Jesse Day 13 and 14

4/6 and a 3/6 today

1. Although one initial concept was for it to be presented as a documentary being filmed by a Dutch foreign-exchange student, the creators of a certain sitcom never explained why its characters were being filmed within the show's storyline or were speaking to the camera. What is the name of this sitcom, a winner of multiple Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys in the 2010s?

Correct Answer: MODERN FAMILY
Your Answer: The Office
Points Assigned: 0

I am rewatching The Office with my daughter now, who happens to be watching Modern Family on her own, a show I never watched. 

2. What word denotes the pure, fine-grained, and translucent form of gypsum that is used for carving and sculpture? As an adjective, the word can describe something considered white and smooth.
Correct Answer: ALABASTER
Your Answer: Alabaster
Points Assigned: 2

Gimmie?

3. What is the abbreviated term for the ribbed steel rods that are embedded inside concrete structures during the construction of buildings, bridges, dams, etc. to add tensile strength to the structure?
Correct Answer: REBAR
Your Answer: Rebar
Points Assigned: 2

I just knew this.

4. Salva Kiir Mayardit, who in 2011 would become the first president of South Sudan (a position he still holds today), was gifted what item by George W. Bush while visiting the White House in 2006? He has been seen with it (or a similar item) in most of his public appearances over the course of the nearly two decades since.
Correct Answer: (STETSON/COWBOY) HAT
Your Answer: Cowboy hat
Points Assigned: 1

A guess. It was that or cowboy boots. It seemed to refer to a singular item, so I went with hat. 

5. What was the last name of France's minister of war who served in the role intermittently from 1929 to 1932 and is remembered today via a string of ouvrages, casemates, blockhouses, and the like?
Correct Answer: MAGINOT
Your Answer: Ribbentrop
Points Assigned: 3

Damnit, I knew this, but Ribbentrop line somehow popped in my head and sounded right. 

6. In a jump-blues song from the 1940s by Louis Jordan, when Farmer Brown asks, "Who's there?", what word completes the following response (which also includes the song's title)? "There ain't nobody here but us [BLANK]."
Correct Answer: CHICKENS
Your Answer: Chickens
Points Assigned: 1

I have heard this referenced in popular culture, or maybe my mother. 

1. What US city, roughly a three-hour drive from the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states, has been dubbed "Air Capital of the World" because it's the birthplace of the aviation brands Beechcraft, Cessna, Learjet, and Stearman, and is reportedly the location where as much as one-fourth of all the aircraft in the United States have been built?
Correct Answer: WICHITA, KANSAS
Your Answer: Omaha
Points Assigned: 2

I had no idea.

2. Although his very name became the SI unit for power, British inventor James Watt coined what other unit for measuring power, which is equal to 746 watts?
Correct Answer: HORSEPOWER
Your Answer: Horsepower
Points Assigned: 1

Total guess that I was not confident in, but did not have a better answer. 

3. François Truffaut's 1962 celebration of bohemian life features two artists, played by Oskar Werner and Henri Serre, whose peaceful friendship is catalyzed by the presence of Jeanne Moreau's wily and independent Catherine. What is either of the men's names, which together form the film's title?
Correct Answer: JULES ET JIM
Your Answer: Jules
Points Assigned: 2

I saw it many years ago.

4. Nominally speaking, the states of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia share a constitutional designation separate from the other 46 states, although this designation actually creates no legal distinction. By what word is this designation represented?
Correct Answer: COMMONWEALTH
Your Answer: Commonwealth
Points Assigned: 0

I live in PA. 

5. Although countless teams in England's Football Association are linked to the color red in some way, what team most famously has the simple nickname "The Reds", and has had it since its switch to an all-red kit in 1965?
Correct Answer: LIVERPOOL
Your Answer: Machester United
Points Assigned: 3

Nope. I do not follow football of any kind.

6. Elaine of Astolat (one of several Elaines in Arthurian legend), who falls in love with Sir Lancelot and dies of heartbreak, is remembered as the "Lady of" what? Her story inspired an 1830s poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson with that name as its title.
Correct Answer: LADY OF SHALOTT
Your Answer: the lake
Points Assigned: 1

I thought I had a chance, but I have never heard of the answer. 

IngramB2 vs MirkinDave addendum

 Glad there wasn't a math question today, because I can't add.  4(3)-4(4) tie

Brian Day 14 vs Dave M (LLL)

 3/6 on a day I think I'll lose with Dave-friendly engineering, business and British Empire questions... Sorry Dave, defense wins the day 6(3) -4(4) 

1) Omaha 1/3 no idea.... shoot, I think there was a Wichita Wings soccer team at one point

2) horsepower 1/1  Had to get over my aversion to using an answer with part of it in the question (twice!), but I could not think of any other unit of power

3) Jules 3/0  I watched this in college for French class

4) Commonwealth 2/2 MA and VA got me there, didn't even know about PA or KY

5) Arsenal 0/2  no chance

6) the Lake 2/1  Never heard of her

David S Day 14

3/6. 

