Morning Minutes, Nov. 30 to Dec. 6
Nov. 30
WORD OF THE DAY
vulpine [vuhl-pahyn] (adjective) : 1. foxlike, cunning or crafty 2. resembling or pertaining to a fox
FILM FACTS
For what film did Kate Hudson get an Oscar nomination?
(Answer at bottom of column.)
NUMBER TO KNOW
2.39 seconds: A robot created by a Florida student can solve a Rubik’s cube in a record 2.39 seconds.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
November 30, 1982: The best-selling record album in history, “Thriller,” is released by Michael Jackson.
FEATURED BIRTHDAY
Actor and Comedian Ben Stiller (50)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” — Charlie Chaplin
TRIVIA ANSWER
Hudson received a Best Supporting Actress nomination in 2000 for her role as Penny Lane in “Almost Famous.”
Dec. 1
WORD OF THE DAY
doyenne [doi-en] (noun): a woman who is the senior member, as in age or rank, of a group,class, profession, etc.
FILM FACTS
What musician played Nikola Tesla in “The Prestige?”
(Answer at bottom of column.)
NUMBER TO KNOW
4,253,098: In 2014, 4,253,098 cars were manufactured in the United States.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
December 1, 1913: Ford Motor Company introduces the first moving assembly line.
FEATURED BIRTHDAY
Singer Bette Midler (70)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Group conformity scares the pants off me because it’s so often a prelude to cruelty towards anyone who doesn’t want to -- or can’t -- join the Big Parade.” — Bette Midler
TRIVIA ANSWER
David Bowie
Dec. 2
WORD OF THE DAY
doxy [dok-see] (noun) : 1. a defined opinion or doctrine 2. religious views 3. a prostitute or mistress
FILM FACTS
What is the only horror film to win an Oscar for Best Picture?
(Answer at bottom of column.)
NUMBER TO KNOW
100: If you speak English, half of all the language you’ll ever use will be just the same 100 words, used over and over again.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
December 2, 1939: LaGuardia Airport opens on the waterfront of the Flushing and Bowery Bays in Queens, New York City.
FEATURED BIRTHDAY
Singer Britney Spears (34)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” — Dalai Lama
TRIVIA ANSWER
While films such as “The Exorcist” and “Jaws” have been nominated, only “The Silence of the Lambs” received the prestigious award.
Dec. 3
WORD OF THE DAY
syzygy [siz-i-jee] (noun):1. any two related things, either alike or opposite 2. a unity, alignment of three celestial objects such as the sun, earth and the moon or planet
FILM FACTS
What actor did the voice for the villain Syndrome in the Disney-Pixar film “The Incredibles?”
(Answer at bottom of column.)
NUMBER TO KNOW
1800: Turkish Airlines broke the existing record for world’s tallest sandcastle (45 feet and 10.25 inches) on Oct. 27 in honor of their new flight from Istanbul, Turkey to Miami, Florida. It took 19 sand sculptors, three weeks and 1800 tons of sand to complete the sculpture.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
December 3, 1910: Neon lighting is demonstrated for the first time at the Paris Motor Show.
FEATURED BIRTHDAY
Singer and Reality TV star Ozzy Osbourne (67)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” — Henry David Thoreau
TRIVIA ANSWER
Jason Lee
Dec. 4
WORD OF THE DAY
caliginous [kuh-lij-uh-nuhs] (adjective) misty; obscure, dark
FILM FACTS
What screwball comedy of the 1930s is Bugs Bunny creator Friz Freleng’s favorite film and inspired the mannerism of his famous animated rabbit?
(Answer at bottom of column.)
NUMBER TO KNOW
12: To celebrate New Year’s Day, Spaniards eat a grape for each of the twelve chimes of the midnight countdown while making a wish.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
December 4, 1791 — The Observer, the world’s first Sunday paper, is published.
FEATURED BIRTHDAY
Model and TV show host Tyra Banks (42)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” — William Arthur Ward
TRIVIA ANSWER
In “It Happened One Night” there is a scene in which Clark Gable’s character eats carrots while talking quickly with his mouth full; a minor character continually calls Clark Gable’s character “Doc” and an imaginary character named “Bugs Dooley” is mentioned.
Dec. 5
WORD OF THE DAY
lagniappe [lan-yap] (noun) 1. a gratuity or tip 2. a small gift with purchase 3. an unexpected benefit
FILM FACTS
What was the last movie shot on film, not digitally, to win an academy award for Best Cinematography?
(Answer at bottom of column.)
NUMBER TO KNOW
$83.75: The most expensive Starbucks coffee drink was ordered by William Lewis in Florida when he purchased a Starbucks “Mega Grande Latte,” a 160-ounce coffee drink for $83.75. The drink contained 99 shots of espresso, 17 pumps of vanilla syrup, mocha and matcha powder.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
December 5, 1848: President James K. Polk confirms to Congress that large amounts of gold had been discovered in California, marking the very beginnings of the California Gold Rush.
FEATURED BIRTHDAY
Rock singer Little Richard (83)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.” — Mae West
TRIVIA ANSWER
The 2010 film “Inception”
Dec. 6
WORD OF THE DAY
boondocks [boon-doks] (noun) 1. a brushy, remote rural area
FILM FACTS
Who played “Uncle Fester” in the first two Addams Family movies?
(Answer at bottom of column.)
NUMBER TO KNOW
87: In the U.S., 87 percent of Millennials drink tea.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
December 6, 1865 — Slavery is banned due to the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution being ratified.
FEATURED BIRTHDAY
Director Judd Apatow (48)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” — Theodore Roosevelt
TRIVIA ANSWER
Christopher Lloyd played the role in 1991’s The Addams Family and 1993’s The Addams Family Values.