General Knowledge Quiz

[Peter Mugridge]

Very good; I said it was a nice easy one. Your observatory.

 

[me123]

Which US city on the Ohio river was named (indirectly) after a Roman statesman, and how did the name come to be associated with the city?

 

[Calthrop]

Which US city on the Ohio river was named (indirectly) after a Roman statesman, and how did the name come to be associated with the city?

Cincinnati. Origin of name: Cincinnatus, Roman statesman and war-leader, admired for his honesty and humility, and for basically not wanting high office; which he repudiated as soon as he could, and went back to tending his farm. American city was founded with, originally, a weird name; which was changed to Cincinnati in the early years of the US, by the then regional governor -- referring to the Society of the Cincinnati: of folk who had taken part in the recent War of Independence, and of which he was a member.

 

[me123]

Bingo.

 

[Calthrop]

Bingo.

Assuming that the floor would next pass to me: I'll say "open floor".

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I'll take it if I may.

1. Who was the only person to sign the American Declaration of Independence on 4th July 1776?

2. What phrase connected with him has been adopted to mean a signature, and why?

 

[Phil.]

I'll take it if I may.

1. Who was the only person to sign the American Declaration of Independence on 4th July 1776?

2. What phrase connected with him has been adopted to mean a signature, and why?

That'll be yer John Hancock.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

That'll be yer John Hancock.

Yes, that's right - your declaration, sir!

 

[DaleCooper]

Two days and no question so open floor by default.

Here's another picture question:

Where is this elaborately decorated interior?

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I have a feeling I've been there, but I can't remember where it is!

My faltering memory tells me that it's part of an indoor market or some such municipal building ... is it the old Central Market in Leeds?

 

[Phil.]

Leadenhall market, Londinium?

 

[theageofthetra]

Crossness pumping engine house in London. Wonderful place that has recently received lottery funding to improve facilities.

 

[DaleCooper]

Crossness pumping engine house in London. Wonderful place that has recently received lottery funding to improve facilities.

That's correct and here's a much better picture (in the question I used one that couldn't be googled):

 

[EbbwJunction1]

That's correct and here's a much better picture (in the question I used one that couldn't be googled):

Wow .... those Victorians certainly liked to make an effort with public buildings, didn't they?

 

[theageofthetra]

Its often said that you are never out of work if a barber or an undertaker, however in one country being the latter could be problematic. Which country and why?

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Would it be one of the Middle Eastern countries where, for religious reasons, they bury or cremate the deceased very quickly? If so, I'll say Israel.

 

[theageofthetra]

Not Israel

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Is it Egypt?

 

[Calthrop]

Tibet? The locals have the custom of "sky burials" -- expose the corpse in a high outdoor location and let the vultures and other scavengers do the work...

 

[theageofthetra]

None of those. This country conducts funerals and their equivalent to an undertaker is required.

 

[Calthrop]

The USA, and their sometimes funny ways with words? What we call an undertaker, don't they call a "mortician" -- and "undertaker" maybe means something else in US-speak??

 

[theageofthetra]

Not USA

 

[AlterEgo]

Is it a trick question?

 

[fowler9]

Is it Zanzibar in Tanzania. Do the Zoroastrians just leave bodies on top of buildings for the birds to eat. I recall an article about Freddie Mercurys family.

 

[DaleCooper]

Qatar? It has the lowest death rate.

 

[TheEdge]

Is it the Vatican because only the Pope is allowed to die and or be buried there?

 

[DaleCooper]

Is it the Vatican because only the Pope is allowed to die and or be buried there?

I thought popes were cremated because they're inflammable.

 

[me123]

North Korea - because Dear Leader claims to have cured death?

 

[theageofthetra]

None of these and its not a trick question. This profession and a few others can cause difficulties socially, when applying for work (although technically illegal-it still happens) & when getting married. Its a 'first world' country too.

 

[TheEdge]

Not totally first world but is it India where only low caste people can deal with the dead?