1. Wichita :), D10. I have to admit I only got this because of an event in Mad Men (don’t worry, not a spoiler). If I got it that way, perhaps others will too. 

2. Horsepower:), D03. Didn’t know Watt invented a unit, but conditional on him having done so, it seemed like it had to be this one. 

3. Pierre :(, D22. No clue. Didn’t even know what form of media this was, so it was hard to figure out defense.

4. Commonwealth :), D11. Gimme. 

5. Manchester United :(, D31. No idea. I just picked a team and hoped for the best. 

6. Lady of the Lake :(, D22. There’s more than one “Lady of the” in these stories?!

Marcus LL105 Match Day 14 -- Confirmation

5 again 

Player: BrowningM

1. What US city, roughly a three-hour drive from the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states, has been dubbed "Air Capital of the World" because it's the birthplace of the aviation brands Beechcraft, Cessna, Learjet, and Stearman, and is reportedly the location where as much as one-fourth of all the aircraft in the United States have been built?
Correct Answer: WICHITA, KANSAS
Your Answer: witchita
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

My dad used to fly Cessnas 

2. Although his very name became the SI unit for power, British inventor James Watt coined what other unit for measuring power, which is equal to 746 watts?
Correct Answer: HORSEPOWER
Your Answer: horsepower
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

Gimme

3. François Truffaut's 1962 celebration of bohemian life features two artists, played by Oskar Werner and Henri Serre, whose peaceful friendship is catalyzed by the presence of Jeanne Moreau's wily and independent Catherine. What is either of the men's names, which together form the film's title?
Correct Answer: JULES ET JIM
Your Answer: Jules et Jim
Points Assigned: 3
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 3

I watched this in my pretentious youth, hopefully plays very hard 

4. Nominally speaking, the states of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia share a constitutional designation separate from the other 46 states, although this designation actually creates no legal distinction. By what word is this designation represented?
Correct Answer: COMMONWEALTH
Your Answer: pass
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

Not a chance 

5. Although countless teams in England's Football Association are linked to the color red in some way, what team most famously has the simple nickname "The Reds", and has had it since its switch to an all-red kit in 1965?
Correct Answer: LIVERPOOL
Your Answer: Liverpool
Points Assigned: 0
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 0

My team and surely a gimme

6. Elaine of Astolat (one of several Elaines in Arthurian legend), who falls in love with Sir Lancelot and dies of heartbreak, is remembered as the "Lady of" what? Her story inspired an 1830s poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson with that name as its title.
Correct Answer: LADY OF SHALOTT
Your Answer: Shallot
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

Nice painting too

Dave M day 14 v Brian LL & Marcus LLL

After a forgettable 1/6 yesterday, a 4/6 today which, if I had to guess, will beat Brian but lose to Marcus.

 

1 : ) Wichita. I knew a bunch of aviation stuff comes from here. D12

2 : ) Horsepower. Didn't know James Watt invented it, but it makes sense. D01

3 : ( Giles. Was just a random guess of an arty French name. D32

4 : ) I had wondered what Commonwealth meant for Mass and Virginia before, glad to hear it means nothing. D12

5 : ) Liverpool. Simple sports Q for UK people. D21

6 : ( the Lake. Never heard of Lady of Shalott. Hopefully Marcus has as I D0ed him here, D20.

Brian Day 13

 4/6     

1) Parks & Recreation 0/2  oh boy did I blow this one.  Thought The Office was the obvious red herring, Modern Family never came to mind despite being a juggernaut. 

2) alabaster 2/1 immediately came to mind

3) rebar 1/1  gimme

4) cane 3/3 no idea but the clue was there in W giving the gift

5) Maginot 1/0  cleverly worded question, possibly my favorite of the season

6) chickens  2/2  I'm guessing I picked up this phrase from Bugs Bunny or such

Marcus LL105 Match Day 13 -- Confirmation

Didn't get closure yday which is a travesty but won so I'll let it go…

5 today and missed the TV one which hopefully is easy enough for them not to give me 3 points …

Player: BrowningM

1. Although one initial concept was for it to be presented as a documentary being filmed by a Dutch foreign-exchange student, the creators of a certain sitcom never explained why its characters were being filmed within the show's storyline or were speaking to the camera. What is the name of this sitcom, a winner of multiple Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys in the 2010s?
Correct Answer: MODERN FAMILY
Your Answer: veep
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

I did watch it occasionally but didn't have a clue 

2. What word denotes the pure, fine-grained, and translucent form of gypsum that is used for carving and sculpture? As an adjective, the word can describe something considered white and smooth.
Correct Answer: ALABASTER
Your Answer: alabaster
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

I've been to Volterra in Tuscany many times and always picked up something in alabaster 

3. What is the abbreviated term for the ribbed steel rods that are embedded inside concrete structures during the construction of buildings, bridges, dams, etc. to add tensile strength to the structure?
Correct Answer: REBAR
Your Answer: rebar
Points Assigned: 0
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 0

