Weekend Trivia ~ Saturday

9 years ago

Good Saturday morning, Cottagers!! It is a bright sunny day, but that usually means cold - minus 15C to be precise, but that's not as bad as it was earlier in the week. Oh well, it's winter and the gas bill is paid!!

{{gwi:2123917}}
Well here's a happy guy. Who remembers Mr. ZIP? While the US had started using postal codes in 1943 -
Mr. John Smith
3256 Epiphenomenal Avenue
Minneapolis 16, Minnesota
By the 1960's it was deemed that more was needed to expedite the mail - enter Mr. ZIP and this other address innovation.

So your mission is two-fold:
What does ZIP stand for, and what was the other innovation?

I'll be back with clues, if you smart guys need any help!!

Nancy.

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Comments (21)

thinman
9 years ago
Good morning to you, Nancy.

Not sunny here today. It's cold (14 F or -10C) with lots of wind gusting in the 30s, plus lake effect snow. We have a fire going in the fireplace in spite of the fact that the wind is no doubt sucking heat up the chimney faster than the fire is adding it to the room. It's still a comfort as long as I don't think too much about the dollars going up the chimney.

We went to the farmers' market only to find out that they had cancelled it. Wusses!

OK, ZIP code. I'm pretty sure the Z stands for zone, and I have a guess for the letter I, but have nada for the P. Let the clues fly any time. :-)

TM
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
9 years ago
lol - hmmm. Well it's good that you immediately knew that it was an acronym. You seem to be doing well working it out, depending on you idea for I.
A fire sounds nice - I do miss a fireplace!!

