Trivial Pursuit

[Rob_the_Saint]

Just to expand on the 'thin red line' it hails from the battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War when the Highland regiment repelled a Russian charge standing in ranks of only two deep instead of the normal three. A few weeks later saw the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade.

 

Here endeth the history lesson for today.

[Slartibartfast]

Cruithne ?

 

 

[Badger]

Quote:

Big J.R. said:
Meaning: A line of British soldiers (who wore red jackets).

Folklore in the UK had it that a small group of British soldiers were good enough to hold back a mob of warlike foreigners. (Sounds familiar !)

I was after something more specific, like the fact it was a Scots regiment that held off a French cavalry charge by standing in line and firing, rather than forming square and fixing bayonets. But I suppose your answer will do.

[Badger]

Quote:

Rob the Saint said:
Just to expand on the 'thin red line' it hails from the battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War when the Highland regiment repelled a Russian charge standing in ranks of only two deep instead of the normal three. A few weeks later saw the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade.

Here endeth the history lesson for today.

British always stood in two lines, it was the French that stood in three.

[Rob_the_Saint]

Badger

 

Sorry to labour the point, but I've found several variations of this on various websites:

 

In the mid 19th Century there was an understanding between officers and men (It may even have been enshrined in the 1847 Enlistment Act)that British Infantry would never be asked to stand and face an enemy onslaught in less than three ranks. The retreat would be sounded rather than allowing this to happen.

But it was a do or die situation at the Battle of Balaclava on October 25th 1864 (just prior to The Charge of the Light Brigade).

Colin Campbell's 93rd Highlanders (Argyll and Sutherland)stood in just 2 ranks and faced a Russian Cavalry charge.It was here that the phrase originated.

 

Cruithne is correct.

 

Next question please Slarti.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Who was captain of the Pequod?

[chris blanc]

Sorry, It was Cruithne, well done.

[Paul]

Quote:

Slartibartfast said:
Who was captain of the Pequod?

Captain Ahab


What book starts with the words "When a day that you happen to know is Wednesday starts off by sounding like Sunday, there is something seriously wrong somewhere."?

[chris blanc]

Day of the Triffids

 

 

OK, another easy first line from a book

 

"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen"

[Slartibartfast]

1984

 

and still sticking to the first line theme what book begins with....

 

 

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

[chris blanc]

"Pride and Prejudice"

 

OK my last first line from a book question:

 

"Amerigo Bonasera sat in New York Criminal Court Number 3 and waited for justice; vengeance on the men who had so cruelly hurt his daughter, who had tried to dishonor her"

[Rob_the_Saint]

A. The Godfather

 

Q. Which city is home to the world's oldest radio station?

[Urchin Boy]

I'm In The World Aswll !

[Badger]

Quote:

Rob the Saint said:
Badger

Sorry to labour the point, but I've found several variations of this on various websites:

In the mid 19th Century there was an understanding between officers and men (It may even have been enshrined in the 1847 Enlistment Act)that British Infantry would never be asked to stand and face an enemy onslaught in less than three ranks. The retreat would be sounded rather than allowing this to happen.
But it was a do or die situation at the Battle of Balaclava on October 25th 1864 (just prior to The Charge of the Light Brigade).
Colin Campbell's 93rd Highlanders (Argyll and Sutherland)stood in just 2 ranks and faced a Russian Cavalry charge.It was here that the phrase originated.

Fair enough - I'll check with my brother, who I got the info from, and check he's up to speed.

Oldest radio station is in Chicago, I believe.

What music video was the first to show a live tattooing?

[AFF]

There's a programme on television called "Who wants to be a millionaire?" of which I caught a minute or two and the question about the radio station was on there on Saturday night by remarkable co-incidence.

 

The answer is/was Pittsburgh.

 

The question about tattooing wasn't on the programme, however.

 

Just a guess: Adam Ant?

[Big J R]

Yes, AFF ! It was Pittsburg. I caught that question as well.

 

No idea about the tattoo-ing, though ?

 

Where is Badger when you want him ?

 

Game, SETT, and match ? (Ha-Ha) <img src="/images/graemlins/doah.gif" alt="" />

[Badger]

Does my question count, as I got the previous one wrong?

 

It wasn't Adam Ant, I'm afraid. I'll leave it a little bit longer, as it's only been up there a few hours. As a clue, an animal name is part of the answer (so Adam Ant wasn't miles off after all!)

[AFF]

Hi Badger.

 

It's not my game, as it were, but the answer to your question is no. That's 'no' to the first question concerning your ability to ask a question rather than the second question about tattooing.

 

However, your question [about tattooing] is good for me.

[Badger]

Looks like the question's been here long enough.

 

The song was Brother 52, and was sung by Fish.

[Big J R]

Next question, then Badger !