Google Trivia Search

[Michael]

This is a game of triva. Someone asks a trivia question and other posters try to figure out the correct answer.

The use of search engines is permitted (and expected).

Once you have the correct answer, its your turn to ask the next trivia question.

Because search engines are allowed, you can make your question rather interesting, challenging or obscure (but not impossible please, a little creativity in searching is fun, but an endless dead-end is frustrating - this game is meant to be FUN!). :)

[Michael]

Okay, here's the first Google trivia challenge...

In what city was Babe Ruth's first professional home run hit?

[Dominick]

Okay, here's the first Google trivia challenge...

In what city was Babe Ruth's first professional home run hit?
Chicago ??

[Michael]

Come on, 1st page of Google will tell you that Ruth's 'famous' first home run was as a Boston Red Sox player playing against the NY Yankees at the Polo Grounds in NY.

But that would be too easy! I'm looking for Ruth's first professional home run - which is his minor league first homer.

And to make the question a bit more interesting (and perhaps offer a clue), I might add that the place where he hit it is now a nude beach named after a world champion rower (the baseball field is long gone). :D

[Dominick]

Come on, 1st page of Google will tell you that Ruth's 'famous' first home run was as a Boston Red Sox player playing against the NY Yankees at the Polo Grounds in NY.
As if I know what's considered 'professional' in that silly game (ouch, blasphemy).

Toronto then.

[Michael]

Toronto then.
Bingo!

They actually have a bronze plate in the ground (like a cemetary marker) in the exact spot where the ball landed. :lol:

Edit: hmmm... seems like some smilie codes need to be corrected here! :sneaky:

:eek:

Even more of them!

Edited to add: Smilie codes duly corrected! Bloody default codes suck! :)

[Michael]

Dominick is up...

[Dominick]

Who invented writing in J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional universe ? Full name please.

[Greendruid]

Rúmil of Tirion is what I'm coming up with for the inventor of the Sarati or "significant marks" in the Valian year 1179 during the Age of Starlight. After this, Fëanáro Curufinwë invented the tengwar "signs representing audible phonemes", which were influenced by Rúmil, in the Valian year 1250.

Is that what you were looking for?

[Dominick]

Rúmil of Tirion is what I'm coming up with for the inventor of the Sarati or "significant marks" in the Valian year 1179 during the Age of Starlight. After this, Fëanáro Curufinwë invented the tengwar "signs representing audible phonemes", which were influenced by Rúmil, in the Valian year 1250.

Is that what you were looking for?
That's the fella (Rúmil) :)
You're next.

[Greendruid]

This German or Swiss artist's work of the 15th century is rarely put up for auction. He is most famous for playing cards and woodcuts but also worked with one of the most famous men in the history of books.

[Michael]

Albrect Drurer?

(just off top of my head)

[Greendruid]

Not Dürer. You will probably be forced to use a search engine on this one unless you're into this sort of genre of art.

[Michael]

Michael Wolgemut

[Greendruid]

Another very good guess and I would not be surprised if Wolgemut was one of his students judging from the work of the two of them. However, I'm looking for an even earlier fellow than this. Would any of you like another clue?

[Michael]

Another very good guess and I would not be surprised if Wolgemut was one of his students judging from the work of the two of them. However, I'm looking for an even earlier fellow than this. Would any of you like another clue?

I'll guess Wilhelm Pleydenwurff this time (funky name that is!)

Btw, that Wolgemut fellow (bloody ugly man by the look of his picture on Wiki) apparently was the teacher of Albrecht Dürer (complete with 'snake-eyes' thingie!) and Wilhelm Pleydenwurff.

I still can't catch any references to Gutenberg. Dürer seems to have the strongest connection with the book industry as the 'master' of the printed woodcut.

[Greendruid]

Pleydenwurff is also incorrect. You've probably managed to pull all but a few of the famous engravers of the 15th century out from their hiding places. One remains and he definitely has a Gutenberg connexion.

[Michael]

Master E. S.

Still no reference to Gutenberg, but we have 'affirmative' on the mysterious "German or Swiss" origin as well as confirmation that his works only appear for sale rarely. ;)

(I'm thinking you need a new hobby)

[Greendruid]

I'll accept Master E.S. if only to end this challenge! I was actually thinking of his contemporary, Master of the Playing Cards. But the obscurity of both historic figures makes differentiation a matter of splitting hairs. Indeed, I would suggest that the two may in fact be one in the same, though one can differentiate their styles through their scarce works.

