Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


James Doohan is most known as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott.





(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 30, 2012; http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/8643634/ns/today-entertainment/t/james-scotty-doohan-dies-age/#.T3XzwmHlOyU; http://youtu.be/vsSdLD_YodQ)


Thank you to everyone who has joined us over the past year.


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

This is my one leap-year anniversary of running this page. I am thinking about ending this endeavor. If there is some interest in my continuing I may reconsider. If anyone wants to weigh in either comment on today's post or contact me directly at: otto.ladensack.us@member.mensa.org Either way, tomorrow I will at least post the answer to today's question. Thank you and have a nice day.






Yesterday's Answer:


The old country of Lusitania was comprised of most of the area that makes up today's Portugal.

(By the way, Lusitania dates back to Medieval times and the current Portugese region called Lusitania still practices the feudalist system.)

Today's Question:


By what role-name is James Doohan better known to millions of TV-watchers and moviegoers?






(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 29, 2012; http://www.mherrera.org/articles/18.htm; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/po.html; http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medieval; http://www.learner.org/interactives/middleages/feudal.html; http://www.cedrusmonte.org/lusitania/)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) wrote "The Phenomenology of Mind" (also translated as "Phenomenology of Spirit").

Today's Question:




The ancient country of Lusitania covered nearly all of what modern country?




I do not know where Lusitania was.




(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 28, 2012; http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hegel/; http://www.amazon.com/Phenomenology-Spirit-G-W-Hegel/dp/0198245971; http://www.sevenoaksphilosophy.org/)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


The country called Oesterreich by it's natives is called Austria by speakers of English.

Today's Question:


What German philosopher (1770-1831) wrote "The Phenomenology of Mind" (also translated as "Phenomenology of Spirit")?




I can't even name any German philosophers off the top of my head.




(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 27, 2012; http://translate.google.com/#auto|en|Oesterreich; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/au.html; http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g190410-w2-Austria.html)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer:


Saffron is the herb that is derived from the crocus.

Tomorrow's Question:


What do the English speaking people call the country that is called "Osterreich" by its natives?


Reich sounds Germanic but we are not referring to Deutchland. I would guess this question is referring to Austria.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 26, 2012; http://greekproducts.com/greekproducts/saffron/; http://www.highcountrygardens.com/index/page/product/product_id/1829/category_id/20/product_name/Crocus+sativus; http://www.worldofstock.com)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


The country formerly known as Ceylon is now named Sri Lanka.

Today's Question:


What herb is derived from the crocus.

I don't know this one, though I must say I did not realize flower parts can be considered herbs. Upon further reading I found an herb is a plant part used as medicine, for cooking, or as perfume--rather than being a specific whole plant of a certain type.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 25, 2012; http://www.priu.gov.lk/; www.hellotravel.com; http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_htm/srilanka.htm; http://en.cvetq.info/comment.php?comment.news.202.extend; http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herb)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Bob Keeshan is better known as Captain Kangaroo.

Today's Question:


What is the current name of the country that used to be known as Ceylon?


Ceylon is now the country called Sri Lanka.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 24, 2012; http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=keeshanbob; http://www.tvacres.com/child_captainkangaroo.htm)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Stealing a thunderbolt from Zeus was not one of the labors of Hercules.

Today's Question:


By what name is Bob Keeshan better known?


I have no idea on this one.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 23,2012; http://www.greekmythology.com/Olympians/Zeus/zeus.html; http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/index.html; http://ishouldlogoff.com/2010/09/06/mt-nemrut-big-heads)


Compiled by Otto & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


1974 Nixon resigned as President in 1974.

Today's Question:




Which one of these was not a Labor of Hercules? Killing the Nemean Lion, taking the Girdle of Hyppolyte, stealing one of Zeus's thunderbolts, cleaning the stables of Augeas, rounding up the Mares of Diomedes.





I know very little about Greek mythology.




(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 22, 2012; http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/richardnixon; http://www.rawstory.com)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Monrovia is the capital of Liberia.

