2. Scott Joplin?
4. The Brutalist
2. Scott Joplin (I mean, are there really any other big-name ragtime artists? 😉 )
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
2. Scott Joplin (I mean, are there really any other big-name ragtime artists? 😉 )
James Scott and Joseph Lamb erasure!
Answers to Monday,
February 16, 2026
1. If you drink your coffee from a mug featuring the logo of Luke's Diner in Stars Hollow, Connecticut, you're probably a fan of what 2000s TV series?
“Gilmore Girls”
2. A home at 2658 Delmar Boulevard in St. Louis, Missouri is now a state historic site that honors its history as the residence of what prolific ragtime composer?
Scott Joplin
3. A.I. tools were used to refine the Hungarian accents used by Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones in what 2024 Best Picture-nominated film?
“The Brutalist”
4. Also appearing in young adult novels like “Meet the Austins” and “A Ring of Endless Light,” the Austin family prepares for Advent in “The Twenty-Four Days Before Christmas,” a 1964 illustrated book by what author?
Madeleine L’Engle
5. What side dish and food topping was renamed “liberty cabbage” in the U.S. during World War I?
Sauerkraut
Questions for
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. Outside of China, Hero’s Gorge is the name used for the primary battlefield in what wildly popular five-on-five mobile video game?
2. There is a ’70s group in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that consisted solely of two married couples. It’s not Fleetwood Mac. Name that band!
3. The corpus luteum secretes hormones, such as progesterone, from what organ in the body?
4. What 1843 Gothic short story begins with this line: “True! — nervous — very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?”
5. Prairie dogs got their name because they do something that dogs also do. What is it?
2. ABBA
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
4. "The Telltale Heart"
5. Bark
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
3 Ovary
Answers to Tuesday,
February 17, 2026
1. Outside of China, Hero’s Gorge is the name used for the primary battlefield in what wildly popular five-on-five mobile video game?
“Honor of Kings”
2. There is a ’70s group in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that consisted solely of two married couples. It’s not Fleetwood Mac. Name that band!
ABBA
3. The corpus luteum secretes hormones, such as progesterone, from what organ in the body?
Ovaries
4. What 1843 Gothic short story begins with this line: “True! — nervous — very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?”
“The Tell-Tale Heart”
5. Prairie dogs got their name because they do something that dogs also do. What is it?
Bark
Questions for
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. Jake Gyllenhaal once told Out magazine that his late costar in what 2005 film “was extraordinarily serious about the political issues surrounding the movie”?
2. What evergreen herb gets its name from a Latin phrase meaning “dew of the sea,” as one of the stars of “White Christmas” could tell you?
3. The northernmost country in Africa was named after the northernmost capital city in Africa. Name that city.
4. In 1977, the Department of Justice asked the Ad Council to come up with a campaign to help reduce crime in the U.S. The Ad Council responded with what character?
5. Max Roach, Gene Krupa, Art Blakey, and Buddy Rich are all renowned jazz musicians who played what instrument?
1. Heath Ledger
4. McGruff the Crime Dog
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
5. Drums
3. Tunis
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Rosemary
As an aside, she is absolutely gorgeous in that movie. Wow.
1. Jake Gyllenhaal once told Out magazine that his late costar in what 2005 film “was extraordinarily serious about the political issues surrounding the movie”?
Brokeback mountain
1. Jake Gyllenhaal once told Out magazine that his late costar in what 2005 film “was extraordinarily serious about the political issues surrounding the movie”?
Brokeback mountain
Oops. It would help if I completely read the question, wouldn't it...
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
1. Jake Gyllenhaal once told Out magazine that his late costar in what 2005 film “was extraordinarily serious about the political issues surrounding the movie”?
Brokeback mountain
Oops. It would help if I completely read the question, wouldn't it...
I didn’t know who the actor was as I haven’t seen it…I cheated and looked it up. 😂
1. Jake Gyllenhaal once told Out magazine that his late costar in what 2005 film “was extraordinarily serious about the political issues surrounding the movie”?
Brokeback mountain
Oops. It would help if I completely read the question, wouldn't it...
I didn’t know who the actor was as I haven’t seen it…I cheated and looked it up. 😂
I haven't seen the movie, either, but the press made a big deal of it after Ledger committed suicide.
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
Answers to Wednesday,
February 18, 2026
1. Jake Gyllenhaal once told Out magazine that his late costar in what 2005 film “was extraordinarily serious about the political issues surrounding the movie”?