My hobbies are unique and unusual, I will grant you that! But one can hardly hold a candle to the craftsmanship of these fellows considering the scant hand-tools they had at their disposal. 'Tis a lost art and they shall have my respect - this stuff would qualify as art in your previous discussion of the subject, would it not?

Anyway, Michael is up!

[Michael]

I'll accept Master E.S. if only to end this challenge! I was actually thinking of his contemporary, Master of the Playing Cards. But the obscurity of both historic figures makes differentiation a matter of splitting hairs. Indeed, I would suggest that the two may in fact be one in the same, though one can differentiate their styles through their scarce works.
Yes, I saw the point raised that it is not known if "Master of the Playing Cards" and "Master E.S." are one and the same or not.

My hobbies are unique and unusual, I will grant you that! But one can hardly hold a candle to the craftsmanship of these fellows considering the scant hand-tools they had at their disposal. 'Tis a lost art and they shall have my respect - this stuff would qualify as art in your previous discussion of the subject, would it not?
Absolutely. Unique hand-craftsmanship is a key element of "art" in my book.

Mass-produced industrial products aren't "art" (though they can be artistic).

* * *

For the next Google challenge...

How many consecutive weeks was Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album on the Billboard 200 chart?

[Greendruid]

I'm getting 1,630 - that works out to 31 years - is that possible? It was kicked off the chart some time in 2004/2005? That number seems quite astounding. Not that I'm doubting the correctness, just, wow!

[Michael]

I'm getting 1,630 - that works out to 31 years - is that possible? It was kicked off the chart some time in 2004/2005? That number seems quite astounding. Not that I'm doubting the correctness, just, wow!
Yes, that's correct. :)

[Greendruid]

Hmmm, nobody else has time for forum games lately?

No problem.

How many suits are there in a traditional tarot deck?

[Michael]

Hmmm, nobody else has time for forum games lately?

No problem.

How many suits are there in a traditional tarot deck?

Tricky question. I'll go with 4.

(historically, there were 5).

[Greendruid]

I suppose that will do.

Technically the major arcana are a fifth "suit" stemming from that historical figure of five I'm sure.

Michael is up!

[Michael]

Okay, in honor of Obama's election victory, today's Google challenge shall be to name the first black member elected to the US Congress.

(sorry, I refuse to use the hideously ugly though politically correct term of 'Afro-American' - either one is African or American, pick one!).

[Helene]

Okay, in honor of Obama's election victory, today's Google challenge shall be to name the first black member elected to the US Congress.

(sorry, I refuse to use the hideously ugly though politically correct term of 'Afro-American' - either one is African or American, pick one!).

Hiram Rhodes Revels?

[Michael]

Hiram Rhodes Revels?
Correct! Remarkable fellow - notice the dates of his service in the Senate! :eek:

(and yes, Google-search engines are allowed and expected here!)

[Michael]

Okay... a new challenge:

What is the origin of the expression "hat trick" (scoring three goals in a hockey game)?

[Dominick]

Okay... a new challenge:

What is the origin of the expression "hat trick" (scoring three goals in a hockey game)?
No need for google:
OED : orig. referring to the club presentation of a new hat to a bowler taking three wickets successively.
I guess that refers to cricket.

[Michael]

No need for google:
OED : orig. referring to the club presentation of a new hat to a bowler taking three wickets successively.
I guess that refers to cricket.
That's essentially the same reference as for hockey. That is the commonly applied modern usage of the term.

The term's origin is older and more obscure than that. Indeed, what's the trick?

Edited to add: I suppose I should have googled this before I put it up. All google references just come to the cricket application. Fact is, the sport of cricket picked this expression up from somewhere else. I have the source in print, but I can't find anything on-line.

Fact is, some minor Lord during the reign of Elizabeth (the first) doffed his cap (as is customary) in front of the queen. Unfortunately, this Lord had a bad case of psorraisis on his bald head and Elizabeth almost tossed her cookies on the spot. The Queen immediately granted an exception to the rule about doffing one's cap to this particular Lord.

