Search your questions that power our play engine.
Search your questions that power our play engine.
In 1954, G. N. Ramachandran along with Gopinath Kartha used advanced crystallography to propose the triple helical structure of which structural protein found in the body's various connective tissues? Deriving its name from the Greek word for "glue", it's the most abundant protein in the human body.
Which airline currently has crew uniforms designed by Christian Lacroix? Past designers for the same airline include Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga.
By what name (5,7) do we better know the plant Dionaea muscipula? The _____ _______ (5,7) has the unique ability to perform arithmetic, in that it counts the number of times the tiny terminal hairs on its leaves have been disturbed within a period of twenty seconds, following which it begins to secrete the enzyme chitinase, designed to break down exoskeletons.
Adidas Originals is a sub-brand which has a retro look and feel. Identify this sneaker line (9) launched in 1969 that marked the company's foray into the world of basketball shoes. The __________ (9) is named for a term used to refer to those who are the most popular in their respective fields - particularly sport and media.
This installation at Burning Man 2006 consisted of two gigantic metal hands emerging from the playa and creating a 30 ft. diameter space, in which participants dance and weave a web of white yarn, using the hands to connect the yarn, reminiscent of a childhood pastime. What two-word title was this installation known by?
Jacopus de Voraigne, the Dominican author who wrote Golden Legend, ascribes the bride at which Biblical event to be named Mary? This event was where Jesus performed his first public miracle by turning water into wine.
Which Super Bowl Champion's ring is this? It featured 19 diamonds to reference they were the first team in 19 years to win back-to-back Super Bowls. It also features representations of the Vince Lombardi trophy to hint at their wins, with three coming in this century.
What alliterative two-word term is used for the class of complex cocktail techniques that often involve turning the drink into foams, nitrous gases or air, and spheres? It borrows from a similar term in the culinary world because of the use of science and gadgets in creating these blends.
One of the most beautiful moments ever, playing out at the 2023 Glastonbury Music Festival: a warm note to end this thematic week.
The crowd realises that the singer is having an attack of Tourette’s Syndrome, which he'd recently been diagnosed with, and they step in to do all the singing for him. Name the Scottish singer or the song, the 3rd-most streamed song in Spotify history
What Kashmiri dish does Beryl Shereshewsky pick for the letter Y in her series Eating the Alphabet in India? The rich and mild soupy gravy of Persian origin (found from South Asia to the Balkans) is prepared with two main ingredients: saffron and yoghurt, that is flavoured with whole spices and pepper followed by the addition of twice-cooked meat or rice.
What two-word term (4,5) is used for the concept of being pressured to power through an 'illness' because you feel 'remorse' about taking time off, especially when working from home?
Identify the 1925 dystopian novel from some of its chapter titles.
I. Arrest
II. First Interrogation
V. The Whipper
VIII. Dismissal of the Advocate
IX. In the Cathedral
While 'McJob' is arguably the most popular, there are other 'McWords' with pejorative associations with the chain or its culture. What McWord is used to denote a particular kind of academy which sacrifices pedagogic principles by offering rapid levelling-up? Since the levels are denoted by a colored belt, this is also known as a 'belt factory'.
There has been a recent spike in tourist trips from Shellal to Wadi Halfa retracing the route taken by the S. S. Karnak. Some even begin the experience with a leisurely stay at the Old Cataract Hotel. Which creative work, that caused a similar tourist spike 85 years ago, is the basis for these trips?
Richard Wagner's 1850 opera Lohengrin features a processional march that has now become a staple in what type of event? It was first used at a royal event of this kind in 1858 and has become commonplace in the Western World, especially among Catholics. You could also just name the piece.
The black and white variants are opposite ends of the spectrum in the discipline. The white is given to beginners for their initial lessons, since it symbolises the birth of a new light. The black is given to those who have mastered the technique and physical rigour, and hence metaphorically shine so bright that they cast a black shadow behind them. These are variants of what?
