Cool Zooms, Part XXXVIII Trivia Quiz

Answer: Powderpuff

This competition was initiated by Sara Allen Abbott in 2005 as a means to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association in the US. Her motivation was her father, Joseph Hugh Allen, a Texas State Representative, who had been diagnosed with the disease. Why football? Her father was a football fanatic. Why 'Blondes vs Brunettes'? It was felt that the rivalry would add interest and draw a younger crowd. The price was initially set at $20 so that it wouldn't hurt the hip pocket too much and would not make it an elitist event. Their first event raised $10,000.

The fundraiser was initially played at Washington D.C. but has now spread across the country and is played in more than forty cities. It has raised in excess of $15 million. In case you felt you may have been discriminated against because you are neither blonde nor brunette, the rules saying nothing about your hair colour having to be natural.

This question tagged and rushed home by Phoenix Rising's resident powderpuff pollucci19.

Answer: Puffins

First released on digital TV services Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video in late 2020, 'Puffins is a series of short animated cartoons featuring a group of puffins and other animal friends. The main character Johnny Puff - a bandana-wearing, guitar-playing, snowboarder puffin - is voiced by film star Johnny Depp. Tic and Tac are two other male puffins, while Didi and Pie are females.

The show is aimed at young children and described by producers Iervolino Entertainment as intended to promote positive stories about equality and the need to protect the environment.

Phoenix Rising's Fifiona81 watched a couple of episodes of 'Puffins' as research background for this question, but was left somewhat bemused and retreated to watch a nice puffin documentary instead.

Answer: Inspo

Although originally an informal shortening of 'inspiration', 'inspo' has entered the common vernacular and has also been included in The Collins English Dictionary. According to Merriam-Webster, 'inspo' first appeared in print in the UK in 2012 and then made its way quickly across the Atlantic.

PR member MikeMaster99 got the inspo for this question from his off-spring who constantly use words that have never been heard before in the MM99 household and thus require explanation, usually with disbelief that dad could be so out of touch!

Answer: Sponges

The name 'Porifera' means 'pore bearers' and reflects the porous structure of sponges' bodies, which is a gelatinous mass scattered between two main layers of cells. Sponges are a bit like plants as they are sessile (lack the means of self-locomotion) and remain attached to a rock or the sea floor for the duration of their lives. They can be found from the deepest oceans to shallower environments (a very few live in freshwater, too).

In a symbiotic relationship, they play host to thousands of creatures. Sponges are made up of unique cells that carry out all the vital processes of organs and other systems that they do not possess, including hermaphroditic reproduction. They come in many forms - some are conical, some take the form of branches, others are spherical. Some wear square pants.

Phoenix Rising teamie VegemiteKid soaked up all the information possible about sponges before wringing it out in this question.

Answer: Beau Geste

Set in the 1900s before World War I, the novel "Beau Geste" features the brothers Michael ('Beau'), John and Digby. The brothers are orphans who are raised by their aunt, Lady Patricia. Much of the novel centers around the brothers' attempts to locate a stolen jewel known as the 'Blue Water'.

A popular film adaptation of "Beau Geste" was released in 1939 and it starred Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, and Robert Preston as the Geste brothers. Shortly after releasing "Beau Geste", P. C. Wren released the sequels "Beau Sabreur" (1926) and "Beau Ideal" (1927) as well as the short story collection "Good Gestes" (1929).

This question was jestfully placed into the quiz by Phoenix Rising team member Triviaballer who longs to go on an adventure tracking down stolen jewels.

Answer: Stewart

Jimmy Stewart was an American actor whose film career covered 56 years. In 1999, the American Film Institute (AFI) ranked him third on its list of the greatest American male actors behind Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant. Although nominated five times for an Academy Award for Best Actor, his only win was in 1941 for "The Philadelphia Story" (1940).

Martha Stewart is an American businesswoman, writer and television personality. Before the publication of her first cookbook, she had worked as a fashion model, stockbroker and caterer. It was catering for a book release party that led to her first cookbook, "Entertaining" in 1982, ghost-written by Elizabeth Hawes. More books ensued, followed by television appearances and her own television show in 1993, called "Martha Stewart Living", based on her magazine of the same name. Stewart is also infamous for her conviction and imprisonment for conspiracy, obstruction of justice and lying to federal investigators in March 2004.

