Weekend QoD: Saturday, October 18

[wintergreen48]

Where Am I, and Why Am I Here?

Same old, same old: please read the prolix clues, and if you are still awake, try to answer the questions that follow, being careful to put your answers in the form of a spoiler. This will remain open until Tuesday at Noon EDT.


1. The largest bell in the world stands on display next to the largest cannon in the world. The bell was never rung, and the cannon was never fired.

2. The Bronze Horseman is a large equestrian statue that is mounted on Thunder Rock, which is believed to be the largest stone ever moved by man (literally-- it was dragged by human muscle power to its present location). The statue takes its name from the title of a poem that was written years after the statue was put up. According to legend, so long as the statue stands, the city in which it stands will never be taken by a foreign invader. In one of the many wars in which the home country was involved, the city was besieged for nearly two and a half years… and the statue stood throughout the siege, and the city never fell.

3. ‘Virginia’ was named for a famous ‘virgin,’ who probably was not.

4. ‘Maryland’ was not named for a virgin, famous or otherwise.

5. Most ‘New’ places are named after an earlier place that had the same name, except that the earlier place was not ‘new,’ but ‘New York’ is not named after an earlier place, but instead is named after a person.

6. On the other hand, the original name of New York City (or, technically, ‘The City of New York’) actually WAS taken from an earlier place.

7. ‘New Jersey’ was named after Jersey, a Channel Island. Although ‘New Jersey’ was founded by British colonists, Jersey is not a part of Great Britain, and English was neither the popular nor the official language spoken in Jersey at the time.

8. This country’s name is popularly believed to come from the country’s word for ‘free,’ but while the country’s name and its word for ‘free’ are similar, it is more likely that the name comes from one of the ethnic groups that live there. But this country does have the distinction of being the only country in its part of the world that was never colonized or taken over by a European power.

9. Berlin has been the capital of a lot of countries-- it was the capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg, it was the capital of the German Empire, it was the capital of the Weimar Republic, it was the capital of Nazi Germany, it (or its eastern portion) was the capital of the German ‘Democratic’ Republic, and it is now the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. It was also, for nearly 200 years, the capital of a kingdom.

10. Currently the largest city in the world (in terms of population), its name comes from the words ‘east’ and ‘capital’ in its native language. The city has in fact been the capital for 140 years, but before it became the capital, this city had a different name, and another city entirely was the capital of the country, for nearly 1,100 years: the other city’s name comes from the same two words, but they are reversed, so that the other city’s name would be ‘capital east.’



1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is:

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is:

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was:

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was:

5. New York was named after:

6. New York City’s original name was taken from:

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by:

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists.

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is:

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of:

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is:

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was:

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was:

[Ritterskoop]

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is: Geneva

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is: St. Petersburg

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: Mary of William and Mary

5. New York was named after: Duke of York

6. New York City’s original name was taken from: Duke of York

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: Wales

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists.

Gaelic

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is: Liberia

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: Wusyerdaddia

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: Edo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Dodo

[Weyoun]

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is: Moscow

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is: St. Petersburg

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: Henrietta Marie

5. New York was named after: the Duke of Albany

6. New York City’s original name was taken from: Amsterdram

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: Elizabeth II

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists. Jerrais

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is: Thailand

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: Prussia

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: Edo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Kyoto

[kroxquo]

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is: I'm pretty sure I read that this was in Eastern Europe somewhere. I'll take a semi WAG and go with Bratislava just because I like saying "Bratislva"

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is: WAG, although the clue points me to somewhere in the crossroads. What the heck let's just say Bratislava again

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Elizabeth I As I tell my students, are you going to tell someone who has the authority to have your head chopped off that she's not a virgin if she wants to insist she is?

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: Queen Mary of William and Mary fame

5. New York was named after: The Duke of York who led the expedition to take the place from the Dutch, although the Duke got his name because he was the Duke of the York area of England

6. New York City’s original name was taken from: Amsterdam which led to New Amsterdam and a lot of Dutch names still hanging around like Harlem, Yonkers, and Tappan Zee

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: A bunch of cows? I know Swedes settled in what's now New Jersey so how about Sweden

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists. I'm pretty sure that it's a lot closer to France than England so I'll guess French

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is: I don't think Mussolini was successful in his attack on Ethiopia was he?

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: Prussia?

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: This was a Jeopardy question this week and I still can't remember it. Arrrrgh.

