Book: “The Little Book of Answers, The How, Where and Why of Stuff You Thought You Knew,” by Doug Lennox
This small but delightful “Little Book of Answers” is especially treasured by trivia buffs and those who want to give Dad a little treat he can enjoy. It is chock full of short descriptions of popular idioms, sayings, and tidbits about our customs and traditions. It covers people and places, pop culture, customs, sports and leisure, trivia, politics and history, war and the military, holidays, animals, words, expressions, beliefs and superstitions. Here are some examples:
Where did the cry “Geronimo” originate from, particularly as sky divers jump from planes?
According to legend, when cornered at a cliff’s edge by the U.S. Calvary, Geronimo screamed his own name as he leaped to his death to escape them.
Where did the 21-gun salute originate?
In 1688, the Royal Navy regulated the guns to be used in saluting different ranks. For a Prime Minister, it was 19 but for royalty or heads of state, it was 21.
Where did the saying “the whole nine yards” come from?
In WWII in the South Pacific, American planes’ machine guns were armed on ground with .50 caliber ammunition belts that measured 27 feet (nine yards) in length before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilot fired all his ammunition at a single target, it was said he’d given it the whole nine yards.
Why is the bugle call known as “taps”?
In the 17th century, the British borrowed the Dutch custom of sounding the drum and bugle to signal troops that it was time to stop socializing and return to the barracks for the night. This was called “taptoe,” meaning “shut off the taps,” a signal for bar owners to cut off beer and wine. After lights out, the signal meant soldiers were safely home.
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Why do we call people either “hawks or doves”?
In 1798, Thomas Jefferson coined the term “war hawk” for those who sided with the war. In Genesis, Noah sent a dove out to see if the water was receding and it returned with an olive branch indicating land was near. The modern term began with the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Where did the term “paying through the nose” come from?
In Northern Ireland in the 9th century, the British taxed Irish households and if a person didn’t pay, his nose was slit.
Where did he term for dollar become a “buck”?
The Indians taught the Europeans the value of buckskin in trading.
Why is the Los Angeles baseball team called “The Dodgers?”
Before moving to LA, the Dodgers were based in Brooklyn, NY. In the 19th century, pedestrians called themselves “trolley dodgers” because they had to dodge trolleys and carriages on their walk to the game, so the team called themselves Dodgers in their honor. When they moved to LA, they took the name with them.
Many more joyful tidbits are included for Dad’s enjoyment. Happy Father’s Day!