Sir Patrick Stewart is an English actor, director and producer. He began his acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1966, then moved into British television roles in the mid-1970s. In 1987 he was offered the role of Jean Luc Picard in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" which he accepted reluctantly, as his preference was classical theatre. Stewart was named the Best Dramatic Television Actor of the 1980s by TV Guide in 1993, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 16 December 1996 and, in 2010, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama. He has been the recipient of various awards during his career: two Saturn Awards - 1990 Best Genre Actor for "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and 2018 Best Supporting Actor for "Logan"; two Laurence Olivier Awards - 1979 Best Supporting Actor for "Antony and Cleopatra" and 2009 Best Supporting Actor for "Hamlet"; a Grammy Award in 1996 for Best Spoken Word Album for Children - "Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf"; a Drama Desk Award in 1992 for Outstanding Solo Performance - "A Christmas Carol"; and a Critics' Choice Super Award in 2021 for Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series - "Star Trek: Picard".

The information on these celebrities was brought to you by Phoenix Rising team member lg549 who was born in the same town as Patrick Stewart - Mirfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Answer: Arthur Sullivan

Arthur Sullivan was born to music, being the son of a military bandmaster who showed his flair by composing his first anthem at the age of eight. His pairing with WS Gilbert is one of the most famous partnerships in the world of opera. The pair came together for a total of fourteen famous operas, including the much loved "H.M.S. Pinafore" (1878) and the joyous "The Pirates of Penzance" (1879). Sadly, at times, these works tend to overshadow some of Sullivan's other works. Sullivan's resume will show, amongst other items, twenty four operas and eleven major orchestral works. Then there are his church pieces, which include hymns such as "Onward, Christian Soldiers" (1871) and "The Lost Chord" (1877).

This question was orchestrated by Phoenix Rising's polluci19.

Answer: (Vanilla) Pod

The pod of the vanilla orchid is used in flavouring many sweet treats. The most prized pods come from Madagascar. It is the second most expensive spice after saffron.

The pods are dried and the best ones often sold in silver 'cigar' tubes. Whole pods placed in sugar will flavour the sugar which can be used to add vanilla flavouring. The pods are often used to infuse in milk or cream and then split open and the tiny black fleck seeds scraped out to intensify the flavour. Good vanilla ice cream will often have small black flecks throughout, but be aware that a lot of 'vanilla' products are produced using artificial flavouring called 'vanillin'.

Orchid you not, Phoenix Rising member smpdit is very Ice Ice Baby.

Answer: Podagra

Adding a letter (an 'r') to 'pagoda' yields only one result. Podagra ('foot trap' in Greek) specifically refers to gout, a form of arthritis, affecting the metatarsophalangeal joint between the foot and the big toe. It is also the name of a genus of moths, the only species of which, Podagra crassipes, is mostly localized in the Mojave Desert region of California and Arizona.

This question brought to you by JCSon. Incidentally, only the letter 'u' can be added to 'JCSon' to yield the anagram 'juncos', which describes small North American birds in the sparrow family.

Answer: Grand Mam

"Kirby Star Allies" is a platform video game that was released in 2018. In this game Grand Mam is the eleventh boss that you'll encounter and she comes with the sobriquet of "Big Bad Mama". And man she's bad. She is larger than most of the other bosses, her arms are bombs that are decorated with skulls and her armour is impervious to attack. There is a puzzle that you need to figure that will enable you to break her armour but, if you haven't defeated her by the time she gets to half health, her armour will re-grow and you'll need to restart the process. She is a vicious attack beast as well, and comes with three forms of attack. One is slamming her bomb fist into the ground but this one does leave her slightly vulnerable (there you go, I've given you a hint). She will also charge and she can summon enemies.

This question was a dream for Phoenix Rising's pollucci19.