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Kyoto

[jarnon]

Spoiler

1.
2.
3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Queen Elizabeth I
4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: Queen Mary I
5. New York was named after: the Duke of York
6. New York City’s original name was taken from: Amsterdam
7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: the Duchy of Normandy
Bonus: French
8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over by Europeans is: Thailand
9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: Prussia
10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo
Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: Edo
Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Kyoto

[frogman042]

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is:

Spoiler

WAG: Richmond

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is:

Spoiler

WAG: Moscow

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was:

Spoiler

Queen Elizabeth I - the virgin queen

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was:

Spoiler

WAG: Mary, Queen of Scots

5. New York was named after:

Spoiler

Duke of York

6. New York City’s original name was taken from:

Spoiler

Since it's original name was New Amsterdam, I'm guessing you are looking for Amsterdam

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by:

Spoiler

France?

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists.

Spoiler

Flemish?

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is:

Spoiler

Liberia

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of:

Spoiler

Prussia?

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is:

Spoiler

Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was:
I know this but I'm drawing a blank:

Spoiler

Onke

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was:

Spoiler

Kyoto

---Jay

[jsuchard]

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is: Moscow

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is: Vienna

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: Queen Mary (of William and Mary fame)

5. New York was named after: Duke of York (who must have been a royal second son, but damned if I can come up with a more exact name)

6. New York City’s original name was taken from: New Amsterdam

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: France

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists. Dutch?

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is: Liberia? [probably wrong]

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: Thuringia?

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: Edo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Kyoto

[VAdame]

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is: Nope

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is: Nope

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Elizabeth I, the "Virgin Queen"

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: One of the Queen Marys of England. Not sure which. Given the Catholic history, Mary I (Mary Tudor)?

5. New York was named after: The Duke of York

6. New York City’s original name was taken from: Amsterdam

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: France

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists. French

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is: Can't be Liberia -- how about "Libya?"

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: Prussia

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: Edo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Kyoto (and it's an anagram!)

[a1mamacat]

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is: St Petersburg

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is: Venice

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: Mary of Orange?

5. New York was named after: Duke of York

6. New York City’s original name was taken from: Amsterdam

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: Brooklyn

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists. - Brooklynese

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is: Liberia

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: The Goths

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: Old Tokyo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Not Tokyo

[TheConfessor]

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is:
Moscow, Russia

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is:
St. Petersburg / Leningrad, Russia

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was:
Queen Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was:
Queen Mary

5. New York was named after:
Duke of York

6. New York City’s original name was taken from:
(New) Amsterdam

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by:
United Kingdom

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists.
Norman

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is:
Thailand

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of:
Prussia

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is:
Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was:
Edo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was:
Kyoto

[tanstaafl2]

Where Am I, and Why Am I Here?

Like I would know???

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is:
I suspect that you refer to the Tsar's bell in Moscow which I think is in the Kremlin. But I did not get to see it because I had this misfortune to arrive in Moscow in September 1993 just as the Kremlin was closed and the "White House" started their revolt. However I do recall stories while touring Burma a decade later of the largest known bell being at the bottom of a river near Rangoon after being dragged out of Shwedagon pagoda by looters.

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is:
St. Petersburg with good ol' Pete his own self astride the horse. This I did see on my trip to Russia in '93 and I have a picture of it somewhere. Alas it is the pre-digital era and my chances of finding it quickly amongst 100's of slides is limited at best.

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: I suppose Lizzie's sister, Mary I is too obvious? She was perhaps a bit early to be the source for Maryland but I have no better guess.

5. New York was named after: No doubt the Duke of York but which one is a bit tougher. James I perhaps? At least it follows with the previous two questions.

6. New York City’s original name was taken from: By original name I am going to guess you mean Amsterdam.

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: No clue who owned it but since it is closer to France than England I will guess France and French.

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled by British colonists.

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over by Europeans is: Don't know about the free part but the description sounds like Thailand.

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: Prussia?

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: Edo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Kyoto

Only one I can think of that fits the reversing of the name.

[NellyLunatic1980]

10. Currently the largest city in the world (in terms of population), its name comes from the words ‘east’ and ‘capital’ in its native language. The city has in fact been the capital for 140 years, but before it became the capital, this city had a different name, and another city entirely was the capital of the country, for nearly 1,100 years: the other city’s name comes from the same two words, but they are reversed, so that the other city’s name would be ‘capital east.’



1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is:

Spoiler

Gastonia (Where Else®?)

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is:

Spoiler

Warsaw

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was:

Spoiler

Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was:

Spoiler

Henrietta Maria, Charles I's consort

5. New York was named after:

Spoiler

York of somebody whose name escapes me

6. New York City’s original name was taken from:

Spoiler

Amsterdam

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by:

Spoiler

Scotland?

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled by British colonists. --

Spoiler

German?

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over by Europeans is:

Spoiler

Thailand

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of:

Spoiler

Prussia?

