What was the Bee Gees' first name, with a French reference?
The first name of the Bee Gees was The Rattlesnakes
https://www.beegees.com/bee-gees-way-redcliffe-australia/#/
"While still living in Manchester in 1955, the "Gibb" brothers formed their first band, 'The Rattlesnakes' - it was with The Rattlesnakes that first they learned to sing in harmony. In May of 1958, The Rattlesnakes disbanded and shortly after, the Gibb family moved to Redcliffe in Queensland, Australia."
The only thing is I cannot see a French reference in the name "The Rattlesnakes", and rattlesnakes belong to the family Viperidae (the vipers) and the subfamily Crotalinae (the pit vipers).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattlesnake (Philip_Eno)
6 answers
Sep 06 26 by chabenao1
1 answer
Sep 05 26 by misdiaslocos
What is the best prospect for an as yet undiscovered megafauna? And while I love me some Bigfoot, have a soft spot for a Skunk Ape, and want to ride an Ogopogo, I really am looking for a scientific answer, not articles from the Fortean Times.
From a strict zoological and statistical standpoint, if you are looking for a completely undiscovered megafauna (defined scientifically as an animal weighing over 100 pounds/45 kg), the short answer from the scientific community is: look to the deep ocean, specifically for cryptic marine mammals like beaked whales, or deep-sea sharks and cephalopods. Terrestrial megafauna like Bigfoot, the Skunk Ape, or a giant lake monster like Ogopogo are virtually impossible under modern ecological and observational models. However, science does project that large animals are still waiting to be formally described. Here is how modern biology ranks the best prospects for undiscovered megafauna. (javelpaul143)
1 answer
Sep 05 26 by misdiaslocos
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Aug 27 26 by pehinhota
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Sep 03 26 by ozzz2002
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Sep 03 26 by pehinhota
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Sep 03 26 by pehinhota
Tottenham Hotspur is a longstanding club in English soccer, but what is a hotspur?
Tottenham Hotspur was named after Sir Henry Percy (1364-1403), better known as Harry Hotspur. The Percy family owned land in the Tottenham area, and the club's cockerel emblem also refers to Hotspur's association with fighting cocks fitted with spurs.
[quote]The club was based in the Northumberland Park area of Tottenham, named for the Dukes of Northumberland, and hence took its name from Harry Hotspur, a famous member of the Northumberland family.[/quote]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C.#History
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Percy_(Hotspur) (wellenbrecher)
2 answers
Sep 03 26 by ozzz2002
What was the closest "not quite an innings victory" in the history of test cricket? As there are two possible metrics (smallest number of runs chased and smallest number of balls/overs in the fourth innings), please provide both if different.
The smallest possible run chase target is one run, which can occur when:
- the team batting first scores the exact same across their two innings as the team batting second does in their first innings, leaving the latter with a target of just one to take the lead
- the team batting first scores over 200 runs more than the team batting second does in the first innings, the former enforces the follow-on, and the latter then equals the former's first innings total across their two innings.
A target of one can be reached in just one ball. Turns out it has happened four times in Test history: (winning team listed first)
Aus vs SA, Cape Town, 1921
Eng vs Aus, SCG, 1932
WI vs Eng, Manchester, 1963
WI vs Ind, Bridgetown, 1983
In the first three matches, the batter scored exactly the one run required - no extra running, fours or sixes. This left them all on a strike rate of 100. The last match between West Indies and India ended with a no ball, and no runs to the batters. I wonder if it was bowled intentionally?
https://www.cricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-south-africa-1921-22-61377/south-africa-vs-australia-3rd-test-62533/full-scorecard
https://www.cricinfo.com/series/england-marylebone-cricket-club-tour-of-australia-1932-33-61718/australia-vs-england-1st-test-62606/full-scorecard
https://www.cricinfo.com/series/west-indies-tour-of-england-1963-61874/england-vs-west-indies-1st-test-62929/full-scorecard
https://www.cricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-west-indies-1982-83-62309/west-indies-vs-india-4th-test-63338/full-scorecard (patrickk)
1 answer
Sep 01 26 by WesleyCrusher
4 answers
Sep 02 26 by Sheep_Dip
2 answers
Sep 01 26 by chabenao1
4 answers
Sep 02 26 by Sheep_Dip
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Sep 02 26 by Sheep_Dip
1 answer
Sep 02 26 by Sheep_Dip
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Sep 01 26 by chabenao1
In which of the European countries occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II stands the only statue of a German soldier who saved the lives of two local children?
