question
stringlengths
12
106
answer
stringlengths
39
324
source
stringlengths
24
198
Who is the founder of the modern day Democratic Party?
The Democratic Party traces its origins to the inspiration of the Democratic-Republican Party, founded by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other influential opponents of the Federalists in 1792. That party also inspired the Whigs and modern Republicans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_(United_States)
How does a giraffe sleep?
In the wild, giraffes almost never lie down because of vulnerability to predators. They usually sleep standing, sometimes sitting, and they give birth standing up. When giraffes sleep, they curl their necks and sleep for about five minutes at a time, sleeping no more than 30 minutes a day.
http://switchzoo.com/profiles/giraffe.htm
Who was the first American to win the Nobel Peace Prize?
Roosevelt is Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On December 10, 1906, Theodore Roosevelt became the first American to win a Nobel Prize. Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work surrounding the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War.
http://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Blog/2010/December/10-Roosevelt-is-Awarded-the-Nobel-Peace-Prize.aspx
Where was Dec of Independence signed?
1. The Declaration of Independence wasn't signed on July 4, 1776. On July 1, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, and on the following day 12 of the 13 colonies voted in favor of Richard Henry Lee's motion for independence.
http://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-declaration-of-independence
Who is John Dalton?
John Dalton FRS (6 September 1766 – 27 July 1844) was an English chemist, meteorologist and physicist. He is best known for his pioneering work in the development of modern atomic theory, and his research into colour blindness (sometimes referred to as Daltonism, in his honour).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dalton
Who was the first American saint?
Elizabeth Ann Seton is canonized by Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in Rome, becoming the first American-born Catholic saint. Born in New York City in 1774, Elizabeth Bayley was the daughter of an Episcopalian physician.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-canonized-as-saint
How many states are needed to ratify an amendment to the Constitution?
A proposed amendment becomes part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by three-fourths of the States (38 of 50 States).
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/constitution/
What percentage of your weight is muscle?
Exercise is very important in maintaining a healthy body and the muscle mass % is a useful indicator to control it. The normal muscle mass percentage on the body weight lies between 38% and 54% for men and between 28% and 39% for women depending on age and physical activity level.
http://www.microlife.com/products/weightmanagement/
What vitamin is good for blood clotting?
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is most well known for the important role it plays in blood clotting. However, vitamin K is also absolutely essential to building strong bones, preventing heart disease, and crucial part ofother bodily processes.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/03/24/vitamin-k-part-two.aspx
What states are considered the West?
The West can be divided into the Pacific States; Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, with the term West Coast usually restricted to just California, Oregon, and Washington, and the Mountain States, always Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_United_States
How many weeks is a normal human pregnancy?
Childbirth usually occurs about 38 weeks after conception; in women who have a menstrual cycle length of four weeks, this is approximately 40 weeks from the start of the last normal menstrual period (LNMP). Human pregnancy is the most studied of all mammalian pregnancies.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pregnancy
What month does winter begin in the southern hemisphere?
Astronomically, it starts with the winter solstice (around December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere), and ends with the spring equinox (around March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and September 21 in the Southern Hemisphere).
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061004044340AAyK7T0
Do cows have horns?
It is not true, as is commonly believed, that bulls have horns and cows do not: the presence of horns depends on the breed, or in horned breeds on whether the horns have been disbudded (conversely, in many breeds of sheep it is indeed only the males which have horns).
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull
Where was Upstairs Downstairs filmed?
London's Belgravia serves as the well-heeled setting for most of the action in Upstairs Downstairs, but the exterior shots of 165 Eaton Place are filmed at an elegant terrace of Georgian townhouses in Clarendon Square, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, with the parking bays and yellow lines covered up – this is the 1930s ...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2095323/Upstairs-Downstairs-New-faces-fresh-scandal-lashings-romance.html
Do all fish need oxygen?
Fish need oxygen too, but since they don t have lungs, they take oxygen from the water in which they live. The oxygen in the water available to fish is called dissolved oxygen (oxygen that is dissolved in the water). Fish use gills to take oxygen from water just as we use our lungs to take oxygen from the air.
http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/edout/albefitfish2.html
What does the S stand for in Ulysses S Grant's name?
