he is mostly remembered for endowing academic scholarships that bring students from the erstwhile empire to his alma mater. Name this man and the company he founded.
Livingston?
10. This short German book credited to more than one writer was originally published in London. Its opening lines are: “A specter is haunting Europe – the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies.” It is considered one of the most influential political writings ever. Name the book and its authors.
one of the authors, possibly Marx?
.|Sublime|.- Posts : 387
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Mosquito Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:32 pm
1. The expression “pushing the envelope” has come to mean attempting to do something beyond what is generally considered possible. The phrase was invented in the 1970s, and it originated from a field that was invented in the 20th century. What is the origin of the term?
Aerospace.
2. This popular television series once featured the lead male character reading Frank O’Hara’s poem Mayakovsky. Soon after, O’Hara’s book jumped from an obscure 15,565th rank in Amazon’s sales to being in the top 50. The show is said to have resulted in the name Betty soaring in popularity for baby girls in the United States in 2010, thanks to the name of one of the key female characters. The British newspaper Guardian reported in 2008 that the show was responsible for a revival in men’s suits, especially those with higher waistbands and shorter jackets, as well as “everything from tortoise shell glasses to fedoras.” On a less significant scale, the show was the source for a SuCH trivia question (regarding Neville Chamberlain’s smoking habit.) Name this show.
Mad Men?
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
Brahmaputra?
5. The native name for this island means “iron island.” Portuguese explorers who visited it in the 16th century thought it was an archipelago of multiple islands, because of its unusual shape and extensive coast line (see picture below.)
The island is among the world’s largest islands and is home to 15 million people. It is located between Borneo and the Spice Islands. It used to known for gold, iron, and spices, and it is now known for its rapidly depleting forests. Name this island.
Sumatra?
6. The modern prime meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, a suburb of London. Ancient Indian geographers used a prime meridian that ran through a city with a central location. It was part of one of the 16 mahAjanapadas of antiquity. Today, it is home to mahAkAla, one of the twelve jyOtirlingas spread across India, and it hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years. It had many periods of prominence in Indian history. Among its illustrious residents were: Bhartrihari, Kalidasa, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara II. Name this city, and the state it is located in.
Allahabad, UP?
]
10. This short German book credited to more than one writer was originally published in London. Its opening lines are: “A specter is haunting Europe – the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies.” It is considered one of the most influential political writings ever. Name the book and its authors.
Communist Manifesto.
Aerospace.
2. This popular television series once featured the lead male character reading Frank O’Hara’s poem Mayakovsky. Soon after, O’Hara’s book jumped from an obscure 15,565th rank in Amazon’s sales to being in the top 50. The show is said to have resulted in the name Betty soaring in popularity for baby girls in the United States in 2010, thanks to the name of one of the key female characters. The British newspaper Guardian reported in 2008 that the show was responsible for a revival in men’s suits, especially those with higher waistbands and shorter jackets, as well as “everything from tortoise shell glasses to fedoras.” On a less significant scale, the show was the source for a SuCH trivia question (regarding Neville Chamberlain’s smoking habit.) Name this show.
Mad Men?
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
Brahmaputra?
5. The native name for this island means “iron island.” Portuguese explorers who visited it in the 16th century thought it was an archipelago of multiple islands, because of its unusual shape and extensive coast line (see picture below.)
The island is among the world’s largest islands and is home to 15 million people. It is located between Borneo and the Spice Islands. It used to known for gold, iron, and spices, and it is now known for its rapidly depleting forests. Name this island.
Sumatra?
6. The modern prime meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, a suburb of London. Ancient Indian geographers used a prime meridian that ran through a city with a central location. It was part of one of the 16 mahAjanapadas of antiquity. Today, it is home to mahAkAla, one of the twelve jyOtirlingas spread across India, and it hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years. It had many periods of prominence in Indian history. Among its illustrious residents were: Bhartrihari, Kalidasa, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara II. Name this city, and the state it is located in.
Allahabad, UP?
]
10. This short German book credited to more than one writer was originally published in London. Its opening lines are: “A specter is haunting Europe – the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies.” It is considered one of the most influential political writings ever. Name the book and its authors.
Communist Manifesto.
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Another Brick Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:34 am
charvaka wrote:Same rule as always: no internet searches please.