https://www.amusingplanet.com/2025/12/the-heroic-deed-that-earned-karl-heinz.html
In the Dutch village of Goirle on 6 October 1944, a German soldier carried two small children to the safety of a cellar whilst under mortar attack. After he got the two children to safety, Karl-Heinz Rosch was killed in the same spot where the two children were playing
These details were not in the public domain until townsfolk in the small town wanted to erect a monument to honour the seventeen-year-old soldier's bravery and humanity in 2008. Attempts to fund a statue through official channels were refused. The townsfolk paid for the statue themselves. It stands on private property. The statue is controversial as it depicts a Wehrmacht soldier in uniform. (1nn1)
2 answers
Aug 27 26 by pehinhota
1 answer
Aug 23 26 by Sheep_Dip
"Where books are burned, in the end, people will also be burned" — which poet is this quote from?
This quote is by the German poet Heinrich Heine (1797-1856). It comes from his tragedy "Almansor", written in 1821 and published in 1823.
The context is important: Heine was referring to the burning of the Quran following the Christian conquest of Granada in 1492. More than a century after publication, the Nazis burned Heine's own works during their book burnings in 1933, which gave the line an eerie historical resonance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Heine#Heine_in_Nazi_Germany
(wellenbrecher)
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Aug 20 26 by pehinhota
1 answer
Aug 23 26 by pehinhota
9 answers
Jul 17 26 by pehinhota
"Where books are burned, in the end, people will also be burned" — which poet is this quote from?
Heinrich Heine, a German writer, poet and critic of literature.
[quote]In 1823, Heinrich Heine wrote, "Dort wo man Bücher verbrennt, verbrennt man auch am Ende Menschen" which translates to "Where books are burned, in the end, people will also be burned." Heine was a German writer, poet and critic of literature.[/quote]
https://mylibrarycardworeout.com/2019/10/where-books-are-burnt-why-it-is-wrong/ (elburcher)
2 answers
Aug 20 26 by pehinhota
Who executed Topsy the elephant, why, and what was the connection between the execution and the War of the Currents?
Topsy the elephant was executed by her owners, Frederick Thompson and Elmer Dundy, the proprietors of Coney Island's Luna Park. She was put to death because she was deemed too volatile and dangerous after killing a spectator who had cruelly burned her trunk with a lit cigar.The connection between Topsy's execution and the War of the Currents is a widespread historical myth. While popular culture often claims Thomas Edison electrocuted Topsy to discredit alternating current (AC) power, historical evidence proves otherwise. (javelpaul143)
3 answers
Aug 05 26 by misdiaslocos
Which Formula One World Drivers' Champion never held a driver's license during his motorsport career?
The correct answer is none. Every single Formula One World Drivers' Champion has held a standard road driver's license at some point during their motorsport career. Max Verstappen: The three-time World Champion made his historic F1 debut at just 17 years old during the 2015 season. Because he was under the legal age limit in his home country, he competed in multiple Grand Prix races using only his FIA Super Licence before finally passing his road driving test on his 18th birthday later that year. Juan Manuel Fangio: The legendary five-time World Champion dominated the 1950s without ever holding an official civilian driver's license in his home nation. The Argentinian racing icon did not actually pass a standard road driving test until 1961, which was a few years after he had already retired from professional motorsport. (javelpaul143)
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Aug 05 26 by pehinhota
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Aug 06 26 by FatherSteve
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Aug 05 26 by misdiaslocos
1 answer
Aug 07 26 by serpa
Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers boast on the box that they are "topped with sea salt." Isn't there a geologic sense in which ALL salt is sea salt?
The definition of Salt is fairly broad, with many compounds making up salts, many of which are inedible to humans. A good example being Lead Acetate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead(II)_acetate which is made without any nod to the sea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_(chemistry)#Properties
Common Salt (NaCl) is almost always derived from sea water, although often having been deposited underground and eventually pushed to the surface over several million years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_edible_salts
So ALL salts, no - but all edible salts - mostly. Things like MSG and Ammonium Chloride do not come from the sea, and could be used to flavor your crackers, but they'd certainly taste different (maripp2002)
2 answers
Aug 06 26 by FatherSteve
Who executed Topsy the elephant, why, and what was the connection between the execution and the War of the Currents?
