Totally Random Trivia - 2026

4. Instant Pot

1. Christie's and Sotheby's. 

Quote: Karlsson

4. Instant Pot

I had an Instant Pot but hardly ever used it except to make hard boiled eggs.

I found it to be a little complicated and not intuitive at all.  Tried to sell it on Facebook Marketplace but had no takers so ended up giving it away.

Answers to Tuesday, September 8, 2026

1. Of the 50 most expensive paintings ever sold at auction, 48 were sold by one of two famous auction houses. Name either of them.

Christie’s, Sotheby’s

2. Levi Stubbs was a prominent baritone who provided the voice for the alien plant Audrey II in the 1986 film “Little Shop of Horrors.” Before that, he was a member of what Motown quartet, known for “Baby I Need Your Loving”?

The Four Tops

3. Stars appear on many U.S. state flags, but only one state’s depicts a real asterism, or small pattern of stars. The Big Dipper can be seen on the flag of which state?

Alaska

4. “The BLANK failed because it was a good product”: That’s a quote from The Atlantic, about the bankruptcy of what kitchen appliance, which appeared in 2010 and peaked in 2020?

Instant Pot

5. South African golfer Ernie Els got his nickname from his 6-foot-3 height and his fluid golf swing. If you put that nickname into Wikipedia, it will take you to the page for what U.S. city?

New Orleans
(he’s known as The Big Easy)

Questions for
Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email. 

1. The Beatles released a cover of “Till There Was You” on their second album. It was written by Meredith Willson for what 1957 Broadway musical?

2. What late comedian kept a catalog of more than 65,000 of her jokes — typewritten on note cards and filed under such headings as “Las Vegas,” “Parents Hated Me,” and “Guys I Dated” — which is searchable by fans visiting the National Comedy Center in New York?

3. Though more famous for his “Common Sense,” what Founding Father also wrote “Agrarian Justice,” in which he proposed a welfare system, universal basic income, and estate taxes?

4. The San Diego–Tijuana metro area is the U.S.’s second-largest binational metro area — meaning an urban area interrupted by the U.S. border. What two cities make up the largest binational metro area (by population) in North America?

5. Larry David co-created “Seinfeld,” and voiced what boss of George’s, only shot from behind?

3. Thomas Paine

5. George Steinbrenner

2.  Joan Rivers

4. Detroit-Windsor

4. Detroit-Windsor ?

1. The Music Man

Answers to Wednesday,
September 9, 2026

1. The Beatles released a cover of “Till There Was You” on their second album. It was written by Meredith Willson for what 1957 Broadway musical?

“The Music Man” 

2. What late comedian kept a catalog of more than 65,000 of her jokes — typewritten on note cards and filed under such headings as “Las Vegas,” “Parents Hated Me,” and “Guys I Dated” — which is searchable by fans visiting the National Comedy Center in New York?

Joan Rivers

3. Though more famous for his “Common Sense,” what Founding Father also wrote “Agrarian Justice,” in which he proposed a welfare system, universal basic income, and estate taxes?

Thomas Paine

4. The San Diego–Tijuana metro area is the U.S.’s second-largest binational metro area — meaning an urban area interrupted by the U.S. border. What two cities make up the largest binational metro area (by population) in North America?

Detroit (Michigan), Windsor (Ontario)

5. Larry David co-created “Seinfeld,” and voiced what boss of George’s, only shot from behind?

George Steinbrenner

Questions for
Theme Thursday, September 10, 2026

History Re-“P”s Itself: Mind your “P”s with these Qs about history! Each answer will begin with a “P.” 

Answers in tomorrow’s email. 

1. George Washington spent much of his life surveying what river, nicknamed “the Nation’s River” due to its role in several important events throughout American history?

2. What ancient Jordanian city, famous for buildings that are carved into surrounding rock formations, has been designated both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”?

3. The world’s largest office building was completed in 2023 in India. The world’s second-largest office building was completed in 1943. What distinctively shaped building is it?