Today's Question:




In which year did Nixon resign as President?





Not sure on this one but I think Ford only served two years so I would venture it may've been 1974.




(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 21, 2012; http://www.world66.com/africa/liberia/monrovia/lib/gallery; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/li.html; http://monroviacitycorporation.files.wordpress.com/; http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/richardnixon)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:




Yesterday’s question was: take the name of one Asian country, change one of its letters and you get the name of another Asian country. The two questions that were referred to are Iran and Iraq. 

Today's Question: 




Of which country is Monrovia the capital?





I'm stumped.




(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 20, 2012; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ir.html; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/iz.html;http://www.oilempire.us/new-map.html; http://www.englishdaily626.com/idioms.php)




Compiled by Otto & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Saint Augustine wrote "The City of God" in the 5^th century.

Today's Question:

Take the name of one Asian country, change one of its letters and you get the name of another Asian country. Name the two countries.







Tough one. I started thinking of the Far East then I remembered Iran and Iraq are part of Asia.




(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 19, 2012; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/wfbExt/region_eas.html; http://ed101.bu.edu)


Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:




The U.S. English translation for the British English term "dual carriageway" is “divided highway.”

Today's Question:




In ordinal numbers, identify the century when St. Augustine wrote "The City of God."





Don't know this one.




(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 18, 2012; http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Dual-carriageways; http://www.blueschoolofmotoring.com; http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1201.htm)




Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Johann Wolfgang von Goethe  was the "Sage of Weimar."

Today's Question:




Give the U.S. English translation for the British English term "dual carriageway."





I'd guess "highway" but don't really know.




(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 17, 2012; http://www.online-literature.com/goethe/; http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=206197&sectioncode=39; http://en.nkfu.com)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

“Witness for the Prosecution” was the 1957 courtroom drama/murder mystery, based on an Agatha Christie play, that starred Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich and Elsa Lanchester.

Today's Question:

Who was the "Sage of Weimar?"

Don't know this. I know a sage is a very intelligent person and Weimar sounds German but that's all I've got.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 16, 2012; http://agathachristie.com/; www.movieposterdb.com; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq3UK04pNrY)

Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


The capital city of the country of Georgia is T'bilisi.

Today's Question:


This 1957 courtroom drama/murder mystery starred Charles Laughton, Tyrone Powell, Marlene Dietrich and Elsa Lanchester. It was based on an Agatha Christie play. Name the movie.


I don't even know where to catch these old movies on TV anymore.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 15, 2012; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gg.html; http://www.google.com/maps?q=T'bilisi&layer=c&ll=41.696813,44.808576&cbll=41.696813,44.808576&photoid=po-42756110&z=9&ei=EOthT7P0CM-JtweR8tz5Bw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=photo-link&cd=2&resnum=2&ved=0CFAQ8wEoATAB; www.globalsecurity.org)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack & Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:




A one-starred general is a Brigadier General.

Today's Question:




What is the capital of the country of Georgia? 

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 14, 2012; militaryheadgear.com; www.virtualtripping.com) 

Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


There are seven stars, visible to the unaided eye, in the Big Dipper.

Today's Question:


Give the full rank for generals with one star.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 13, 2012; http://www.astropix.com/HTML/C_SPRING/URSAS.HTM; www.scienceblogs.com)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

In the periodic table of elements, two letters are not included in any of the abbreviations. J is not included. Q is included temporarily in the symbol for Ununquadium (Uuq), but that name is in the approval process to change to Flerovium (Fl).

Today's Question:

How many stars are visible, to the unaided eye, in the Big Dipper?

I am pretty certain that would be seven stars.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 12, 2012; http://www.chemicalelements.com/; http://www.chemicool.com/elements/flerovium.html; www.crisisboom.com)

Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Sunday's transmission never did come even when re-requested. But from today's I am able to piece it together.


Yesterday's Answer:


Madagascar is the English name for the country once known as Malagasy.