The congressman who appointed Grant mistakenly believed his first name was Ulysses and his middle name was Simpson (his mother's maiden name). Grant never amended the error and went on to accept Ulysses S. Grant as his real name, although he maintained that the “S” did not stand for anything.
http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/ulysses-s-grant
What does quid pro quo literally mean?
The Latin phrase quid pro quo literally means something for something. In practice, it's an equal exchange or substitution that one individual makes with another…
http://www.translegal.com/legal-english-lessons/quid-pro-quo-2
Why is it called a hat trick?
A hat trick originally meant three goals in a row, with no intervening goals by either team. Hockey borrowed the term from Cricket. In 1858, a cricket player in England took three wickets with consecutive balls, an incredible trick. As a reward, his club gave the bowler a new hat, hence the term "hat trick."
http://www.fpsports.org/hockey%20terminology/common%20Q%20&%20A.htm
How old is the world's oldest lobster?
But in 2009, a Maine fisherman landed a colossus of 20 lb, which was estimated to be 140 years old. And that isn't even the oldest lobster found so far. According to Guinness World Records, a 44 lb leviathan was caught in 1977, with claws powerful enough to snap a man's arm.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2418252/Do-lobsters-hold-key-eternal-life-Forget-gastronomic-indulgence-crustacean-defy-ageing-process.html
What fictional character has been played by the most actors?
Having been depicted on screen 254 times, GWR today announces that Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective, has been awarded a world record for the most portrayed literary human character in film & TV.
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2012/5/sherlock-holmes-awarded-title-for-most-portrayed-literary-human-character-in-film-tv-41743/
What country did Lennox Lewis represent in the 1984 Olympic Games?
At the age of 18, Lewis represented Canada as a super heavyweight at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lennox_Lewis
What weighs more hot or cold water?
Like air, water expands as it gets warmer and as a result becomes less dense. Water is most dense at temperatures near freezing. When water freezes, however, it expands, becoming less dense. If equal volumes of cold water (down to 4deg.C, 39.2deg.F) and hot water are compared, cold water weighs more than hot water.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/education/activities/2402_titanic.html
Are zebras black with white stripes or white with black stripes?
Many zoologists would say that a zebra is white because its stripes end towards the belly and the belly is mostly white. Others would say that a zebra is black because if you shaved all the fur off a zebra the skin is mostly black. So it really depends on how you want to look at it.
http://www.sciencebob.com/questions/q-zebra_stripes.php
Why does root beer foam with ice cream?
As usual, science comes to the rescue to explain the foamy goodness that tops an ice-cold root beer float. When carbonated root beer comes into contact with the ice cream, carbon dioxide bubbles are released. Likewise, the soda helps to free air bubbles trapped in the ice cream.
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-is-there-so-much-foam-in-a-root-beer-float/
Who was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest?
Junko Tabei may appear slight, almost fragile looking, but the Japanese mountaineer has a steely determination that helped her to become the first woman to reach Everest's apex. In 1975, Tabei was chosen as one of 15 in the first all-female team to take on the mountain.
http://theweek.com/article/index/242167/11-historical-firsts-on-mount-everest
What animal never stops growing?
The skeletons of most mammals reach a certain size and then stop growing. However, many animals, including some mammals, keep growing throughout their lives. Kangaroos, for example, just keep growing and growing until they die. Most fish, amphibians, lizards, and snakes are also indeterminate growers.
http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/growing-and-growing-and-growing-and/
Which animal sleeps about 20 hours a day?
The sleepiest animal in the world is the koala, who sleeps 22 hours a day. Next is the sloth (20 hours), armadillo and opossum (tied at 19 hours each), lemur (16 hours), then hamster and squirrel (tied at 14 hours each).
http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/26/trivia-the-sleepiest-animal-in-the-world/
Who are your cousins kids?
Starting with YOU, children of your FIRST COUSINS are your FIRST COUSINS, ONCE REMOVED. Children of your FIRST COUSIN'S children, are your FIRST COUSINS, TWICE REMOVED. So, your FIRST COUSIN'S son is your FIRST COUSIN, ONCE REMOVED.
http://www.sonic.net/~fredd/cousins.html
Where did John Lennon sign the paperwork that broke up the Beatles?
