Monday, August 27, 2012

F6. His full name was ______ Miélli Venerando, but he was commonly known simply by his first name or by the nickname 'Paper', given to him because of the way he flew across the goal to make saves. He died just a few days ago, on August 24. What is the 'lucky' first name of this goalkeeper (the guy in the centre) of the great Brazil team that won the 1970 World Cup?

A. Felix, which means 'lucky' or 'happy' in Latin

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

A4. In 1983, when Ronald Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a system of lasers and missiles meant to intercept incoming ICBMs, the plan was quickly labeled '_____ _____' by detractors, implying that it was science fiction. Reagan was reportedly annoyed by this nickname at first, but Assistant Secretary of Defense Richard Perle told colleagues that he "thought the name was not so bad". "'Why not?' he said. 'It's a good movie. Besides, the good guys won.'" This gained further resonance when Reagan described the Soviet Union as an "evil empire". Fill in the blanks with a two-word movie name.

A. Easy one -- 'Star Wars'

Friday, August 17, 2012

B7. This is a screen grab from the Website of a London-based casual wear company, which launched this range of clothing called the Warhol Collection in 2007. Name the brand.

A. Pepe Jeans

Monday, August 13, 2012

E2. The streets of a certain Swiss city are punctuated by fountains and statues depicting these mythical creatures, perhaps because the names of the city and the creature share the same root (the Greek word for 'king'). In the creature's case, the name is given because of the 'crown'-like appendage on its head. Name the creature.

A. Basilisk, in Basel, both originating from the Greek 'basil', meaning 'king'.

This one, I thought was quite workoutable, given the limited number of Swiss cities, and the not-so-many mythical creatures in European folklore. Sadly, not many got it right.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

C5. In 2002, psychologist Richard Wiseman and colleagues at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, finished a year-long experiment, concluding that of all animals, these evoke the most humour and silliness. In his report, Wiseman said, "If you're going to tell a joke involving an animal, make it a ____." One of the well-known jokes involving one such creature is set in a chemist's shop, and features chapstick and a condom. Fill in the blank.

A. Duck

Here's the joke: 

Duck walks into a chemist's shop, asks for chapstick. Chemist says, "Cash or charge?" Duck replies: "Just put it on my bill."

Couple of days later, the duck's back (hey, there's a pun there as well). This time he asks for a condom. Chemist says, "I suppose you want me to put it on your bill?" Duck draws up to his full height and replies, outraged: "What kind of duck do you take me for?!"

Saturday, August 4, 2012

B6. Which novel, whose title has become a phrase in the English language, follows the wartime exploits of members of the fictional 256th Bomber Squadron, based on the island of Pianosa, in the Mediterranean Sea west of Italy?

A. Catch-22