Gimme

4. Salva Kiir Mayardit, who in 2011 would become the first president of South Sudan (a position he still holds today), was gifted what item by George W. Bush while visiting the White House in 2006? He has been seen with it (or a similar item) in most of his public appearances over the course of the nearly two decades since.
Correct Answer: (STETSON/COWBOY) HAT
Your Answer: cowboy hat
Points Assigned: 3
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 3

I'm not sure it's such a good look …

5. What was the last name of France's minister of war who served in the role intermittently from 1929 to 1932 and is remembered today via a string of ouvrages, casemates, blockhouses, and the like?
Correct Answer: MAGINOT
Your Answer: maginot
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

George Formby's song about it is a banger!

6. In a jump-blues song from the 1940s by Louis Jordan, when Farmer Brown asks, "Who's there?", what word completes the following response (which also includes the song's title)? "There ain't nobody here but us [BLANK]."
Correct Answer: CHICKENS
Your Answer: chickens
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

I've heard the phrase many times, nice to find out where it comes from

https://learnedleague.com/thorsten/contact.php

David S Day 13

Very pleasantly surprised by a 5/6. I doubt this will last, but I’m on track for my best-ever qpct season right now. 

1. Modern Family :), D03. Rare TV gimme for me. I saw every episode of this. 
2. Talc :(, D21. I might have gotten this if I’d had 10 guesses. 
3. Rebar :), D10. Easiest of the day, I suspect. This strikes me as pretty well-known. 
4. Cowboy hat :), D32. Boom! Very happy to not lose my consecutive current events streak. I can picture the president wearing the cowboy hat, though I had zero idea Bush gave it to him. But it seemed like a good guess. 
5. Maginot :), D21. The Maginot Line popped into my head pretty quickly given the timing. I didn’t see what else it could be, though I can’t say I was confident. 
6. Chickens :), D12. Definitely didn’t expect to get this. There’s a kids book I used to read to my daughters that refers to Farmer Brown and chickens, but I didn’t think it necessarily alluded to the song. 

Jesse Day 12

3/6

1. What term, sourced from a French word for fence, refers to a parliamentary procedure used to end debate and bring a legislative issue to a vote?
Correct Answer: CLOTURE
Your Answer: Closure
Points Assigned: 1

I wasn't sure if it was Cloture or Closure. I looked it up afterwards and Closure is used in the UK, so I think I will get credit. 

2. Identify the candidate whose unsuccessful 1995 run for the presidency of Peru demonstrated the limits of having previously served as secretary-general of the United Nations from 1982 to 1991.
Correct Answer: JAVIER PEREZ DE CUELLAR
Your Answer: Pino
Points Assigned: 3

I had no idea.

3. In southern-US cuisine, what word is both a verb for a method by which a large amount of shellfish, corn, potatoes, and seasoning is prepared, and a noun for a gathering at which such a feast is served?
Correct Answer: BOIL
Your Answer: Boil
Points Assigned: 0

I have never been to one, but they have had one on Top Chef. 

4. What is the chemical formula for the extremely common compound known in its mineral form as halite?
Correct Answer: NaCl
Your Answer: cO2
Points Assigned: 2

I had no idea.

5. The Six Nations Championship is an annual rugby union tournament featuring teams representing England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and what sixth European nation (which is the tournament's latest addition)?
Correct Answer: ITALY
Your Answer: Belgium
Points Assigned: 2

Nope.

6. Among the approximately three dozen feature films directed by Steven Spielberg, nine have one-word titles. Which one of those nine films is named after a city, one of the many cities in which that particular film's action is set?
Correct Answer: MUNICH
Your Answer: Munich
Points Assigned: 1

My first thought was Nuremberg, but then I recalled the Munich Olympics movie and thought he directed it.  

Dave M day 12

I think I've managed a 6 pack like Marcus today.

 

1 : ) Cloture. Heard the term, makes sense. D23

2 : ) Cuellar. Maybe Mr Integrity will require de Cuellar, but I doubt it. D22

3 : ) Boil. I've been to a couple when in rural LA on energy business. Can't say Crawfish are my favorite thing to eat. D00

4 : ) NaCl. Halite = Salt. D11

5 : ) Italy. I keep up with rugby so pretty simple. D32

6 : ) Munich. Like David S I wasn't sure that this was directed by Spielberg but figured it was likely, and likewise didn't think of Philadelphia. D11

Brian Day 12

 4/6  Of the three of us who have posted, we've given three different last names for Javier Perez de Cuellar.  Are one or two of us not getting credit? 

1) cloture 2/0  This came up pretty recently in the U.S.

2) de Cuellar 0/1   I luckily just learned this last week, otherwise this is probably the one secgen i could not name

3) etoufee 3/1  no idea

4) NaCl   2/3  Halogen on the periodic table means salt-forming.   Hoping this plays hard

5) Belgium 1/2  no chance

6) Munich 1/2  Never seen but a gimme nonetheless

David S Addendum

Marcus, you’ve convinced me on “closure.” Doesn’t mean Thorsten will agree, but I agree it should pay. 