“Brokeback Mountain”
2. What evergreen herb gets its name from a Latin phrase meaning “dew of the sea,” as one of the stars of “White Christmas” could tell you?
Rosemary
3. The northernmost country in Africa was named after the northernmost capital city in Africa. Name that city.
Tunis
(Tunisia)
4. In 1977, the Department of Justice asked the Ad Council to come up with a campaign to help reduce crime in the U.S. The Ad Council responded with what character?
McGruff the Crime Dog
5. Max Roach, Gene Krupa, Art Blakey, and Buddy Rich are all renowned jazz musicians who played what instrument?
Drums
Questions for
Theme Thursday, February 19, 2026
Black History Month Deep Cuts: Here are five questions about some Black History firsts you may have missed in school.
Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. In the 1880s, brothers Moses Fleetwood Walker and Weldy Walker were the first Black athletes to play what sport professionally, leading white administrators to establish a ban that lasted nearly seven decades?
2. Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first Black U.S. senator. He was elected in 1870 to a seat previously held by Jefferson Davis. Which state did he represent?
3. Claudette Colvin was 15 years old when she was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus, nine months before Rosa Parks did the same. In what city were they both living at the time?
4. Robert L. Johnson became the first Black American billionaire in 2001, when he sold his stake in the TV network he co-founded to Viacom. Today, it's home to such shows as “Ms. Pat Settles It” and “The Oval.” What is it called?
5. Phillis Wheatley was the first Black American to publish a poetry book. In what century was her book “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral” published?
4. BET
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
1. Baseball
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
3) Montgomery, Al
2. Mississippi
Answers to Thursday,
February 19, 2026
Black History Month Deep Cuts: Here are five questions about some Black History firsts you may have missed in school.
1. In the 1880s, brothers Moses Fleetwood Walker and Weldy Walker were the first Black athletes to play what sport professionally, leading white administrators to establish a ban that lasted nearly seven decades?
Baseball
2. Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first Black U.S. senator. He was elected in 1870 to a seat previously held by Jefferson Davis. Which state did he represent?
Mississippi
3. Claudette Colvin was 15 years old when she was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus, nine months before Rosa Parks did the same. In what city were they both living at the time?
Montgomery (Alabama)
4. Robert L. Johnson became the first Black American billionaire in 2001, when he sold his stake in the TV network he co-founded to Viacom. Today, it's home to such shows as “Ms. Pat Settles It” and “The Oval.” What is it called?
BET (Black Entertainment Television)
5. Phillis Wheatley was the first Black American to publish a poetry book. In what century was her book “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral” published?
18th century
(in 1773)
Questions for
Friday, February 20, 2026
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in Monday’s email.
1. Quit While You’re Ahead: The names of seven actors have appeared in at least one version of the opening credits of “The Office” (U.S.). Name as many of those actors as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.
2. “Crash,” “splash,” and “sizzle” are all types of what musical instrument?
3. In 1977, an inventor named George Carter III watched “Star Wars” and was inspired to invent a new indoor-outdoor combat simulation game. Name that game!
4. What word, commonly applied to any number of animal species that infest and destroy crops, comes from the Latin for “worm”?
5. Today is February 20. Happy 38th birthday to Rihanna, who founded the Clara Lionel Foundation in 2012 to support climate justice and health programs. CLF’s annual charity ball shares its name with which of her hits, with which she closed her 2023 Super Bowl halftime show?
3. Laser Tag?
5. Diamond Ball
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
1. Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, BJ Novak, Ed Helms, Ellie Kemper
2. Cymbal
4 Vermin
Answers to Friday, February 20, 2026
1. Quit While You’re Ahead: The names of seven actors have appeared in at least one version of the opening credits of “The Office” (U.S.). Name as many of those actors as you can for one point each. Zero points total if you get any incorrect.
Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms, BJ Novak, James Spader
2. “Crash,” “splash,” and “sizzle” are all types of what musical instrument?
Cymbal
3. In 1977, an inventor named George Carter III watched “Star Wars” and was inspired to invent a new indoor-outdoor combat simulation game. Name that game!
Laser tag
4. What word, commonly applied to any number of animal species that infest and destroy crops, comes from the Latin for “worm”?
“Vermin”
5. Today is February 20. Happy 38th birthday to Rihanna, who founded the Clara Lionel Foundation in 2012 to support climate justice and health programs. CLF’s annual charity ball shares its name with which of her hits, with which she closed her 2023 Super Bowl halftime show?
