# Don't look it up, but give it your best shot...
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158
**Category:** The Game Room
**Created:** [July 27, 2014, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158 "2014-07-27T13:58:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/41 "2014-07-27T19:30:21Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> What are the following people known for:
>
> 1. Norman Borlaug – ??
>
> 2. Phileas Fogg – Around the world in 80 days
>
> 3. Jane Grey – I mix her up with Jane Seymour
>
> 4. Charles Guiteau – assassinated somebody?
>
> 5. Jomo Kenyatta – name rings a bell but that’s all
>
> 6. Felix Leiter – James Bond connection in the FBI or CIA?
>
> 7. Andre Norton – the Giant?
>
> 8. Alexander Patch – nothing happening here
Just stabs in the dark except for Fogg and Leiter
Now I’ll be a good boy and look them up. Fun list!
---
### Author:  [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/42 "2014-07-27T19:31:17Z")
> [@Zeldar](#):
>
> Ain’t it amazing what Google and the internet have put into our hands to battle ignorance and misconstruction! You would think that with such power we could avoid seeing things like [THIS!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QBv2CFTSWU)
Just so you know it, not trying to be a jerk, just letting you know. It’s a parody. Actress/director Mackenzie Fegan did this clip as a spoof of the Creatonism debate.
---
### Author:  [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/43 "2014-07-27T19:39:28Z")
> [@Sr\_Siete](#):
>
> Just so you know it, not trying to be a jerk, just letting you know. It’s a parody. Actress/director Mackenzie Fegan did this clip as a spoof of the Creatonism debate.
Thanks! I couldn’t imagine the depth of dumbth there. Like Leno’s bit asking random people on the street such things. My wife got that clip in email this morning and I had to share it.
---
### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/44 "2014-07-27T19:46:44Z")
> [@Zeldar](#):
>
> Without referring to any reference materials, see how well your memory or imagination does with these little pokes. Add some of your own if you want to.
>
> 1. What is Phineas Newborn known for?
>
> 2. Where would you have run across Osgood Z’Beard?
ZZ Top ?
> [@](#):
>
> 1. If you ordered Ouzo, what would you expect it to taste like?
Aniseed
> [@](#):
>
> 1. How long is a furlong? A fortnight?
>
> 2. Give it your best shot on the words behind SHAZAM
Solomon, Hercules, Achilles, Zeus, ?, Mercury.
---
### Author:  [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/45 "2014-07-27T19:58:19Z")
What are the following people known for:
1. Norman Borlaug–?
2. Phileas Fogg–Jules Verne chara cter who made a bet he could get around the world in 80 days.
3. Jane Grey–Put on the throne of England for nine days, she’s not counted among the official kings and queens.
4. Charles Guiteau–Assasinated President Chester A. Arthur
5. Jomo Kenyatta–African leader, can’t remember which country
6. Felix Leiter–James Bond’s contact in the American intelligence community. Played by at least three actors.
7. Andre Norton–Scifi/fantasy author
8. Alexander Patch–?
---
### Author:  [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/46 "2014-07-27T19:59:38Z")
> [@Zeldar](#):
>
> Without referring to any reference materials, see how well your memory or imagination does with these little pokes. Add some of your own if you want to.
>
> 1. What is Phineas Newborn known for?
Piano player on B. B. Kings’ Sun Records recordings.
> [@](#):
>
> 1. Where would you have run across Osgood Z’Beard?
Never in my kitchen. (I.e., don’t know)
> [@](#):
>
> 1. If you ordered Ouzo, what would you expect it to taste like?
Licorice.
> [@](#):
>
> 1. How long is a furlong? A fortnight?
1/8 mile. 2 weeks.
> [@](#):
>
> 1. Give it your best shot on the words behind SHAZAM
# I thought “Shazam,” was the word.
---
### Author:  [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/47 "2014-07-27T20:04:38Z")
Jomo Kenyatta was the leader of Kenya.
---
### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/48 "2014-07-27T20:11:52Z")
> [@Zeldar](#):
>
> Ain’t it amazing what Google and the internet have put into our hands to battle ignorance and misconstruction! You would think that with such power we could avoid seeing things like [THIS!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QBv2CFTSWU)
> [@Sr\_Siete](#):
>
> Just so you know it, not trying to be a jerk, just letting you know. It’s a parody. Actress/director Mackenzie Fegan did this clip as a spoof of the Creatonism debate.
Holy shit, you two hooligans, don’t do that to me. 😃
The Great Leslie (“The Great Race”) was correct.
BIP: The shortest verse in the Bible.
---
### Author:  [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/49 "2014-07-27T20:30:18Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> What are the following people known for:
>
> 1. Norman Borlaug
American agricultural scientist, known for his work in helping the ‘Green revolution’. I suspect he is much better known in the developing world because he was so critical in helping many countries attain food sufficiency.