1. The expression “pushing the envelope” has come to mean attempting to do something beyond what is generally considered possible. The phrase was invented in the 1970s, and it originated from a field that was invented in the 20th century. What is the origin of the term?
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
1 - something to do with flying planes? trying to reach altitudes that were never reached?
4 - beas(pronounced byas) near manali? i don't really know if it does what you have said it does, but i thought beas is a male-ish name just like vyas.
Another Brick- Posts : 1495
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Guest Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:43 am
charvaka wrote:
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
brahmaputra. i had once asked this same question to blabberwock on chat. she remarked that river krishna was also a male name. it turns out that only brahmaputra is referred to as "nada" (masculine gender) whereas krishna is referred to as nadi (feminine gender).
6. The modern prime meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, a suburb of London. Ancient Indian geographers used a prime meridian that ran through a city with a central location. It was part of one of the 16 mahAjanapadas of antiquity. Today, it is home to mahAkAla, one of the twelve jyOtirlingas spread across India, and it hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years. It had many periods of prominence in Indian history. Among its illustrious residents were: Bhartrihari, Kalidasa, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara II. Name this city, and the state it is located in.
ujjain, MP.
Guest- Guest
Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Kris Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:20 am
charvaka wrote:Same rule as always: no internet searches please.
.
3. This man died on the fiftieth anniversary of the day when his most celebrated work became widely known. An accomplished architect who spoke five languages, he represented his country overseas and had a deep interest in science, philosophy and religion. He edited the gospels to remove the miracles that he thought were exaggerations. He wrote his own epitaph. Although he became his country’s head of state and doubled the area of his country during his tenure, neither of those achievements finds place on his epitaph. Instead, he claimed credit on his epitaph for three achievements: the celebrated work (mentioned above), the founding of a university and a statute for religious freedom. Name him and the university he founded.
>>>benjamin Franklin, Temple Univ
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
>>>>Brahmaputra
6. The modern prime meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, a suburb of London. Ancient Indian geographers used a prime meridian that ran through a city with a central location. It was part of one of the 16 mahAjanapadas of antiquity. Today, it is home to mahAkAla, one of the twelve jyOtirlingas spread across India, and it hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years. It had many periods of prominence in Indian history. Among its illustrious residents were: Bhartrihari, Kalidasa, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara II. Name this city, and the state it is located in.
>>>Varanasi?
7. Speaking of the 12 jyotirlingas spread across India: which state has the largest number of them? How many?
8. This corporation was formed with a paid-up capital of £68,373 when it received a royal charter granting it a trade monopoly for a period of 15 years. As one of the world’s earliest limited-liability companies, it traded cotton, silk, indigo dye, salt, saltpeter, tea and opium. The philosopher John Stuart Mill started working for the company at 17, and retired at 52 after rising to the very top. Adam Smith, the advocate of free trade, denounced the company as a burdensome, useless, bloodstained monopoly. It was eventually dissolved 275 years after its founding. Name it.
>>>east India Company
9. This British imperialist famously said: “I would annex the planets if I could; I often think of that.” He sought to conquer Africa for the British Empire and build a railway line all the way from Cairo to Cape Town. Mark Twain said: “I admire him, I frankly confess it; and when his time comes I shall buy a piece of the rope for a keepsake.” When he died at the age of 48, he was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He made his fortune by founding a monopolistic company that still dominates its industry. He never married, and it is rumored that he was a closeted homosexual. Back in the day, countries were named after him, but today he is mostly remembered for endowing academic scholarships that bring students from the erstwhile empire to his alma mater. Name this man and the company he founded.
>>>Rhodes
10. This short German book credited to more than one writer was originally published in London. Its opening lines are: “A specter is haunting Europe – the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies.” It is considered one of the most influential political writings ever. Name the book and its authors.
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Kris Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:47 am
that is not one
5) Cebu? Wild guess! I was going to say the philippines, but that is not a single island.
10) Marx and Engels - Das Kapital
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Jeremiah Mburuburu Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:12 am
3. thomas jefferson, the university of virginia.