John Lennon signed the paperwork that officially broke up the Beatles at the Polynesian Resort on December 29, 1974. John, Julian, and I (May Pang) left New York the following day to spend Christmas in Florida.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney's_Polynesian_Resort
Who illustrated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone?
This special edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone has a gorgeous new cover illustration by Kazu Kibuishi. Inside is the full text of the original novel, with decorations by Mary GrandPre. Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground.
http://www.scholastic.com/browse/book.jsp?id=3997
How long does it take for DNA to break down?
Other scientists studying bird bones have estimated that under ideal conditions, DNA has a half-life of approximately 521 years, meaning that it would be broken down so much as to be useless after about 1 million years.
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/explainer/2013/02/dna_testing_richard_iii_how_long_does_dna_last.html
Do Armadillos have teeth?
Because small bugs and soft plants are not too difficult to chew, armadillos do not have very complicated teeth. They have lost all but their molars over time, and the teeth that remain are peg-shaped. Armadillo teeth do not have the hard white enamel coating that protects the teeth of other mammals.
http://armadillo-online.org/armadillos.html
How much does Google make in a second?
In just ONE second, Apple makes $1,997, while Google makes $658. Facebook brings in $81. This GIF shows how much they make in eight seconds. Here's How Much Money Big Tech Companies Make In Just One Second.
http://www.businessinsider.com/visualizing-how-much-big-tech-companies-make-2014-4
How many episodes are there of The Price Is Right?
While retaining some elements of the original version of the show, the 1972 version added many new distinctive gameplay elements. Taped at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, The Price Is Right has aired over 7,500 episodes since its debut and began its 42nd season on September 23, 2013.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Price_Is_Right_(U.S._game_show)
Can contact lenses go behind your eye?
It is impossible for a contact lens to move behind the eye. A lens may be dislodged from its position and slide under your eyelid, but it is easy then to stroke it back into position. You are shown how to do this when you first collect lenses from your optician.
https://www.specsavers.co.uk/ask-the-optician/can-contact-lenses-get-lost-in-your-eyes/
Which is the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world still standing?
The Great Pyramid of Giza, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Wonders_of_the_Ancient_World
What does rock salt do to ice to make ice cream?
Rock salt causes ice to melt quicker by lowering its melting point. The "brine solution" or liquid that forms in the wooden bucket absorbs heat from the ice cream mix and gradually lowers the temperature of the mix until it begins to freeze.
http://www.whitemountainproducts.com/service-%26-support/product-support/product-faqs/help-%26-how-to-use/rock-salt/help-and-how-to-use-rock-salt-faq.html
Do tomatoes have nicotine in them?
While most people know that nicotine can be found in tobacco, low levels of the compound can be found in peppers, tomatoes and other members of the Solanaceae flowering plant family. Researchers wanted to determine if even small amounts of edible nicotine would be able to lower the risk.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/eating-nicotine-containing-produce-like-peppers-tomatoes-may-lower-parkinsons-risk/
How did Lynyrd Skynyrd get its name?
Leonard Skinner, the school basketball coach who inspired the name of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd after telling its members their hair was too long, has died aged 77. Mr Skinner died in his sleep at the St. Catherine Laboure Manor in Jacksonville, Florida, where he had been living for about a year.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8017491/Lynyrd-Skynyrd-teacher-who-inspired-band-name-dies.html
Who was the first president to receive a patent?
But Abraham Lincoln was the only president to receive a patent himself. Congressman Lincoln received Patent #6469 for "A Device for Buoying Vessels Over Shoals" on May 22, 1849.
http://teachinghistory.org/history-content/ask-a-historian/23796
How do transition lenses work?
Transitions lenses contain special patented photochromic dyes that cause the lens to activate, or darken, when exposed to ultraviolet rays from sunlight. When the UV light diminishes, the lenses fade back. As light conditions change, the level of tint adjusts, offering the right tint at the right time.
http://www.eyeglassguide.com/my-guide/faq.aspx
How long is a football goal post?
The goal posts must be 18 feet, 6 inches wide and the top face of the crossbar must be 10 feet above the ground. Vertical posts extend at least 30 feet above the crossbar. A ribbon 4 inches by 42 inches long is to be attached to the top of each post.
http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/field
What is the ocean that borders Antarctica?
