|Here is a small collection of questions that may have crossed your mind at some time. You may be intrigued, surprised, and/or even amused by the answers, and you may even find yourself jotting them down. Try to guess each question’s answer and then click on the question to reveal it.|
- Where did the expression “rule of thumb” originate?
- What exactly does “goodnight, sleep tight” really mean?
- Where did the tradition of the “honeymoon” originate?
- How did we get the phrase “mind your P’s and Q’s?”
- How about the phrase “Wet your whistle?”
- What did the word “GOLF” originally mean?
- Where did the phrase “knock on wood” originate?
Some believe “knock on wood” originated from superstitious attempts to ward off evil by knocking on a wooden cross or to bring good luck by knocking on a tree while making bold statements, but there is no evidence to support such beliefs. There are, however, documents from the early 1800’s referring to children’s games of tag in which “touching wood” keeps a player safe (from being “tagged”). “Knock on wood” quite likely originated from children playing tag and “touching wood” so they would be kept safe or brought good luck.
- On which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
- Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history. The kings are Alexander the Great, King David, Julius Caesar, and Charlemagne. Can you match the kings with the king of spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds?
- We’ve all seen a statue of a person on a horse in a park. What does it mean if the horse:
– Has both front legs in the air?
– Has one front leg in the air?
– Has all front legs on the ground?
- If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter “A”?
- Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
- Most boat owners name their boats. Can you guess the most popular name given to a boat?
- Who were the first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV?
- 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = What?
- And, finally, do you know it is impossible to lick your elbow?