Closure motion from Parliament website

A closure motion is a way of 'jumping ahead' one step in the current proceedings. The most common type of closure motion (the 'ordinary' closure) is used when a debate is in progress. If it's agreed, the debate ends immediately and the Speaker puts the question on the matter under discussion and asks the House to make a decision on it.

I know it's a very American centric quiz but it doesn't say US senate it says parliamentary procedure 

David S Day 12

Pleasantly surprised with a 5/6, and I actually got close to all 6. There were a lot of guesses in here. 

1. Cloture :), D10. This is a common US Senate term, but that didn’t mean it was right. I didn’t know the French. (Marcus, I’ll take the under on you getting paid for “closure.”)
2. Cuellar :), D01. Also happy to get this. I didn’t know he was Peruvian, much less that he ran (against Fujimori?) for the presidency. But this was the only UN Sec General I could think of whose last name seemed like it could be Peruvian. 
3. Boil :), D12. I was just at a Cajun restaurant a few weeks ago and shared the “crawfish boil.” No chance I would have gotten this otherwise. 
4. NaCl :), D23. This rang a bell as table salt, but it was not a confident guess. 
5. France :(, D32. Marcus pointed out to me that this was in the question. Oops! I still wouldn’t have guessed Italy, though, so same incorrect result. 
6. Munich :), D21. Really had no idea who directed this, but it seemed like something Spielberg might have directed, and I couldn’t think of anything else. (I didn’t think of Philadelphia until I saw Marcus’s post.)

Marcus LL105 Match Day 12 -- Confirmation

Honourable draw with Ben yesterday where i was punished again for dreadful defence.

I think I should have 6 today and I may argue if I don't get the first one.

Player: BrowningM

1. What term, sourced from a French word for fence, refers to a parliamentary procedure used to end debate and bring a legislative issue to a vote?
Correct Answer: CLOTURE
Your Answer: closure motion
Points Assigned: 3
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 3

Closure and Cloture have the same French route and it is usually called a closure motion altho I just googled and Cloture Closure is the formal term. It's a lousy question given the similarities of Cloture and Closure 

2. Identify the candidate whose unsuccessful 1995 run for the presidency of Peru demonstrated the limits of having previously served as secretary-general of the United Nations from 1982 to 1991.
Correct Answer: JAVIER PEREZ DE CUELLAR
Your Answer: peres de cuella
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

Not the best spelling but i remeber the geezer..

3. In southern-US cuisine, what word is both a verb for a method by which a large amount of shellfish, corn, potatoes, and seasoning is prepared, and a noun for a gathering at which such a feast is served?
Correct Answer: BOIL
Your Answer: seafood boil
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

Presumably this plays, was on a British cooking prog

4. What is the chemical formula for the extremely common compound known in its mineral form as halite?
Correct Answer: NaCl
Your Answer: NaCl
Points Assigned: 0
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 0

Gimme 

5. The Six Nations Championship is an annual rugby union tournament featuring teams representing England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and what sixth European nation (which is the tournament's latest addition)?
Correct Answer: ITALY
Your Answer: Italy
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

Gimme for Brits 

6. Among the approximately three dozen feature films directed by Steven Spielberg, nine have one-word titles. Which one of those nine films is named after a city, one of the many cities in which that particular film's action is set?
Correct Answer: MUNICH
Your Answer: Munich
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

Beware the Philadelphia trap…

Brian Day 11 vs Marcus (LLL)

 4/6 which I feel won't cut it against Marcus, though there are two U.S.-centric questions, one of which is TV, which could trip him up...  I escape with a 6(4)-6(5) tie

1) Go West Young Man 2/2 After the nearby high school, this is my automatic association with Horace Greeley.  

2) Sweeps Week 1/3   I'm guessing this doesn't exist anymore

3) Primes 2/1   Math gimme

4) Liechstenstein   3/1  no clue, never heard of it

5) a rose  1/2  I've heard of this but didn't really have a chance at recalling it

6) Hard Rock Cafe 0/0 Seems like a universal gimme if you've heard of Clapton and Townshend. Which unsurprisingly Dave S has not ;)

Dave M day 11

4/6 and I'm nervous about everyone Go West Young Man.

 

1 : ( Sea to Shining Sea. I guess this is easy for Americans (and Marcus)? D22

2 : ( Ratings. Ahh sweeps makes more sense. Ratings felt off but couldn't think of anything better. D01

3 : ) Primes. Wasn't certain but sounded right. D23

4 : ) Lake Constance. Opponents both strong in geography so D10

5 : ) Summer's Day. I began with Daffodils then Cloud before realizing I was mixing up Shakespeare and Wordsworth. D32

6 : ) Hard Rock Café. Seemed to be the only chain that fit. D11

Jesse day 11

4/6

1. What four-word phrase, which was popularized by Horace Greeley in an 1865 editorial about opportunities on the American frontier and became his slogan, was originally coined by J. B. L. Soule in 1851?
Correct Answer: GO WEST, YOUNG MAN
Your Answer: Go west young man
Points Assigned: 1

It took me a minute to get my brain to stop trying to break Manifest Destiny down into four words. 