4. For the 1943 NFL season, two cities joined their teams after both experienced a large number of players leaving for military service. Name both of those cities!

5. Construction on the world’s largest ancient castle complex began in 870 CE. It sits atop a hill along the Vltava River in what European city?

1. The Potomac

3. The Pentagon

2. Petra

Would assume 4 is Philly and Pittsburgh 

5 Prague 

Answers to Thursday,
September 10, 2026

History Re-“P”s Itself: Mind your “P”s with these Qs about history! Each answer will begin with a “P.” 

1. George Washington spent much of his life surveying what river, nicknamed “the Nation’s River” due to its role in several important events throughout American history?

Potomac River

2. What ancient Jordanian city, famous for buildings that are carved into surrounding rock formations, has been designated both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”?

Petra

3. The world’s largest office building was completed in 2023 in India. The world’s second-largest office building was completed in 1943. What distinctively shaped building is it?

Pentagon

4. For the 1943 NFL season, two cities joined their teams after both experienced a large number of players leaving for military service. Name both of those cities!

Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

5. Construction on the world’s largest ancient castle complex began in 870 CE. It sits atop a hill along the Vltava River in what European city?

Prague
(Czech Republic)

Questions for Friday,
September 11, 2026

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in Monday’s email. 

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Texas shares an international border with four Mexican states. Name as many of those states as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.

2. Some Australians eat chocolate bilbies during a certain time of year. The American equivalent is to eat a chocolate… what?

3. A wedding tradition re-popularized by the TV series “Roots” involves jumping over what common household item?

4. A natural monument site in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil shares what name with the band behind the hit song “Green-Eyed Lady”?

5. Tomorrow is September 12. Happy 48th birthday to what former teen drama heartthrob and documentary filmmaker who, according to him, “is the only six-time Teen Choice Awards nominee to have written a best-selling book on economics”?

3. A broom

4. Sugarloaf

1. Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas

2. Bunny 

Answers to Friday, September 11, 2026

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Texas shares an international border with four Mexican states. Name as many of those states as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.

Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas

2. Some Australians eat chocolate bilbies during a certain time of year. The American equivalent is to eat a chocolate… what?

Bunny
(at Easter; a bilby is a long-eared marsupial)

3. A wedding tradition re-popularized by the TV series “Roots” involves jumping over what common household item?

Broom 

4. A natural monument site in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil shares what name with the band behind the hit song “Green-Eyed Lady”?

Sugarloaf

5. Tomorrow is September 12. Happy 48th birthday to what former teen drama heartthrob and documentary filmmaker who, according to him, “is the only six-time Teen Choice Awards nominee to have written a best-selling book on economics”?

Benjamin McKenzie

Questions for
Monday, September 14, 2026

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.

1. In 1955, Aaron Lapin obtained a patent for “dispensing valves for gas pressure containers.” He used that patent to enable the second-most eaten whipped topping in the United States after Cool Whip. What is that brand’s name?

2. Oblonskaya is the maiden name of what 19th-century literary title character?

3. What two-word term was coined by Hasbro in 1964 to market G.I. Joe to boys?

4. “I’m ready for my close-up” is a line delivered by actor Gloria Swanson, in character as actor Norma Desmond, in what 1950 film?

5. “A Skeleton Amid Roses” is an illustration from 1900 by E.J. Sullivan, for a book of poems by the 11th-century poet Omar Khayyam. In 1966, it was discovered in the San Francisco Public Library and repurposed to advertise what band?

5. Grateful Dead

1. Reddi Whip

4. "Sunset Boulevard"

3. Action figure

2 Anna karenina 

Answers to Monday, September 14, 2026

1. In 1955, Aaron Lapin obtained a patent for “dispensing valves for gas pressure containers.” He used that patent to enable the second-most eaten whipped topping in the United States after Cool Whip. What is that brand’s name?

