MR’s De-Educational Quiz – This and That
Just a few Generalizations to be answered……. One (1) point each……
1. What was the complete line-up in Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First” comedy routine?
2. Which Hollywood star has played the most leading roles?
3. What makes noble gases noble?
4. Why is the seventh-inning stretch held in the seventh inning?
5. What is the most widely cultivated plant?
If one community member gets them all – an extra Five (5) points…..
September 8th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I’ll jump in.
3. They don’t interact with other elements and therefore are snooty. They have no free electrons, are inert, and occupy the far right column of the periodic table.
5. Maize
What kind of random quiz is this? Here’s one for MR:
6. What do any of this questions have to do with each other?
September 8th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I’ll have to go with rice for no. 5.
September 8th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Jek gets One (1) Point for No. 3 – Lack of chemical reactivity in these inert gases makes them “noble”….. For the record, there are six noble gases: Helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon.
6. That’s why it’s titled “This and That”. The questions have nothing to do with each other……
No. 5 is not maize or rice…….
September 8th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
4. Because it would be silly to have the seventh-inning stretch in any other inning. It would confuse people. Although I’m usually asleep by the third.
5. Wheat. … Or, since this stuff seems to be everywhere and people make a living off of it, marijuana.
September 8th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
NO. 4 Yeah Izard, that’s what I was going to say. It’s a LOOBY question.
September 8th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
I’m going to try cranberries for 5 this time.
September 8th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Izard gets One (1) Point for No. 5 – Wheat, the food base of Western Civilization, is by far the most widely grown plant. It has been cultivated for more than 7,000 years in every continent except Antarctica.
No. 4 is NOT a Looby Question….. Let me re-word it….. What is the reason for having the seventh inning stretch in the seventh inning?….. Why not have it in the fourth, or fifth, or not at all?……
September 8th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
1. Who 1st Base
What 2nd Base
I don’t Know 3rd Base
Why Left Field
Because Center Field
Tomorrow Pitcher
Today Catcher
I don’t Give A Darn Short Stop
Manager Abbott
September 8th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
There are many apocryphal stories about the origins of the seventh-inning stretch. One popular yarn claims that it began on account of President William Howard Taft. He had been in attendance at a Harrisburg Senators versus Philadelphia Phillies game on April 20, 1891 and had been uncomfortable in his chair; by the middle of the seventh, he could no longer take it, and stood up. The crowd mistook his action, and believed he had decided to leave, and out of respect, stood up as well. However, minutes later, after stretching out his legs, Taft sat back down as did the crowd. This tale is almost definitely false—evidence exists of the practice as early as 1869. It is also false because President Taft was not president until 1909. However, the seventh-inning stretch was not a formal practice in professional baseball games until the 1920s.
Another possibility of the origin of the seventh inning stretch is the story of Brother Jasper of Mary, F.S.C., the man credited with bringing baseball to Manhattan College in the late 1800s. Being the Prefect of Discipline as well as the coach of the team, it fell to Brother Jasper to supervise the student fans at every home game. On one particularly hot and muggy day in 1882, during the seventh inning against a semi-pro team called the Metropolitans, the Prefect noticed his charges becoming restless. To break the tension, he called a time-out in the game and instructed everyone in the bleachers to stand up and unwind. It worked so well he began calling for a seventh-inning rest period at every game. The Manhattan College custom spread to the major leagues after the New York Giants were charmed by it at an exhibition game, and the rest is history.
But like many myths, it is difficult to certify any origin. A letter written by Harry Wright of the Cincinnati Red Stockings dated 1869 — 13 years earlier than Brother Jasper’s inspired time-out — documented something very similar to a seventh-inning stretch. In the letter, he makes the following observation about the fans’ ballpark behavior: “The spectators all arise between halves of the seventh inning, extend their legs and arms and sometimes walk about. In so doing they enjoy the relief afforded by relaxation from a long posture upon hard benches.”
September 8th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Could we review the rules about using the internet? I thought it was off-limits.
September 8th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
J.J. gets One (1) Point for No. 1 – as a note, the Shortstop, in one variation was “I Don’t Care” and Right Field was not mentioned in the routine at all…..
I don’t know where J.J. got his 30 or so paragraph monologue on the “seventh inning stretch”, but it’s no where close to my answer, and, my answer is the “correct” one……
Internet usage for answers IS off-limits…… I give J. the benefit of the doubt that he has a “History of Baseball” book at home – OR NOT!….. Fess-up J.
That takes care of the odd-numbered questions….. What about the even ones?……
September 8th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
You inturrupted my beer.
As for the rules J. As a fellow quiz writer I am fully aware of the origional rules as stated By Anon “No Internet SEARCH ENGINES”
My Sources: I just listened to a copy of the origional broadcast purchasede from Radio Classics.com $.99
Baseball: A History of Americas favorite game.
Auhtor:George Vecsey
Published by Modern Library
ISDN-10 0679643389
Published 08/2006
Also: Encyclopedia Brittanica 1975 Edition
I must admit that I had Mrs. J.J. do the typing on that one.
September 8th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
OK try this one, its when most ball parks quit selling beer.
September 8th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
#2 Does Bugs Bunny Count?
September 8th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
I have a problem with your #5 answer. Now that you have divulged it, I searched and found the following sites that have maize as the leader in the US and (at the first site) in the world:
Wikipedia entry on grain – Note that in 1961 rice was the leader.
EPA site – It’s tied with soybeans.
September 8th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
JJ, the reason I was suspicious is that your #4 answer is word-for-word from this Wikipedia entry. It looks like Wikipedia has some plagiarism issues.
