Totally Random Trivia - 2026

2. Komodo Island

5. Nikola Tesla

Answers to Monday,
January 26, 2026

1. The 2 in a No. 2 pencil refers to the hardness of the lead. Is No. 1 lead harder or softer than No. 2?

Softer

2. Filmmaker Merian Cooper was inspired to make the movie “King Kong” after a friend returned from a trip with the world’s largest extant lizard, which they’d gotten from what East Indies island?

Komodo
(the Komodo dragon)

3. In 1992, a Houston Astros scout quit his job in protest after the team ignored his advice to draft what shortstop, who would go on to lead another team to five World Series victories en route to the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Derek Jeter

4. What part of a chicken was known as the “merrythought” in 17th-century England?

The wishbone

5. One of the earliest examples of a remote control was demonstrated at the Electrical Exhibition at Madison Square Garden in 1898, when what inventor wirelessly piloted a toy boat, briefly convincing the amazed crowd that he was controlling it with his mind?

Nikola Tesla

Questions for
Tuesday, January 27, 2026

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

1. In 1952, a geologist and oceanographer named Marie Tharp helped validate the theory of continental drift when her maps of the ocean floor revealed a V-shaped structure running along the seafloor south of Greenland. This turned out to be what 10,000-mile-long, mostly underwater mountain chain?

2. What syndicated radio countdown, currently hosted by Ryan Seacrest, debuted in July 1970, and was hosted by Casey Kasem for its first 18 years?

3. What nine-letter word, often used in wine-tasting and food rheology, refers to the physical sensations caused by consuming certain foods or drinks?

4. Of the 10 most-visited websites globally, just one has a URL that doesn’t end in “.com.” What website is it?

5. In 1975, the nation of East Timor declared independence from Portugal, only to be invaded nine days later by the country occupying West Timor. Name that country.

2. American Top 40

1 Mid-Atlantic Ridge

2 American top 40

3. mouthfeel

I would think 4 is wikipedia but that's purely a guess.

5. Indonesia

Answers to Tuesday,
January 27, 2026

1. In 1952, a geologist and oceanographer named Marie Tharp helped validate the theory of continental drift when her maps of the ocean floor revealed a V-shaped structure running along the seafloor south of Greenland. This turned out to be what 10,000-mile-long, mostly underwater mountain chain?

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

2. What syndicated radio countdown, currently hosted by Ryan Seacrest, debuted in July 1970, and was hosted by Casey Kasem for its first 18 years?

“American Top 40”
  
3. What nine-letter word, often used in wine-tasting and food rheology, refers to the physical sensations caused by consuming certain foods or drinks?

“Mouthfeel”

4. Of the 10 most-visited websites globally, just one has a URL that doesn’t end in “.com.” What website is it?

Wikipedia
(.org)

5. In 1975, the nation of East Timor declared independence from Portugal, only to be invaded nine days later by the country occupying West Timor. Name that country.

Indonesia

Questions for
Wednesday, January 28, 2026

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

1. January 28 is National Pop Art Day! One of the most recognizable images in pop art is a work by Keith Haring featuring two friends in an embrace and radiating light. This iconic work was donated to what international nonprofit to use as their logo?

2. Cinnamon-spiced chili served over spaghetti noodles is a regional delicacy closely associated with what US city?

3. What line of dolls was created by Barbie designer Carter Bryant in the early 2000s while he was working for Mattel, leading to a five-year legal battle?

4. What nursery rhyme ends, “And so between them both, you see, they licked the platter clean”?

5. Wallace Shawn voices the principal, Joey Lawrence voices the bully, and Tevin Campbell voices famous singer Powerline in what 1995 Disney movie?

2 Cincinnati

4 Jack Sprat

3.  Bratz

5. A Goofy Movie

Answers to Wednesday,
January 28, 2026

1. January 28 is National Pop Art Day! One of the most recognizable images in pop art is a work by Keith Haring featuring two friends in an embrace and radiating light. This iconic work was donated to what international nonprofit to use as their logo?

