"The 33rd Annual Xmas Quiz"

[Law dude]

Sounds like something America's greatest jurist, Oliver Wendell Holmes, would say

Oh well, I was wrong

If it makes you feel any better, I would have made a similar guess and would also have been very wrong.

[gh]

Same person said

"He flattered himself on being a man without any prejudices; and this pretension itself was a very great prejudice."


No, I didn't know that!

[Conor Dary]

Lincoln?

[dj]

First quote made me think it might be Jonathan Swift.

But the second quote doesn't sound like someone writing about politics or law. Jane Austen? Flaubert?

[gh]

Since I'm guessing it's too obscure…

15. "The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the street, and to steal bread." That was written by Anatole France, which was the pen name of Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault, who also wrote, "He flattered himself on being a man without any prejudices; and this pretension itself was a very Great prejudice."

[gh]

Since I'm guessing it's too obscure…

15. "The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the street, and to steal bread." That was written by Anatole France, which was the pen name of Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault, who also wrote, "He flattered himself on being a man without any prejudices; and this pretension itself was a very Great prejudice."

[gh]

McGato or anybody else who's feeling benevolent. Feel free to step in here and continue this one as well

[mcgato]

Even though I don't like this quiz (was that last question a trivia question or just some obscure piece of information?), I'll throw the next one up.

16. There are 12 mantras that accompany each Surya Namaskara. During each namaskara, how many yogic postures are assumed? Bonus question: What is the informal name for the assumption of these yogic postures?

[DoubleRBar]

Does Pilates count?

[tandfman]

gh guessed that Anatole France was too obscure. I think he was right--nobody was likely to get that answer without looking it up. But at least some of us have heard of Anatole France. "Surya Namaskara"? What on earth is that? I'm not even going to bother looking it up. I don't think I want to know.

[Conor Dary]

Yes, these questions are getting into the completely obscure and rather poor for trivia.

[gh]

Then ignore them. Why piss on those who are having fun?

[gh]

Then ignore them. Why piss on those who are having fun?

[Conor Dary]

Since I'm guessing it's too obscure…

15. "The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the street, and to steal bread." That was written by Anatole France, which was the pen name of Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault, who also wrote, "He flattered himself on being a man without any prejudices; and this pretension itself was a very Great prejudice."

Christ sake so touchy. I am only agreeing with this earlier comment.

[Pego]

gh guessed that Anatole France was too obscure. I think he was right--nobody was likely to get that answer without looking it up. But at least some of us have heard of Anatole France. "Surya Namaskara"? What on earth is that? I'm not even going to bother looking it up. I don't think I want to know.

I love Anatole France. The Revolt of Angels was one of the most influential books of my formative years.

Edited a typo.

[mcgato]

Since the yoga question isn't getting any takers, I'll ask it again plus the next question in line.

16. There are 12 mantras that accompany each Surya Namaskara. During each namaskara, how many yogic postures are assumed? Bonus question: What is the informal name for the assumption of these yogic postures?

17. How did mayonnaise get its name?

[DoubleRBar]

Mayonnaise is a French name. So, I assume it came from the French, probably named after a place.

[tandfman]

Mayonnaise is a French name. So, I assume it came from the French, probably named after a place.

But County Mayo is in Ireland. So maybe it was named by a French expat living in Ireland? Nah!

[mcgato]

Half time at the Rose Bowl, so I will update.

Question 16: Surya Namaskara is Sanskrit for Sun Salutation, according to wiki. So it is not an obscure person. I'm not one for yoga, so I have no further comment.

Question 17: DoubleRBar is on the right track, but we will probably need more details. And, no, County Mayo is not involved.

[DoubleRBar]

I have no more details, but would guess the name is from a place in Europe probably very close to France, Spain, or Portugal.

[mcgato]

Hint on question 16: It is a number, give a guess.

Hint on question 17: part of the name of the location is the last name of a rather well known US distance coach.