Reddi-Wip

2. Oblonskaya is the maiden name of what 19th-century literary title character?

Anna Karenina

3. What two-word term was coined by Hasbro in 1964 to market G.I. Joe to boys?

“Action figure”

4. “I’m ready for my close-up” is a line delivered by actor Gloria Swanson, in character as actor Norma Desmond, in what 1950 film?

“Sunset Boulevard”

5. “A Skeleton Amid Roses” is an illustration from 1900 by E.J. Sullivan, for a book of poems by the 11th-century poet Omar Khayyam. In 1966, it was discovered in the San Francisco Public Library and repurposed to advertise what band?

The Grateful Dead

Questions for
Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email. 

1. A 2004 “Peppa Pig” episode called “Mr. Skinnylegs” taught Peppa and her family that spiders are small, harmless, and make wonderful pets. What country refuses to air the episode, due to parental complaints calling that advice inappropriate and ill-advised?

2. A style of floral garland traditionally made for graduation at women’s colleges appears in the name of what music festival founded by Olivia Rodrigo?

3. Due back to finish the job in 2061, in 1910 concerned Americans were buying pills and gas masks out of fear that what celestial object heralded the demise of all life on Earth?

4. According to legend, Catherine Medici loved spinach so much that a term derived from the city of her birth has come to mean “prepared with spinach.” In what city was she born?

5. “Pickles to Pittsburgh” and “Planet of the Pies” are sequels to what 1978 children’s book by Judi and Ron Barrett, which also spawned two movies and a TV series?

3. Halley's Comet?

4. Florence

2. Daisy Chain

Answers to Tuesday, September 15, 2026

1. A 2004 “Peppa Pig” episode called “Mr. Skinnylegs” taught Peppa and her family that spiders are small, harmless, and make wonderful pets. What country refuses to air the episode, due to parental complaints calling that advice inappropriate and ill-advised?

Australia

2. A style of floral garland traditionally made for graduation at women’s colleges appears in the name of what music festival founded by Olivia Rodrigo?

Daisy Chain (Fields)

3. Due back to finish the job in 2061, in 1910 concerned Americans were buying pills and gas masks out of fear that what celestial object heralded the demise of all life on Earth?

Halley's Comet

4. According to legend, Catherine Medici loved spinach so much that a term derived from the city of her birth has come to mean “prepared with spinach.” In what city was she born?

Florence
(Florentine)

5. “Pickles to Pittsburgh” and “Planet of the Pies” are sequels to what 1978 children’s book by Judi and Ron Barrett, which also spawned two movies and a TV series?

“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

Questions for
Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email. 

1. What cheerful name is shared by a member of the Korean group Girls’ Generation, a Bobby Hebb song covered by Boney M., and the Portuguese water dog adopted by the Obamas in 2013?

2. In June, Wendy’s introduced the Banana Frosty as part of a collaboration with what 2026 animated movie prequel?

3. What franchise of procedural dramas co-created by Ryan Murphy shares its title with a Grammy-nominated 2000 single by Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige?

4. Edwinton was named after the engineer-in-chief of the Northern Pacific Railway and, until 1873, was the pre-Iron Chancellor name of which U.S. state's capital?

5. “LOL” is a relatively new phrase that can be seen printed on what seasonal candy, which used to be manufactured by the New England Confectionery Company before it was purchased by the Spangler Candy Company in 2018?

4. Bismarck, ND

5. Sweethearts candy

1 Sunny

2. Minions & Monsters

3. 911

(terrible shows imho)

Answers to Wednesday,
September 16, 2026

1. What cheerful name is shared by a member of the Korean group Girls’ Generation, a Bobby Hebb song covered by Boney M., and the Portuguese water dog adopted by the Obamas in 2013?

Sunny

2. In June, Wendy’s introduced the Banana Frosty as part of a collaboration with what 2026 animated movie prequel?

“Minions and Monsters”

3. What franchise of procedural dramas co-created by Ryan Murphy shares its title with a Grammy-nominated 2000 single by Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige?

“9-1-1” (“911”)

4. Edwinton was named after the engineer-in-chief of the Northern Pacific Railway and, until 1873, was the pre-Iron Chancellor name of which U.S. state's capital?