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Jeremiah Mburuburu Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:23 am
buildings of the u of va designed by jefferson:
http://people.virginia.edu/~rfk2u/uva_grounds.html
http://people.virginia.edu/~rfk2u/uva_grounds.html
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Guest Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:14 am
Jeremiah Mburuburu wrote:buildings of the u of va designed by jefferson:
http://people.virginia.edu/~rfk2u/uva_grounds.html
>>> irrelevant!
Guest- Guest
Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by indophile Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:48 am
charvaka wrote:Same rule as always: no internet searches please.
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
----- Brahmaputra
5. The native name for this island means “iron island.” Portuguese explorers who visited it in the 16th century thought it was an archipelago of multiple islands, because of its unusual shape and extensive coast line (see picture below.)
The island is among the world’s largest islands and is home to 15 million people. It is located between Borneo and the Spice Islands. It used to known for gold, iron, and spices, and it is now known for its rapidly depleting forests. Name this island.
------- Celebus
6. The modern prime meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, a suburb of London. Ancient Indian geographers used a prime meridian that ran through a city with a central location. It was part of one of the 16 mahAjanapadas of antiquity. Today, it is home to mahAkAla, one of the twelve jyOtirlingas spread across India, and it hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years. It had many periods of prominence in Indian history. Among its illustrious residents were: Bhartrihari, Kalidasa, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara II. Name this city, and the state it is located in.
------- Ujjain (At the Mahakaleswara temple here they do "bhasmaabhishekam" for Shiva everyday with ashes from a nearby cemetery).
7. Speaking of the 12 jyotirlingas spread across India: which state has the largest number of them? How many?
------ Maharashtra. I know it has 3 of the 12, but I can only name two - Nasik (nasikya triambkam) and Amaleswara (Omkaram amaleswaram). Also I am pretty sure about Nasik, but not sure about Amaleswaram.
8. This corporation was formed with a paid-up capital of £68,373 when it received a royal charter granting it a trade monopoly for a period of 15 years. As one of the world’s earliest limited-liability companies, it traded cotton, silk, indigo dye, salt, saltpeter, tea and opium. The philosopher John Stuart Mill started working for the company at 17, and retired at 52 after rising to the very top. Adam Smith, the advocate of free trade, denounced the company as a burdensome, useless, bloodstained monopoly. It was eventually dissolved 275 years after its founding. Name it.
-------- East India Company
10. This short German book credited to more than one writer was originally published in London. Its opening lines are: “A specter is haunting Europe – the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies.” It is considered one of the most influential political writings ever. Name the book and its authors.
-------Das Capita(l). Karl Marx.
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Impedimenta Wed Jan 18, 2012 10:38 am
4) beas
2) ugly betty?
5) cannot see any picture from work, maldives? sumatra?
6)ujjain, i could only guess this because of kalidasa:-)
80 english east india company?
2) ugly betty?
5) cannot see any picture from work, maldives? sumatra?
6)ujjain, i could only guess this because of kalidasa:-)
80 english east india company?
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:17 pm
Correct..|Sublime|. wrote:4. Brahmaputra
No. It is a single (major) island, not a set of islands..|Sublime|. wrote:5. Philippines
Good guess, but no..|Sublime|. wrote:6. Allahabad, UP
Correct..|Sublime|. wrote:7. Maharashtra.
Correct..|Sublime|. wrote:8. East India Company
No. Livingston didn't become fabulously wealthy; he made his fortune by writing books..|Sublime|. wrote:9. Livingston?
Correct..|Sublime|. wrote:10. one of the authors, possibly Marx?
charvaka- Posts : 4347
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:32 pm
YesPseudoIntellectual wrote:1. Aerospace.
.Yes.PseudoIntellectual wrote:2. Mad Men?
Yes.PseudoIntellectual wrote:4. Brahmaputra?
No.PseudoIntellectual wrote:5. Sumatra?
No.PseudoIntellectual wrote:6. Allahabad, UP?
Correct. Name the authors too.PseudoIntellectual wrote:10. Communist Manifesto.
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:35 pm
Correct. More generally, a "flight envelope" is the combination of altitudes, speeds and attitudes than an aircraft is tested and certified for. Extending that flight envelope means pushing the limits of what is known to be safely possible, by going a little faster, or a little higher, a little steeper turn, or whatever. The term "pushing the envelope" moved from aviation into common language in the '70s.Another Brick wrote:1 - something to do with flying planes? trying to reach altitudes that were never reached?
