# Quintessence **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [November 21, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901 "2018-11-21T16:31:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/1 "2018-11-21T16:31:23Z")
The object of the game is to pick a person/place/thing that represents what they think is the most quintessential or most representative of the category chosen by the previous poster. It is not necessarily the best example of whatever genre is chosen, simply the most representative (although the best and most quintessential may happen to be conveniently synonymous) A player responds by naming their quintessential pick and supplies two or three reasons supporting their choice, then names a category of their choosing for the next poster to respond to. Example: Player A: Category: Rock Supergroups? Player B: The Travelling Wilburys - Every member of the group was a household name individually famous as a musician in their own right - One of the members (George Harrison) was a Beatle. Can’t really claim higher profile than that - All of their albums achieved either gold or platinum sales Next: Gameshows on US television? Player C: Let’s Make A Deal - The show features phony over the top enthusiasm among both the contestants and the studio audience - The show does not require contestants to possess any particular talent or skill - The show was both produced and hosted by prolific game show giant Monty Hall Next: Items found in women’s purses? [and so on…] The first category is… WWII infantry weapon? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/2 "2018-11-21T17:12:04Z")
M1 Garand. [ul] [li]One of a few iconic weapons used in WWII for the first time.[/li][li]Proved that self-loading weapons were practical infantry weapons.[/li][li]Armed the US infantryman throughout the war.[/li][li]Not a holdover from WWI like the Lee-Enfield, Mauser or Mosin-Nagant.[/li][/ul] (honorable mention to the PPSH-41 submachine gun) New category: Cop TV Show ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/3 "2018-11-21T17:23:20Z")
Dragnet - The original police procedural drama - Started in Old Time Radio, aired on TV from 1951-1959, 1967-1970 - Theme song hit the Top 40 - Aimed at realism and unpretentious acting New category: Volcanic eruption? ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/4 "2018-11-21T17:27:20Z")
Gah! I was typing up a big essay about WWII weapons and got multi-ninjaed! I’ll go with Mt. Krakatoa, because - the plumes and ash lasted 6 months - it completely destroyed the island - it caused average global temperature to drop by 1.2 Celsius - death toll anywhere from 30-120K - human skeletons floating on ash rafts washed up in West Africa Next category: Quintessential sports announcer ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/5 "2018-11-21T17:49:45Z")
That one is rather country-specific, I think. I don’t believe there are any announcers who achieve(d) much, if any recognition outside the country they broadcast to. Having said that, Richie Benaud is a legend in both England and Australia (for cricket). I’ll go with John Madden for the USA: - long-time announcer for the biggest of the big 4 American sports - former coach - divided opinion on his effectiveness - famous for various on-air gaffes and catchphrases - managed to get a video game franchise named after him. And David Coleman in the UK: - a well-known and much-loved commentator on multiple sports - so prolific that the genre of sports announcing gaffes was actually named after him (“Colemanballs”) - hosted a national sports quiz show for many years (A Question of Sport) With honourable mentions for Murray Walker, Brian Johnston, and Barry Davies. Next category: retail stores. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/6 "2018-11-21T18:22:06Z")
I’ll go with Sears for the retail store, current situation notwithstanding. They’ve been “it” or at least “one of them” for a damn long time. Next category: external computer storage devices ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/7 "2018-11-21T20:32:00Z")
The floppy disk. - It was the primary external storage used for personal computers when they first became ubiquitous in the 1980s and 1990s. - By 1996, it was estimated that there were five billion floppy disks in use, worldwide. - An icon resembling a 3.5" floppy disk is still the default icon for the “save” command in computer programs, decades after the disks themselves fell into disuse. Next category: snack food. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/8 "2018-11-21T20:39:52Z")
The plain old potato chip - not only is it one of the earliest examples of snack foods it’s also one of the most ubiquitous. - an average 1 oz. serving contains at least 10 grams of fat - no one ever consumes the serving sizes indicated on the nutritional information (betcha can’t eat just one…serving size) next category: silent film stars ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/9 "2018-11-21T22:39:37Z")
Rudolph Valentino - huge sex symbol - early death which left the nation in morning - the term “Latin Lover” created for him - one of the few silent movie stars to be featured on a U.S. postage stamp next category: Reality TV Show ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/10 "2018-11-21T22:59:41Z")
Survivor Been on air forever. Everyone likes to think they could survive better. Many copycats. Next famous Dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/11 "2018-11-22T12:48:58Z")
Lassie - dogs are awesome - “Bark bark bark = Timmy fell down in a well” became a meme before there were memes - really a boy dog, so early example of transgender TV roles Quintessential board game ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/12 "2018-11-22T13:06:57Z")
Chess - ancient history - thousands of books on how to play - world masters - innumerable variants Next: Christmas song ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/13 "2018-11-22T13:17:49Z")
Joy To The World - Has exposure in most hymnals and the secular world - One of the top caroling choices Next category: semi-affordable luxury car make & model from the late '90s ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/14 "2018-11-22T14:49:42Z")
> [@Covfefe](#): > > Next category: semi-affordable luxury car make & model from the late '90s [Chevy Impala](https://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Chevrolet/1999-Chevrolet-Impala-Sedan-Image-01-800.jpg) \*Definitely drives like a Cadillac \*Definitely in the affordable range \*You still see them everywhere(thought many are early 2000’s at this point) \*Recent models are different, but still use the style in a lot of ways Next up: Childhood experience ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/15 "2018-11-22T15:18:28Z")
Visiting Disney World / Disneyland. - Hugely anticipated and memorable event for a child - One of the few such things that lives up to the hype - Common cultural touchstones to almost everyone Next: Arcade (not home system) video game ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/16 "2018-11-22T16:06:10Z")
Pac-Man - It’s credited for creating an entirely new genre in video games - It and its sequels have been continuously published for 38 years - It spawned two TV series, a breakfast cereal, and a song that became a top-10 hit in the U.S. - The character is recognized by 94% of Americans - It’s still culturally relevant, and is still referred to (and even appears in) TV shows and movies Next: breakfast cereal ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/17 "2018-11-22T20:30:53Z")
Honey Nut Cheerios. - It straddles the breakfast-cereal line: I’m speaking from experience when I say that sugar-craving kids who’d reject Corn Flakes and Shredded Wheat are cool with it, and that parents who’d rule out Count Chocula or Lucky Charms will okay it; - Are you a writer who suddenly needs to come up with a breakfast cereal that’s about to get mentioned in your sitcom or whatever? If you’re creative, you’ll invent a cartoon mascot; if you’re lazy, you’ll call it Something-Os. Next up: magic trick. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/18 "2018-11-23T23:10:38Z")
Sawing a lady in half - dashing magician and beautiful assistant is a stereotype - numerous variations, including comical and grisly outcomes - danger element adds more to stage effects than just sleight of hand - inspiration for more elaborate magic tricks Quintessential sculpture ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2018, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/19 "2018-11-23T23:47:13Z")
Rodin’s The Thinker (Le Penseur) - best known sculpture from his “Gates of Hell” masterwork - referenced in dozens of cartoons, commercials, memes, etc. - versions of it can be found in many of the major world museums - a sensation when created, and has never lost its audience Quintessential English monarch ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901/20 "2018-11-24T00:58:55Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Quintessential English monarch Tough, but I’d’ say: **Queen Victoria** - reigned for a long time - an entire era of English history is named after her - we still imitate her and her (assumed) mannerisms 100+ years after her death Next: Symphonic Metal Band [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quintessence/824901.md?page=2)