Word of the Week - 7-7-2008

Word of the Week
ODIOUS
Pronunciation: \ˈoh-dee-uhs\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin odiosus, from odium
Date: 14th century
: arousing or deserving hatred or repugnance : hateful


Interesting Fact
George Washington’s Teeth

When George Washington was inaugurated for his first term as president in 1789, he had only one natural tooth remaining and was wearing his first full set of dentures made by John Greenwood. Previously he had had partial dentures which were held in place by hooking them around the remaining teeth. The Greenwood dentures had a base of hippopotamus ivory carved to fit the gums. The upper denture had ivory teeth and the lower plate consisted of eight human teeth fastened by gold pivots that screwed into the base. The set was secured in his mouth by spiral springs.Washington's next set of dentures was made in 1791 and a third in 1795, for which he paid sixty dollars. James Gardette made a large and very clumsy set for him in 1796. Apparently Washington was not pleased with these dentures and may have ordered another set from Greenwood in 1797. Washington often returned dentures for adjustments and repairs, at one time complaining that "they were forcing his lips out." His final set was made in 1798, the year before he died. This set has a swagged gold plate with individual backing for each tooth which was fastened by rivets. The lower denture of this set, along with others, are on display in the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore.Written descriptions of Washington's physical appearance note facial and vocal changes over the years. Portraits by leading painters of the day also record facial changes. Some of the alterations in his appearance may have been due to his dentures. For example, the springs, securing his dentures could have pushed his teeth forward, causing the cheeks to look puffy.In Charles Wilson Peale's first portrait of Washington in 1757, the mouth is noted to be quite small. Washington was twenty-five at that time and certainly still had some of his natural teeth. The painting done in 1776 by the same artist shows a scar on the left cheek from a fistula caused by an abscessed tooth. Here the face is long and oval. There is a story that Peale made a set of dentures for Washington when he was sitting for one of his portraits, because Peale felt that the set he was wearing was causing him too

Trivial Pursuit
Ready to test your TV acumen?
Here are the questions – 1 point for each correct answer
The category this week is reality:
Who is the only professional dancer to appear in all six seasons of Dancing With the Stars?
Louis van Amstel
Cheryl Burke
Alec Mazo
Edyta Sliwinska

Which supermodel has not sat alongside Tyra Banks at the judges’ table on America’s Next Top Model?
Vendela
Niki Taylor
Paulina Porizkova
Twiggy

Which Bachelor mistakenly offered a rose to the wrong woman during the rose ceremony?
Bob Guiney
Charlie O’Connell
Jesse Palmer
Prince Lorenzo Borghese

Solve these American Idol contestant anagrams?
Kick mink in bib
Be likely mocker
Rainiest jams
I’m oily talent
Imitate olden doll
Bonus question – what do the above answers all have in common

Which was not the name of a Big Brother alliance?
Four Horsemen
Nerd Herd
Chilltown
Bad Boyz
Sovereign Six

On Project Runway, which of the following was never given as a challenge to contestants?
Make over a fellow cast member
Redesign the uniform worn by the UPS drivers
Make an outfit for a life-size Barbie
Create a design out of recycled material

Which player did not quit Survivor due to an injury?
Michael Skupin (Australian Outback)
Bruce Kanegai (Panama)
Sue Hawk (All-Stars)
Gary Stritesky (Fiji)
Jonathan Penner (Micronesia)


Here are last week’s answers:
The category last week was comedy:
1. Fill in the missing words to these classic Ugly Betty sound bites:
a. Did you just gesture at me when you said _Kwanzaa________ ?
b. If this is what it takes to help my father, I will ride that _giant robot horse__ all the way to Mexico.
c. So this is where the _tragic__ happens.
d. I’m this close to splitting a __cobb salad___ with Sarah Jessica Parker and talking about shoes.
e. It looks like a __gay_ version of ‘Star Trek’.

2. How much was Earl’s winning lottery ticket worth on My Name is Earl? A
a. $100,000
b. $1 million
c. $5 million
d. $10 million

3. What is the name of the hospital where J.D. works on Scrubs? Sacred Heart

4. Which of the following is not a character who has appeared on The Simpsons? C
a. Sideshow Raheem
b. Rainier Wolfcastle
c. Gazoo
d. Nick Riviera
e. The Capital City Goofball

5. What is the cure for every ailment in Chris’ house on Everybody Hates Chris? A
a. Robitussin
b. Chicken Noodle Soup
c. Fresh Air
d. Grandma’s Special Concoction

6. Kevin from The Office’s Police tribute band is called…? B
a. King of Penn(sylvania)
b. Scrantonicity
c. Pennyatta Mondatta
d. Roxanne Roll

7. What is the name of Kelsey Grammer’s news anchor on Back to You? C
a. Chuck Champion
b. Chuck Wagon
c. Chuck Darling
d. Chuck Rockwood

8. Match the Desperate Housewives character with the thing that brought about his/her death
a. Nora Huntington 5
b. Victor Lang 3
c. Martha Huber 2
d. George Williams 4
e. Juanita Solis 1

1. Stairs
2. Strangulation
3. Fence
4. Sleeping pills
5. Gun