The answer I had in mind was Brahmaputra. Beas may (or may not) meet the last part of the questions, but it doesn't meet the rest of the description. I can't check on the story of the name Beas due to the Wikipedia blackout today... will check tomorrow.Another Brick wrote:4 - beas(pronounced byas) near manali? i don't really know if it does what you have said it does, but i thought beas is a male-ish name just like vyas.
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:37 pm
Correct. Krishna is not exclusively a male name. Draupadi was also called Krishna. In Telugu, the river is referred to as Krishnamma, and the river is ascribed feminine gender.Huzefa Kapasi wrote:brahmaputra. i had once asked this same question to blabberwock on chat. she remarked that river krishna was also a male name. it turns out that only brahmaputra is referred to as "nada" (masculine gender) whereas krishna is referred to as nadi (feminine gender).
Correct.6. ujjain, MP.
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:39 pm
No.Kris wrote:3. >>>benjamin Franklin, Temple Univ
Yes.Kris wrote:4. >>>>Brahmaputra
No, it is Ujjayini in Madhya Pradesh.Kris wrote:6. >>>Varanasi?
Yes.Kris wrote:8. >>>east India Company
Yes, Cecil Rhodes of the Rhodes Scholarship and Rhodesia fame.Kris wrote:9. >>>Rhodes
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:40 pm
No.Kris wrote:5) Cebu?
You got the authors right. The book is the Communist Manifesto. Das Kapital was written by just Marx.Kris wrote:10) Marx and Engels - Das Kapital
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:41 pm
Correct. His epitaph lists the Declaration of Independence, founding of the University of Virginia, and the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom. Neither his two-term presidency nor the Louisiana Purchase find place there.Jeremiah Mburuburu wrote:3. thomas jefferson, the university of virginia.
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:44 pm
Yes.indophile wrote:4. ----- Brahmaputra
Yes, that was the European name for the island. What's the current name?indophile wrote:5. ------- Celebus
Yes... that's interesting.indophile wrote:6. ------- Ujjain (At the Mahakaleswara temple here they do "bhasmaabhishekam" for Shiva everyday with ashes from a nearby cemetery).
Maharashtra is correct. 3 is wrong. Omkareshwar is in Maharashtra.indophile wrote:7. ------ Maharashtra. I know it has 3 of the 12, but I can only name two - Nasik (nasikya triambkam) and Amaleswara (Omkaram amaleswaram). Also I am pretty sure about Nasik, but not sure about Amaleswaram.
Yes.indophile wrote:8. -------- East India Company
No, it is the Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels.indophile wrote:10. -------Das Capita(l). Karl Marx.
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:45 pm
No, it is Brahmaputra.Impedimenta wrote:4) beas
No, it is Mad Men.Impedimenta wrote:2) ugly betty?
No, it is Celebes. Looking for the current name though.Impedimenta wrote:5) cannot see any picture from work, maldives? sumatra?
Yes.Impedimenta wrote:6)ujjain, i could only guess this because of kalidasa:-)
Yes.Impedimenta wrote:80 english east india company?
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Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012: update
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:52 pm
You folks have done a thorough job of cracking this week's trivia. Only parts of three questions remain unanswered.
5. The native name for this island means “iron island.” Portuguese explorers who visited it in the 16th century thought it was an archipelago of multiple islands, because of its unusual shape and extensive coast line (see picture below.)
The island is among the world’s largest islands and is home to 15 million people. It is located between Borneo and the Spice Islands. It used to known for gold, iron, and spices, and it is now known for its rapidly depleting forests. Name this island.
The island was formerly known as Celebes (like Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon). What is the current name of this island?
7. Speaking of the 12 jyotirlingas spread across India: which state has the largest number of them? How many?
Maharashtra has the largest number. How many?
9. This British imperialist famously said: “I would annex the planets if I could; I often think of that.” He sought to conquer Africa for the British Empire and build a railway line all the way from Cairo to Cape Town. Mark Twain said: “I admire him, I frankly confess it; and when his time comes I shall buy a piece of the rope for a keepsake.” When he died at the age of 48, he was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He made his fortune by founding a monopolistic company that still dominates its industry. He never married, and it is rumored that he was a closeted homosexual. Back in the day, countries were named after him, but today he is mostly remembered for endowing academic scholarships that bring students from the erstwhile empire to his alma mater. Name this man and the company he founded.