Answer: Mamluk

The Mamluk dynasty, which was created when the slave population (mostly Qipchak Turks from Central Asia) rose up and defeated their Egyptians masters, then ruled Egypt and Syria for around 300 years from 1250 until 1517, until defeated by the Ottomans.

The Mamluks protected Syria, Egypt and the holy places of Islam from a series of invaders. In 1258 the Mongol armies of Hulegu (grandson of Chinggis Khan) and the brother of Kublai (later the Great Khan and Emperor of China), descended on Baghdad and massacred some 250,000 souls. The Mamluk sultanate was led by Sultan Qutuz, who made an alliance with another Mamluk leader, Baybars, and his army.

After the defeat of the Mongols by the Mamluks' superior war craft, and as the Mamluks returned to Cairo, Baybars murdered Qutuz and seized the sultanate for himself. This set up a pattern for the dynasty, where successive leaders were dethroned on average every seven years. Because they lived in relative isolation, they maintained a stabilising influence and were reliable allies in the region until their final extinction at the hands of the Ottomans.

This question was rounded up and herded into the quiz by Phoenix Rising member VegemiteKid.

Answer: Lukewarm

This line forms part of the final letter to the Asia Minor churches and is directed at the city of Laodicea. The message comes from Jesus and he finds himself unable to commend the people there. The Laodiceans claim that they need nothing because they are wealthy; however, Jesus derides them, stating that they may be wealthy in material aspects but, spiritually, they are poor and apathetic (they are neither hot nor cold). Because of their lukewarmth, he wants nothing to do with them and spits them out of his mouth. He finishes by informing them that those that he rebukes and disciplines he does so only because he loves them, and calls upon the Laodiceans to repent their sins. The chapter that details this can be found in Revelation 3:14-22.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising's pollucci19 who generally feels the same way about lukewarm beer and is liable to spit it out.

Answer: Armpit

'Axilla' is the technical or medical name for the armpit, which is also known as the underarm or oxter. The bony tip of the elbow, or cubitus, is called the olecranon. The wrist is also called the carpus, and the fingers and toes are digits (their bones are known as phalanges).

Phoenix Rising's JCSon trusts you will find this question about armpits axilla rating.

Answer: Pitcairn

The Pitcairn Islands form the southeasternmost location of French Polynesia, and consist of four islands: Pitcairn Island, Oeno Island, Henderson Island and Ducie Island. Only Pitcairn island is inhabited. The population was 50 between 2005-20. Pitcairn was first settled in 1790 by nine mutineers of the HMS Bounty and 18 Tahitians who were with them. The islands became a British Overseas Territory in 1838. In May 1856, the entire population of 193 people travelled to Norfolk island to settle. However, within two years, seventeen of the Pitcairn Islanders returned to Pitcairn, and another 27 followed five years later. The island's population is ageing and in 2020 faced extinction unless intervention was implemented.

This question was written by Phoenix Rising team member 1nn1 whose interest in Pitcairn Island arose from a trip to Norfolk Island in 1985.

Answer: Irn-Bru

Irn-Bru is Scottish for 'Iron Brew', because it is "made from girders"! Despite the advertising hype, it only contains minute amounts of iron, and tastes like a slightly fruity cola. It is also classified as an energy drink, containing caffeine and quinine. It is NOT recommended as a nightcap.

The product was first produced in 1901 by Scottish company, A G Barr, and is produced under license in several other countries.

This question was bottled by Phoenix Rising member, ozzz2002.

Answer: Brumal

Three of the answers relate directly to the seasons of the year. Brumal means wintry and comes from 'bruma', the Latin word for winter. The word dates to the early 16th Century. Another word from the same derivation is 'brume', meaning fog, mist or vapour.

The Latin word 'serotinus' means late-flowering. Serotinal applies to plants that occur or develop late in the day, year or season, particularly autumnal (fall) ones. Vernal (Latin 'vernus', of the spring) refers to things that happen in springtime, such as the vernal equinox.

Pullulate (Latin 'pullulare') means to sprout, bud or germinate. Other meanings include multiplying and breeding prolifically as organisms come to life, spring up or develop.

The weather was anything but brumal when Phoenix Rising's psnz lifted the haze and shone light onto this question.

