THE BIG QUESTIONS
I’m used to seeing David Beckham at sporting events, but a pal told me there was a David Beckham in the cycling at the Commonwealth Games. True? – G
India’s David Beckham Elkatohchoongo was part of the team which finished sixth in the team sprint event. His father named him after the former England star. Team-mate Ronaldo Laitonjam was named after Brazil’s Ronaldinho after his dad saw his wonder goal against England in the 2002 World Cup.
Was a Scottish king the first head of state to be assassinated by gunfire, as I seem to recall from my history lessons at school? – A
On January 23, 1570, James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, a supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots used a matchlock carbine, a short barrelled gun to shoot James Stewart, the 1st Earl of Moray.
Stewart wasn’t the king, but he was Regent of Scotland for his nephew, the child King James VI of Scotland.
He was riding through the town of Linlithgow when Hamilton shot him from a window of his uncle’s house.
Stewart died later that day from his injuries, while Hamilton fled to France, where he died around 1581.
My kids love vermicelli for tea, as I told them it translates as “little worms”. Any other silly pasta types? – K
How about cencioni, which means “little rags”.
Or radiatore, which are shaped like old-fashioned radiator heaters.
Lumaconi means “large snails” mostaccioli means “moustache-shaped” and barbina translates as “little beard.”
But the weirdest must be strangolapreti, Italian for “priest-stranglers” – not very appetising.