From Wiki I also find out that his initial work was in Mexico, expanded to India in the 60’s(which is how I know of him) and Pakistan. He has also been awarded the Nobel peace prize. Interestingly, environmental lobbies blocked funding that would allow him to also work in Africa. It was only later that a private Japanese foundation teamed up with him to take his work there.
---
### Author:  [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/50 "2014-07-27T20:33:37Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#):
>
> Holy shit, you two hooligans, don’t do that to me. 😃
>
> The Great Leslie (“The Great Race”) was correct.
>
> BIP: The shortest verse in the Bible.
John 11.35: “Jesus wept.”
---
### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/51 "2014-07-27T21:10:01Z")
^ Correct, as always. I didn’t know the verse number.
Wait, haven’t you ascended to Trivia Parnassus, yet?
BIP: Who recorded, “A Fifth of Beethoven.” (Full name)
---
### Author:  [@Vaevictis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vaevictis)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/52 "2014-07-27T21:23:27Z")
> [@Zeldar](#):
>
> Without referring to any reference materials, see how well your memory or imagination does with these little pokes. Add some of your own if you want to.
>
> 1. What is Phineas Newborn known for?
>
> No idea
>
> 1. Where would you have run across Osgood Z’Beard?
>
> No idea
>
> 1. If you ordered Ouzo, what would you expect it to taste like?
>
> Black liquorice
>
> 1. How long is a furlong? A fortnight?
>
> Fortnight is 2 weeks
>
> 1. Give it your best shot on the words behind SHAZAM
>
> OK, but this is totally made up:
>
> Shake Sam = shakesam = shaksam = shazam
>
> Meaning? Well… let’s imagine ‘shake sam’ was a way of saying ‘wake sam up’ and its usage became generalized to apply to waking anybody about. Further generalization and it applies not literally to waking someone up but to making someone aware, i.e., getting their attention. Shazam thus means at its root ‘YO!’ and so gets used in magic acts to call people’s attention to a magic trick, often bolstered by a loud noise and some smoke.
>
> =====================================
Best I can do
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### Author:  [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/53 "2014-07-28T13:30:46Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> What are the following people known for:
>
> 1. Norman Borlaug
> Developing the first genetically modified food, and basically feeding millions of people.
>
> 2. Phileas Fogg
> Main character in _Around the World in 80 Days_.
>
> 3. Jane Grey
> England’s 9-days queen.
>
> 4. Charles Guiteau
> Assassinated Pres. James Garfield (or, shot him-- Garfield’s doctors probably actually killed him).
>
> 5. Jomo Kenyatta
> On of the Prime Ministers (presidents?) of Kenya-- the first of an independent Kenya maybe?
>
> 6. Felix Leiter
> no idea
>
> 7. Andre Norton
> Sci-Fi writer who has an award named after her.
>
> 8. Alexander Patch
> WWII general
~RC
---
### Author:  [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/54 "2014-07-28T14:14:54Z")
> [@](#):
>
> What are the following people known for:
>
> 1. Norman Borlaug
> **Founder of the Green Revolution, and one of the most important figures of the 20th century.**
>
> 2. Phileas Fogg
> **I thought it was Phineas Fogg. If so, he was the hero of _Around the World in 80 Days_.**
>
> 3. Jane Grey
> **Was she “England’s Most Married Queen”?**
>
> 4. Charles Guiteau
> **Shot McKinley, I think.**
>
> 5. Jomo Kenyatta
> **Leader of some African country immediately post-colonialism.**
>
> 6. Felix Leiter
> **James Bond’s sidekick from the CIA in several novels. He lost his right hand and part of his left leg in _Live and Let Die_ from being dropped into a shark tank.**
>
> 7. Andre Norton
> **Science Fiction writer - a woman, I believe.**
>
> 8. Alexander Patch
> **No idea.**
Regards,
Shodan
---
### Author:  [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/55 "2014-07-28T14:37:52Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#):
>
> ^ Correct, as always. I didn’t know the verse number.
>
> Wait, haven’t you ascended to Trivia Parnassus, yet?
>
> BIP: Who recorded, “A Fifth of Beethoven.” (Full name)
I wish I was always correct. The latest one is Walter Murphy, though.
---
### Author:  [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-look-it-up-but-give-it-your-best-shot/694158/56 "2014-07-28T18:35:25Z")
^ Walter Murphy, yes. For completeness’s sake, tho, …And The Big Apple Band.
Played Frankenstein’s Monster in “Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein.” (the original name of the movie; look for Count Dracula’s reflection in a mirror somewhere in the middle!)
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