“Diamonds”
(Diamond Ball)
Questions for
Monday, February 23, 2026
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu capped off her legendary run at the 2026 Winter Olympics with a dance to “Stateside,” a remix featuring Zara Larsson by what British pop artist and producer that has nothing to do with Inspector Jacques Clouseau?
2. Guam and Puerto Rico became U.S. territories following what war, sparked by the sinking of the USS Maine?
3. Wilt Chamberlain, Meadowlark Lemon, Goose Tatum, and Curly Neal are among the players whose numbers have been retired by what well-traveled basketball team?
4. No apologies: Eva Victor starred in and directed what Golden Globe-nominated 2025 drama set at a college in small-town New England?
5. A worldwide poll conducted in 2000 found that the most annoying song ever written is a 1950s polka song from Switzerland, titled “Der Ententanz.” What is that song typically called in the U.S.?
3. Harlem Globetrotters
2. The Spanish American War
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
5. The chicken dance
1) Pink Pantheress
Dorothy: Who’s that?
Scarecrow: A man with an axe and a can of lube. I’ll ask if he wants to join us.
Answers to Monday,
February 23, 2026
1. Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu capped off her legendary run at the 2026 Winter Olympics with a dance to “Stateside,” a remix featuring Zara Larsson by what British pop artist and producer that has nothing to do with Inspector Jacques Clouseau?
PinkPantheress
2. Guam and Puerto Rico became U.S. territories following what war, sparked by the sinking of the USS Maine?
Spanish-American War
3. Wilt Chamberlain, Meadowlark Lemon, Goose Tatum, and Curly Neal are among the players whose numbers have been retired by what well-traveled basketball team?
Harlem Globetrotters
4. No apologies: Eva Victor starred in and directed what Golden Globe-nominated 2025 drama set at a college in small-town New England?
“Sorry, Baby”
5. A worldwide poll conducted in 2000 found that the most annoying song ever written is a 1950s polka song from Switzerland, titled “Der Ententanz.” What is that song typically called in the U.S.?
“The Chicken Dance”
Questions for
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. According to legend, Saint Valentine wore a ring bearing what purple stone, which is now the birthstone of February?
2. What TV series, which aired from 2016 to 2022 on the Oprah Winfrey Network, was produced by Ava DuVernay and follows the lives of three siblings who inherit their father’s Louisiana farm?
3. What infectious disease, typically spread through contaminated water, gets its name from the Greek for “bile,” and is nicknamed “the Blue Death” because it can cause the skin to turn a blue-grey color?
4. Presidents William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor were members of which political party upon election?
5. The 2025 documentary “Listers” follows two doofy Midwestern brothers and their 2010 Kia as they attempt without any prior experience to set the 48-state, 700-plus species record for… what?
3. Cholera
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
1. Amethyst
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
4) Whig
4. Whig
Answers to Tuesday,
February 24, 2026
1. According to legend, Saint Valentine wore a ring bearing what purple stone, which is now the birthstone of February?
Amethyst
2. What TV series, which aired from 2016 to 2022 on the Oprah Winfrey Network, was produced by Ava DuVernay and follows the lives of three siblings who inherit their father’s Louisiana farm?
“Queen Sugar”
3. What infectious disease, typically spread through contaminated water, gets its name from the Greek for “bile,” and is nicknamed “the Blue Death” because it can cause the skin to turn a blue-grey color?
Cholera
4. Presidents William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor were members of which political party upon election?
Whig Party
5. The 2025 documentary “Listers” follows two doofy Midwestern brothers and their 2010 Kia as they attempt without any prior experience to set the 48-state, 700-plus species record for… what?
Birdwatching (birding)
Questions for
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Five questions to wake up your noodle. Answers in tomorrow’s email.
1. Benjamin from the books of Beatrix Potter, Bongo from “Life in Hell” comics, and Buster from the “Arthur” books are all fictional examples of what kind of animal?
2. What religious movement was founded in the mid-17th century by a man named George Fox, who told his followers to “tremble at the word of the Lord”?
3. The inspiration for famous works by Rachmaninoff, Brahms, and others, what early 19th-century violinist was so virtuosic that legend has it he sold his soul to the devil for his musical skills?
4. Wanting to be independent yet craving someone to come home to, loving the color pink, and enjoying music that contains misogynistic lyrics are topics Roxane Gay explores in what 2014 collection of essays?
5. “The Incredibles” tells the story of a family of superheroes whose surname, pointedly, sounds like a word that means “normal.” What is their surname?
5. Parr
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
2) Quakers, but the official name I can't remember.
3. Niccolo Paganini
1 Rabbits