2. What term introduced by Nielsen Media Research in the 1950s refers to the period when local TV markets were surveyed by the company, with the resulting data used by stations and cable channels to set advertising rates and establish their programming schedules?
Correct Answer: SWEEPS
Your Answer: Sweeps week
Points Assigned: 2

Gimmie for my age, but someone in their 30s or younger might have trouble. Also, it will be difficult for non-Americans.

3. Goldbach's conjecture states that every even integer greater than two is the sum of two what?
Correct Answer: PRIME NUMBERS
Your Answer: Whole numbers
Points Assigned: 2

I thought that might be the answer. I am terrible at math. 

4. Bodensee, a lake on the Rhine River that borders Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is known in English by what other name, which derives from the city that sits on the lake's western end?
Correct Answer: LAKE CONSTANCE
Your Answer: Lake Constance
Points Assigned: 3

For a month in 2003 I lived in Rorschach, a town on Lake Constance. 

5. In William Shakespeare's famous Sonnet 18, he declares that "thou art more lovely and more temperate" than what?
Correct Answer: A SUMMER'S DAY
Your Answer: a spring day
Points Assigned: 1

I blame global warming. Summer is no longer temperate. 

6. Although it was founded in 1971, on Piccadilly near Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, what chain began its themed décor motif in 1979, by way of gifts from Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend?
Correct Answer: HARD ROCK CAFÉ
Your Answer: The Hard Rock Cafe
Points Assigned: 0

Gimmie?

Marcus LL105 Match Day 11 -- Confirmation

5 again and looking at Seif's answers more parlous defence 

On May 27, 2025 at 1:07 AM PT, the following submission was received by LearnedLeague.

Player: BrowningM

1. What four-word phrase, which was popularized by Horace Greeley in an 1865 editorial about opportunities on the American frontier and became his slogan, was originally coined by J. B. L. Soule in 1851?
Correct Answer: GO WEST, YOUNG MAN
Your Answer: go west young man
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

Very guessable 

2. What term introduced by Nielsen Media Research in the 1950s refers to the period when local TV markets were surveyed by the company, with the resulting data used by stations and cable channels to set advertising rates and establish their programming schedules?
Correct Answer: SWEEPS
Your Answer: pass
Points Assigned: 3
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 3

Impossible for a Brit but apparently a gimme !

3. Goldbach's conjecture states that every even integer greater than two is the sum of two what?
Correct Answer: PRIME NUMBERS
Your Answer: primes
Points Assigned: 0
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 0

Gimme 

4. Bodensee, a lake on the Rhine River that borders Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is known in English by what other name, which derives from the city that sits on the lake's western end?
Correct Answer: LAKE CONSTANCE
Your Answer: constance
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

Been there 

5. In William Shakespeare's famous Sonnet 18, he declares that "thou art more lovely and more temperate" than what?
Correct Answer: A SUMMER'S DAY
Your Answer: a summers day
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

Easy ?

6. Although it was founded in 1971, on Piccadilly near Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, what chain began its themed décor motif in 1979, by way of gifts from Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend?
Correct Answer: HARD ROCK CAFÉ
Your Answer: hard rock cafe
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

I first went in about 1985 and it seemed genuinely cool. Just a cheesy tourist trap with too loud music now 

David S Day 11

 5/6.

1. Go west young man :), D11. Pretty famous line. Still probably plays fairly hard. 
2. Sweeps :), D20. Rare TV gimme for me means this must be pretty easy. 
3. Prime numbers :), D02. I knew this, but I also think it’s the logical guess. 
4. Lake Constance :), D13. I was there in 2010, including in the city itself. I think this is quite difficult. I’m not sure I would have gotten this had I not actually gone there before. 
5. Summer’s Day :), D21. Rare literature gimme for me, once again meaning this must be pretty easy. 
6. Pret a manger :(, D32. Spent a lot of time on this hoping to get 6/6 since I knew I had the first five. But I really didn’t think Hard Rock Cafe was founded in London, so I don’t think I had any chance of getting there. 

Brian Day 10 vs Brad (LLL)

 4/6   I put Brad in the header in hopes he'll start posting again.

1) Vinland 2/2  No idea.  Happy to be on the same wavelength as Marcus.

2) Pluto 1/1 Didn't know it was classified as a TNO, but it had to be in the Kuiper Belt

3) Despicable Me 0/0  gimme though I haven't seen any

4) Sawyer 3/3 Journalist, married to Mike Nichols, thought i had a shot.  Never heard of Didion

5) Lollapalooza 2/2  Founded by Farrell.  I'm chuckling at the thought of Seif trying to guess at this

6) Boggle 1/1  A classic.  