The Southern Ocean contains the waters that surround Antarctica and sometimes is considered an extension of Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In 1928, the first edition of the International Hydrographic Organization's (IHO) Limits of Oceans and Seas publication included the Southern Ocean around Antarctica.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borders_of_the_oceans
When was the Rococo period?
Rococo Style. Rococo Style, style of 18th-century painting and decoration characterized by lightness, delicacy, and elaborate ornamentation. The rococo period corresponded roughly to the reign (1715-74) of King Louis XV of France.
http://autocww.colorado.edu/~flc/E64ContentFiles/PeriodsAndStyles/RococoStyle.html
What causes low engine temperature?
When the coolant temp is low it closes and allows the engine to warm to the designed temperature.The are three most likely causes. A defective thermostat that stays open. This allows the coolant to flow thru the radiator and actually overcools the engine. It could also be a defective gauge ot sensor.
http://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/3825/car-temperature-displaying-below-cold-or-just-above-cold-always
Do ears grow as we get older?
Bones, stop growing after puberty and muscle and fat cells also stop dividing. But cartilage - that's the plastic-like stuff in ears and noses - cartilage continues to grow until the day you die. Not only does cartilage grow, but the earlobes elongate from gravity. And that makes ears look even larger.
http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/arthur-perry-md/noses-and-ears-continue-grow-we-age
Why does ice cream make you thirsty?
Eating ice cream, in a sense, makes your body think it is dehydrated, and in a sense, I suppose it is. This is one of the reasons that diabetics are thirsty all the time. Diabetes causes high blood glucose, and that increased concentration of blood solutes makes the diabetic feel thirsty. In short: It's the salt.
http://www.pajiba.com/miscellaneous/why-does-eating-ice-cream-make-you-thirsty.php
Is a coffee bean a fruit?
A coffee bean is a seed of the coffee plant, and is the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit often referred to as a cherry. Even though they are seeds, they are referred to as 'beans' because of their resemblance to true beans.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_bean
What year was Romeo and Juliet set?
Well, we don't really know for certain when "Romeo and Juliet" is set, or when it was written either. Scholars currently think that the play might plausibly be dated to 1595. We know too that it can't be any later than 1596, or any earlier than 1591.
http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-time-period-does-romeo-juliet-by-william-57573
How is radium used?
Radium had been used to make self-luminous paints for watches, aircraft instrument dials and other instrumentation, but has largely been replaced by cobalt-60, a less dangerous radioactive source. A mixture of radium and beryllium will emit neutrons and is used as a neutron source.
http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele088.html
Are birds warm blooded or cold blooded?
Mammals and birds are warm-blooded, which means that they can make their own body heat even when it is cold outside. Whether it is sunny and hot outside or there is a snowstorm and it is very cold, warm-blooded animals have body temperatures that usually stay the same.
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_classification_blood.htm
Do ostriches fly?
Why Ostriches Can't Fly. The largest and heaviest living bird, the ostrich is flightless and instead is built for running. With its powerful legs, the ostrich can sprint in short bursts up to 43 mph (70 kph), and can maintain a steady speed of 31 mph (50 kph).
http://m.livescience.com/8055-ostriches-fly.html
Which is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea?
The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has the three Cs -- culture, cuisine and calm. Laden with orange and lemon orchards, the countryside boasts spectacular natural beauty, great for relaxing. One TripAdvisor traveler recommended: “If you are in Sicily, go on the sunset tour of Mount Etna.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2008-08/15/content_6939747.htm
What makes up the wind chill factor?
A phenomenon called the Wind Chill factor makes us feel colder in winter than the air temperature really is. This is due to the interaction of air temperature and wind on the human body that is already giving off heat. Both temperature and wind cause heat loss from body surfaces.
http://mste.illinois.edu/dildine/wind_chill/
Where is the Fly Geyser?
Fly Geyser, also known as Fly Ranch Geyser is a small geothermal geyser that is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) north of Gerlach in Washoe County, Nevada. The Geyser is located in Hualapai Flat, about 1/3 of a mile from State Route 34.
https://roadtrippers.com/us/washoe-county-nv/nature/fly-geyser
What other planets have volcanic activity?