Today's Question:


In the periodic table, all elements are abbreviated to one, two or three letters of the alphabet. Name the two letters currently unused in any permanent abbreviation.


Haven't glanced at the table since the late 90's; search me!


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 11, 2012; http://atlas.mapquest.com/country/Madagascar/?flv=1; www.nationmaster.com)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


The British-English term "bonnet," for a car part, translates to the "hood" in American-English. I bet they wonder why the car's boot (trunk) is a reference to footwear here.

Today's Question:


What is the English name for the country once known as "Malagasy?"


This makes me think of Madagascar but I don't know.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 10, 2012; http://esl.about.com/od/toeflieltscambridge/a/dif_ambrit.htm; http://europeanmotornews.com; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ma.html)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Buddhism was brought to Japan in the 6th century.

Today's Question:


Give the U.S. English translation for the British term "bonnet" on an automobile.


I don't know. I would guess it's a convertible roof but that seems too obvious.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 9, 2012; http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/5minbud.htm; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ja.html; http://photo.gallery.youngester.com)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


If you see a dish on the menu with "Parmentier" in its name you should expect it to contain potatoes.

Today's Question:


In ordinal numbers, identify the century when Buddhism was introduced into Japan.


I don't know. I would guess the 16th (?) although I'm not even clear about when sea travel started on a reasonably large scale.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 8, 2012; http://www.epicurious.com/tools/fooddictionary/entry/?id=3816; http://www.cookeryonline.com)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


All of the properties in (classic) Monopoly are located in Atlantic City.

Today's Question:


If you see a dish on the menu with "Parmentier" in its name, what should you expect to find as one of its ingredients?


I don't know this one.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 7, 2012; http://www.hasbro.com/monopoly/en_US/; http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/; midastouch.goldgenie.com)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


If vodka is 80 proof, its percentage of alcohol is 40%.

Today's Question:


In which city are all the properties in (classic) Monopoly located?


I know Washington D.C. cycles through the alphabet but I think its streets also cycle through the states. I'm pretty sure this is correct which makes me think Baltic and Mediterranean came later? D.C. makes Kingston, NY seem simple to navigate, by comparison, with all of its inconvenient one way streets.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 6, 2012; http://www.tastings.com/spirits/vodka.html; http://i222.photobucket.com)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Lou Gehrig was called "The Pride of the Yankees."

Today's Question:


If vodka is 80 proof, what percentage is its alcohol?


The proof is double the alcohol content.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 5, 2012; http://www.lougehrig.com/about/bio.htm)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Isis is the Egyptian goddess is most frequently considered Osiris' wife.

Today's Question:


Who was called "The Pride of the Yankees"?


If I had to guess I'd go with Mickey Mantle but I don't know this one.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 4, 2012; http://www.shira.net/egypt-goddess.htm; http://www.egyptianmyths.net/osiris.htm)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Switzerland is the English name for the country once known as Helvetia.

Today's Question:


Which Egyptian goddess is most frequently considered Osiris' wife?



Can't even hazard a guess on this one.


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 3, 2012; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sz.html;  www.tulving.com)


Complied by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:




Jackie Gleason and William Bendix were the two actors who played Riley in early TV's "The Life of Riley."




Today's Question:
Give the English name for the country once known as Helvetia.


Sounds Greek to me  :)


(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 2, 2012; http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=gleasonjack; http://www.nndb.com/people/727/000031634/; http://youtu.be/p1B0IPa9-Zc)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:




Harris, Lewis and Donegal are examples of the fabric, tweed.


Well I basically guesssed correctly; it is a wool material though of a specific style and is possibly namedfor the Tweed River along the Scottish border where textiles were once heavily manufactured.

Today's Question:




Name the two actors who played Riley in early TV's (Spoiler Alert -->) "The Life of Riley."




They got me on this one. I remember what one looked like but don't recall a name. The reruns weren't something I related to as a child.




(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, March 1, 2012; http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-tweed.htm;

http://www.guyism.com/; http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=lifeofriley)


Compiled by Otto Ladensack with Patricia Ladensack