Jesse Day 10

3/6

1. What archaeological site at the northern tip of Newfoundland was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, nearly 1,000 years after its establishment as a Norse settlement?
Correct Answer: L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS
Your Answer: Aux aun Meadows
Points Assigned: 2

I don't speak French, so I went with what I remembered it sounding like—probably not close enough. 

2. The two most massive Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) that are currently known are Eris (formally designated 136199 Eris) and what other body? This other body is slightly larger than Eris (though less massive) and is itself the largest Kuiper Belt Object (unless one considers Triton a KBO).
Correct Answer: PLUTO
Your Answer: Pluto
Points Assigned: 0

Gimmie?

3. A film franchise with six installments from 2010 to 2024, including two prequels that focus on a set of side characters and on the main character's path to villainy, has become by some measures the highest-grossing animated franchise of all time. What is the franchise (or its first film, which gives the franchise it name)?
Correct Answer: DESPICABLE ME
Your Answer: Despicable me
Points Assigned: 1

I have not seen any of the movies, but am familiar with it. 

4. "We tell ourselves stories in order to live" is the famous opening line of "The White Album", the title essay in a critically acclaimed 1979 collection by what journalist, novelist, playwright, memoirist, and (with her husband) screenwriter?
Correct Answer: JOAN DIDION
Your Answer: Marshall
Points Assigned: 3

I had no idea, was thinking Penny Marshall. 

5. What word, originally American slang for a remarkable or wonderful person or thing, was adopted by musician Perry Farrell for the usage with which it is most associated today?
Correct Answer: LOLLAPALOOZA
Your Answer: Rad
Points Assigned: 2

Oh

6. Sixteen dice, arranged in a 4×4 grid, and each with a unique set of six letters (or in one case, "QU"), are distinctive characteristics of what game first published by Parker Brothers in 1972?
Correct Answer: BOGGLE
Your Answer: Boggle
Points Assigned: 1

I had Boggle when I was a kid. 

Dave M day 10

Happy with 4/6 heading into the weekend.

 

1 : ) L'Anse aux Meadows. I feel this is a very hard geography/history question. D23

2 : ) Pluto. Got it after working through the question in its entirety. D11

3 : ) Despicable Me. Nothing else came close to fitting. D00

4 : ( Graham. No idea. D32

5 : ( Hip. I reckon this plays hard too. I guess Farrell created the show? D22

6 : ) Boggle. I've never actually played but remember marvelling at the contraption as a kid. D11

Marcus LL105 Match Day 10 -- Confirmation

4/6 …hard today I think 

Player: BrowningM

1. What archaeological site at the northern tip of Newfoundland was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, nearly 1,000 years after its establishment as a Norse settlement?
Correct Answer: L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS
Your Answer: vineland
Points Assigned: 3
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 3

Never heard of it

2. The two most massive Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) that are currently known are Eris (formally designated 136199 Eris) and what other body? This other body is slightly larger than Eris (though less massive) and is itself the largest Kuiper Belt Object (unless one considers Triton a KBO).
Correct Answer: PLUTO
Your Answer: pluto
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

Easy if you can get thro the obfuscation

3. A film franchise with six installments from 2010 to 2024, including two prequels that focus on a set of side characters and on the main character's path to villainy, has become by some measures the highest-grossing animated franchise of all time. What is the franchise (or its first film, which gives the franchise it name)?
Correct Answer: DESPICABLE ME
Your Answer: despicable me
Points Assigned: 0
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 0

My youngest (now 16) only spoke in  minion to eachother for about 2 years after the first one.

4. "We tell ourselves stories in order to live" is the famous opening line of "The White Album", the title essay in a critically acclaimed 1979 collection by what journalist, novelist, playwright, memoirist, and (with her husband) screenwriter?
Correct Answer: JOAN DIDION
Your Answer: joan didion
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

I've got the year of magical thinking gathering dust somewhere 

5. What word, originally American slang for a remarkable or wonderful person or thing, was adopted by musician Perry Farrell for the usage with which it is most associated today?
Correct Answer: LOLLAPALOOZA
Your Answer: punk
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

Heard of it but never getting it 

6. Sixteen dice, arranged in a 4×4 grid, and each with a unique set of six letters (or in one case, "QU"), are distinctive characteristics of what game first published by Parker Brothers in 1972?
Correct Answer: BOGGLE
Your Answer: boggle
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

A childhood fave 

David S Day 10

 3/6 and no chance at more. 

1. Lance aux Meadows :), D11. Not my best spelling moment, both otherwise a gimme for me. 
2. Pluto :), D22. This hit me after a minute and then I felt ridiculous that it didn’t come to me immediately. It’s a great albeit semi-trick question. 
3. Avengers :(, D32. My lack of film knowledge on full display here. 
4. Ono :(, D21. I had no idea but thought maybe White Album was a reference to the Beatle’s album. 
5. Phat :(, D13. There’s not one aspect of this question where I had any idea. 
6. Boggle :), D00. Gimme. I’ve played many times. 