Extraterrestrial Volcanoes - Mercury, Venus, Earth's Moon, Mars, Io, Saturn. Volcanism has played a major part in shaping not only planet Earth, but other places in our universe. Though other planets show signs of volcanic eruptions, most seemed to have erupted in the distant past and are inactive now.
http://www.crystalinks.com/volcanoesplanets.html
How many countries are there in Africa?
There are 47 countries on the African continent, including the disputed territory of Western Sahara. However, the islands off the coast are also usually listed as African, bringing the total to 53. The island nations are Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Madagascar, the Comoros, the Seychelles, and Mauritius.
http://www.infoplease.com/askeds/countries-africa.html
Who were the first and second presidents of the United States?
John Adams, a remarkable political philosopher, served as the second president of the United States (1797-1801), after serving as the first vice president under George Washington. Learned and thoughtful, John Adams was more remarkable as a political philosopher than as a politician.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/johnadams
How is a day on Venus longer than a year?
Unlike planet Earth, it actually takes longer for Venus to rotate on its own axis (representing the cycle of a day) than it does for it to revolve around the sun (representing the cycle of a year).
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/venus-day-longer-year
How much of the world's population is female?
More precisely, out of 1,000 people, 504 are men (50.4%) and 496 are women (49.6%). For every 100 girls, 107 boys are born, but males have a higher risk of dying than females, both in childhood and at adult ages.
https://www.ined.fr/en/everything_about_population/demographic-facts-sheets/faq/more-men-or-more-women-in-the-world/
How many columns are in the Lincoln Memorial?
New York architect Henry Bacon modeled the memorial in the style of a Greek temple. The classic design features 36 Doric columns outside, symbolizing the states in the Union at Lincoln's death. The building measures 204 feet long, 134 feet wide, and 99 feet tall, with 44-foot columns.
http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/sites/memorial.htm
Are dinosaurs warm blooded?
Dinosaurs have long been thought of as slow, lumbering, cold-blooded animals, akin to reptiles like the crocodile and the lizard – but there's been increasing signs in recent years that they may have been warm-blooded, as mammals and birds are.
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-dinosaur-cold-blooded-warm-mesothermic-metabolism-20140613-story.html
Where is Tartar?
Tatar, also spelled Tartar, any member of several Turkic-speaking peoples that collectively numbered more than 5 million in the late 20th century and lived mainly in west-central Russia along the central course of the Volga River and its tributary, the Kama, and thence east to the Ural Mountains.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/584107/Tatar
What kind of alcohol is in beer?
An alcoholic beverage is a drink that typically contains 3% – 40% alcohol (ethanol). Alcoholic beverages are divided into three classes: beers, wines, and spirits (distilled beverages).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_beverage
When was the Braille invented?
When Louis Braille entered the school for the blind in Paris, in 1819, he learned of a system of tangible writing using dots, invented in 1819 by Capt. Charles Barbier, a French army officer. It was called night writing and was intended for night-time battlefield communications.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/77257/Braille
Who was the goddess of beauty in Greek mythology?
» Aphrodite. Aphrodite. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty and sexual rapture. According to Hesiod, she was born when Uranus (the father of the gods) was castrated by his son Cronus.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/aphrodite.html
Is a panda considered a bear?
Pandas are in the Family Ursidae, and are considered true bears. There seems to be some misinformation floating around the web that pandas are more closely related to raccoons than bears. Although scientists first thought this was the case, it is not considered true anymore.
http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=358
Which mineral is the hardest on the Mohs scale?
As it says in Mohs scale, the diamond is always at the most top of the scale, being the hardest mineral. There are ten minerals in Mohs scale, talc, gypsum, calcite, fluorite, apatite, orthoclase, quartz, topaz, corundum, and for last and the hardest, diamond.
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohs_scale_of_mineral_hardness
What makes salmon meat pink?
The actual color of salmon flesh varies from almost white to deep pink, depending on their levels of the carotenoid astaxanthin due to how rich a diet of krill and shrimp the fish feeds on; salmon raised on fish farms are given artificial coloring in their food.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmon_(color)
Are cobras deaf?
The cobra is deaf to the snake charmer's pipe, but follows the visual cue of the moving pipe and it can sense the ground vibrations from the snake charmer's tapping. Sometimes, for the sake of safety, all the venom in cobra's teeth is removed.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cobra
How many official languages are spoken in South Africa?
