| Fads Through the Ages | Betcha Didn't Know | The Scales of Justice | The Root of All Evil | Potpourri |
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What is bathtub gin? In 1920, the 18th Amendment ushered in the era of prohibition. Did you know the 18th Amendment did not prohibit the consumption of alcohol —only its manufacture, sale, and distribution? In 1933, the 21st Amendment restored the legal manufacture of alcohol. Today, Professor Cornelius Ampleforth manufactures small batches of gin under the brand Bathtub Gin.
This was the popular term for illegally produced liquor during the 1920s.
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What is a cat? Betcha didn’t know English author Terry Pratchett said, “In ancient times, cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.”
In ancient Egypt, the goddess Bastet had the ability to turn into this household pet.
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What is a felony?
This is the term for a serious crime, such as murder, that usually carries a prison sentence of more than a year.
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What is Black Friday? Canada and England have their own Black Fridays on the same day as the U.S. Black Friday.
This is the day after Thanksgiving when people fight for discounted merchandise.
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What is red?
On a standard traffic light, this color is on the top.
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What are pedal pushers?
Today, women wear capris, pants that fall in the calf area. In the 1950s, they were called by this name.
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What is sand? Heat is required to turn sand into glass. Betcha didn’t know the process requires heat greater than 3,200 degrees Fahrenheit. If you add soda ash and potassium nitrate, you can lower the temperature to 2,450 degrees.
Glass is made from this beach staple.
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What is a misdemeanor?
This is the term for a minor crime, such as disorderly conduct.
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What is linen or cotton?
U.S. paper money is made from a combination of two textiles. This is one of them.
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What is the right hand? The left hand holds the tablet of law.
The Statue of Liberty holds the torch in this hand.
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What are bell-bottoms?
In the 1960s, jeans with pant legs that flared out had this name.
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Who is Jimmy Carter? Betcha didn’t know he was the first U.S. president to have been born in a hospital.
This Georgia peanut farmer served one term as U.S. president.
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What is civil?
If you’re being sued by someone for breach of contract, your case will be held in this type of court.
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What are trees?
Money doesn't grow on these.
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What is left? There is no definitive explanation for the difference in button location on men and women’s shirts.
When wearing a woman’s blouse, the buttons are on this side.
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What were the 1970s?
This was the decade of leisure suits, disco, the pet rock, CB radios, and afro hairstyles.
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What is public house? Betcha didn’t know pubs date back to the Roman occupation. According to the History Channel, there are 50,000 pubs in the United Kingdom.
In England, the word pub is the short version of this.
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What is six or 12? These numbers do not include alternate jurors. If a seated juror is dismissed, an alternate takes their place.
A typical jury has this number of jurors.
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What is one dollar? The loonie coin got its nickname from the loon on its reverse side. The coin replaced the one dollar bill.
This is the denomination of the Canadian loonie.
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What is the word “ONE” (in all capital letters). According to the Federal Reserve, it took six years to design the seal on the back of the bill because the Founding Fathers couldn’t agree on symbols and mottos. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson wanted “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God” as the motto. Franklin wanted to use the turkey as the national bird. Neither of those ended up on the bill.
This is in the center of the back of a U.S. one-dollar bill.
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What were the 1980s? Trivial Pursuit is still alive and well, and many restaurants and pubs hold trivia competitions.
This was the decade of Trivial Pursuit, the running craze, skateboarding, and feeling the burn with Jane Fonda.
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What is Italy? The grapes come from the Tuscany region. Betcha didn’t know Italy overtook France as the world’s top wine producer in 2015.
Chianti wine is made from grapes from this country.
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What is the Fifth Amendment?
This amendment protects a defendant against self-incrimination.
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Who is Carlos Slim (Helu)? According to a March 2016 Forbes article, Carlos Slim is the fourth wealthiest person in the world. In May 2016, he was worth $54 billion. Slim is in the telecommunications business.
He is the wealthiest Mexican businessman.
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What is six? Pencils come in two varieties—their shafts can be circular or hexagonal.
A standard pencil with flat surfaces has this number of sides.
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