Cecil Rhodes (of the Rhodes Scholarships and Rhodesia fame) was the man. Which company did Rhodes start?
5. The native name for this island means “iron island.” Portuguese explorers who visited it in the 16th century thought it was an archipelago of multiple islands, because of its unusual shape and extensive coast line (see picture below.)
The island is among the world’s largest islands and is home to 15 million people. It is located between Borneo and the Spice Islands. It used to known for gold, iron, and spices, and it is now known for its rapidly depleting forests. Name this island.
The island was formerly known as Celebes (like Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon). What is the current name of this island?
7. Speaking of the 12 jyotirlingas spread across India: which state has the largest number of them? How many?
Maharashtra has the largest number. How many?
9. This British imperialist famously said: “I would annex the planets if I could; I often think of that.” He sought to conquer Africa for the British Empire and build a railway line all the way from Cairo to Cape Town. Mark Twain said: “I admire him, I frankly confess it; and when his time comes I shall buy a piece of the rope for a keepsake.” When he died at the age of 48, he was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He made his fortune by founding a monopolistic company that still dominates its industry. He never married, and it is rumored that he was a closeted homosexual. Back in the day, countries were named after him, but today he is mostly remembered for endowing academic scholarships that bring students from the erstwhile empire to his alma mater. Name this man and the company he founded.
Cecil Rhodes (of the Rhodes Scholarships and Rhodesia fame) was the man. Which company did Rhodes start?
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by doofus_maximus Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:20 pm
some diamond mining company (guessing).
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:49 pm
That is correct... which one? (It dominates the diamond industry even today.)doofus_maximus wrote:some diamond mining company (guessing).
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Hellsangel Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:01 pm
charvaka wrote:That is correct... which one? (It dominates the diamond industry even today.)doofus_maximus wrote:some diamond mining company (guessing).
5. Sulawasei
7. 4
9. De Beers
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:40 pm
All correct. All questions have been answered now.Hellsangel wrote:charvaka wrote:That is correct... which one? (It dominates the diamond industry even today.)doofus_maximus wrote:some diamond mining company (guessing).
5. Sulawasei
7. 4
9. De Beers
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Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012: answers
by charvaka Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:14 pm
1. The expression “pushing the envelope” has come to mean attempting to do something beyond what is generally considered possible. The phrase was invented in the 1970s, and it originated from a field that was invented in the 20th century. What is the origin of the term?
The term originates from aviation. The flight envelope is a set of altitudes, speeds and attitudes than an aircraft has been tested at and has flown safely. Going beyond that envelope involves venturing into the unknown, and takes courage. When test pilots go beyond the known envelope, they may end up extending the flight envelope of that plane: hence the term "pushing the envelope." The term is now used with the same meaning in everyday language.
2. This popular television series once featured the lead male character reading Frank O’Hara’s poem Mayakovsky. Soon after, O’Hara’s book jumped from an obscure 15,565th rank in Amazon’s sales to being in the top 50. The show is said to have resulted in the name Betty soaring in popularity for baby girls in the United States in 2010, thanks to the name of one of the key female characters. The British newspaper Guardian reported in 2008 that the show was responsible for a revival in men’s suits, especially those with higher waistbands and shorter jackets, as well as “everything from tortoise shell glasses to fedoras.” On a less significant scale, the show was the source for a SuCH trivia question (regarding Neville Chamberlain’s smoking habit.) Name this show.
Mad Men.
3. This man died on the fiftieth anniversary of the day when his most celebrated work became widely known. An accomplished architect who spoke five languages, he represented his country overseas and had a deep interest in science, philosophy and religion. He edited the gospels to remove the miracles that he thought were exaggerations. He wrote his own epitaph. Although he became his country’s head of state and doubled the area of his country during his tenure, neither of those achievements finds place on his epitaph. Instead, he claimed credit on his epitaph for three achievements: the celebrated work (mentioned above), the founding of a university and a statute for religious freedom. Name him and the university he founded.
Thomas Jefferson, founded the University of Virginia. He (and his friend and rival John Adams) died on July 4, 1826, the 50th Independence Day. His gravestone reads: "HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA."