The Khurasan Highway was a major ancient trade route linking Mesopotamia and the Iranian Plateau. The Royal Road, which is part of the Khurasan Highway, was created under Darius I to connect Susa to Sardis, the capital of which Anatolian kingdom? In 547 BCE, Cyrus the Great defeated their king Croesus unifying the entire trade route from the Aegean Sea to Central Asia.
The name of which herb of the artemisia/wormwood genus, a component of the four fines herbes, is cognate with the word "dragon" because its appearance resembles a dragon's scales?
Though this item was made in Memphis Egypt, it was actually discovered in a different city in Egypt by French forces in 1799. However, in 1801 the British forces beat the French forces and carried off this artefact to the British Museum where it sits today. WHAT ITEM, that has not been returned by the British government inspite of consistent pleas by Egypt for at least a loan?
Known locally as "Halab", which city at the crossroads of several trade routes between Europe and Asia was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1986? It finds mention in multiple plays of Shakespeare, and is the location where a "Moor of Venice" stabbed "a malignant and a turban’d Turk" for beating a Venetian.
The chemical element with atomic number 47, a precious white transition metal, is the internet domain (CC TLD) of which Carribbean nation? Incidentally, the element's chemical name and symbol come from a different South American nation where large reserves of this metal supposedly existed.
These ants with an alliterative name are found all over the U.S. They are known for their ability to raise their abdomens over their heads and thoraxes when they’re disturbed, similar to a type of circus act who perform gymnastic feats. What are they called?
In the past Disney followed a pattern that was a mainstay in Western culture, that of portraying LGBT people as villains and monsters or vice versa. Which 1953 movie portrayed this character (visual) as someone with great taste and made fun of constantly? Dressed in bright pink, he sports a comically large feather in his oversized pirate's hat.
In German-speaking countries and France's Alsace, its called Glühwein, and in the Nordic-speaking nations, its called Glögg, but what is the common English term (sorry for the language imposition) for this warming drink found across Christmas markets and pubs during the Christmas period, featuring multiple spices mixed in a much-loved drink?
In Madagascar’s coastal regions, locals wear a paste made of ground wood called masonjoany on their skin, similar to the Burmese Thanaka and the Filipino Burak. What type of skincare products are these whose bottled mineral versions typically contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide? The chemical varieties of these are banned in many countries due to the impact on aquatic life.
This photo from Accidentally Wes Anderson captures the aerial tramway connecting Avenida Miramar to Torre Sant Sebastià in which European city? The line is in Port Vell, an area developed ahead of a 1992 event.
Carpool Karaoke was a show by James Corden where famous singers would hop into his car and talk music, sing along and have fun. From the opening moments of this 2018 episode of Carpool Karaoke, guess which singer Corden is inviting, by referencing lyrics from a famous song by the singer’s ex band.
While 'Brazuca' was the official match ball of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil, chosen through a public vote, two other names were in the voting contest. The other two were the biggest new wave cultural exports from the nation - Carnavalesca, and what other (5,4) that was developed in the late 1950s?
Brulux is sporting one of the signature down parkas by which luxury winter clothing manufacturer recognised by its distinctive badge, which resembles a map of the North Pole encircled by red text that spells out the brand's name on the top and "ARCTIC PROGRAM" on the bottom?
Season 7 of ESPN's 30 for 30 podcasts is a seven-part miniseries that narrates the tale of two Romanian-American coaches, Marta & Bela Karloyi. Their intense, often cruel methods, have brought golds to many athletes of a sport including Mary Lou Retton's gold in 1984 LA Olympics and the first ever women's team gold in the sport for the USA during Atlanta 1996. Which sport?
Which Dice Media show (8) is about two young women struggling with the responsibilities of ________ (8) in the fast-paced, urban bustle of Mumbai? The show's title is a neologism referring to the completion and handling of mundane tasks required of a mature person.
What was the foot race of the ancient Greek pentathlon called? It took its name from the place where the race occured, and aside from being used as a unit of length, the Greek word also acts as the origin of the modern English word for many such venues.