There are eleven official languages of South Africa: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. Fewer than two percent of South Africans speak a first language other than an official one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_South_Africa
Is there copper in a penny?
Some 1982 pennies used the 97.5% zinc composition, while others used the 95% copper composition. With the exception of 2009 bicentennial cents minted specifically for collectors, United States cents minted after 1982 have been copper-plated zinc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cent_(United_States_coin)
What makes a wave break?
As the water begins to get shallower, water movement is slowed by friction against the bottom. The waves are slowed down and pushed together. That makes each wave steeper, especially on its front side. As the water gets shallower, the waves get steeper and steeper until they fall over and break on the front side.
http://www.highlightskids.com/science-questions/what-makes-waves-curl-they-reach-shore
Is a Cashew a nut or seed?
The true fruit of the cashew tree is a kidney or boxing-glove shaped drupe that grows at the end of the cashew apple. The drupe develops first on the tree, and then the pedicel expands to become the cashew apple. Within the true fruit is a single seed, the cashew nut.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashew
Who invented the electric light bulb in 1879?
1879: Thomas Edison crowns 14 months of testing with an incandescent electric light bulb that lasts 13½ hours. Sir Humphry Davy had produced incandescent electric light in 1808 by passing battery current through a platinum wire. But the voltaic pile was expensive and could be messy.
http://www.wired.com/2009/10/1021edison-light-bulb/
Is Beethoven deaf or blind?
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer from the late 18th century. He began to lose his hearing when he was 26 years old, but continued to compose music. Beethoven was never blind, however.
http://genius.com/1171405
Which countries are permanent members of the United Nations?
The permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, also known as the Permanent Five, Big Five, or P5, include the following five governments: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_members_of_the_United_Nations_Security_Council
Which is the only continent without glaciers?
Glaciers are present on every continent and approximately fifty countries, excluding those (Australia, South Africa) that have glaciers only on distant subantarctic island territories. Extensive glaciers are found in Antarctica, Chile, Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Iceland.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier
When did the first Thanksgiving occur?
The association between Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims had been suggested as early as 1841 when Alexander Young identified the 1621 harvest celebration as the "first Thanksgiving" in New England, but their importance among the holiday's symbols did not occur until after 1900.
http://web.ccsd.k12.wy.us/techcurr/social%20studies/05/0101firstt.html
What does it mean to have 20 60 vision?
20/20 vision is your visual acuity, or the sharpness of vision at 20 feet from an object. Having 20/60 vision means that you must be at 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 60 feet.
http://www.m.webmd.com/eye-health/vision-basics
Is England also known as United Kingdom?
The UK's full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain comprises only England, Scotland and Wales. Great Britain is the largest island of the British Isles.
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/britain.html
What does the J stand for in jaywalking?
Contrary to popular belief, the term jaywalking does not derive from the shape of the letter “J” (referencing the path a jaywalker might travel when crossing a road). Rather, it comes from the fact that “Jay” used to be a generic term for someone who was an idiot, dull, rube, unsophisticated, poor, or ...
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/07/origin-of-the-term-jaywalking/
What does it mean when a court case is dismissed with prejudice?
The inverse phrase is dismissal with prejudice, in which the plaintiff is barred from filing another case on the same claim. Dismissal with prejudice is a final judgment and the case becomes res judicata on the claims that were or could have been brought in it; dismissal without prejudice is not.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice_(legal_procedure)
Who is Baby Ruth named after?
Although the name of the candy bar sounds like the name of the famous baseball player Babe Ruth, the Curtiss Candy Company traditionally claimed that it was named after President Grover Cleveland's daughter, Ruth Cleveland.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Ruth
Who invented the tea bag in 1908?
A thrifty tea merchant from New York named Thomas Sullivan is credited with inventing the first tea bag in 1908. Looking to save money, Sullivan reportedly distributed small samples of tea in silk bags instead of little metal tins.
http://www.infoplease.com/askeds/tea-bag-invention.html
When were radios first put in cars?
In 1930, the Galvin Corporation introduced one of the first commercial car radios, the Motorola model 5T71, which sold for between $110 and $130 (2009: $1,700) and could be installed in most popular automobiles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_audio
Do monkeys eat bananas?
