General Knowledge Database

What is the moving drum?

2007-07-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

The moving drum is a japanese washing machine that is said to be the fastest in the world. It needs only 35 minutes to wash 9 kgs of clothes and 145 minutes to dry 6 kgs. Depending on the volume of clothes, it changes angles automatically.

10 Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold

2006-10-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

1. $135 million Adele Bloch-Bauer I, Gutav Klimt 2006
2. $104 million Boy with a Pipe, Pablo Picasso 2004
3. $95.2 million Dora Maar with Cat, Pablo Picasso 2006
4. $82.5 million Portrait du Dr Gachet, Vincent van Gogh 1990
5. $78.1 million Au Moulin de la Galette, Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1990
6. $76.7 million The Massacre of the Innocents, Paul Rubens 2002
7. $71.5 million Portrait de L'Artiste sans Barbe, Vincent van Gogh 1998
8. $60.5 million Rideau, Cruchonet Compotier, Paul Cezanna 1999
9. $55 million Femme aux Brax Croises, PAblo Picasso 2000
10. $53.9 million Irises, Vincent van Gogh 1987

What is the wooden spoon in sports?

2006-10-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

'Wooden spoon' is a phrase which refers to the performance of an individual or a team which finishes last in a competition. Sometimes, a mock or real wooden spoon award is also handed over to the contestant coming last. The phrase is apparently based on the fact that a wooden spoon is almost valueless compared to the winner's trophy which is made of precious metal. The term had its origin in Cambridge University where professors used to dangle wooden spoon before students who failed in examination.

What's the origin of 'nineteen to the dozen'?

2006-10-13T04:43:00.000-07:00

While the exact origin of the phrase is unknown, it is often traced back to the Cornish beam engines of the Newcomen era in the 18th century. These engines could pump 19,000 gallons from a tin mile. All this from just 12 bushels of coal. In speech, the phrase means someone who talks too fast or too much.

Why does milk overflow when boiled but water does not?

2006-10-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

Milk overflows when boiled for the first time because it contains entrapped air. The air expands on heating and tends to escape lifting the surface of milk. Once all the air is expelled, the boiling would be regular and smooth. A second boiling would not lead to overflow. Entrapped air in mother's milk is the cause of pain for babies that goes under the name 'colic pain'. Breast feeding is therefore to be done in small doses at a time.

Which is the largest burger in the world?

2006-10-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

A Pennsylvania restaurant put a 15pound burger on its menu, claiming it to be the largest burger available. Dennis Liegey, the owner of Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield, 120 kms northeast of Pittsburgh, named it the 'Beer Barrel Belly Buster' which comprises 10 pounds of meat moulded into a 20-inch patty on a specially baked 17-inch bun. The remaining weight comes from 25 slices of cheese, a head of lettuce, three tomatoes, two onions, plus copious quantities of mayo, ketchup, relish, mustard, and peppers.

What is the real story behind saying 'touch wood'?

2006-09-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

'Touch wood' and 'knock on wood' are used as a charm to bring good luck or to avoid 'tempting fate' after making a boastful statement. Some believe it has to do with knocking on the wooden cross. Another explanation stems from the pagan belief that spirits lived in trees and that knocking on wood would prevent the spirit from hearing the boastful words. The superstition has not been traced beyond the 19th century children's tag games.

Who made the first wind chime?

2006-09-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

The wind chime is a product of many cultures and times. The ancient civilisations of Asia can claim the creation of wind chimes as their own. The Chinese were casting bells by 1100 BC and they created the wind bell that they call fengling. Wind chimes were considered religious objects which could attract kind spirits and drive away evil ones. The Buddhists especially revered wind bells and hung them by the hundreds from the eaves of shrines, pagodas, temples and in caves.

What is Obiter Dictum?

2006-09-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Obiter dictum is a term used in legal parlance. It is the Latin term for 'something said in passing'. Obiter dictum is an observation made by a judge which, though included in the judgement, does not form part of the decision of the court. It can be an opinion of the judge which is not in line with the reasoning leading to the judgement.

What is the new name for Pluto?

2006-09-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

After Pluto was deemed not to be a planet but a dwarf planet, it's also known by another name now, or rather a number. In all scientific references, it'll be known by the asteroid number 134340. This has decided by the Minor Planet Centre, the organisation responsible for data collection about objects in the solar system.

What is the origin of the word 'moolah'?

2006-09-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

Moolah is a Fijian word meaning 'money'. This word may be the origin of the English slang for 'money'.

Why are the roaring forties called so?

2006-09-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

Western winds move in both the hemispheres (northern and southern) between 35 to 60 degrees latitudes. In the southern hemisphere, these winds show a very stormy nature after 40 degree latitude. This remains constant in summer as well as in winter. In the olden days, sailors called them 'roaring forties', 'furious fifties' and 'crying sixties' since these winds create a very noisy atmosphere and were not favourable for them at all.

What is a pilotless aircraft?

2006-09-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

A pilotless aircraft, usually an MAV (micro air vehicle), is one which is programmed to go somewhere or do something on its own, or is a remote controlled aircraft piloted from the ground. Most pilotless aircraft are rather small in size. Pilotless aircraft are used for dangerous jobs such as spying or exploring new places with a camera which transmits the data back to the ground. They can be very useful as many are shot down or crash, and thus saving a real pilot's life.

What is the full form of BMW?

2006-09-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

BMW is the acronym for Bayerische Motoren Werke AG or in English, Bavarian Motor Works. It's an independent German company and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. It's the world's largest premium car maker and is the parent company of the BMW Mini, and Rolls-Royce car brands, and, formerly, Rover. It was founded in 1913 by Karl Friedrich Rapp in Munich (Germany).

Who is known as the father of the English language?

2006-09-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

Geoffrey Chaucer. He was born in London sometime between 1340 and 1344. He was an English author, poet, philosopher, bureaucrat (courtier), and diplomat. He is also referred to as the father of English Literature. Although he wrote many works, he is best remembered for his unfinished frame narrative 'The Canterbury Tales'. He is sometimes credited with being the first author to demonstrate the artistic legitimacy of the vernacular English language, rather than French or Latin.

Who designed the Eiffel Tower?

2006-09-07T04:32:00.000-07:00

The Eiffel Tower in Paris was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the famous French engineer and designer. He started building this humongous tower in 1889. It is located on the banks of the river Siene, in the Champ . de Mars. At 324 meters, it's the tallest structure in Europe. It is considered the most famous landmark in France and receives 5.5 million visitors every year.

What is buffering in internet?

2006-09-06T15:14:00.000-07:00

Buffering is a situation which occurs when a streaming media player is saving portions of a streaming media file to local storage for playback. Most streaming media players buffer a small percentage of a streaming media presentation before beginning to play it. Buffering also may occur in the middle of a presentation when available bandwidth does not match the presentation's required bandwidth.