Best Buddies

2. Cinnamon-spiced chili served over spaghetti noodles is a regional delicacy closely associated with what Ohio city?

Cincinnati

3. What line of dolls was created by Barbie designer Carter Bryant in the early 2000s while he was working for Mattel, leading to a five-year legal battle?

Bratz

4. What nursery rhyme ends, “And so between them both, you see, they licked the platter clean”?

Jack Sprat

5. Wallace Shawn voices the principal, Joey Lawrence voices the bully, and Tevin Campbell voices famous singer Powerline in what 1995 Disney movie?

“A Goofy Movie”

Questions for
Theme Thursday, January 29, 2026

National Geographic Day: National Geographic Day is an annual observance celebrated this week. In honor of the publication founded almost 140 years ago, here are five questions about National Geographic throughout the years.

Answers in tomorrow’s email.

1. Sharbat Gula is the famous subject of the June 1985 and April 2002 issues of National Geographic. Per the title of the 1985 cover, Gula claims what country as her country of origin?

2. Sculptor Donald Featherstone used photos in National Geographic to design a lawn ornament for the Union Products Plastics Company in 1957. He named it Phoenicopterus ruber plasticus. It is more commonly known as what?

3. A 2011 YouTube viral video features commentary by a narrator identified only as “Randall,” dubbed over pre-existing Nat Geo Wild footage of what indifferent carnivorous mammal?

4. A National Geographic map of Europe with markings where Allied leaders divided Germany into zones of occupation is featured at a museum in London dedicated to what world leader?
       
5. The April 1913 issue of National Geographic is dedicated entirely to a “wonderful city of refuge on the mountain top.” It contained the first widely published pictures of what South American archaeological site?

3. Honey Badger

1.  Afghanistan 

4.  Winston Churchill

2 Plastic Flamingo

5 Machu Picchu

Answers to Thursday,
January 29, 2026

National Geographic Day: National Geographic Day is an annual observance celebrated this week. In honor of the publication founded almost 140 years ago, here are five questions about National Geographic throughout the years.

1. Sharbat Gula is the famous subject of the June 1985 and April 2002 issues of National Geographic. Per the title of the 1985 cover, Gula claims what country as her country of origin?

Afghanistan

2. Sculptor Donald Featherstone used photos in National Geographic to design a lawn ornament for the Union Products Plastics Company in 1957. He named it Phoenicopterus ruber plasticus. It is more commonly known as what?

Plastic pink flamingo (pink flamingo, lawn flamingo, etc.)

3. A 2011 YouTube viral video features commentary by a narrator identified only as “Randall,” dubbed over pre-existing Nat Geo Wild footage of what indifferent carnivorous mammal?

Honey badger

4. A National Geographic map of Europe with markings where Allied leaders divided Germany into zones of occupation is featured at a museum in London dedicated to what world leader?

Winston Churchill
        
5. The April 1913 issue of National Geographic is dedicated entirely to a “wonderful city of refuge on the mountain top.” It contained the first widely published pictures of what South American archaeological site?

Machu Picchu

Questions for Friday, January 30, 2026

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

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Season 4 of “The Traitors” features cast members that represent 10 different reality TV franchises. Name as many of those franchises as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect. Note: You only need to name the franchise, not the specific season/city the cast member was on.

2. What eight-letter word can refer to both a Fifth Avenue Manhattan store (in relation to Tiffany & Co.) and the Queen Anne’s Revenge (in relation to Edward Teach)?

3. A statue of a speakers' wagon stands near Randolph Street in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago to commemorate what 1886 event?

4. What Japanese TV show, which gained a new international fan base when it began streaming on Netflix in 2022, follows children who go on errands by themselves for the very first time?

5. Today is January 30. This day in 1968 was the opening day for a Washington D.C. landmark that had been closed for 103 years following the assassination of whom?

