Word of the Week - 4-14-2008

Word of the Week
CREATURE
Pronunciation: \krē-chər\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin creatura, from Latin creatus, past participle of creare
Date: 14th century
1: something created either animate or inanimate: as a: a lower animal; especially : a farm animal b: a human being c: a being of anomalous or uncertain aspect or nature
2: one that is the servile dependent or tool of another : instrument


Interesting Fact
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums estimates that up to 12,000 tigers are being kept as private pets in the USA, significantly more than the world's entire wild population. 4000 are believed to be in captivity in Texas alone.

Part of the reason for America's enormous tiger population relates to legislation. Only nineteen states have banned private ownership of tigers, fifteen require only a licence, and sixteen states have no regulations at all.

The success of breeding programmes at American zoos and circuses led to an overabundance of cubs in the 1980s and 90s, which drove down prices for the animals. The SPCA estimate there are now 500 lions, tigers and other big cats in private ownership just in the Houston area.


Trivial Pursuit
Here are the questions:
Global View (Geography):
What country’s dictator said of its national dish: “You have to slow down to eat buckwheat noodles”?

Entertainment:
What Paul Simon album featured Los Lobos, Youssou N’Dour and Rockin’ Dopsie?

News:
What world leader slammed back half-liters of Pilsner Urquell with Bill Clinton in Prague’s famed U Zlateho Tygra beer hall?

Written Word:
What lady detective did author Sara Paretsky unleash in the 1982 novel Indemnity Only?

Life & Science: What was the first trading card outfit to sell virtual “portfolios” of sports stars, while stroing the actual physical cards in the company vault?

Games & Sports:
What 14-year-old was the youngset person to win a Wimbledon singles match in the 20th century?


Here are last week’s answers:
Global View (Geography):
What Asian island nation lets citizens criticize the state only from a tiny corner of Hong Lim Park? Singapore

Entertainment:
What TV host removed a pair of loafers on camera every weekday for 34 years? Mr. Fred Rogers

News:
What credit card company was sued in 2001 by two baseball fans for plagiarizing their documentary of a cross-country pilgrimage? Mastercard

Written Word:
How many people other than Oprah Winfrey appeared on the cover of O in its first year? 0

Life & Science: What did veterinarian Robert Lopez purposely drop in his own ear, to earn an Ig Nobel Prize – chili extract, his cat’s ear mites or Krazy Glue? His cat’s ear mites

Games & Sports:
What eastern U.S. city catches sports fans in the net of its Lacrosse Museum and Hall of Fame? Baltimore