T’was the Night Before Trivia: All About Santa Claus

Published November 20, 2009 Christmas Trivia , Fun Trivia , Holiday Trivia Leave a Comment
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Santa Facts

As the magical night of Christmas Eve creeps ever closer, children around the world are sure to be putting pen to paper in the hope that plenty of Christmas goodies will be waiting for them under the tree this year.

Santa Claus: The Early Years

Santa Claus: The Early Years

It’s only November but already the spirit of the season is in the air; the anticipation, the streets filled with twinkling lights, freshly roasted chestnuts on every corner and inappropriately early Christmas songs blasting out from shop doors. Here at Amuso we too would like to think we’re fully prepared for the holiday season, so to get things started here are some fun and festive facts about the man in red: Santa Claus!

  • The main influence behind the modern-day Santa that we all know and love was Saint Nicholas of Myra. “St. Nick” was known for his generosity and had a tendency to leave gifts for the less fortunate, who often found coins waiting for them in their shoes!
  • Another possible inspiration for Santa Claus was Odin, a God of Norse paganism, who was depicted as having a long white/grey beard and was said to ride an 8-legged horse, capable of jumping incredibly large distances and comparable to the legend of Santa’s flying reindeer.
  • Tales of Saint Nicholas described him as throwing coins in people’s windows, or where a window was closed, tossing them down the chimney — which may have influenced Santa’s preferred method of delivering his presents!

Continue reading ‘T’was the Night Before Trivia: All About Santa Claus’

Turkey Day Trivia: The Finer Details of Thanksgiving

Published November 20, 2009 Fun Trivia , Holiday Trivia Leave a Comment
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THANKSGIVING

On November 26th American’s sit down with family and loved ones for a rich meal of turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. For the foreigners (and maybe even the odd American) who are unsure what Thanksgiving is all about, Amuso is here to fill you up on tasty Thanksgiving and turkey trivia!

Thanksgiving Turkey Trivia

Thanksgiving... exposed!

  • Thanksgiving has been an annual tradition in the United States since 1863, but was not an official holiday until 1941
  • The holiday takes place on the fourth Thursday of November in the U.S.A.,  but the second Monday of October in Canada.
  • The earliest Thanksgiving celebration took place on the 8th of September 1565 in Saint Augustine, Florida by 600 Spanish settlers. The first thanksgiving by English pilgrims took place in 1621.
  • The celebration was originally tied to Harvest Festivals.  However in North America the holiday takes place to thank the Native Americans (and God of course — they were Pilgrims after all) for helping the early settlers survive Plymouth’s harsh winter.

Continue reading ‘Turkey Day Trivia: The Finer Details of Thanksgiving’

Politics & Trivia: Universal Children’s Day

Published November 15, 2009 Fun Trivia , News & Politics Trivia Leave a Comment
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WE BELIEVE THE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE…

On the 14th of December 1954 United Nations General Assembly recommended that all countries celebrate Universal Children’s Day not only to bring to light what needs to be done to improve the welfare of all children across the globe but also to promote togetherness and understanding amongst children.  Here at Amuso we want to do our part by informing you on what this day is all about so you too can take a step towards a better world for the future generations.

  • Universal Children's DayThe Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) sets non-negotiable minimum standards and obligations in respect to the freedoms and rights of children across the globe.
  • The CRC has been has been ratified by all but two countries; the United States of America and Somalia. That’s more nations than any other international treaty.  (And on a personal note, as an American I’m as outraged as I hope all our readers are.)
  • At the end of 2007 there were over 2million children living with HIV/AIDS

Continue reading ‘Politics & Trivia: Universal Children’s Day’

Music Trivia: Surreal Videos & Lady Gaga

Published November 15, 2009 Fun Trivia , Music Trivia Leave a Comment

“Bad Romance” – Weird, wacky and wonderful!

On Wednesday 11th November “Bad Romance”, the latest song and music video of eccentric pop sensation Lady Gaga, exploded into the spotlight in an array of dazzling disco glam with a darkly surreal twist.  The new video was directed by Francis Lawrence, who has previously worked with artists such as Jay Z, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani, and features a range of unearthly characters, show-stopping costumes and sensational effects.

Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

Gotta Love the Gaga...

Influenced by such artists as David Bowie and Madonna, and with a notorious passion for fashion and breaking the boundaries of pop, Lady Gaga is sure to create a stir with this most recent release. The star dances and stomps her way through the video as she’s kidnapped by supermodels and sold to the Russian mafia in an eye-catching portrayal of a romance turned sour.

Things to look for in the melange include a bat skull headpiece, a hairless Sphynx cat, a long white bear coat and Alexander McQueen’s bizarre sparkly lobster claw shoes from the Spring 2010 collection. In some of the slightly creepier scenes we see Lady Gaga with an alien-like protruding spine and enormous glistening eyes, before she finally ends the video in bed with a burnt human corpse.

Continue reading ‘Music Trivia: Surreal Videos & Lady Gaga’

Science Trivia: White Nose Syndrome

Published November 15, 2009 Fun Trivia , News & Politics Trivia , Science Trivia Leave a Comment

WHITE NOSE SYNDROME – A Good Use of Taxpayers’ Funds?

With the news that the US congress has approved $1.9 million of taxpayers’ money for research into White Nose Syndrome, one has to wonder if this is simply another case of mistaken priorities made by those in power.

White Nose Syndromw in Bats

Suddenly, I don't feel sleepy.

For those who aren’t aware of this (very imaginatively named) condition, White Nose Syndrome has nothing to do with drugs, Columbia, or the 1980’s.  The syndrome refers to a fungus which is vastly reducing bat populations across the northeastern states of America. The white fungus grows on the noses and wings of hibernating bats, keeping the furry critters from sleeping and in turn leaving them without energy to hunt.

While we all love Trivia, in this case the syndrome has a non-trivial (some might say devastating) ecological impact.  Imagine cities plagued by mosquitoes, and crops infested with hoards of insects that would otherwise have been eaten by previously well-rested winged little wonders.

Continue reading ‘Science Trivia: White Nose Syndrome’

Sports Trivia: World Series of Poker

Published November 4, 2009 Fun Trivia , News & Politics Trivia , Sports Trivia Leave a Comment
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A GOOD BET:  EVEN THE LOSER GETS $1.25 MILLION

On Saturday, November 7th 2009 nine men are set to battle it out at the poker table for a chance at $8,546,435. For those who missed out of the millions this year before you get back to poker practice catch up on some WSOP facts so your ready to rock when the 2010 circuit rolls around!

World Series of Poker

Let the chips fall where they may...

  • The November 9 is the nine finalists who will take part in the World Poker Series Main Event. Check back here for updates!
  • A poll carried out by the WSOP shows that 78% poker fans place Phil Ivey as the 2009 favourite.
  • Apparently in this game of chance nobody loses, the 9th place will take home $1.25million.
  • Phil Hellmuth holds several WSOP records including: Most Bracelets (11), Most WSOP cashes (68), Most Final Tables (41)
  • When 22-year-old Peter Eastgate won the Main Event in 2008 he became the youngest person to take home the big prize. He walked away with $9,152,416. Continue reading ‘Sports Trivia: World Series of Poker’

Music Trivia: MTV European Music Video Awards

Published November 4, 2009 Fun Trivia , Music Trivia Leave a Comment
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On the 5th of November the 16th European MTV Music Awards will be held in Berlin, Germany. Before you head to MTV to cast your vote catch up on your VMA, EMA and MTV trivia!

MTV European Music Video Awards

The Nominees Are...

  • MTV was launched in New York on August 1st 1981, its original purpose (believe it or not) was to air music videos 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
  • The term VJ or Video Jockey was popularized by MTV but was actually invented by Merrill Aldighieri and employee of New York nightclub ‘HURRAH.’ The club was a hangout for the future-founders of MTV.
  • Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles was fittingly played as the first music video on MTV
  • In the early years, viewer’s would have to suffer momentary blackness between video’s while someone at MTV inserted a new tape into the VCR
  • The first bands made popular by MTV included Eurythmics, Culture Club, Prince, Bon Jovi, The Police and Def Leppard
  • The rock band KISS publicly appeared without make-up for the first time on MTV in 1983
  • The MTV opening video was the Apollo 11 Moon Landing played to the original theme song. Obviously the ‘Moon Man statue’ awarded to the winners of Video Music Awards is a tribute to these early days.