5.  Abraham Lincoln (Ford's Theater)

2 Flagship

3. The Haymarket Affair

4. Old Enough!

Answers to Friday, January 30, 2026

1. Quit While You’re Ahead: Season 4 of “The Traitors” features cast members that represent 10 different reality TV franchises. Name as many of those franchises as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect. Note: You only need to name the franchise, not the specific season/city the cast member was on.

“The Amazing Race,” “The Bachelor/Bachelorette,” “Big Brother,” “Dancing With the Stars,” “Laguna Beach,” “Love Island,” “The Real Housewives,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Survivor,” “Top Chef”
(also acceptable: “The Challenge,” “Ladies of London”)

2. What eight-letter word can refer to both a Fifth Avenue Manhattan store (in relation to Tiffany & Co.) and the Queen Anne’s Revenge (in relation to Edward Teach)?

“Flagship”
(Edward Teach is Blackbeard)

3. A statue of a speakers' wagon stands near Randolph Street in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago to commemorate what 1886 event?

Haymarket Riot

4. What Japanese TV show, which gained a new international fan base when it began streaming on Netflix in 2022, follows children who go on errands by themselves for the very first time?

“Old Enough!”

5. Today is January 30. This day in 1968 was the opening day for a Washington D.C. landmark that had been closed for 103 years following the assassination of whom?

Abraham Lincoln
(Ford’s Theatre)

Questions for
Monday, February 2, 2026

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

1. Steven Spielberg was sitting in his car listening to Earth, Wind, and Fire with the bass cranked when he noticed that the vibrations were shaking his rearview mirror. This was the inspiration for a famous shot in what movie, which he was directing at the time?

2. In the U.S. release of Disney's “Mulan,” the character Shang was voiced by B.D. Wong, while his songs were performed by Donny Osmond. What Hong Kong action star performed both roles for the film's Chinese releases?

3. The 1999 London Weekend Television documentary series “Boiling Point” introduced audiences to what mercurial chef as he opened his first restaurant in Chelsea?

4. The 23rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1961, extended the right to vote for president to people residing… where?

5. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez and Disney’s “Encanto” both take place in what country?

3. Gordon Ramsay

4. Washington D.C.

1. Jurassic Park

5. Columbia

2. Jackie Chan

Answers to Monday,
February 2, 2026

1. Steven Spielberg was sitting in his car listening to Earth, Wind, and Fire with the bass cranked when he noticed that the vibrations were shaking his rearview mirror. This was the inspiration for a famous shot in what movie, which he was directing at the time?

“Jurassic Park”
(the water rippling in the cup when T. rex approaches)

2. In the U.S. release of Disney's “Mulan,” the character Shang was voiced by B.D. Wong, while his songs were performed by Donny Osmond. What Hong Kong action star performed both roles for the film's Chinese releases?

Jackie Chan

3. The 1999 London Weekend Television documentary series “Boiling Point” introduced audiences to what mercurial chef as he opened his first restaurant in Chelsea?

Gordon Ramsay

4. The 23rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1961, extended the right to vote for president to people residing… where?

Washington, D.C.

5. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez and Disney’s “Encanto” both take place in what country?

Colombia

Questions for
Tuesday, February 3, 2026

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

1. The desert oasis city of Timbuktu is located in what landlocked West African country?

2. The story of “The Iliad” focuses mostly on a handful of weeks during the Trojan War, while King Agamemnon quarreled with what Greek warrior?

3. What style of processed meat, which gets its name from the Romanian for “pressed,” was originally made in Europe with goose breast before immigrants to New York found beef to be cheaper and more readily available?

4. What Middle Eastern folk hero made seven sea voyages, encountering such dangers as man-eating giants, a city of bird-people, and a valley of giant snakes, but definitely never made a movie in the ’90s about a genie called “Shazaam”?
 
5. What actor won her second Oscar for her performance as Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire,” following her previous win for “Gone With the Wind”?