Fast-forward to the inauguration of Queen Victoria, when a descendant of that same Lord attended the presence of Queen Victoria - wearing a hat. This Lord walked directly in front of the Queen wearing his hat. Thinking the Queen didn't notice, he did it again, and even a third time. After that, the Queen stopped the fellow and berrated him (she was not amused!) for "this silly hat trick" and although she acknowledged the fellow's right to wear the hat (granted by her ancestors), the Queen insisted that it was still boorish and bad manners to do so. To which the Lord did doff his cap and scurried away.

The "gentleman's" sport of cricket was quick to pick-up the expression for calling something 'three times in a row' a hat-trick.

I'll look up the name of this Lord this weekend - I have this episode recorded in a history text on the social customs of England.

[Michael]

So here's a new challenge... and one in keeping with the spirit of the season...

What is the origin of the (colorful) expression that it is "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey"?

It certainly is cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey today! :)

[Dominick]

That's essentially the same reference as for hockey. That is the commonly applied modern usage of the term.

The term's origin is older and more obscure than that. Indeed, what's the trick?

Edited to add: I suppose I should have googled this before I put it up. All google references just come to the cricket application. Fact is, the sport of cricket picked this expression up from somewhere else. I have the source in print, but I can't find anything on-line.

Fact is, some minor Lord during the reign of Elizabeth (the first) doffed his cap (as is customary) in front of the queen. Unfortunately, this Lord had a bad case of psorraisis on his bald head and Elizabeth almost tossed her cookies on the spot. The Queen immediately granted an exception to the rule about doffing one's cap to this particular Lord.

Fast-forward to the inauguration of Queen Victoria, when a descendant of that same Lord attended the presence of Queen Victoria - wearing a hat. This Lord walked directly in front of the Queen wearing his hat. Thinking the Queen didn't notice, he did it again, and even a third time. After that, the Queen stopped the fellow and berrated him (she was not amused!) for "this silly hat trick" and although she acknowledged the fellow's right to wear the hat (granted by her ancestors), the Queen insisted that it was still boorish and bad manners to do so. To which the Lord did doff his cap and scurried away.

The "gentleman's" sport of cricket was quick to pick-up the expression for calling something 'three times in a row' a hat-trick.

I'll look up the name of this Lord this weekend - I have this episode recorded in a history text on the social customs of England.
Are you quote sure that's not some urban legend of elder days? It's just that this explanation doesn't even occur in my buddy (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Compact-Oxford-English-Dictionary/dp/0198612583/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228506970&sr=8-15) and it would if it were considered genuine.
I'm not insisting on this to score a point in the game but to preserve the immaculacy of the Holy OED ;)

[Michael]

Are you quote sure that's not some urban legend of elder days? It's just that this explanation doesn't even occur in my buddy (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Compact-Oxford-English-Dictionary/dp/0198612583/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228506970&sr=8-15) and it would if it were considered genuine.
I'm not insisting on this to score a point in the game but to preserve the immaculacy of the Holy OED ;)
Not really. The OED has the same weakness as Wiki.

If it isn't quoted in newspapers (OED), or an online source (Wiki), then it doesn't exist.

And the OED only presumes expertise upon word usage and word origins. Colloquial expressions are outside the claimed expertise of the OED.

[Dominick]

Not really. The OED has the same weakness as Wiki.

If it isn't quoted in newspapers (OED), or an online source (Wiki), then it doesn't exist.

And the OED only presumes expertise upon word usage and word origins. Colloquial expressions are outside the claimed expertise of the OED.
--> Follow up (http://www.discussionworldforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2696&postcount=134)

[Michael]

--> Follow up (http://www.discussionworldforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2696&postcount=134)
I'm following up - the info was in one of three books I have. I'm scanning all three books for the reference. Problem is, all three are interesting books... so I get hung up...

Anyway, the next challenge is posted above (freezing the balls off a brass monkey). :D

[justonemorevoice]

I'm following up - the info was in one of three books I have. I'm scanning all three books for the reference. Problem is, all three are interesting books... so I get hung up...

Anyway, the next challenge is posted above (freezing the balls off a brass monkey). :D

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cold%20enough%20to%20freeze%20the%20balls%20off%20 a%20brass%20monkey.html

[Michael]

I'm following up - the info was in one of three books I have. I'm scanning all three books for the reference. Problem is, all three are interesting books... so I get hung up...
Hot damn! I just found another historical reference to the Victorian hat-trick - and had forgotten entirely about this!

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cold%20enough%20to%20freeze%20the%20balls%20off%20 a%20brass%20monkey.html

Excellent!

Feel free to set the next challenge!