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
Brahmaputra. It rises on the eastern side of the foot of Mount Kailash, while the Indus rises on the western side.
5. The native name for this island means “iron island.” Portuguese explorers who visited it in the 16th century thought it was an archipelago of multiple islands, because of its unusual shape and extensive coast line (see picture below.)
The island is among the world’s largest islands and is home to 15 million people. It is located between Borneo and the Spice Islands. It used to known for gold, iron, and spices, and it is now known for its rapidly depleting forests. Name this island.
Sulawesi, known in colonial times as Celebes.
6. The modern prime meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, a suburb of London. Ancient Indian geographers used a prime meridian that ran through a city with a central location. It was part of one of the 16 mahAjanapadas of antiquity. Today, it is home to mahAkAla, one of the twelve jyOtirlingas spread across India, and it hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years. It had many periods of prominence in Indian history. Among its illustrious residents were: Bhartrihari, Kalidasa, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara II. Name this city, and the state it is located in.
Ujjayini, aka Ujjain and Avantika, in Madhya Pradesh.
7. Speaking of the 12 jyotirlingas spread across India: which state has the largest number of them? How many?
Maharashtra has 4 of the 12.
8. This corporation was formed with a paid-up capital of £68,373 when it received a royal charter granting it a trade monopoly for a period of 15 years. As one of the world’s earliest limited-liability companies, it traded cotton, silk, indigo dye, salt, saltpeter, tea and opium. The philosopher John Stuart Mill started working for the company at 17, and retired at 52 after rising to the very top. Adam Smith, the advocate of free trade, denounced the company as a burdensome, useless, bloodstained monopoly. It was eventually dissolved 275 years after its founding. Name it.
East India Company.
9. This British imperialist famously said: “I would annex the planets if I could; I often think of that.” He sought to conquer Africa for the British Empire and build a railway line all the way from Cairo to Cape Town. Mark Twain said: “I admire him, I frankly confess it; and when his time comes I shall buy a piece of the rope for a keepsake.” When he died at the age of 48, he was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He made his fortune by founding a monopolistic company that still dominates its industry. He never married, and it is rumored that he was a closeted homosexual. Back in the day, countries were named after him, but today he is mostly remembered for endowing academic scholarships that bring students from the erstwhile empire to his alma mater. Name this man and the company he founded.
Cecil Rhodes, who founded the De Beers Company.
10. This short German book credited to more than one writer was originally published in London. Its opening lines are: “A specter is haunting Europe – the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies.” It is considered one of the most influential political writings ever. Name the book and its authors.
The Communist Manifesto, by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
The term originates from aviation. The flight envelope is a set of altitudes, speeds and attitudes than an aircraft has been tested at and has flown safely. Going beyond that envelope involves venturing into the unknown, and takes courage. When test pilots go beyond the known envelope, they may end up extending the flight envelope of that plane: hence the term "pushing the envelope." The term is now used with the same meaning in everyday language.
2. This popular television series once featured the lead male character reading Frank O’Hara’s poem Mayakovsky. Soon after, O’Hara’s book jumped from an obscure 15,565th rank in Amazon’s sales to being in the top 50. The show is said to have resulted in the name Betty soaring in popularity for baby girls in the United States in 2010, thanks to the name of one of the key female characters. The British newspaper Guardian reported in 2008 that the show was responsible for a revival in men’s suits, especially those with higher waistbands and shorter jackets, as well as “everything from tortoise shell glasses to fedoras.” On a less significant scale, the show was the source for a SuCH trivia question (regarding Neville Chamberlain’s smoking habit.) Name this show.
Mad Men.
3. This man died on the fiftieth anniversary of the day when his most celebrated work became widely known. An accomplished architect who spoke five languages, he represented his country overseas and had a deep interest in science, philosophy and religion. He edited the gospels to remove the miracles that he thought were exaggerations. He wrote his own epitaph. Although he became his country’s head of state and doubled the area of his country during his tenure, neither of those achievements finds place on his epitaph. Instead, he claimed credit on his epitaph for three achievements: the celebrated work (mentioned above), the founding of a university and a statute for religious freedom. Name him and the university he founded.
Thomas Jefferson, founded the University of Virginia. He (and his friend and rival John Adams) died on July 4, 1826, the 50th Independence Day. His gravestone reads: "HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA."
