# Tough Trivia Challenge (or...help endear me to my in-laws) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 19, 2001, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047 "2001-08-19T20:38:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/1 "2001-08-19T20:38:37Z")
My mother-in-law has asked me to help her with a trivia challenge she was presented with at work. If she wins she gets a free dinner at some nice restaurant and I get some decent brownie points. The trivia is all over the place and is a bit obscure so answer what you can (assuming you’re willing to help). Thanks in advance for any aid. Here’s the list (I’ve already answered a bunch…these are the ones I can’t find info on or haven’t had time to look up yet). 1. Which of Bach’s concertos is rumored to have provided Paul McCartney with the inspiration for the trumpet solo in “Penny Lane”? 2. Name the only pop hit song and musical group whose names are both palindromes. _(I figured ABBA is the band but can’t get the song)_ 3. According to its composer, Peter Yarrow, what is “Puff the Magic Dragon” really about? _(I figured it’s about smoking marijuana but confirmation would be good)_ 4. Whay are volcanoes so much larger on Mars compared to their puny Earth-bound cousins? _(Erosion on earth?)_ 5. A person from Chicago is a Chicagoan. A person from Ohio is an Ohioan. What is a person from Liverpool known as? 6. What was the tallest man-made structure in the world in 1492? _(The pyramids in Egypt?)_ 7. What Atlanta Braves reliever caught Hank Aaron’s 715[sup]th[/sup] home run while watching from the Braves bullpen? 8. What was Tiger Woods declared major upon entering Stanford University as a freshman? 9. In the Notre Dame cult film “Rudy”, the story inaccurately portrays Rudy sleeping in a janitor’s closet deep within the bowels of Notre Dame Stadium. During this period of his life, where did Rudy actually sleep? 10. What wsa the name of the General who ‘owed’ Bill Murray money in the movie “Stripes”? 11. What phrase is inscribed at the bottom of Emil Faber’s statue in the movie “Animal House”? 12. By what name was Visa (the credit card) previously known? _(Bank Americard?)_ 13. Who was the first person to commercially draw Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer for Montgomery Ward? 14. What was Archie Bunker’s address? 15. What made Clifford the Big Red Dog grow so large? 16. What is the world’s largest land vehicle? _(The crawler that carries the Space Shuttle??? What is that called if that is the right answer?)_ 17. What element gives a fireworks display its red color? 18. What is the average distance a cruise ship travels on a gallon of fuel? _(That’s pretty vague I’ll admit but that’s what it asks)_ That’s it. Again…thanks for any help in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/2 "2001-08-19T20:41:09Z")
(5) Liverpudlian (proper) or Scouser (colloquial) ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/3 "2001-08-19T20:43:08Z")
#11 : Knowledge is good. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/4 "2001-08-19T20:49:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Whack-a-Mole \* > > 1. Which of Bach’s concertos is rumored to have provided Paul McCartney with the inspiration for the trumpet solo in “Penny Lane”? Dunno, but **phandotmidver** says it’s the theme song for Masterpiece Theater. > [@](#): > > 1. What Atlanta Braves reliever caught Hank Aaron’s 715[sup]th[/sup] home run while watching from the Braves bullpen? My best guess is Andy Messersmith. > [@](#): > > 1. What was Tiger Woods declared major upon entering Stanford University as a freshman? Econ? > [@](#): > > 1. What is the average distance a cruise ship travels on a gallon of fuel? _(That’s pretty vague I’ll admit but that’s what it asks)_ I don’t have a cite, but I recall reading “3 feet” somewhere. Hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/5 "2001-08-19T20:49:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Whack-a-Mole \* > \*\*4) Whay are volcanoes so much larger on Mars compared to their puny Earth-bound cousins? _(Erosion on earth?)_ \*\* There’s less gravity on Mars (because it’s smaller than Earth} so that volcanoes are able to grow larger. \*\* > [@](#): > > 1. What is the world’s largest land vehicle? _(The crawler that carries the Space Shuttle??? What is that called if that is the right answer?)_\*\* It used to be [Big Muskie](http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/OHCUMmuskie.html). ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/6 "2001-08-19T20:51:37Z")
The ABBA song is ‘S.O.S’ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/7 "2001-08-19T20:52:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Whack-a-Mole \* > \*\*7) What Atlanta Braves reliever caught Hank Aaron’s 715[sup]th[/sup] home run while watching from the Braves bullpen? > > 1. By what name was Visa (the credit card) previously known? _(Bank Americard?)_ > \*\* I think you’re right on #12. #7 - Tom House caught the 715 ball by Hank. The left fielder tried jumping the wall, but House caught it. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/8 "2001-08-19T20:53:23Z")
I’m pretty sure Clifford grew so big from the love his owner gave him. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/9 "2001-08-19T20:57:27Z")
1. What wsa the name of the General who ‘owed’ Bill Murray money in the movie “Stripes”? General Barnicke (I’m not sure-it’s been a while since I’ve seen the movie) 14) What was Archie Bunker’s address? 704 Hauser Street Queens, NY ---