1.  Mali

4. Sinbad the Sailor 

3. Pastrami

5. Vivien Leigh

2. Achilles

Answers to Tuesday,
February 3, 2026

1. The desert oasis city of Timbuktu is located in what landlocked West African country?

Mali

2. The story of “The Iliad” focuses mostly on a handful of weeks during the Trojan War, while King Agamemnon quarreled with what Greek warrior?

Achilles

3. What style of processed meat, which gets its name from the Romanian for “pressed,” was originally made in Europe with goose breast before immigrants to New York found beef to be cheaper and more readily available?

Pastrami

4. What Middle Eastern folk hero made seven sea voyages, encountering such dangers as man-eating giants, a city of bird-people, and a valley of giant snakes, but definitely never made a movie in the ’90s about a genie called “Shazaam”?

Sinbad

5. What actor won her second Oscar for her performance as Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire,” following her previous win for “Gone With the Wind”?

Vivien Leigh

Questions for
Wednesday, February 4, 2026

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

1. After being fired from working on Mount Rushmore and getting in a fistfight with another assistant, sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski was commissioned to design a nearby monumental sculpture of what Lakota leader?

2. Wool-bearing mammals typically secrete a waxy substance whose name comes from the Latin for “wool oil.” What is that name?

3. Roads and a temple created by the Pre-Incan Tiwanaku people have been found at the bottom of what large lake on the Peru–Bolivia border?

4. “Y2Q” is a theoretical future date when computers will be so powerful that all existing data encryption on the internet will be broken. What does the “Q” stand for?

5. Elisha Cuthbert, the actor who played Kim Bauer, was actually bitten by the cougar that almost killed her character on what very aughties Fox counterterrorism drama?

1.  Crazy Horse

5.  24

2. Lanolin

3. Titicaca, a name I loved to giggle at in my youth. 

Posted by: @karlsson

↑

3. Titicaca, a name I loved to giggle at in my youth. 

It always reminds me of this scene from scrubs.  😂

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dalNQF8NmIs&t=10s&pp=2AEKkAIB

4 Quantum

Answers to Wednesday,
February 4, 2026

1. After being fired from working on Mount Rushmore and getting in a fistfight with another assistant, sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski was commissioned to design a nearby monumental sculpture of what Lakota leader?

Crazy Horse (Tȟašúŋke Witkó)

2. Wool-bearing mammals typically secrete a waxy substance whose name comes from the Latin for “wool oil.” What is that name?

Lanolin

3. Roads and a temple created by the Pre-Incan Tiwanaku people have been found at the bottom of what large lake on the Peru–Bolivia border?

Lake Titicaca

4. “Y2Q” is a theoretical future date when computers will be so powerful that all existing data encryption on the internet will be broken. What does the “Q” stand for?

“Quantum”

5. Elisha Cuthbert, the actor who played Kim Bauer, was actually bitten by the cougar that almost killed her character on what very aughties Fox counterterrorism drama? 

“24”

Questions for
Theme Thursday, February 5, 2026

Name the Ecosystem: I'll tell you three things that all refer to a type of ecosystem or landscape. You name that ecosystem. (Spellings may differ.) For example: If I said, “A feminine given name, a short-lived WB soap opera, and the oldest city in the state of Georgia,” you’d answer, “Savanna.”

Answers in tomorrow’s email. 

1. Winner of the Best Actor Oscar in 2007. The character who resulted in the Best Actor Oscar in 1995. Marshall Law’s son in the “Tekken” video games.

2. A Campbell. A Close. A Quagmire.

3. The football stadium at the University of Florida. The football stadium at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The area bounded by Interstate 495.

4. A school of architecture. A “dog.” A cottagecore dress.

5. An Upton Sinclair book. A B.B. King song. Los Angeles, according to Axl Rose.

3. Swamp

2. Glenn?

5. Jungle

1. Forest