Junk Drawer of Random Trivia #4 Quiz

Answer: A Native American word

The word woodchuck comes from a bit of linguistic confusion. Early English settlers adopted the name from Algonquian words like wuchak or otchek, which referred to the animal we now call the groundhog. Over time, the original word was misheard and reshaped into woodchuck, which we can all agree sounds much more fun, if sadly misleading.

Answer: Canada

When it comes to coastlines, Canada is the big man on campus (and they're very sorry about it). With its massive land area, more than 50,000 islands, and countless bays and inlets, Canada's coastline stretches over 202,000 kilometers, or about 125,000 miles. That is longer than the coastlines of Russia, Australia, and the United States combined. If you laid it all out in a straight line, it could wrap around the Earth five times with enough left over for some nice beachfront property.

Answer: Mohs

The Mohs scale measures the relative hardness of minerals by testing which substances can scratch others. Introduced in 1812 by German geologist Friedrich Mohs, it ranks minerals from 1, very soft like talc, to 10, very hard like diamond. You do not need any fancy lab equipment. Just start scratching.

For example, if your fingernail can leave a mark, the mineral is softer than 2.5. If it does not, you are looking at something tougher, such as quartz at 7. Ordinary dust can sometimes scratch surfaces because it often contains hard minerals, including quartz, so dust can technically be harder than a lot of other minerals.

Answer: Pierre-Auguste Renoir

"Luncheon of the Boating Party" captures the ultimate 1880s weekend brunch, French and oh so chic. Painted by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, it shows a group of stylish friends lounging at and around a table, sipping wine, flirting, laughing, and generally living their best riverfront lives. With the sunlight spilling over everything and the good vibes oozing from the canvas, all that's missing is a hashtag and maybe a mimosa tower, and you've got the perfect Instagram post.

Answer: Africa

When it comes to the number of countries, Africa gives the biggest bang for the buck. It is home to 54 recognized nations (depending on who's doing the recognizing), each with its own unique cultures, languages, and history. From the deserts of the north to the rainforests of the center and the savannas of the south, every corner has its own story to tell... and most of those stories contain rude words to describe the British.

Answer: Vinegar

In its concentrated form, acetic acid is not exactly dinner party material. It is corrosive, smelly, and perfectly willing to ruin your day. But dilute it to about five percent and suddenly you've got yourself a kitchen staple.

Answer: James Cameron

When you see the famous sketch of Rose reclining on the couch, that is not Leonardo DiCaprio's handiwork. It was drawn by director James Cameron. Yes, the guy who directed the whole movie also picked up a pencil and did the sketch himself. Cameron wanted it to look just right, so he quite literally took matters into his own hands.

Answer: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Charles Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism, wrote the original lyrics back in 1739. His version opened with the line "Hark how all the welkin rings," using the now-obscure word "welkin" to mean heaven. While the hymn was theologically rich, it did not exactly roll off the tongue.

A few years later, Wesley's contemporary George Whitefield revised the lyrics, giving us the more familiar "Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King." Then in 1855, English musician William H. Cummings paired the revised lyrics with a melody by composer Felix Mendelssohn. The tune was originally part of a cantata celebrating Gutenberg's printing press, and Mendelssohn had said it was not meant for sacred music. Cummings took that into consideration, promptly ignored it, and turned it a Christmas favorite that endures today.

Answer: The Great Race

"The Great Race", released in 1965, is part road movie, part cartoon come to life. It follows an over-the-top car race from New York to Paris, packed with slapstick comedy, wild stunts, and one of the most famous pie fights in film history. Tony Curtis stars as the dazzlingly perfect "Great Leslie," Jack Lemmon plays the wonderfully ridiculous villain Professor Fate, and Natalie Wood is a reporter who is determined to prove women can do anything the boys can.

It is a love letter to silent film comedies, and it does not take itself seriously for a single mile.

Answer: Puma

Once upon a time in Germany, two brothers, Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, ran a shoe business together. After a major falling-out, they went their separate ways. Adolf combined his nickname, Adi, with part of his last name to form Adidas. Rudolf launched his own brand across town and named it Puma. So yes, two of the world's biggest sportswear giants were born out of sibling rivalry.