Wild monkeys do eat bananas, but the bananas that monkeys are fed in zoos are cultivated for humans to have more sugar. These bananas are just too sweet for primates. Head of Conservation and Advocacy at the Paignton Zoo, Dr. Amy Plowman, says that giving the bananas to monkeys is like feeding them cake or chocolate.
http://www.businessinsider.com/stop-feeding-your-monkeys-bananas-2014-1
What spices are used to make pepperoni?
Pepperoni typically is made from a combination of pork and beef trim, spices and cultures. Pork and beef pieces might be blended with salt, paprika, white pepper, cayenne pepper, anise seed and allspice. Cured sausages may also be made from a combination of other meats, including turkey and chicken.
http://johnnyspizza.com/blog/2010/12/what-is-pepperoni-made-from/
Who was elected president in 1940?
The United States presidential election of 1940 was fought in the shadow of World War II (in Europe) as the United States was emerging from the Great Depression. Incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), a Democrat, broke with tradition and ran for a third term, which became a major issue.
https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/United_States_presidential_election,_1940.html
Why do you breathe in a paper bag when hyperventilating?
It accounts for approximately 25% of all cases of hyperventilation. The idea behind breathing into a paper bag is that you will begin to breathe in more CO2 than if you were inhaling normal air. This will then help bring your body's pH back to a normal range.
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/04/why-people-breathe-into-a-paper-bag-when-hyperventilating/
Is north America and south America one continent?
Depending on the convention and model, some continents may be consolidated or subdivided: for example, Eurasia is most often subdivided into Europe and Asia (red shades), while North and South America are sometimes recognized as one American continent (green shades).
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent
What do the four stars of the Chicago flag represent?
The bottom blue stripe represents the South Branch of the river and the canal. The four six-pointed red stars represent major historical events: Fort Dearborn, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, and the Century of Progress Exposition of 1933–34.
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/The-312/August-2013/Chicago-City-Flag/
How many children did Albert Einstein have?
Answer: He was married to Mileva Marić between 1903 and 1919. They had three children, Lieserl (born 1902), Hans Albert (born 1904) and Eduard (born 1910). He married Elsa Löwenthal in 1919 and they lived together until her death in 1936.
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1921/einstein-faq.html
What causes dimples in the cheeks?
Dimples are caused by an abnormally short facial muscle. The zygomaticus major, a facial muscle, is attached to the skin of your cheeks. Dimples appear when the muscle pulls hard enough on your cheeks to cause visible indentations on your face. This usually occurs when we speak or smile, when the muscle is contracting.
http://www.omgfacts.com/lists/5857/Dimples-are-caused-by-an-abnormally-short-facial-muscle
What does quid pro quo mean in English?
Today we're going to talk about the Latin phrase "quid pro quo". Now quid pro quo literally means something for something and it's an equal exchange or substitution that a person makes with another in return for something done, given or promised.
http://www.translegal.com/legal-english-lessons/quid-pro-quo-2
Where did the term goody two shoes come from?
The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes is a children's story published by John Newbery in London in 1765. The story popularized the phrase "goody two-shoes", often used to describe an excessively virtuous person, a do-gooder.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_History_of_Little_Goody_Two-Shoes
What were the Oscars made of during ww2?
Due to a metal shortage during World War II, Oscars® were made of painted plaster for three years. Following the war, the Academy invited recipients to redeem the plaster figures for gold-plated metal ones.
http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/about/awards/oscar.html
Who built and flew first airplane with an engine?
On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright made four brief flights at Kitty Hawk with their first powered aircraft. The Wright brothers had invented the first successful airplane.
https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/wright-brothers/online/fly/1903/
How long is human gestation from conception?
The average length of human gestation is 280 days, or 40 weeks, from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period. The medical term for the due date is estimated date of confinement (EDC). However, only about four per cent of women actually give birth on their EDC.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Baby_due_date?open
Why does diet soda float and regular soda does not?
The difference in the amount of dissolved sweeteners leads to a difference in density. Cans of regular soda tend to be more dense than water, so they sink. Cans of diet soda are usually less dense than water, so they float.
http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/homeexpts/cans.htm