Latest answers

Latest answers

Friday, June 1, 2018

403. So much confusion!


The two-word name of this musical instrument (Paul McCartney holding on the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band) is a misnomer. The instrument neither originated in the place nor belongs to the family of instruments as the name suggests. In fact, the instrument originated in a region of central Europe and belongs to the oboe family. The present name could be from a misunderstanding from the resemblance of the instrument played by angels as depicted in the Middle Ages. To make matters more confusing, this instrument is most often referred to by its French name and the English name is a literal translation of the French name. Which instrument?

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

402. Drunken brawl

This slang term for a scene of uproar or disorder gets its name from an Irish fair which started in the 13th century under the auspices of King John of England but by the beginning of the 19th century turned into a site of public entertainment and drinking thus leading to it getting abolished.  What term, which also shares its name with an Irish jig and an upmarket food chain?

Sunday, May 27, 2018

401. A Strange Remainder.

A colonial era hang-over by way of the Parsi diaspora, you may encounter this term today in several places in the fragrant harbor. Quite likely, in the form of a signboard on a booth if you were parking your car in a legitimate lot or maybe as an 11 or 12 digit number if you were handing over your hard-earned monies to pay government taxes or duties online. 

What six letter title, also associated with the "Heroic" offspring of a Kazhakhastani Uyghur woman and an Indian astrologer?