Topsy had become something of a liability, having killed one man and, understandably, threatened others who abused her. Having failed to sell her, her owners decided to kill her with electrocution being chosen as the most humane method. An earlier suggestion of hanging had been vetoed. The connection to the 'War of the Currents' is less clear. Thomas Edison had nothing to do with the execution and the 'war' had been over well before the demise of Topsy. The electricity was supplied by a company bearing his name and was filmed by another company with the Edison name. Edison himself had nothing to do with the first company, and was not active in the second.
The story quoted in the first answer seems to be a myth, as is discussed thoroughly in this article: https://edison.rutgers.edu/life-of-edison/essaying-edison/essay/myth-buster-topsy-the-elephant (rossian)
3 answers
Aug 05 26 by misdiaslocos
2 answers
Aug 05 26 by pehinhota
Who said: "The problem with a rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat"?
Also, just looking at the origin of the phrase "rat race"...it seems to have started in the 1930s in the USA. It was a literal race for rats that people gambled on. By 1939 it was being used in the current sense of a competition to maintain your position in a corporate environment.
https://www.etymonline.com/word/rat-race (misdiaslocos)
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Aug 04 26 by chabenao1
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Aug 04 26 by chabenao1
Carlshafen was the first name for which present-day ghost town in Texas?
In an AWFUL choice of name right up there with Chernobyl being called Wormwood, the city of Indianola, devastated by hurricane tidal surges, was actually called wave.
"The settlement's name was changed to Indianola in 1849 by combining the word Indian with ola, the Spanish word for "wave"."
https://calhouncountymuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Indianola-Visitors-Guide5.pdf
J (misdiaslocos)
4 answers
Jul 27 26 by pehinhota
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Aug 03 26 by serpa
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Aug 03 26 by serpa
How long is the Great Wall of Los Angeles?
The Great Wall of Los Angeles is a massive 2,754 foot long mural in the San Fernando Valley. Located on the wall of the Tujunga Wash flood control channel in Valley Glen, California. It measures 13.5 feet high and stretches over 1/2 mile.
(riviterrosie)
3 answers
Aug 03 26 by serpa
Who was the first doping case in Olympic track and field?
elburcher, you're right that Liljenwall was the first disqualification for performance-enhancing drugs in the Olympics, and it would be the correct answer had the question posed been something similar to "What athlete was the first doping case in the Olympics?" But that wasn't the question posed; the question specifically asked about "Olympic track and field". So Liljenwall cannot be the correct answer, because Liljenwall was not competing in Olympic track and field. (AyatollahK)
9 answers
Jul 17 26 by pehinhota
2 answers
Aug 01 26 by pehinhota
Which sound designer created the T. rex's roar in "Jurassic Park"?
American sound designer Gary Rydstrom created the T. rex's roar in "Jurassic Park" (1993).
He blended various animal sounds quite creatively to do so, including a baby elephant for the high-frequency screaming sound, a tiger for the deeper-frequency growls, and even an alligator for the rumbling, wet throat sounds.
https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64381968/ (Rizeeve)
2 answers
Aug 01 26 by pehinhota
1 answer
May 25 25 by WesleyCrusher
Who was the first doping case in Olympic track and field?
The first official doping case in modern Olympic track and field (athletics) history was Polish discus thrower Danuta Rosani. During the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics, which marked the very first time the International Olympic Committee (IOC) tested for anabolic steroids, Rosani qualified for the women's discus final. However, before she could compete, her drug test came back positive for an anabolic steroid. She was subsequently disqualified and removed from the Games. : While Rosani was the first inside track and field, the first overall athlete disqualified for doping under official testing was Swedish modern pentathlete Hans-Gunnar Liljenwall at the 1968 Mexico City Games. He was stripped of a bronze medal after testing positive for alcohol ("two beers" used to steady his nerves before the pistol shooting event). : Long before formal rules or testing protocols were introduced, American marathon runner Thomas Hicks famously collapsed after winning the 1904 St. Louis Olympic marathon. He had been openly administered a cocktail of brandy, egg whites, and strychnine (a stimulant in small doses) by his trainers mid-race. Because doping was not yet outlawed, he kept his gold medal. The 1988 Ben Johnson scandal in Seoul, which remains the most high-profile 100m sprint disqualification in Olympic history. How the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was created in 1999 to standardize international testing. The evolution of drug testing technology, moving from simple stimulant checks in 1968 to advanced blood profiling. (javelpaul143)
9 answers
Jul 17 26 by pehinhota
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