General Knowledge Quiz

[theageofthetra]

The character was based on a real MI6 double agent with the very Bond name of Dusko Popov- I'll go with him.

 

[Phil.]

.007 was an American steam locomotive in a Rudyard Kipling short story.

Something else I've learned..but sadly wrong.

 

[Phil.]

The character was based on a real MI6 double agent with the very Bond name of Dusko Popov- I'll go with him.

Nope, sorry.

I'm confident no-one is going to get this one so I'll post the correct - and surprising you'll find - answer this evening afore I go to bed.

Don't stop trying though, there's a hypothetical pasty and a pint of Skinners if you get it.

 

[Calthrop]

Am away from home, getting an unexpected Net session: so just for fun and to be silly because it's Christmas (I also thought of DaleCooper's Kipling answer, but as "that's not it")...

I'm guessing that the first 007 ("first" in sense of first such spy-type in fictionalised history, not necessarily of first character with that "handle", written of): was Dennis Wheatley's character Roger Brook. Roger is a kind of Napoleonic-Wars James Bond (complete with hyperactive sex life) who is a wondrously ingenious and successful secret agent for Britain for some two decades up to 1815 -- his exploits recounted by Wheatley in an umpteen-volume series. Maybe in a part of said series which I've forgotten (having read this stuff many years ago), he gets designated as agent number 007 or the equivalent...

In the highly unlikely event of this answer being right: open floor.

 

[krus_aragon]

I recently listened to a Radio 4 programme by Miles Jupp that compared Fleming's James Bond to a short story by his teacher, Phyllis Bottome. She named her secret agent Mark Chalmers, but I can't recall if they mentioned his "number".

 

[DaleCooper]

Was James Bond given that number after the previous 007 had resigned/retired/died/been promoted?

 

[DaleCooper]

.
If not then I suppose James Bond was the first 007.

 

[Phil.]

Well, as promised here is the answer before I go to bed.

Queen Elizabeth I had - like many monarchs - an extensive network of informants. Her chief man was Lord Walsingham (for Blackadder II fans the Stephen Fry character Lord Melchett is roughly based on him). Elizabeth referred to Walsingham in code as 007.
I can't help but think that Fleming knew of this and that's how his Bond became 007.

Open floor.

 

[deltic1989]

Seems to be a day for learning things, I never knew that.

I shall take the floor if I may.

Where would E.T. be likely to meet a Buffer and Thor?

(I accept there may be a few answers but I only have one in mind for this question.)

 

[DaleCooper]

Well, as promised here is the answer before I go to bed.

Queen Elizabeth I had - like many monarchs - an extensive network of informants. Her chief man was Lord Walsingham (for Blackadder II fans the Stephen Fry character Lord Melchett is roughly based on him). Elizabeth referred to Walsingham in code as 007.
I can't help but think that Fleming knew of this and that's how his Bond became 007.

Open floor.

That's interesting but without a quoted source i wonder if it's a myth. A similar story is told about John Dee.

http://www.sirbacon.org/links/dblohseven.html.

The 007 was the insignia number that Elizabeth was to use for private communiques between her Court and Dee.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dee

Ian Fleming took James Bond's code number, 007, from John Dee.[73] Fleming was reading a memoir on the life of Dee at the time he set off to write Casino Royale (1953).

Which, if either, is true?

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Is the answer "on board a ship"?

I know / think that "Buffer" and "Thor" are naval slang words, but I can't find "ET" .. hence it's a guess!

Open deck if I'm right!

 

[deltic1989]

Is the answer "on board a ship"?

I know / think that "Buffer" and "Thor" are naval slang words, but I can't find "ET" .. hence it's a guess!

Open deck if I'm right!

You are extremely close. The answer I am looking for is a particular ship. Buffer is a slang term for a Bosun, used in many naval services as well as the Royal Australian Navy (thats your second clue, the first clue to the ship's identity was Thor)

Edit: As I am on an internet blackout enforced by my CO (The Wife) from 00:00 tonight I will post the answer should no one get it at around 23:00.

Edit 2: The answer I was looking for was HMAS Hammersley, the fictional Freemantle (s1) and Armidale (s2 onwards) class patrol boat in the Australian drama series Sea Patrol. Members of the crew were given nicknames based on thier role. E.T. (Leading Seaman Josh Holiday) was the Electronic Technition, Buffer (Petty Officer Peter Thomasevski) was the Bosun/Boatswain, and Thor was the ships mascot.

 

[DaleCooper]

I presume it's open floor so:

Why might the number 99705 be important to Santa Claus?

 

[theageofthetra]

Its a US zip code so probably someplace in the US called Lapland or North Pole

 

[DaleCooper]

Its a US zip code so probably someplace in the US called Lapland or North Pole

North Pole it is, your turn...

 

[theageofthetra]

Given that we have lost two of the Live Aid ensemble over Christmas - which 60m+ record sales artist wrote a song for the event, turned up (many didn't) & was told by Geldorf that there wasn't a slot for him.

 

[t_star2001uk]

Cat Stevens would be my guess

Open floor if correct...

 

[theageofthetra]

Correct it was Cat Stevens- so open floor

 

[krus_aragon]

North Pole it is, your turn...

Santa also has reserved postcodes in several countries. In the UK it's XM4 5HQ, and in Canada H0H 0H0.

 

[kevconnor]

Since we've had open floor for a few days I'll post what should be a quick easy one to keep the game going.

On 20th August 1971 Arsenal lost 3-1 at Anfield in a first division game. what was unusual about the match any why.

 

[theageofthetra]

Since we've had open floor for a few days I'll post what should be a quick easy one to keep the game going.

On 20th August 1971 Arsenal lost 3-1 at Anfield in a first division game. what was unusual about the match any why.

They were playing Man U as their lovely supporters had been chucking knives in the away end at OT & they were banned from playing a couple of matches there. The 'good old days' of association football!

 

[kevconnor]

Correct, they also had to play the next 'home game' at Victoria Park, the old Home Ground for Stoke City.

So it's over to theageofthetra to kick off again with the next question.

 

[theageofthetra]

Keeping a football theme. Which non league clubs competing in the FA cup 3rd round this year are based south of the Thames?

 

[kevconnor]

Is it Eastleigh?

 

[ComUtoR]

Sutton United.

Is the Conference Prem considered "non league" ?

 

[theageofthetra]

Thats correct Eastleigh & Sutton- Yes anything below football league division 2 is considered non-league. As its been dragging on a few days I'll award it to the first correct responder if everyone is ok with that?

 

[kevconnor]

Since I posted a question recently and as I am out for NYE tonight I am happy for ComUtoR to post the next question or open floor if they so choose.

 

[ComUtoR]

Open floor

 

[Calthrop]

One for the New Year. Which two momentous events in 1917 took place -- by most people's reckoning -- in different months, from the months named in standard reference to / commemoration of them?

 

[DaleCooper]

One is presumably the October revolution in Russia; is the second the entry of the USA into the war?