BTW, even though what you did was valid for the quiz, perhaps you should paraphrase in the future. Then it might not be so obvious you lifted it from somewhere else. 😀
September 9th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Point well taken Jek’er I went ther also after your comment and found the same thing as my Paper version. I actualy told the wifie to type this while i was fixin her car. a Payoff sortov.
BTW your 2 leftover wheat beers and typing don’t mix.
September 9th, 2007 at 5:42 am
No on two counts, J.J. – The 7th inning stretch is not when they quit selling beer (seems they would want to sell more beer during a break) and Bugs, Daffy, or none of their non-aging looney friends count as “Stars” in No. 2, although they are Super Stars to us……..
Jek, on No.5 – I should have put a date on the question….. I will have to watch current event questions in the future when using this reference book…… I use more than one…… This one was published in 2000, so due to all the added interest in the use of corn based products, your answer of maize is probably correct for 2007, so-o-o, I’m giving you One (1) Point for No. 5 also. Sorry, Anon, I can’t give you a point for rice as the question was phrased in the context of the current “most widely cultivated plant”…….
September 9th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
The answer to number 2 is John Wayne (aka: Marion Morrison)
September 9th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Booker picks up One (1) Point for No. 2…….John Wayne (1907-1979). He had a leading role in all but 11 of his 153 movies. His career began with “The Drop Kick” in 1927 and ended with “The Shootist” in 1976…….
That only leaves lonely No. 4 to be answered…… Where are our sports fans when we need them or do we really need them?…… Apparently so…….
September 9th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Watching football.
September 9th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
From “The Baseball Desk Reference” a book published by the National Baseball Hall of Fame (which I do own)-
“The practice goes back to the 1860’s and was probably born of the fatigue and soreness from sitting on the wooden bleachers.” A less likely theory is President Taft, attending a game In Pittsburgh in 1910 rose to stretch. The crowd, out of respect for Taft, did the same.
September 9th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
You own the National Baseball Hall of Fame?…… Can I have a job there? (Ha)…… Sunn, your answers are close to what J.J. posted, but, other than the 1860 part, is not the answer I have from a very reliable solid source….. I’ll give some hints in a day or so if necessary, and after the answer I have is posted, I’ll assess your’s and J.J.’s complaints (if any) and make a judgement call then…….
September 10th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Yep, I also own Walmart! Not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I believe since my source is one of the most respected sources in baseball, I hardly believe any other source would be more accurate.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:22 am
So, cranberries are the second most cultivated plant.
I thought Wikipedia was all about plagiarism.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Second doesn’t count, Anon, remember Buzz Aldrin’s moon quote?…… I’ve forgotten it since the space quiz that was only two weeks ago….. ….But, I’ll give you a Half-Point (1/2) for persistence.
With all the hub-bub on No. 4, here was the question: “Why is the seventh-inning stretch held in the seventh inning?”, and, here is the answer: “The practice, which takes place before the home team comes to bat, became popular in 1860 because the number seven is considered lucky”….. My source is The New York Public Library Reference Service….. It’s a number thing, which makes sense to me….. If it was due to fatigue and soreness from the benches, why not have a half-time in the middle of the 4th inning somewhat like in football?…… Why wait till the 7th?….. …..But, for the all the efforts expended by J.J. and Sunn, I’ll award each One (1) Point….. I’d be interested if either of you could find this in one of your baseball reference books……
September 11th, 2007 at 12:12 am
Which half?
September 11th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Blumin Buuks
September 11th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Anon, you get the cranberry half, of course…..
Yeah, J.J., seems everybody has a “Blumin’ buuk” out with their own version of events and history….. That’s why History repeats itself – Nobody knows what really happened…… The truth always gets changed to fit someone’s agenda…..
September 11th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
That’s why I like Mel Brook’s “History of The World Pt.1” I think it’s the closest to the truth.
September 11th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
J., how about “The World According to Garp”?
September 11th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
OK, from my vast baseball history library. This is from the “Baseball Book of Firsts”. The two versions I reported in a previous post are repeated, as well as a third theory.
“During the baseball season of 1887, Father Jasper, in charge of physical education of the Manhattan College faculty, used the gathering at ball games to promote his physical fitness regime. Students rose in the Manhattan half if the seventh to perform calisthenics.”
Of course, the most famous 7th inning stretch was made extremely popular by the late, great Harry Caray. Just my opionion.
September 12th, 2007 at 8:50 am
I guess those “New Yorkers” don’t know anything about baseball…..or maybe the NY Library’s version is the “real” truth and everybody just thought it was too “plain” and not exciting enough….
Co-o-l – 33 comments – The Community is “Still Alive and Well” (J. Winter)……
New Quiz soon with a new name and other cool stuff……
September 12th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Way to go Sunn, I was wondering how long it was gonna take for one of us to bring up Harry.
September 12th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
As for “Garp” To painful to watch, I get a shiver every time I see the scene after Garp gets hit in the car I get the shakes “I had mine surgically removed, I can’t Imagine having it bitten off in a Buick” That’s just a pain that I can not imagine. Remember “Be careful of the Undertoad”
September 12th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
MR, been listening to some Edgar Winter lately. On the LP “Roadwork”, Johnny joins Edgar on stage for a fantabulous “scat” session. You young whippersnappers ought to check it out. It doesn’t get much better than this.
September 13th, 2007 at 8:24 am
I will check that out….. I’ve always been a Johnny Winter fan….. I don’t think he’s been properly credited for what he’s done for the music world…….