Riddles With Answers

Which McDonald’s sandwich is served with just half a slice of American cheese instead of a full slice?

Big Mac
McChicken
Filet-O-Fish
Cheeseburger

Fact: The Filet-O-Fish is the only standard McDonald’s sandwich traditionally made with half a slice of American cheese. The sandwich was introduced in 1962 by Cincinnati franchise owner Lou Groen, who created it to appeal to Catholic customers looking for a meatless option on Fridays during Lent. McDonald’s found that a full slice of cheese overwhelmed the mild flavor of the fish, so the recipe was adjusted to use only half a slice—a practice that has remained part of the sandwich’s iconic and signature preparation for decades.

Correct Answer: Filet-O-Fish

The letters RSVP, commonly printed on invitations, are an abbreviation of a phrase in which language?

French
Latin
German
Dutch

Fact: RSVP stands for the French phrase “Répondez s’il vous plaît,” which translates to “Please respond.” The abbreviation first became popular among the French aristocracy in the 18th century before spreading throughout Europe and the English-speaking world. Today, RSVP remains a standard feature on invitations, asking guests to confirm whether they will attend so the host can plan seating, food, and other event details. Even though the phrase is French, the abbreviation is widely recognized and used internationally.

Correct Answer: French

What is the proper name for the ÷ symbol used in mathematics to indicate division?

Obelus
Pilcrow
Ampersand
Vinculum

Fact: The ÷ symbol is called the obelus, a term that dates back to ancient Greece, where it was originally used as a proofreading mark to indicate questionable or spurious passages in manuscripts. English mathematician Johann Rahn first used the obelus to represent division in his 1659 algebra textbook, and it later became common in elementary mathematics. Today, however, many higher-level mathematics texts prefer the slash (/) or the horizontal fraction bar to represent division, making the obelus far less common in advanced mathematical notation.

Correct Answer: Obelus

Which island lies near giant kelp forests in California?

A. Santa Cruz
B. San Clemente
C. Anacapa

Fact: Anacapa Island, part of Channel Islands National Park, lies near vast giant kelp forests thriving along the California coast.

Correct Answer: Anacapa

What rootlike structures anchor giant kelp to the seafloor?

A. Stolons
B. Holdfasts
C. Rhizoids

Fact: Holdfasts are specialized rootlike structures that secure giant kelp to the ocean floor, preventing them from drifting away.

Correct Answer: Holdfasts

Which animal is noted for twisting through kelp openings?

A. Sea lion
B. Harbor seal
C. Sea otter

Fact: Sea lions are agile swimmers that twist and maneuver through kelp forest openings in search of food and play.

Correct Answer: Sea lion

Which of the following is equal to one century?

Two score years
Four score years
Five score years
Eight score years

Fact: A score is an old-fashioned unit of measurement equal to 20 years. Therefore, five score years equals 100 years, the length of one century. While the term is rarely used today, it remains familiar from Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address, which begins, “Four score and seven years ago,” referring to 87 years before the speech. The word score was once commonly used throughout the English-speaking world to count groups of twenty years or other items, although it has largely disappeared from everyday speech in modern English usage.

Correct Answer: Five score years

Which of these shoe companies shares its name with a type of antelope?

Adidas
Reebok
Asics
Skechers

Fact: Reebok takes its name from the rhebok, a small, swift species of African antelope known for its speed and agility. The company’s founders adopted the name in 1958 after discovering the spelling “Reebok” in a South African edition of an English dictionary. They felt the distinctive name perfectly captured the athletic qualities they wanted their footwear to represent. Over the decades, Reebok grew into one of the world’s leading sportswear brands, with its unique name becoming far more recognizable than the antelope that inspired it.

Correct Answer: Reebok

Since 1976, what nickname has been given to the player selected last overall in the annual NFL Draft?

Mr. Irrelevant
Captain Obscure
Mr. Longshot
Johnny Forgotten

Fact: The nickname “Mr. Irrelevant” was coined in 1976 by former NFL receiver Paul Salata to honor the player selected last in the NFL Draft. The final pick is celebrated each year during “Irrelevant Week,” a lighthearted event featuring awards, banquets, and other festivities. While the title is meant in fun, several Mr. Irrelevants have gone on to enjoy successful NFL careers. Perhaps the most famous is quarterback Brock Purdy, who led the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance after being the final pick in the 2022 draft.

Correct Answer: Mr. Irrelevant

Which U.S. president was arrested for speeding while in office?

Ulysses S. Grant
Gerald Ford
Lyndon B. Johnson
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Fact: In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant became the only sitting U.S. president ever arrested while in office. He was stopped in Washington, D.C., for driving his horse and buggy at an unsafe speed after ignoring repeated warnings from police. Grant reportedly apologized, posted a $20 collateral bond, and was released. The incident quickly became one of the most unusual stories in presidential history. More than 150 years later, the notorious speeding ticket remains one of the most memorable and unusual footnotes of Grant’s presidency.

Correct Answer: Ulysses S. Grant