Continue reading ‘Music Trivia: MTV European Music Video Awards’

Sports Trivia: Is the World Series Really a “World” Series?

Published November 2, 2009 Fun Trivia , Sports Trivia Leave a Comment

We know New York is sometimes called “The World’s Capital…”

For the next five days the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are taking to the pitch to battle it out for the title of world baseball champion. For the avid fans here are a few facts about the series to help fill the excruciating 24hr gaps between the games. For those of you who are still wondering why the World Series of Baseball doesn’t actually involve the WHOLE world Amuso has the answer for you!

World Series Trophy

Nothing trivial for World Series fans

  • A disorganised version of the World Series began in 1884 however these games are not recognised by Major League Baseball because they were ‘pre-modern baseball.’
  • In 1902, after battling for a monopoly of the baseball league the American League and National league challenged each other to a game of football. The result of their feud was the original National Football League (NFL).
  • The World Series is called as such because baseball, at the time, was not recognised outside of North America, consequently the winner of the tournament was the best team in the world by default.
  • The New York Yankees won the 1949 – 1943 World Series, they are the only team to win the cup more than three consecutive times.

Music Trivia: U2 on YouTube

Published October 27, 2009 Fun Trivia , Music Trivia Leave a Comment
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Millions attend the virtual Rose Bowl concert on YouTube

On the 25th of October as 96,000 fans rocked to U2 at Rose Bowl stadium there was a silent roar of millions of Bono enthusiasts, across seven continents, happily singing along from the comfort of their own lazy-boy’s. With the help of YouTube, U2 selflessly streamed their concert live (and free) for all to see.

So while you are desperately refreshing the U2 channel on YouTube to see if they have reposted the concert, catch up on your U2 trivia!

U2 at the Rose Bowl

U2 frontman Bono at the Rose Bowl

You too can be a U2 expert!

  • There are 4 members of the band: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullin Jr.
  • Bonos’ real name is Paul David Hewson and The Edges’ real name is David Howell Evans
  • The band, including Bono’s future wife Ali Hewson, all met at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Ireland. They were originally called Feedback and then The Hype before they settled on U2 in 1978.
  • In May 1980 U2 released their first international single 11 O’clock Tick Tock and their debut album Boy followed in October.
  • During the recording of their second album, October, Bono and The Edge temporarily left the group over spiritual disputes.

Continue reading ‘Music Trivia: U2 on YouTube’

Halloween Trivia: Questions & Answers

Published October 24, 2009 Holiday Trivia 1 Comment
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Halloween: Fun Facts

Halloween: Fun Facts

Halloween is the scariest night of the year, the evening when the creatures of the underworld come out to play. But how much do you know about the night of the dead? If all you can think of is pranks, pumpkins and free candy here are a few fun Halloween facts to fill your treat bag!

HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN

  • The word Halloween is shortened from ‘All Hallows Evening’
  • The 1st of November is officially All Saint’s Day and is a celebration of all saints who do not have a special day of their own.
  • Halloween originated as an old Gaelic tradition to mark the end of light season (summer) and the start of the dark season (winter). It was thought that on this night the wall to the underworld was thinner allowing spirits to pass through.
  • People started wearing Halloween costumes so that the ghosts and ghouls who roamed the countryside would not recognize that they were human
  • The traditional Halloween colours are orange for the autumn harvest and black for evil and darkness.
  • There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with the word orange.
  • In 2009 the world record for the largest pumpkin was established in Ohio, United States. The oversized squash weighs 1,725 pounds (782kg).
  • Jack-o-Lanterns were originally carved from turnips and potatoes (photo).
  • Stephen Clarke holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest pumpkin carver with a time of 24.03seconds.
  • Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.
  • The next time there will be a full moon for Halloween is the 31st of October 2020.

Continue reading ‘Halloween Trivia: Questions & Answers’

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