Blue Trivia Flashcards
Why is a differing opinion called “your two cents’ worth”?
19 Century
write your opinion editor
-cost of mailing the letter was the price of a two
cent stamp.
What is a modern translation “Godspeed”?
“May God grant you success.”
What is the archaic meaning of the word “speed” in the expression Godspeed?
it means to “succeed” or “prosper.”
From what does the word goodbye derive its meaning from?
“God be with you.”
Why is the head of the church often times referred to as the Pope?
In Italian the word Pope is an endearment meaning “father” or “papa.”
Why is the head of the Roman Catholic Church called the “Pontiff?”
The title Pontiff is from the original Roman reference “pontifex” meaning “bridge builder.”
Leader of Roman Catholic Church is a bridge builder between God and mankind.
What is meant by the expression, “dyed in the wool”?
Someone with deeply held beliefs.
Someone whose thoughts on politics or religion just can’t be changed.
When someone we are discussing shows up, why do we say, “Speak of the Devil”?
Middle Ages
Belief that any mention of the devil would be an invitation for him to appear.
His name was avoided at all costs.
Why is Friday the thirteenth considered bad luck?
Thirteen represents Judas
- The thirteenth apostle to arrive at the last supper.
- Friday by itself was the day of Christ’s crucifixion.
Why is it bad luck to walk under a ladder?
A ladder against the wall forms a triangle to the ground.
- Walking beneath it disrupts the sanctified space
- Risks divine wrath.
Why were condemned criminals forced to walk under the gallows ladder before they were hung?
Symbolized the entrance to eternal darkness.
How did spilling salt become bad luck?
Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper.
- Judas has spilled the table salt foreboding tragedy.
What is behind our tradition of bless you after sneezing?
Black Plague of 1665
- Sneezing was the first symptom of the disease.
- Infection meant certain death, so the symptom was greeted with God bless you.
Shortened over time to bless you.
What belief from the ancient Greeks, explains why we say bless you after a sneeze?
Blessing prevents evil from entering your body during its unguarded state while you sneeze.
Why is it considered bad luck if a black cat crosses your path?
1560s Legend England.
Father and son threw stones at a black cat that startled them on a moonless night.
Black cat ran into nearby home of suspected witch.
Next day the old woman was seen limping and bruised.
