No one knows origin of butterscotch

Everybody knows butterscotch, but no one knows where it came from. Origins in Scotland would account for the “scotch” part of its name, but butterscotch could just as well have come from England. As early as 1854, a candy importer in Chicago was advertising “London Butterscotch” candy “for the cure of coughs.” Then again, the idea of mixing hot butter and sugar with a dash of lemon juice or vanilla might have occurred to cooks in other countries even earlier. And aren’t you glad it did?

“I Want Candy” was a U.S. hit in 1982 for which pop group?

A) Bow Wow Wow

B) Duran Duran

C) Talk Talk

D) Wet Wet Wet

Answer: Bow Wow Wow hit the U.S. charts with “I Want Candy” in 1982.

Politics of ‘kangaroo ticket’

A “kangaroo ticket” refers to a presidential campaign in which the vice presidential nominee has more political clout — or kick — than the presidential nominee.

The expression might date to 1844, when James K. Polk was the Democratic presidential nominee and New York Senator Silas Wright was selected by the party as his running mate. Critics claimed that pair’s strength would be in its VP nominee — its hind legs (so to speak). Wright declined the nomination, and Polk won without him.

What’s the name for an infant marsupial, such as a kangaroo?

A) Joey

B) Kit

C) Phoebe

D) Pup

Answer: Infant marsupials are known as joeys.

Hitchcock imitated paintings

The design for Norman Bates’ house in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” came from a 1925 painting by Edward Hopper called “House By the Railroad.” (The real house that Hopper painted is in Haverstraw, New York.) But that wasn’t the only instance of Hitchcock’s film imitating Hopper’s art. Paintings Hopper made in New York City, such as “Night Windows” and “Room in New York,” inspired the look and feel of Hitchcock’s “Rear Window.”

In what year did Microsoft released Windows 1.0?

A) 1965

B) 1975

C) 1985

D) 1995

Answer: Microsoft Windows 1.0 was released in 1985.