Himalaya with Michael Palin was a 2004 BBC TV series which recorded his six-month trip around the Himalayas in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and China. The trip not only covered 4,800 km horizontally, but also involved a lot of vertical travelling, including several treks into the mountains. The highest point traveled to by Palin was at 5,300 metres (17,500 feet). Which point?
Identify this American track and field athlete who won one gold and one bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after giving birth to a daughter three years prior. With six golds from team relays and one from an individual event, she is the first female track and field athlete to ever win seven Olympic gold medals. The most decorated woman in Olympic track and field history, she holds eleven total medals from five consecutive Olympic Games.
Only one TV episode has the perfect rating of 10 on IMDb: the Rian Johnson-directed episode 14 from the last season of 'Breaking Bad'. What one-word title is given to this episode, drawing from a namesake Percy Bysshe Shelley poem of the same name about the Pharaoh Rameses II and his redemption, just like Walt White's phone call to Skyler for redemption? This was also the Greek name given to the Pharaoh.
The Atash Bahram is the holiest of fires in a Zoroastrian fire temple collecting fire from 16 different sources. One such fire burns in Yazd in Iran. Though the majority of the 16 fires are collected from people of diverse professions such as potters and goldsmiths, one particular type of fire is notoriously difficult to collect. People wait for months on end on open mountaintops next to isolated trees hoping for the event to occur. What type of fire do they wish to collect?
Which French artist's 1864 painting (right) was inspired by this Ingres work (left)? The artist's flamboyant style, typically full of symbolism, makes it a way more dramatic artwork. Full name, please.
Edison’s US Patent No. 180,857 dated August 8, 1876, was an electric powered stencil pen. A needle inside the stencil pen created perforations on paper as one “wrote” with it. While not a success, this invention inspired “artist” Samuel O’Reilly in 1891 to create a machine for what purpose? Ironically, while Edison’s original was all about duplication and uniformity, O’Reilly’s was all about uniqueness and creative expression.
What cultural activity is known to have been started by the Buddhist monk Eichū after he returned from a trip to China and met Emperor Saga in 815 CE? In the late 16th century, daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi famously built a portable gilded chashitsu for practising it.
Which fashion house updated its monogram in 2014 with a typeface created by Berthold Wolpe, a designer whose trajectory echoed that of its eponymous founder, a Hessian merchant? It is etched subtly on most of its handbags including the “Puzzle”, “Goya” and “Flamenco”.
This fashion aesthetic which revives the late 1990s and early 2000s' power dressing with a sexy twist is Gen Z's take on corporate style with flair. It incorporates pencil skirts, button-down shirts and glasses to make heads turn at the 'workplace' akin to certain alluring beings of the sea. What's it called? (6,5)
Smiles are integral to this company and its products. Thus, it has featured in many of their campaigns, including this one from 2023. They tweaked the smile on their logo to incorporate designs that normalised smiles of all kinds - with braces, irregular, chipped teeth, gap between the front incisors etc. Identify this company, which is named after a 19th-century businessman.
First appearing in 2009, this team consists of perhaps the three most popular DC girls - Catwoman, Harley and Poison Ivy. Both appreciated and criticised for its feminist take, which group is this, referencing the fictional place they call home, and the seductive villains from Greek mythology, in that order. (Need a 3-word answer)
Ecbatana, along the Khurasan Highway, was the capital of which empire that is considered to be the first Iranian state? The defeat of its last king, Astayages, at the Battle of Pasargadae led to Cyrus the Great establishing the Achaemenid Empire in the region.
The Tarantino-verse has many characters who share surnames. What surname is shared by the German bounty hunter played by Christoph Waltz in Django Unchained and a gravestone in Kill Bill Vol. 2 used to trap The Bride?
Which Olympic sport is contested within a layout with the following dimensions?
Mithra is the deity of covenants, light, oaths, justice, and the sun and he lives on the highest peak of Mount Hara. Which religion, whose largest demographics are in India and Iran, reveres this deity?