North Dakota
(Bismarck)

5. “LOL” is a relatively new phrase that can be seen printed on what seasonal candy, which used to be manufactured by the New England Confectionery Company before it was purchased by the Spangler Candy Company in 2018?

Sweethearts

Questions for
Theme Thursday, September 17, 2026

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and runs through October 15. Here are five questions about the legacy and achievements of the Latino community in America.

Answers in tomorrow’s email. 

1. Barack Obama appointed the first Latina Supreme Court Justice in 2009. She has also published several books such as “My Beloved World” and “Just Help! How to Build a Better World.” Name that Supreme Court Justice.

2. The 2015 jukebox musical “On Your Feet!” is based on the lives and music of a Grammy-winning husband-and-wife team with what surname?

3. Mario Molina is the first Mexican-born person to win a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He had a pivotal role in the discovery that what type of compound is a major cause of ozone depletion?

4. Ellen Ochoa became the first Latina astronaut to go to space in 1993. She flew aboard what shuttle, which has been launched more times than any other NASA shuttle?

5. What 10-time NBA All Star — the only player to appear on covers for all three of EA Sports’ basketball video game franchises — was drafted third overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2003?

2. Estefan
5. Carmelo Anthony

1. Sotomayor 

3. CFCs?

4.  Discovery

Quote: MNNavy

1. Sotomayor 

3. CFCs?

you are correct on #3

Answers to Thursday,
September 17, 2026

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and runs through October 15. Here are five questions about the legacy and achievements of the Latino community in America.

1. Barack Obama appointed the first Latina Supreme Court Justice in 2009. She has also published several books such as “My Beloved World” and “Just Help! How to Build a Better World.” Name that Supreme Court Justice.

Sonia Sotomayor

2. The 2015 jukebox musical “On Your Feet!” is based on the lives and music of a Grammy-winning husband-and-wife team with what surname?

Estefan
(Gloria and Emilio Estefan)

3. Mario Molina is the first Mexican-born person to win a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He had a pivotal role in the discovery that what type of compound is a major cause of ozone depletion?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)

4. Ellen Ochoa became the first Latina astronaut to go to space in 1993. She flew aboard what shuttle, which has been launched more times than any other NASA shuttle?

Discovery

5. What 10-time NBA All Star — the only player to appear on covers for all three of EA Sports’ basketball video game franchises — was drafted third overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2003?

Carmelo Anthony

Questions for
Friday, September 18, 2026

Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in Monday’s email.

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Kirsten, Samantha, and Molly, the first American Girl dolls, debuted in 1986. The next five historical American Girl dolls were released from 1991 to 2002. Name as many of those dolls as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.

2. In 1975, plans for a 10-hour film adaptation starring Salvador Dalí were scrapped. In 1984, a two-hour adaptation featuring Sting was released. And in a couple months, the third film in a three-part adaptation will be released. Name that 1965 novel!

3. In the 1940s, maître d’ Ignacio Anaya invented and lent his nickname to a snack dish that didn't become widely popular until decades later, when it began being served at ballparks in Texas. By what name do we know this dish today?

4. The longest river in China is also the third-longest river in the world. Name that river!

5. Today is September 18. This day in 1964 featured the premiere of what TV series, starring Carolyn Jones as the matriarch of the titular family?

3. Nachos

2. "Dune"

4. Yangtze

5. The Addams Family

1.  My daughter had one American Girl Doll but I have no idea what her name was, where it fit into the release order, or really anything about it other than its backstory was like a bad Hallmark Channel Movie and AGD was almost as good as Disney extracting money from parents.  

Quote: Greyeagle

1.  My daughter had one American Girl Doll but I have no idea what her name was, where it fit into the release order, or really anything about it other than its backstory was like a bad Hallmark Channel Movie and AGD was almost as good as Disney extracting money from parents.  

I spent many hours, against my will,  at the American Girl Doll store at MOA