3 answers
Aug 27 26 by pehinhota
How did the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin claim to be the king of Scotland?
Since several serious answers to this question have been provided in the link....I shall give a silly one.
Idi Amin's path to the Scottish throne began after a deep-fried Mars bar and haggis binge, which gave him the sudden, sugar-fueled confidence to challenge Queen Elizabeth II to a heavyweight boxing match to settle who truly ruled the Commonwealth. Her Majesty, graciously accepted, and met him in Southern Rhodesia for what was later termed "The Slaughter in Salisbury". Lizzie laid Dada on the canvas twice in round two and though he tried the rope-a-dope technique, Her Majesty had far too feisty a left hook and she was declared winner by TKO in round 9.
Idi, however, claimed that while the total purse was control of the Commonwealth, the looser would be awarded Scotland. He therefore declared himself King of Scotland as soon as he touched down in Entebbe. To solidify his hold on the land of nervous sheep and caber tossing, he decreed that all official Ugandan government business must be performed musically in what he termed "the true tartan tongue". For the next two years, terrified government ministers could only pass laws, declare budgets, and issue military orders by singing the text entirely to the tune of "Scotland the Brave," transforming every cabinet meeting into a human bagpipe.
Eventually, news of his claims reached the ears of a nearly apoplectic Sir Sean Connery, who promptly flew down to Uganda and forced Amin to give up his claim grabbing him by the collar yelling, "Listen to me, ya wee scunner: no' one single, bluidy, pish-soaked soul is gonnae be the King o' Shcotland 'cept fer me! Yer lookin' at the true Chieftain noo, ye daft glaikit numpty!" (misdiaslocos)
2 answers
Sep 03 26 by Philip_Eno
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Sep 03 26 by ozzz2002
2 answers
Sep 03 26 by pehinhota
2 answers
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
2 answers
Sep 03 26 by Philip_Eno
3 answers
Sep 02 26 by Sheep_Dip
2 answers
Sep 01 26 by chabenao1
3 answers
Sep 02 26 by Sheep_Dip
3 answers
Sep 02 26 by Sheep_Dip
1 answer
Sep 02 26 by Sheep_Dip
2 answers
Sep 01 26 by chabenao1
3 answers
Aug 20 26 by pehinhota
2 answers
Aug 23 26 by pehinhota
3 answers
Aug 27 26 by pehinhota
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)
3 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)
3 answers
Aug 20 26 by pehinhota
2 answers
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)
3 answers
Aug 20 26 by pehinhota
How long is the Great Wall of Los Angeles?
The Great Wall of Los Angeles is 2,754 feet long, which is just over half a mile (840 meters). It stands 13.5 feet high and spans over six city blocks along the concrete walls of the Tujunga Wash flood control channel in the San Fernando Valley. Designed by Chicana artist Judy Baca, it is recognized as one of the longest murals in the world. An active expansion project is currently underway. Artists are painting new panels that will ultimately extend the mural's timeline through the 1960s-1990s, bringing its total length to a full mile (5,280 feet). (javelpaul143)
4 answers
Aug 03 26 by serpa
3 answers
Aug 04 26 by chabenao1
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)
2 answers
Aug 05 26 by pehinhota
2 answers
Aug 06 26 by FatherSteve
In 1903, John Grindstone was the first person admitted where?
In 1903, John Grindstone was the first person admitted to the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary.He holds the distinction of being assigned inmate Prisoner No. 1 at the newly constructed federal prison in Kansas. He also became the first inmate to pass away there, succumbing to tuberculosis. (javelpaul143)
2 answers
Aug 07 26 by serpa
3 answers
Aug 05 26 by misdiaslocos
2 answers
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)
3 answers
Aug 04 26 by chabenao1
3 answers
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
4 answers
Aug 03 26 by serpa
4 answers
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)
4 answers
Aug 03 26 by serpa
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