Which progressive metal band, that toured India in 2009, 2012 and 2019, can be seen here from their Last Will & Testament tour? Fronted by Mikael Åkerfeldt, this band is known for albums like Orchid and Ghost Reveries.
Which musical instrument makes a partial appearance in Vermeer's Girl With A Flute? It's part of the larger flute family, but differs from it on two counts - held between the lips by a fipple mouthpiece and is played vertically in front of the body. While Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, etc have written parts for this instrument, these were also played by minstrels as they recited poems and songs recalled from memory.
Triangle shaped commemorative coins were issued in the Isle of Man in 2007 to celebrate an exhibition that displayed artifacts from which famous discovery from 1922?
Denis Sassou Nguesso, the President of which country in Central Africa was nicknamed 'The Emperor?' He got this nickname because he has ruled for over three-and-a-half decades as President, overseeing the country’s rise to becoming Africa’s 6th-largest oil producer.
This breed of dogs, found in a specific Himalayan region with a volatile history, are named for the local anglicized form of the word for "goatee" or "goat". What two word term is this, one referring to the place they hail from and the other for the etymology described here?
Identify this squat variant (6), which is performed with the body facing to the side with one leg facing outward while the other leg is in the regular position. It gets its name due its resemblance to a ______ (6) balancing on their equipment, which are generally ~6 feet in length.
A 1401 competition to create a set of bronze doors for the Florence Baptistry is considered to be one of the events that fuelled the Renaissance. It pitted two young artists, [blank] and Lorenzo Ghiberti, who both depicted the Sacrifice of Isaac. Ghiberti won the commission, prompting [blank] to abandon sculpture for architecture. Who was this?
In a bid to catch the murderer in his building, Oliver imagines them to be lined up like _ ______ ____ (1,6,4) on stage and starts weeding out those without the necessary motive. This is a tribute to which musical (1,6,4), particularly its opening sequence featuring the song I Hope I Get It? Composed by Marvin Hamlisch, this musical is centered on 17 Broadway dancers auditioning for spots in the titular group.
Identify this driver who signed with Haas F1 for the 2025 season. Signed to replace Nico Hulkenberg, this British driver impressed when he stepped in for Carlos Sainz for a race, scoring points on his debut.
This Indian company turned unicorn in 2021, but has worn a smile on its logo since 2015. It evokes a sense of happiness customers derive from their offerings that come in raw and marinated variants. Identify this company, which takes its name by dropping two letters from a nine-letter adjective one would use to describe recipes made from their products.
The Statue of Equality in Hyderabad is the country's second tallest sitting statue. Which philosopher of the Vaishnavite tradition does it depict? He was the chief proponent of Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism) and was active during the 12th century in the Chola kingdom.
S9 of Dissect unpacked two albums by the same artist: one from 2018 and its companion piece from 2020, a posthumous release. They analysed songs such as "Self Care", "Small Worlds", "Blue World", and "Good News" from the albums. Identify either of the two albums by this artist.
Which national hero, armed with his trusty claymore, dirk (dagger) and targe (shield), takes on Shaka Zulu in Deadliest Warrior? This Scottish knight was hung, drawn and quartered after his defeat to King Edward I's forces at the Battle of Falkirk.
Which national park is this a review of? It covers parts of both the Mojave desert and the Colorado desert, and is home to the endemic species Yucca brevifolia.
Cephea cephea is called the ___________ (11) jellyfish because of the wart-like projections on its bell that make it look like a member of the Brassicae family. What cole crop (11) is it named after?
What is the more common name of Metallica's eponymous 1991 fifth studio album? The album cover depicts the band's logo angled against the upper left corner and a coiled snake derived from the Gadsden flag in the bottom right corner, both embossed so they could barely be seen on the cover.
In WWE, this tag team consists of half-brothers Bubba Ray and D-Von [Blank], who are the most decorated tag team in professional wrestling history. Known for their pioneering use of tables in their names, what name are they known by? Their fitness levels, one could say, are very different that of a similarly named but rather annoying Harry Potter character.