Answer: Maleficent

"Sleeping Beauty", released by Walt Disney in 1959, was the 16th Disney animated feature film. The antagonist of the story is Maleficent, an evil witch who is angry at not being invited to the Princess Aurora's christening. She puts an evil spell on the baby, which is then ameliorated by Merryweather, one the trio of good witches.

Maleficent is based on the evil fairy godmother in Charles Perrault's fairytale "Sleeping Beauty" and the Grimm Brothers' "Little Briar Rose". Briar Rose is also Aurora's alias in Disney's version.

In 2014 a movie titled "Maleficent" based on Disney's earlier movie, was released. Directed by Robert Stromberg, it starred Angelina Jolie in the title role.

This question was cast into the quiz by Phoenix Rising's resident witch, leith90.

Answer: The Entertainer

Directed by George Roy Hill, "The Sting" (1973) told the story of two conmen (Robert Redford and Paul Newman) and their efforts to part a mobster (Robert Shaw) from his money. Set in 1936, the movie made extensive use of Scott Joplin's mood-setting ragtime music, particularly "The Entertainer". Scott Joplin (c. 1868-1917) was an African-American pianist and composer, known as the 'King of Ragtime' for having written more than 100 original piano rags. This style of music has a syncopated, ragged rhythm and the film rekindled interest in this genre.

Composer Marvin Hamlisch (1944-2012) adapted Joplin's music for "The Sting" and won an Academy Award for Best Original Score. He picked up two further Oscars at the same ceremony for Best Original Dramatic Score and Best Original Song for "The Way We Were" (1973). Hamlisch is in rare company as a member of the so-called EGOT group of artists, having won Emmy (4), Grammy (4), Oscar (3) and Tony (1) awards.

"The Sting" garnered seven Oscars from ten nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Hamlisch's award. The film was a critical and commercial success and in 2005 was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress's U.S. National Film Registry.

Phoenix Rising's psnz is an aficionado of ragtime music due in part to a mis-spent youth playing snooker and watching television's "Pot Black" with its "Black and White Rag" theme.

Answer: Nero

'Nero Burning ROM' is a Microsoft Windows program which allows a computer user to produce (burn) optical discs such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays. It was developed by the German software company 'Nero AG'. The name of the product refers to the Roman emperor associated with the Great Fire of Rome, with ROM being the computer term for Read Only Memory, while the German word for Rome is Rom.

Nero (Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) was the fifth emperor, reigning over the Roman Empire from 54 to 68 CE. This time is generally characterised by words like tyranny, extravagance and debauchery; however no written records survived from the period and the stories of the time, written or told after his death, were contradictory or ignore the positive aspects of his reign. The Great Fire of Rome took place in July 64 CE. Of the 14 Roman districts, three were destroyed and seven others severely damaged. Legend has it that Nero sang or played the fiddle while Rome burned, though this was probably propaganda from his enemies. Indeed, the fiddle was not invented until about 1,400 years later, while there are also stories about Nero's extensive efforts to help those affected by the disaster.

Caffè Nero (Caffè Nero Group Ltd) is a chain of coffee houses in 11 countries with its headquarters in London, England. Meaning 'black coffee' in Italian, Caffè Nero began in 1997 and has more than 1,000 coffee houses. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Phoenix Rising's psnz fiddled about and blended this question.

Answer: Erosivity

At the absolute smallest scale erosion is the impact of a raindrop on soil and its dislodgement of a soil particle. As these soil particles move down a hill they start to fill in pores in the soil surface, which reduces infiltration rates. Water then begins to fill depressions and, as they fill, they form rivulets. Rivulets can become rills and rills can become gullies and so on. That's the easy part. Now it gets difficult...

There exists a Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and this utilises a Rainfall (R) erosivity coefficient. This coefficient is a product of the rainfall's kinetic energy in a storm and its intensity for a maximum of thirty minutes. This USLE is then utilised to create a prediction of the amount of soil that will be lost in a particular area in an average long term sense.

This question managed to erode the small mental capacities of Phoenix Rising's pollucci19.