**Author:** ![Earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/90db22/32.png) [@Earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthling)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/10 "2001-08-19T21:11:25Z")
1. I’d guess it’s the Brandenburg Concerto #2, where the baroque trumpet is prominently featured, even though the tune from _Penny Lane_ doesn’t sound anything like it. The theme from _Masterpiece Theater_ is Jean-Joseph Mouret’s Rondeau from his 1st Symphonic Suite. 2. Because Mars doesn’t have oceans. Imagine if the Big Island of Hawaii’s height is measured from the bottom of the Pacific rather than from sea level, and it’ll be one big honkin’ volcano. 3. Is this a trick question? Do Stanford students have to declare majors when they are freshmen? 4. It’s either Bank Americard or Bankamericard. Do they care about spelling? BTW, MasterCard used to be Master Charge. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/11 "2001-08-19T21:22:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Philistine \* > **4. Because Mars doesn’t have oceans. Imagine if the Big Island of Hawaii’s height is measured from the bottom of the Pacific rather than from sea level, and it’ll be one big honkin’ volcano.** Nope. [Olympus Mons](http://www.exploringmars.com/science/olympus_mons.html) is 16 miles high; Mauna Kea a mere 6.3 miles (from the ocean floor). It’s a combination of low gravity and lack of plate tectonics on Mars. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/12 "2001-08-19T21:28:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dr. Schadenfreude \* > \*\*The ABBA song is ‘S.O.S’ \*\* [nitpick]"S.O.S is the name of a cleaning product. The name of the song is “SOS”[/nitpick] For 17, I would guess iron. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/13 "2001-08-19T21:35:29Z")
#3: According to Peter Yarrow, its composer, [Puff the Magic Dragon](http://www.snopes2.com/music/songs/puff.htm) has nothing to do with drugs, but is about lost innocence. ---
**Author:** ![Gilligan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Gilligan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gilligan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/14 "2001-08-19T21:35:45Z")
1. Rudolph was first drawn for Montgomery Ward by Denver Gillen. ---
**Author:** ![Jeannie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Jeannie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeannie)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/15 "2001-08-19T21:38:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Whack-a-Mole \* > \*\* > > 1. According to its composer, Peter Yarrow, what is “Puff the Magic Dragon” really about? _(I figured it’s about smoking marijuana but confirmation would be good)_ \*\* People thought it was about marijuana. Peter Yarrow has said that it was actually about growing up and the loss of innocence. I think (IIRC) that he wrote it as a poem while in college, and then later put it to music. > [@](#): > > \*\*15) What made Clifford the Big Red Dog grow so large? \*\* As I recall: When Emily Elizabeth (the little girl whose family owned Cliiford) got Clifford, he was the runt of the litter. She was very upset about that and made a wish that he would grow to be big and strong. When he got to be so big, she was surprised, and told Clifford that it was okay to stop growing. Keep in mind, I haven’t read those books in at least 15 or 20 years… ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/16 "2001-08-19T21:40:05Z")
#17) Both strontium and lithium provide red color in fireworks ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/17 "2001-08-19T21:48:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Ryan \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Dr. Schadenfreude \* > > \*\*The ABBA song is ‘S.O.S’ \*\* > > [nitpick]"S.O.S is the name of a cleaning product. The name of the song is “SOS”[/nitpick]\*\* The ABBA song is S.O.S for Q2. I confirm **Philistine’s** Brandenburg Concerto #2 for Q1. I am 99% sure that Lincoln Cathedral was the world’s tallest building in 1492 at 525ft (160m) including spire. This was destroyed in a storm in 1547. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/18 "2001-08-19T21:50:53Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. According to its composer, Peter Yarrow, what is “Puff the Magic Dragon” really about? _(I figured it’s about smoking marijuana but confirmation would be good)_ It’s about a little boy growing up and leaving behind his youthful imagination. The rather absurd connection that some idiots made to marijuana, that was printed in _Time_ among otherr places, was fairly savagely rebuked by Yarrow, in concert, when he showed that _The Star Spangled Banner_ was about drugs. > [@](#): > > 1. What element gives a fireworks display its red color? Barium chloride produces green; strontium chloride produces red; copper chloride produces blue. ---
**Author:** ![DebiJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f08c70/32.png) [@DebiJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DebiJ)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/19 "2001-08-19T21:51:31Z")
#6 - tallest man-made structure is The White Pyramid of Xian in China. [http://www.crystalinks.com/tibet.html](http://www.crystalinks.com/tibet.html) #16 The largest moving vehicle is, as you said, the crawler that moves the shuttle to launch. It’s also the world’s slowest vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2001, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047/20 "2001-08-19T22:08:35Z")
The man who first drew Rudolf was Denver Gillen, as explained [here](http://members.nbci.com/Foxy2000can/christmas_facts.html). Scroll down a bit to the “Who is Rudolph” paragraph. Google is my friend. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tough-trivia-challenge-or-help-endear-me-to-my-in-laws/77047.md?page=2)