Jesse day 9

5/6

1. "Motorrad" (which translates to "motorcycle" in English, derived from "motor" and "rad" for wheel) is a brand and division of what automaker?
Correct Answer: BMW
Your Answer: BMW
Points Assigned: 2

This sounded like German and I knew BMW made good motorcycles. 

2. A love triangle of sorts, among the Cowgirl, Head Wrangler, and Rancher's Daughter, provides the storyline for the first section of what 1942 ballet?
Correct Answer: RODEO
Your Answer: Butch Cassidy and the Dance Kid
Points Assigned: 3

I had no idea. 

3. Of the myriad curses that have existed in sports history, one of the more famous lasted from December 1919 until October 2004 and is best known by what name (a phrase not actually popularized until 1990, in a namesake book by Dan Shaughnessy)?
Correct Answer: CURSE OF THE BAMBINO
Your Answer: Curse of the Bambino
Points Assigned: 0

The Yankees are the only sports team I root for.

4. A knee kicker, seam iron, tack strips, and special utility knife are all tools often used for the installation of what?
Correct Answer: CARPET
Your Answer: Carpet
Points Assigned: 1

I have heard of tacking a carpet. That is how I guessed right. 

5. The two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea by land area, by a large margin, are Sicily and Sardinia. Name any one of the next three largest, which are similar in size to one another and which all begin with the same letter.
Correct Answer: CYPRUS, CORSICA, CRETE
Your Answer: Crete
Points Assigned: 1

I wish he had made us name all three. That would have been a better question. 

6. Sculptures like the Parthenon Marbles and Trajan's Column, where figures are only slightly raised from the background, are examples of "low raised" sculpture known by what name? This name is typically hyphenated but is sometimes expressed as two words without the hyphen.
Correct Answer: BAS-RELIEF
Your Answer: Bas-Releif
Points Assigned: 2

Sloppy spelling, but correct answer. 

Brian Day 9

 4/6

1) Volkwagon  2/2   no idea

2) Bolero 3/3  no idea

3) Curse of the Bambino 0/0   If you watched the Curse of the Bambino specials on HBO in 2003 and 2004, you saw my depressed and then joyous rabbi being interviewed. 

4) Carpets 1/1  I think tack strips make this pretty easy, but I used to help my father install carpets in our house so I may be biased

5) Cyprus 1/1  gimme?   

6) Bas relief  2/2  A rare art gimme for me

Dave M day 9 v David S (LLL)

4/6 which on quick glance should be enough to easily overhaul the other David in today's matchup

 

1 : ) BMW. I remember seeing BMW Motorrad dealerships around the place in Europe. D00

2 : ( Oklahoma! Have no idea about 1940s ballets, nor do most people I suspect. D33

3 : ( Babe Ruth Curse. I knew it was Boston, and involved trading Babe Ruth, but that was as far as I could get. D11

4 : ) Carpet. Tack Strips were the giveaway to me – we had carpet installed last year. D22

5 : ) Cyprus. I could also get all 3, interesting all 3 of us answering so far chose Cyprus specifically. D11

6 : ) Bas Relief. I did classics in high school not that it helped me with the Caryatid question 2 days ago. D22

 

Yes an easy 4(4) – 2(2) win today – though perfect defense from David S.

David S Day 9 vs. Dave M (LLL)

 Frustrating 2/6 with a lot of near misses. 

1. Volkswagen :(, D11. I realized it was German and then just guessed wrong. 
2. Oklahoma :(, D13. Didn’t see how this could be right, but I had nothing here. 
3. Curse of the Bambino :), D32. I lived in Boston for 9 years, including when this curse was broken. No way I’d miss it. 
4. Floorboards :(, D21. Perfect example of how this day went. I figured out this had something to do with flooring but couldn’t come up with the right answer. In retrospect, why would tacks be used for boards?! 
5. Cyprus :), D20. Cute question. All three were gimmes. 
6. Mini relief :(, D02. I realized that relief had to be in there but couldn’t figure out the other word. 

Marcus LL105 Match Day 9 -- Confirmation

5 again

Player: BrowningM

1. "Motorrad" (which translates to "motorcycle" in English, derived from "motor" and "rad" for wheel) is a brand and division of what automaker?
Correct Answer: BMW
Your Answer: BMW
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

Gimme

2. A love triangle of sorts, among the Cowgirl, Head Wrangler, and Rancher's Daughter, provides the storyline for the first section of what 1942 ballet?
Correct Answer: RODEO
Your Answer: Rodeo
Points Assigned: 3
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 3

I think Copland is great

3. Of the myriad curses that have existed in sports history, one of the more famous lasted from December 1919 until October 2004 and is best known by what name (a phrase not actually popularized until 1990, in a namesake book by Dan Shaughnessy)?
Correct Answer: CURSE OF THE BAMBINO
Your Answer: red sox
Points Assigned: 0
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 0