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is:

Spoiler

Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was:

Spoiler

Edo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was:

Spoiler

Kyoto

[LynPayne]

Spoiler

1) Zurich??? 2)Stalingrad? 3) England's Queen Elizabeth I, 4) England's Queen Henrietta Maria, 5)The Duke of York, 6) New Amsterdam, 7)On the island of Jersey they spoke French? (not sure what the question is asking for), Liberia, 9) Berlin was capital of the Kingdom of Prussia, 10) This is very hard because I think when I last looked at the list it wasn't the largest, but I think you want Tokyo, Bonus 1) Edo, Bonus 2) Kyoto.

[MarleysGh0st]

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is: A Puzzlement

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is: St. Petersburg, aka Leningrad, aka Petrograd.

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: Queen Mary, half of the royal team William & Mary

5. New York was named after: The Duke of York

6. New York City’s original name was taken from: Amsterdam

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: Elizabeth II, the channel islands being the only remaining part of William the Conqueror's personal holdings in Normandy.

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled by British colonists. French

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over by Europeans is: Thailand

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: Prussia

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: Edo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Kyoto

[plasticene]

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is:
London?

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is:
Saint Petersburg

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was:
Queen Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was:
Queen Mary (William's other half, presumably)

5. New York was named after:
The then current Duke of York, who was later to become... James II?

6. New York City’s original name was taken from:
Amsterdam

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by:
France?

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled by British colonists.
French (official)

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over by Europeans is:
Ethiopia?

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of:
Prussia

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is:
Tokyo
Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was:
Edo
Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was:
Kyoto

[andrewjackson]

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is:

Spoiler

Moscow, Russia

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is:

Spoiler

St. Petersburg, Russia

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was:

Spoiler

Queen Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was:

Spoiler

Queen Mary I ?

5. New York was named after:

Spoiler

The Duke of York, later James II of England

6. New York City’s original name was taken from:

Spoiler

Amsterdam, North Holland, the Netherlands

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by:

Spoiler

The Crown of the United Kingdom, the King or Queen of England

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists.:

Spoiler

French

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is:

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of:

Spoiler

Prussia

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is:

Spoiler

I think there is some disagreement depending on who is counting but your clue is describing Tokyo.

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was:

Spoiler

Edo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was:

Spoiler

Kyoto

[andrewjackson]

Whoops. I skipped #8. I think I knew it but I blew it.

[KillerTomato]

Admiral Stockdale's got nuthin' on you

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is: No idea, so I'll guess Geneva. Or maybe Djibouti, just cuz I like saying "Djibouti"....nah, Geneva.

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is: No idea again. Howzabout Djibouti.....no, let's go with Budapest.

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Lizzie One.

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: Henrietta Marie, Charles II's mother.

5. New York was named after: King James II (or VI), before he became King and held the title the Duke of York.

6. New York City’s original name was taken from: the city of Amsterdam.

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: Anthony Soprano, the Duke of Elizabeth.

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists. Considering the fact that it's so close to Normandy, I'll go with Norman.

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over
by Europeans is: Obviously, Liberia's bound to be the popular distractor. I'm unsure about any other African countries that have never been under European rule, so the answer probably isn't in Africa. It can't be in South America or North America....which means it's likely Asian (can't be Australian either). The Europeans were heavily into Southeast Asia (aka Indochina)...but if I remember my "King and I" right, the Siamese have always been independent. So I'll take a WAG at Thailand.

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: Prussia?

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: Edo (thanks NYT crosswords!)

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Kyoto

[JBillyGirl]

Well, I can't avoid these questions any longer. Lots of WAGs today. Sigh...

Spoiler

1. The city that is home to the largest bell (unrung) and the largest cannon (unfired) is: London?

2. The city that is home to The Bronze Horseman is and Thunder Rock is: St. Petersburg/Leningrad? (thinking about the book "The 900 Days," which is nearly two and a half years)

3. Virginia’s ‘virgin’ was: Queen Elizabeth I

4. Maryland’s non-virgin was: Queen Mary II?

5. New York was named after: the Duke of York

6. New York City’s original name was taken from: the city of York, England

7. Jersey is ‘owned’ by: Belgium?

Bonus: identify either the popular or the ‘official’ language of Jersey at the time that ‘New Jersey’ was being settled
by British colonists. French?

8. The country whose name probably does not come from the word for ‘free’ but which nonetheless was never taken over by Europeans is: Thailand

9. Berlin was the capital of the kingdom of: total WAG Thuringia (please don't laugh at my ignorance)

10. The largest city in the world (in terms of population) is: Tokyo

Bonus: the earlier name for the largest city in the world was: Edo

Bonus 2: the previous capital of the country was: Kyoto