Potpourri of Categories Trivia Quiz

Answer: Aloysius

Mr. Snuffleupagus was first introduced on the premiere of the third season of "Sesame Street" on November 8, 1971. He was Big Bird's friend who, at the time, was invisible to everyone else. His first name is Aloysius and he is, and perpetually remains, 4 1/2 years old, despite the fact that his birthday is on August 19th.

It was not until fourteen years later, in 1985, that he became visible to everyone.

Answer: Marian Anderson

On January 7, 1955 contralto Marian Anderson (1897-1993) was the first African-American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. In 1939, Ms. Anderson was refused permission to sing at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. On Easter Sunday of that same year, with the help of the Roosevelts, she performed a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Answer: Hippolyta

Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, is the mother of Wonder Woman, aka Diana Prince. Wonder Woman was first introduced in "All-Star Comics #8" in December 1941, a time when we needed another hero. She was a warrior princess and demigoddess who left her home in Themyscira to come to the United States to help fight evil-doers.

Originally, she was said to have been formed from clay by her mother but, in later issues, her father is said to be Zeus.

Answer: Robert Jordan

James Oliver Rigney Jr. (1948-2007) was the birth name of the author known as Robert Jordan. Fantasy writer Robert Jordan may be best known for his "Wheel of Time" series, which includes the first book "The Eye of the World" (published in 1990) and "A Crown of Swords" (published in 1996).

The real names for the other choices are: Erle Stanley Gardner (A.A. Fair); Cecil Smith (C.S. Forester) and Dean Koontz (Aaron Wolfe).

Answer: frivolous light-hearted banter

Persiflage is defined as light-hearted banter in speech or writing, which is just what the word sounds like to me. It is a noun without a plural. To give a possible example, this is what might have taken place around the Algonquin Round Table in the 1920s or in Oscar Wilde's parlor, i.e., clever, witty, sarcastic repartee.

The other choices are definitions for prolix (too long), dunandunate (overuse) and chthonic (the underworld).

Answer: coprolalia

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder involving repetitive, involuntary movements, i.e., tics. The disorder can produce vocalizations where cursing or obscene language is used. The medical term for this is coprolalia, which is a symptom of organic brain disease or mental illness.

The other choices include trisomy 21 or Down Syndrome; hypercortisolism or Cushing Syndrome from too much cortisol, and ataxia which is the loss of full control over body movements.

Answer: Araminta Ross

Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) was born as Araminta Ross. She was an abolitionist, a spy for the United States Army during the Civil War, and the conductor of the "Underground Railroad" which helped slaves travel from the south to the north. Tubman herself was born a slave in Maryland, but escaped to lead hundreds of others to freedom. Work has been underway to use her image to replace Andrew Jackson's on the twenty dollar bill.

Answer: Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans team was originally founded in 1988 as the Charlotte Hornets. In 2002, they became the New Orleans Hornets when the franchise moved to Louisiana. Due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, where they remained through 2007.

They returned to New Orleans for the 2008 season. In 2012, they announced their name change to the Pelicans for the following season. Whew!

Answer: High Noon

Will Kane was the former marshal of Hadleyville, New Mexico, in the 1952 Western "High Noon". Will, played by Gary Cooper, and his new wife, played by Grace Kelly, were planning to leave town to start a new life. However, Kane is forced to face the criminal Frank Miller who he was responsible for putting in jail. Frank was released and is out for vengeance.

Answer: Ronald Reagan

President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, into law in 1983. It is observed annually on the third Monday in January, on or near Dr. King's birthday of January 15th. The first MLK Jr. holiday was celebrated on January 20, 1986. However, it wasn't until the year 2000 that all 50 states observed the federal holiday.