Word of the Week - 3-3-2008

Word of the Week
INEBRIANT
Pronunciation: \i-ˈnē-brē-ənt\
Function: noun
Date: 1819
: INTOXICANT

Interesting Fact
Antonio Meucci (Florence, April 13, 1808 – October 18, 1889) was an Italian-born inventor who developed a form of voice communication apparatus in 1857. Many believe that he is to be credited with the invention of the telephone. Antonio Meucci was recognized by the United States House of Representatives for doing important work on telephony, in House Resolution 269, dated 11 June, 2002.

Meucci set up a some form of voice communication link in his Staten Island home that connected the basement with the first floor but was unable to raise sufficient funds to pay his way through the patent application. He filed a patent caveat in 1871, which was forced to expire in 1874. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the electro-magnetic transmission of vocal sound by undulatory electric current.

Trivial Pursuit
Here are the questions:
Global View (Geography):
What province’s Potala palace did China spruce up with one ton of gold in a $12 million renovation?

Entertainment:
What oft-imitated MTV series showcased the dumb stunts of Johnny Knoxville?

News:
Who told TV viewers to “read a newspaper” for more details after a 2001 presidential address, much to the dismay of CBSNews.com

Written Word:
What comic strip is populated by legionnaires named Maggot, Figowitz and Captain Poulet?

Life & Science:
Whose hits did Britain’s National Sea Life Center pipe into the pool, in their first attempt to put celibate tope sharks in the mood for love?

Games & Sports:
What storied ballpark’s last big-league pitch was hurled by Todd Jones, on September 27, 1999?

Here are last week’s answers:
Global View (Geography):
What Asian nation tempts locals with kare-kare oxtail stew cooked at a roadside turo-turo? The Phillipines

Entertainment:
Who starred in Dragon Lord, Dragons Forever and Twin Dragons? Jackie Chan

News:
What city’s new U.S. Embassy did diplomats refuse to enter in 1987, when it was found to be crawling with electronic bugs? Moscow

Written Word:
Who did author Mitch Albom spend Tuesdays with, according to his bestseller’s title? Morrie

Life & Science:
How many websites make up the “dark net” no browser can reach, according to Arbor Networks – 1 million, 10 million, or 100 million? 100 million

Games & Sports:
What famed sports trophy did an angry Maori activist bludgeon with a sledgehammer in 1997? The America’s Cup