Nancy.
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Well, I believe you have all figured it out - it was to allow the knight/warrior to easily mount his steed. I got the info from a web site called The Straight Dope, which is very cleverly written. I will copy right from them, as I like the way it is written. The fact is that most people don't mount a horse from the left side. Most people call a cab. Those having some acquaintance with horsemanship, however, know that the left side is the horse's "near" side while the right side is the "off" side. This is often explained in terms of swords, but we're then obliged to acknowledge obvious fact #2: While a fair number of people still ride horses, you're living in one tough neighborhood if you need to do so while wearing a sword. About those swords. I'm afraid you've gotten the explanation a little scrambled. As you've observed, swords are traditionally worn on the left, since that makes it easier for a right-handed swordsman to pull the sword from its scabbard. If you're wearing a sword on the left, you'll want to mount your horse on its left, since otherwise the sword will get in the way. The practice goes way back before the medieval heyday of knights. In fact, it most likely originated when sword-toting warriors first began riding horses into battle. Let's start with a fundamental fact, essential to understanding equines: The horse isn't a predator--it's prey. Even after millennia of domestication, the horse is physically and mentally hardwired to detect and elude attackers. Its eyes are set on the sides of its head, giving it almost 360 degrees of vision. It sees two monocular fields at once, one through each eye. The binocular vision we human predators take for granted, the horse has in only a small area directly ahead of it. So what it "knows" on one side, it doesn't "know" on the other, until it's been shown. The horse's instincts dispose it to be suspicious of anything new in its environment. The thing behind that rock that wasn't there yesterday could be a lion! What does this have to do with mounting from the left? It means that a horse who's been taught to accept being mounted only from one side may be perfectly docile when the rider clambers aboard on that side, yet spook and refuse to stand still if approached from the unfamiliar direction. That's why authorities on horse training (including our old friend Xenophon) recommend teaching horses to be mounted from the off side, so that they'll stand still for it if circumstances demand that the rider get on from that side But why prefer the left side when swords are no longer a problem? Partly it's the inertia of tradition--horses and humans are both creatures of habit. But it's also common sense to have a standard approach. If you didn't know which side a particular horse had learned to be mounted from, you could get a nasty surprise if you tried to get on from the "wrong" side. There you have it - tradition again, with a little common sense thrown in. I believe everyone got, though perhaps not the monocular bit - lol, I'll let that pass!! So, for everyone: Thanks for playing, and see you all next week! Nancy.
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Well, I should have been back more often with clues but everything is a struggle right now - I have strep and haven't been able to get in to see my Dr. yet - oh well, tomorrow hopefully. 1. El Nino The most dominant pattern responsible for interannual, or year-to-year, climate variability across the globe. During an El Niño event, warmer-than-normal sea-surface temperatures occur in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, while cooler-than-normal temperatures are observed in the western part of the tropical Pacific. El Niño (Spanish for "The Baby Boy" of the Christmas story) was named more than 100 years ago by Peruvian fishers who noticed the warming water off their shores around Christmas time. 2. La Nina During a La Niña event, cooler-than-normal sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) occur in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and warmer-than-normal SSTS are measured in the western part of the tropical Pacific. 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The trade winds, part of the Hadley circulation, got their name at the dawn of the age of oceanic sailing, when cargo traders learned to rely upon them. 5. Vortex The circulation associated with a surface low-pressure area. Vortices can range in size from dust devils to tornadoes to hemispheric patterns. Some more localized weather may be referred to as: 6. Lake Effect Think Buffalo. Lake-effect snow is produced during cooler atmospheric conditions when cold winds move across long expanses of warmer lake water, providing energy and picking up water vapor, which freezes and is deposited on the leeward (downwind) shores. Did anyone see the pictures of the storm-front moving across Lake Ontario towards Buffalo? Truly awesome. 7. Alberta Clipper - An Alberta clipper (also known as a Canadian Clipper) is a fast moving low pressure area which generally affects the central provinces of Canada and parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions of the United States. Most clippers occur between December and February, but can also occur occasionally in November. 8. Panhandle Hook - A Panhandle hook is a relatively infrequent winter storm system whose cyclogenesis occurs in the South to southwestern United States from the late fall through winter and into the early spring months. They trek to the northeast on a path towards the Great Lakes region, as the southwesterly jet streams are most prevalent, usually affecting the Midwestern United States and Eastern Canada. Panhandle hooks account for some of the most memorable and deadly blizzards and snowstorms in North America, as well as tornado outbreaks in the Midwest on record. The name is derived from the region of surface cyclogenesis in the Texas and Oklahoma "panhandle" regions. In some winters, there are no panhandle hook storms; in others, there are several. 9. Nor'easter - The usage of the term in North America comes from the wind associated with many different types of storms, some of which can form in the North Atlantic Ocean and some of which form as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. The term is most often used in the coastal areas of New England. A nor’easter is a low pressure area that often passes just off the New England and southeast Canada Atlantic coastline. Winds in the left-forward quadrant rotate onto land from the northeast. The precipitation pattern is similar to that of other extratropical storms. Nor’easters can cause severe coastal flooding, coastal erosion, hurricane force winds or blizzard conditions; these conditions are usually accompanied with very heavy rain or snow, depending on when the storm occurs. 10. Colorado Low - You're right Cynthia, not a rock Mountain High - lol. A Colorado low is a low pressure that forms in southeastern Colorado or northeastern New Mexico, typically in the winter. 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And there you have it, Cynthia!! Though the book has been characterized in media reports as a sequel to Lee's best-selling novel, Go Set a Watchman was written in the mid-1950s, before she wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, which was published in 1960. It was set aside when her editor suggested that she write another novel from the young Scout Finch's perspective. The manuscript was then lost for many years, until being rediscovered by her lawyer in the fall of 2014. It will be published as originally written, with no revisions. The phrase is from Isaiah 21: 6, "For thus the Lord said to me: “Go, set a watchman; let him announce what he sees." It is referring to the fall of Babylon. Some publications have called the timing of the book "suspicious", citing Lee's declining health, statements she had made over several decades that she would not write or release another novel, and the death of her sister (and caretaker) just two months before the announcement. NPR reported on the news of her new book release, with circumstances "raising questions about whether she is being taken advantage of in her old age." Some publications have even called for fans to boycott the work. Mainstream news sources, including NPR, BBC News, and Jezebel, have reported that the conditions surrounding the release of the book are unclear and posit that Lee may not have had full control of the decision. However, historian and Lee's longtime friend, