Tidbits of the Rogue Valley Vol 2 Issue 18

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May 4, 2016

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VIDEO GAMES

by Janet Spencer Arthur Wynne was the editor of the puzzle page in the magazine section of the Sunday edition of the New York World. In 1913, he was looking for something new, having grown tired of word squares, hidden words, and anagrams. Fooling around with a word square, he decided to alter it a bit.

He called the result a word-cross. It was instantly popular, and became a regular feature. When it was left out one week, the paper was deluged with angry letters.

For the next ten years, the World was the only paper that published crosswords. A rival paper, the New York Times, thought crosswords were merely a passing fad and predicted their swift demise. Come along with Tidbits as we do a crossword!

GREAT BEGINNINGS • In 1924, two young men formed a partnership and started a publishing company. Problem was, they had nothing to publish. Then one of the men went to dinner at his aunt’s house. His aunt was looking for a Christmas present for her daughter.

She mentioned that the girl was addicted to the crossword puzzles published in the New York World. She asked her nephew if he knew of any place where she could buy a book of crosswords as a gift. He called around the next day, and discovered that no one in the world published books of crossword puzzles. He suggested to his business partner that they become the first publishing company to do so. (cont’d)

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GREAT BEGINNINGS (cont’d) • When the two publishers told their consultants they intended to publish crossword books, the consultants felt the idea would fail—it would be too monotonous, they said. They were counselled to publish the book under a pseudonym so that if the book failed, their real name would not be associated with the failure. So they published 3,600 copies of the book under the name of Plaza Publishing Co. • Advance sales were slow as booksellers felt the book would not sell. But on the day the book came out, the two publishers ran an ad next to the daily crossword in the paper. Book stores were swamped with requests—40,000 copies sold in the first few weeks. One distributor ordered 55,000 copies, then called back and ordered a quarter million more. Discarding their fake name of Plaza Publishing, the two men resumed using their original name: Simon and Schuster.

CROSSWORD COMPETITIONS • In 1970 a London newspaper held a crossword competition. They printed four crosswords of increasing difficulty in the paper. Over 20,000 people correctly completed the first; 1,000 managed the second; 302 completed the third; and only 42 got everything right on the fourth.

All 302 people who made it through the third puzzle were invited to the two-day finals.

During the semi-finals, they were given half an hour to finish each of eight crosswords.

The 36 finalists were asked to complete four more. The winner was Roy Dean, a 43-yearold Foreign Office diplomat who recently returned from 10 years in Sri Lanka— where he had never even seen a crossword.

• One shady outfit who ran a crossword lottery claimed that no one won the grand prize because they all missed 23 Across. The clue was: “To have to wait in ______ in the dentist’s office is infuriating.” Everybody filled in “Pain.” But the correct answer, they said, was “Vain.”

Some Dog Owners Need Training, Too DEAR PAW’S CORNER: When I’m out at the dog park, I see so many people who are ignored by their dogs. No matter how much they scream or shout, their pets just do whatever they want. I’ve tried to tell them that yelling only goes so far, but they don’t listen. What else can I do? -- Clarisse G., Cartersville, Georgia DEAR CLARISSE: One of the hardest subjects to broach with other owners is how to handle their pets. Particularly with dogs, owners have relationships akin to their own child, and the results of well-intentioned advice tend to be ineffectual. Owners may even snap back at you.

However, a badly behaved dog in a public area can have a lot of repercussions. An unruly dog may be attacked by another dog, or a human may be injured by a dog bite -events like that just add fuel to arguments against dog parks or dogs in public areas.

To get a dog to behave on command, two key factors can make a difference in training: A calm, confident voice when giving commands, and consequences. If a dog won’t follow a command, corrective action must be given as soon as possible --

putting it back on the leash, leaving the dog park, whatever.

Not surprisingly, dog owners who aren’t controlling their dogs respond to the same factors. If a dog is disrupting the other pets’ enjoyment of the park, tell its owner -- with confidence! -- that their dog has to act within the park’s rules, or leave. If they don’t respond, then bring the consequences: report the owner and dog to the city, or to the group -- if the dog park has an organized group of other owners.

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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You’re the first sign in the Zodiac and like to take the lead wherever you go. But this time, you’d be wise to follow someone who has much to teach you.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your adversary hasn’t given up trying to undermine you. Continue to stay cool -- someone in authority knows what’s happening.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Spring brings a positive aspect for relationships.

Paired Twins grow closer, while the single set finds new romance -- perhaps with a Leo or Libra.

CANCER ( June 21 to July 22) Wavering aspects this week mean weighing your words carefully to avoid misunderstandings.

LEO ( July 23 to August 22) You could soon be on a new career path in pursuit of those long-standing goals, but don’t cut any current ties until you’re sure you’re ready to make the change.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A former colleague wants to re-establish an old professional connection. It would be wise to make the contact, at least until you know what he or she is planning.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A relationship that survived some rocky moments could be facing a new challenge.

Deal with the problem openly, honestly and without delay. Good luck.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A recent and much-appreciated change in the workplace inspires you to make some changes in your personal life as well. Start with a plan to travel more.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A friend needs your kind and caring advice, but you need to know what he or she is hiding from you before you agree to get involved.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Your circle of friends continues to widen. Expect to hear from someone in your past who hopes to re-establish your once-close relationship.

AQUARIUS ( January 20 to February 18) Your aspects favor the arts. Indulge in whatever artistic expression you enjoy most.

A workplace situation will, I’m pleased to say, continue to improve.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Warning! Your tendency to let things slide until the last minute could have a negative effect on a relationship that you hope can develop into something meaningful.

BORN THIS WEEK: You are both emotional and sensible. You enjoy being with people. Good career choices include teaching, performing and the clergy.

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1. GAMES: How many dots are on a pair of standard dice?

2. GEOGRAPHY: The Tropic of Capricorn crosses three continents. What are they?

3. U.S. STATES: Which state capital is the only one that ends in the letter “x”?

4. MUSIC: The song “Getting to Know You” appears in what movie or play?

5. ASTRONOMY: Which planet is closest to the sun?

6. MYTHOLOGY: What village in Cornwall, England is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur?

7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What language is spoken by the Belgian people called Walloons?

8. HISTORY: What was the first country to recognize Mexico’s independence in 1821?

9. FOOD & DRINK: What kind of food is an aubergine?

10. MOVIES: What was the central theme of the 1945 movie “The Lost Weekend”?

1. Who holds the majorleague record for most consecutive games reaching base to start a season?

2. Ron Washington holds the record for most games managed by a Texas Rangers skipper (1,275).

Who is No. 2?

3. Who holds the NFL mark for most pass attempts to start a career without a touchdown pass?

4. Name the last men’s Division I college basketball team before Wichita State in 2014 and Kentucky in 2015 to finish the regular season unbeaten.

5. Entering 2016, when was the only time the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers made the NHL playoffs in the same season?

6. In 2015, Timothy Peters became the third NASCAR Truck Series driver to win consecutive races at Talladega. Name either of the other two.

7. Roger Federer, in 2016, became the first male tennis player to win 300 Grand Slam singles matches. Who is second on the list?

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Turn Mini Notebook Into Mom’s Day Gift

CROSSWORD COMPETITIONS • In 1926 two men composed a crossword puzzle and placed it in several newspapers.

They announced that anyone who correctly completed the puzzle and mailed it in with a $1 entry fee would be eligible to win the grand prize. Within the week, entries were arriving by the van load and they were taking their money to the bank in suitcases.

• Crossword competitions became so popular in India in the 1950s that parliament tried to make them illegal on the grounds that the fees to enter the crossword contests were leading people to financial ruin.

STRANGE PUZZLES • In 1972 in the London Times, readers of the classifieds were amazed to find a strange page in the back of the section. All of the column headings were in place—cars for sale, houses for rent—but all the ads were missing. The only thing normal about the page was the usual crossword down at the bottom corner where it always was. Those who completed the crossword discovered amusing messages on the value of butter. The entire page was an attention-grabbing ad for butter.

• A San Francisco paper once sold advertising space in the little black squares of the grid.

• One innovative crossword publisher came out with a book that had a number of perforated pieces of tracing paper in it. Puzzlers were to tear out a piece of the tracing paper and put it over the top of the puzzle they wanted to solve, leaving the book clean and unmarked for the next person to use.

• Robert Stilgenbauer of Los Angeles spent 11 years constructing a crossword with 3,185 down clues and 3,149 across. Over 125,000 copies were distributed, but none have been completed yet.

• One variety of crossword had two possible answers for every clue. (cont’d next page)

Think of all the times you need a little notebook: to jot down an inspiring quote, the name of a must-see movie, an appointment and all things in between. But wait; it’s 2016. Isn’t that what memo apps on smartphones are for? Where reminders and inspirational “aha” moments go up to the Cloud and back to save us from our “I forgot’s”?

Sure, I use that techy function, but I still like my little notebook, and I carry it just about everywhere I go. It’s a place where I write to me.

Mini notebooks with added flourish can be an economical, easy-to-craft gift for kids to give to Mom, Grandmother or a special aunt on Mother’s Day. Using everyday items, decorate the cover of a standard tablet or mini composition notebook, and make it special.

Here’s what you need: --1 small, inexpensive notebook or spiral-bound tablet approximately 4.5 inches by 3.25 inches --Leftover attractive wallpaper, gift-wrap or scrapbooking papers. I used the lovely patterned paper from the portfolio “Pretty Paper Parties,” by Vana Chupp (Chronicle Books) --Old or mismatched costume jewelry pieces, such as loop earrings, beads, rhinestones, etc.

--Narrow, pretty ribbon and other decorative craft supplies --Small alphabet letter stamps and stamp pad (optional) --Scissors --Craft glue Here’s the fun: 1. Cut the paper to fit the front and back covers of the tablet and glue it in place. Trim the outside corners, if necessary.

2. On a sheet of plain paper, use the stamps to stamp out “MOM,” or write it by hand, or find a favorite font and print it on a computer.

3. Decorate the cover with crafty odds and ends.

Cut out “MOM” from the sheet of paper and glue it on the cover. A repurposed lightweight hoop earring glued around the name makes a clever “frame.”

4. Tie a contrasting ribbon around the left side of the cover next to the binding or spiral. Add trinkets, charms or beads as you tie it together.

Extra idea: As summer vacation approaches, decorate more mini notebooks for gifts to teachers, and use them as mini-journals and logs for nature finds and discoveries.

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• One crossword composer wrote the clue “to make a go of.” The answer was “succeed.” But the paper made a typo when printing it, and it said, “to make a goof.” Calls and letters poured in.

• The same composer was once called on by a cross crossworder who could not find the answer to the clue “manager of the Globe Theater.” He had called the Globe Theater and found it had two managers. Neither of their names fit. He was surprised to find the clue referred to William Shakespeare.

• An 8-year-old boy caught another crossword error with the clue “had a wooden leg.” Captain Ahab was the only answer that fit, but Ahab had an ivory leg, not a wooden one.

• Then there was the man with bad handwriting who wrote the clue “Catholic chief.” The answer was “Pope” but the typesetter thought it said “Dope.”

They got plenty of letters on that one.

• Another paper printed the clue “Confederate General.” The answer was U.S. Grant— and a lot of people were surprised to find that Grant was a Confederate!

• One hard-up crossword writer printed the clue, “Six consonants and the letter ‘A’ five times.”

“Panama Canal” was what he had in mind, but one indignant puzzler submitted a number of answers that also fit, including Bahama Macaw, Sahara Sarah, Havana Madam, and Abracadabra.

• One magazine in 1958 accidentally printed the wrong diagram with the right set of clues. A few people actually managed to reconstruct the crossword from scratch.

• One clever clue was “An important city in Czechoslovakia” to which the answer was Oslo.

Yes, Oslo is in Norway, but look at the letters in the middle of the word “Czechoslovakia.”

To Your Good Health

By Keith Roach, M.D.

If Walking Hurts, Try Water Exercise

DEAR DR. ROACH: I just wanted to touch base with you about my diabetes. While my weight has stayed stable around 320 pounds, my sugar numbers have been increasingly hard to keep in line. I’ve maxed out on the oral medications we use. My latest A1c was 6.6.

The doctor says it should be under 6 and that our next step is insulin. He asked me to try to lose 50 pounds over the next six months in order to get my sugar back under control.

I agree and want it to happen. I’m counting calories and cutting out carbs, and have started walking in the morning. I know I can’t run, with no discs in my bottom three vertebrae.

But even walking is hard. I walk until my leg goes numb, but I don’t think it will be enough, and I may not even be able to keep that up. Even walking easy makes my hip hurt and leg go numb after about 20 minutes. -- S.A. ANSWER: I am surprised by your doctor’s advice, because it’s very clear now (from the ACCORD study) that an A1c (a measure of average sugar levels) of 7 percent has lower overall risks than an A1c of 6 percent for someone like you.

Exercise is always good, and my first thought is water. Getting in a pool will take pressure off your back, and you should be able to swim, walk in the water or do water-exercise classes to your heart’s content.

Readers: Start reaping the benefits of exercise the moment you begin. To learn more, order the booklet on Aerobics, Fitness and Abdominal Exercises by writing: Dr. Roach -- No. 1301W, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. *** DEAR DR. ROACH: What can you tell me about laser iridotomy for angle-closure glaucoma? What are the risks? What is the success rate? Any other things that would help make a

decision? -- J.K. ANSWER: Glaucoma is increased pressure inside the eye. Without treatment, it damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss, even permanent blindness.

Angle-closure glaucoma is caused by abnormal anatomy inside the eye, where the lens blocks the pupil, “closing” the channels that allow fluid to leave the eye. In acute closedangle glaucoma, symptoms include headache, a “halo” around lights and severe eye pain.

This is an emergency, since permanent vision changes may occur within hours to days, so the surgery is done immediately.

Ophthalmologists can suspect the condition based on exam, and if confirmed, will recommend treatment to prevent this emergency. It sounds like that is what has happened in your case.

I resist making a recommendation of laser versus non-laser surgery. In my mind, you trust your surgeon to use the right technique for you. However, in this case, laser is the standard treatment. I have read effectiveness rates of 60 percent to 95 percent. Complications are uncommon but can include inflammation and “ghost” images. Repeat surgery is occasionally needed.

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* It was 20th-century American politician and diplomat Adlai Stevenson who made the following sage observation: “The hardest thing about any political campaign is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning.” * According to a 2015 survey, more American adults would rather admit their weight than disclose their salary.

Amazing Animals

HOMING PIGEONS

• The homing pigeon is an ordinary sort of domestic pigeon derived from the common rock pigeon and trained to return home from long distances away.

There is no real difference between a homing pigeon and a carrier pigeon aside from the amount of training it has received.

* You might be surprised to learn that actor James Doohan, best known for his role as Scotty in the original “Star Trek” series, served in the Royal Canadian Artillery during World War II. He saw combat for the first time at the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, where he led his men through a field of anti-tank mines to reach higher ground. After defensive positions had

• Chinese officials began using homing pigeons to transmit messages as early as 500 B.C. In the 1200s, Kublai Khan set up a network of pigeons that linked the entire Chinese empire. The system survived for over 600 years.

• Caliph Aziz of Cairo had a passion for cherrries.

In 980 A.D. he sent huge shipments of homing pigeons to the cherry orchards in Egypt. Slaves tied small bags containing one cherry each to the feet of the pigeons and sent them home to the Nile.

• Homing pigeons made a fortune for the French Post Office during a siege of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. The Prussian army encircled Paris, cutting telegraph wires, destroying communication cables, and strangling the postal service. From the surrounding countryside, about 1,000 privately owned homing pigeons were donated and the “Pigeon Post” was born. To get the mail through, messages were set in type, photographed in microscopic size and printed on thin film. Each bird could carry up to 8,000 letters per day in this manner, and two birds were dispatched each day.

At a cost of ten cents per word, postal revenues brought in about $112,000. By the time the seige was over, pigeons had carried nearly 100,000 messages from Paris to the outside world.

• In 1814, Nathan Rothschild learned of Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo by carrier pigeon a full day before the general public new. As a result, he made a killing on the stock market. (continued)

Read the Label!

Acetaminophen, a commonly used overthe-counter pain reliever and fever reducer, has been shown in research trials to reduce the ability to spot errors. That can be serious, depending on what the user is doing while taking the drug.

In double-blind clinical trials, those taking acetaminophen didn’t notice any difference in their ability to see errors, but the test results told a different story: There really were slower reactions and mistakes.

(The participants’ task was to hit one of two buttons when certain letters appeared on a screen.)

Acetaminophen is an active ingredient in hundreds of over-the-counter and prescription medicines. If you take a pain reliever, be sure to read the package label to see if it contains acetaminophen, especially

Centralized Archives The Department of Veterans Affairs announced recently that the Dayton VA Medical Center will be the new site for the National Department of Veterans Affairs Archives. The plan is to renovate two existing buildings, built in 1871 and 1881.

Ideally they will completely gut the old buildings and start fresh, with fire safety a big consideration. Anyone who has requested military records from the National Archives’ National Personnel Record Center in St. Louis and been told that the records burned up in the 1973 fire will appreciate that sentiment.

The fire damaged or destroyed as many as 18 million Army and Air Force records. In the aftermath, it ordered that records from around the country not be destroyed anymore, since they could be used to piece together the history of veterans who apply for benefits or

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been established that night, he was crossing between command posts when he was shot six times -- by a Canadian sentry.

One of the bullets hit his chest, but it was stopped by a silver cigarette case that his brother had given him. * Researchers in the United Kingdom have developed what they’re calling the “SlugBog” -- a robot that eats slugs and is powered by the bio-gas created by their decay. * If you’ve ever had to explain yourself the morning after a raucous night out, you might be glad to know that the Tsonga people of southern Africa have a word that can be useful in certain of these circumstances. “Rhwe” means to sleep on the floor without a mat, while drunk and naked. * The University of Gottingen, in Germany, is in possession of a rare Bible -- it’s printed on 2,470 palm leaves.

if you have liver problems. In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about acetaminophen causing serious skin diseases, including rash and blisters. In 2015, the FDA amended the required warning on packages to expand on the possibility of liver damage.

One consumer product that contains acetaminophen goes much farther in its label warning and says not to take it with other drugs, limit use of caffeine, avoid alcohol, and more.

This should be a warning to all of us.

Just because something is available over the counter doesn’t mean it’s safe in all situations.

And even if we’ve taken a drug for a long time without harm, we need to start reading labels every time because the information in them might have changed.

To keep up with new information from the FDA, have updates sent to you by email. Go online to fda.gov and put Get Email Updates in the search box. Choose your preferred topics and fill in your email address.

for future generations doing genealogy.

Now the VA is trying to get all records from all sources digitized. Different branches have different methods of producing records, and not all are digitized. Some historic records and artifacts are stored at National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C. Others are scattered at 150 facilities around the country. The plan to centralize all of it is theoretically a good one.

However, until the VA has caught up on all current records requests, any plans to centralize historical documents and objects should be put on hold until all records are digitized.

Meanwhile, make a copy (paper and digital) of every single piece of paper you have pertaining to your military service. Make a list of dates, locations and personnel who served with you. Put it in a bank box. You never know when it will be needed.

To read the full reports and keep track of new ones as they come in, check www.va.gov/ oig.

Judy Bolton Mysteries Q: I realize that you have written in the past about Nancy Drew books. When I was a young girl, I became addicted to the Judy Bolton series and have the first five published during the early 1930s, namely “The Vanishing Shadow,” “The Haunted Attic,” “The Invisible Chimes,” “Seven Strange Clues” and “The Ghost Parade.” All are in excellent condition, and all except “Ghost Parade” have their original covers. -- Carole, Springfield, Missouri

A: One of the better reference books for series such as Nancy Drew, Cherry Ames, Penny Parker and Judy Bolton is “All About Collecting Girls’ Series Books” by John Axe and published by Hobby House Books.

According to Axe, the first Judy Bolton title was issued in 1932. The next nine titles followed between 1932 and 1937. The series, written by Margaret Sutton, eventually ended in 1967 after some 38 titles, a record for a juvenile mysteryseries author. Values can vary, but the first editions from the early 1930s seem to sell in the $5-$75 range. *** Q: I am sending you a picture of an antique necklace that I have inherited. I need you to tell me its history and how much it is worth. -Beverly, Albuquerque, New Mexico A: As I often say in this column, I do not appraise items. There is a reason for this. I am not an appraiser, and I don’t make guesstimates. If I

tell you your necklace is worth $200 and you later find out it is worth several times that amount, you would not be happy with me. If you suspect your necklace is valuable, find out for certain by hiring a professional appraiser in your area. It will be worth the investment. *** Q: I have inherited about a dozen pieces of majolica pottery. Most are from the Victorianera. Can you recommend a good reference so I can determine current values? -- Carol, El Paso, Texas A: One of the better references is “Warman’s Majolica: Identification and Price Guide” by Mark F. Moran and published by Krause Books.

When using a price guide, keep in mind that prices listed are not chiseled in stone. Prices can vary from region to region, and the market is always in flux.

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HOMING PIGEONS (cont’d) • During World War I, nearly 200 soldiers of New York’s 77th Infantry Division became isolated from other American forces. They were surrounded by enemy troops, and found themselves under fire from their own artillery.

They had three homing pigeons and no other method of communication. On October 4, 1918, a message was attached to the leg of one pigeon and it was released, only to be shot down. The second pigeon was also killed.

They had only one pigeon left—a carrier pigeon called Cher Ami, which is French for “dear friend.” The message tied to his leg read, “Our artillery is dropping a barrage

P E T S - FA R M

on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it!” The bird was released, only to be shot through the leg.

Miraculously, he kept flying— and was shot through the breast. But the bird kept going and arrived at his loft with the message barely attached to his mangled leg. Within hours help arrived and the 77th Infantry Division was saved. Cher Ami was awarded the French “Croix de Guerre.” He died in 1919 as a result of his wounds and his remains are on display at the Smithsonian.

• In the 1980s Lockheed’s plant in California employed 15 carrier pigeons to carry microfilm capsules to the test base 30 miles (48 km) away. The pigeons could make the

R E A L E S TAT E

trip in 40 minutes, faster than a courier in a car could. Also, they had an effectiveness rate of 100%. They never delivered to the wrong address, or showed up with damaged goods.

• Homing pigeons and migratory birds can be deflected from their routes by radio transmitters. Homing pigeons cannot find their way if a magnet is tied to their necks.

• The longest flight by a homing pigeon was 5,400 miles (8,690 km) by a bird released from West Africa which travelled to its home in England in 1845. The trip took two months, and the bird fell dead only one mile from its loft.

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STORIES BEHIND PLANT NAMES • “Azalea” comes from the Latin “azaleos” meaning dry or parched. The plant was named in the belief that it grew only in dry soils.

• “Rhodon” is Greek for rose, and “dendron” means tree: rhododendron.

• Iris was the goddess of the rainbow who was in charge of receiving the souls of dying women. The god Juno was so impressed with her purity that he named a flower after her.

• Lobelia was named in honor of botanist Matthias L’Obel. The wisteria vine was named after naturalist Dr. Casper Wistar.

• Marigolds were named after the virgin Mary: Mary’s gold.

• “Phlox” is the Greek word for fire, and phlox was named because it is fire red. Phlox is also the root of the word “phlegm,” because phlegm was thought to cause fiery fevers.

• The Greeks thought that the leaves of the common garden flower alyssum could cure the madness caused by being bitten by a rabid animal. Since “lyssa” was the word for madness and “a-” is a negative prefix, the alyssum was born.

• Columbine comes from the Latin word “columba” meaning dove because the flowers resemble a circle of doves.

• Larkspur was so named because the flower resembles the spur on the back of the feet of birds in the lark family.

• “Primus” is Latin for first, and primrose is one of the first flowers to appear in the spring.

• The Sanskrit word “parna” meaning a wing or feather became the German word “farn” which became the Anglo-Saxon word “fearn” and is now our fern.

• Lichens come from the Greek verb “leichein” meaning to lick up, because they seem to lick their way across the ground.

• “Mistel” is an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning dung, and “tan” meant twig. “Misteltan” or “the little dung twig” was so named because birds eat the berries off the twigs and the seeds are deposited in their dung. Today the word has turned into mistletoe.

• “Wych” is the Anglo-Saxon word meaning “to

1. Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees did it in 53 games in 1999.

2. Bobby Valentine, with 1,186.

3. Arizona’s Ryan Lindley threw for a touchdown after 228 pass attempts.

4. St. Joseph’s went 27-0 in the 2003-04 regular season.

5. It was the 1995-96 season.

6. Todd Bodine (2007, ‘08) and Kyle Busch (‘09, ‘10).

7. Jimmy Connors, with 233 victories.

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bend” resulting in witch hazel: the bending hazel.

• “Gar” is old English for spear, and “leac” is the original way of spelling leek. “Garleac” is now garlic, a leek shaped like a spear.

• The Chinese word “jen-shen” meant manplant, referring to the shape of the root. It resulted in the word ginseng.

• Mentha was the mythical mistress of Pluto, who ruled Hades. Pluto’s wife was so jealous that she transformed Mentha into a lowly plant that would forever afterwards be trampled upon by humans. Pluto felt sorry for Mentha, and decreed that the more the plant was trampled, the sweeter it would smell. Today, Mentha is called mint.

• Chamomile came from the Greek words “chamai” meaning “on the ground,” and “melon” meaning “apple.”

• The Spanish word “zarza” means bramble, and “parilla” means a vine. “Zarzaparilla” came into English as sarsaparilla.

• Strawberry comes from the word “streaw” which means strew, because the plant strews runners across the ground.

• Cranberries were first called “cranebarries” because the stamens of the flowers look like the beak of a crane. Likewise, geraniums were named from the Greek word “geranos” meaning crane, because the seed pods are pointed like the bill of a crane.

• Nettles were so named because they were originally used to weave nets.

Answers 1. 42 2. Australia, South America and Africa 3. Phoenix, Arizona 4. “The King and I” 5. Mercury 6. Tintagel 7. French 8. The United States 9. Eggplant 10. Alcoholism