Hard for a Brit but my opppnent v good at sport 

4. A knee kicker, seam iron, tack strips, and special utility knife are all tools often used for the installation of what?
Correct Answer: CARPET
Your Answer: Carpets
Points Assigned: 1
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 1

Seemed a good guess

5. The two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea by land area, by a large margin, are Sicily and Sardinia. Name any one of the next three largest, which are similar in size to one another and which all begin with the same letter.
Correct Answer: CYPRUS, CORSICA, CRETE
Your Answer: Cyprus
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 2

I've been to them all

6. Sculptures like the Parthenon Marbles and Trajan's Column, where figures are only slightly raised from the background, are examples of "low raised" sculpture known by what name? This name is typically hyphenated but is sometimes expressed as two words without the hyphen.
Correct Answer: BAS-RELIEF
Your Answer: bas relief
Points Assigned: 2
Points Assigned to Private Opp: 

Not one you can guess 

Brian Day 8

 3/6  Dave, this is my best start as well, .750 after today.  I sense a lot of 2s in my future to regress to the mean, much like Pete Alonso's season.

1) Roi 2/1  no idea, went with French for 'king'

2) E/R 0/2  gimme for me, though I preferred Chicago Hope

3) 18  1/2  Can't believe how close I got for having no idea

4) Thomas  3/1 no idea

5) Christian Democrats  1/3 luck for me there was an election recently

6) Mousetrap  2/0  Was pretty sure about this one

Jesse Day 8

3/6

1. What "king of chefs and chef of kings" created the kitchen brigade system and is widely credited with modernizing French haute cuisine?
Correct Answer: AUGUSTE ESCOFFIER
Your Answer: Ritz
Points Assigned: 3

I knew he cooked at hotels owned by Ritz, but did not recall his name. 

2. What television series aired its "Day One" episode at 10:00pm ET on Thursday, September 22, 1994, and remained in that time slot on NBC until its final episode, "And in the End...", on April 2, 2009?
Correct Answer: ER
Your Answer: ER
Points Assigned: 1

I am curious to see how hard this plays.  Gimmie for me as it started when I was in high school. 

3. Vietnam's Bến Hải River, which flows generally from west to east for approximately 100 km in the center of the country, is closest to what consequential circle of latitude?
Correct Answer: 17TH PARALLEL (NORTH)
Your Answer: 24th parallel
Points Assigned: 2

I could not remember which parallel it was, despite passing over it on an overnight train in 1998.

4. What poet, who died at age 30 in 1963, was awarded the 1982 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for The Collected Poems, becoming the first to receive this prize after death?
Correct Answer: SYLVIA PLATH
Your Answer: Sylvia Plath
Points Assigned: 0

I don't know much about poetry, but I do know Plath died of suicide at a young age.

5. Since early 2022, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has served as the chairman of what center-right political party, which was led by Angela Merkel for 18 years beginning in 2000?
Correct Answer: CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION (CDU)
Your Answer: Christian Democrats
Points Assigned: 1

I think my answer will be accepted. 

6. What Agatha Christie play broke the record for the longest-running show in the history of British theatre in April 1958, and maintains the record today (probably worldwide) as it approaches its 30,000th performance in 2025?
Correct Answer: THE MOUSETRAP
Your Answer: Murder on the Orient Express
Points Assigned: 2

Nope

Dave M day 8

I got just 3/6 today but still optimistic as I think today plays tough.

 

1 : ) Escoffier. I have picked this up through watching Masterchef and Great British Baking Show D10

2 : ( X-Files. ER makes more sense in hindsight. D22

3 : ( Tropic of Cancer. Thought Vietnam was too far south for this, but the concept of the dividing line between the two Vietnams completely passed me by. D11, hopefully I draw D0s here.

4 : ( Pritzker. Throwaway answer, thought Plath was earlier than 1960s

5 : ) CDU/Christian Democrats. Simple Europe question. D01

6 : ) The Mousetrap. Like others, I only know this from having been to the play in London decades ago. D32

Marcus Plath Correction

She actually went the Newnham Cambridge not Girton altho my niece did and is a great expert in her work !

David S Day 8

 4/6 on a day that mostly didn’t play to my strengths. I haven’t checked this rigorously, but I think this may be my best-ever start to a season from a qpct perspective. Mirror image defense against two very different opponents. 

1. Lavoisier :(, D21. No clue at all here. 
2. ER :), D03. Happy to get this. The dates seemed right, and I certainly had no other guess. 
3. 17 :), D30. 38 and 17 for Korea and Vietnam, respectively. I absentmindedly wrote down 38 and then caught myself when checking things over. I never would have forgiven myself. 
4. Smith :(, D12. Plath died at 30? I had nothing idea. Of course, I really had no chance here in any event. 
5. Christian Democratic Union :), D12. About as gimme as it gets for me. 
6. Mousetrap :), D21. I saw it over 25 years ago in London. No idea how hard this plays, since it’s certainly not up my alley.