4. This river rises from the base of the same mountain that the Sindhu (Indus) river rises from. It flows through the world’s largest and deepest canyon – longer and deeper than America’s Grand Canyon. In its final independent stretch, it is known as the Jamuna, after which it takes the names Padma and Meghna before eventually reaching the sea. Name this river that has the only male name of all of India’s rivers.
Brahmaputra. It rises on the eastern side of the foot of Mount Kailash, while the Indus rises on the western side.
5. The native name for this island means “iron island.” Portuguese explorers who visited it in the 16th century thought it was an archipelago of multiple islands, because of its unusual shape and extensive coast line (see picture below.)
The island is among the world’s largest islands and is home to 15 million people. It is located between Borneo and the Spice Islands. It used to known for gold, iron, and spices, and it is now known for its rapidly depleting forests. Name this island.
Sulawesi, known in colonial times as Celebes.
6. The modern prime meridian runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, a suburb of London. Ancient Indian geographers used a prime meridian that ran through a city with a central location. It was part of one of the 16 mahAjanapadas of antiquity. Today, it is home to mahAkAla, one of the twelve jyOtirlingas spread across India, and it hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years. It had many periods of prominence in Indian history. Among its illustrious residents were: Bhartrihari, Kalidasa, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara II. Name this city, and the state it is located in.
Ujjayini, aka Ujjain and Avantika, in Madhya Pradesh.
7. Speaking of the 12 jyotirlingas spread across India: which state has the largest number of them? How many?
Maharashtra has 4 of the 12.
8. This corporation was formed with a paid-up capital of £68,373 when it received a royal charter granting it a trade monopoly for a period of 15 years. As one of the world’s earliest limited-liability companies, it traded cotton, silk, indigo dye, salt, saltpeter, tea and opium. The philosopher John Stuart Mill started working for the company at 17, and retired at 52 after rising to the very top. Adam Smith, the advocate of free trade, denounced the company as a burdensome, useless, bloodstained monopoly. It was eventually dissolved 275 years after its founding. Name it.
East India Company.
9. This British imperialist famously said: “I would annex the planets if I could; I often think of that.” He sought to conquer Africa for the British Empire and build a railway line all the way from Cairo to Cape Town. Mark Twain said: “I admire him, I frankly confess it; and when his time comes I shall buy a piece of the rope for a keepsake.” When he died at the age of 48, he was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He made his fortune by founding a monopolistic company that still dominates its industry. He never married, and it is rumored that he was a closeted homosexual. Back in the day, countries were named after him, but today he is mostly remembered for endowing academic scholarships that bring students from the erstwhile empire to his alma mater. Name this man and the company he founded.
Cecil Rhodes, who founded the De Beers Company.
10. This short German book credited to more than one writer was originally published in London. Its opening lines are: “A specter is haunting Europe – the specter of communism. All the powers of old Europe have entered into a holy alliance to exorcise this specter: Pope and Tsar, Metternich and Guizot, French Radicals and German police-spies.” It is considered one of the most influential political writings ever. Name the book and its authors.
The Communist Manifesto, by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by Jeremiah Mburuburu Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:19 pm
Huzefa Kapasi wrote:Jeremiah Mburuburu wrote:buildings of the u of va designed by jefferson:
http://people.virginia.edu/~rfk2u/uva_grounds.html
>>> irrelevant!
charvak's clue says: "3. This man died on the fiftieth anniversary of the day when his most celebrated work became widely known. An accomplished architect who spoke five languages, he represented his country overseas and had a deep interest in science, philosophy and religion. He edited the gospels to remove the miracles that he thought were exaggerations. He wrote his own epitaph. Although he became his country’s head of state and doubled the area of his country during his tenure, neither of those achievements finds place on his epitaph. Instead, he claimed credit on his epitaph for three achievements: the celebrated work (mentioned above), the founding of a university and a statute for religious freedom. Name him and the university he founded.
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Re: Wednesday Trivia #9: Jan 18, 2012
by doofus_maximus Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:32 pm
Thanks for hosting these quizzes. They are great. But by the time I log in in the morning, most of the questions are answered. What to do...
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Similar topics» Wednesday Trivia #26: May 23, 2012
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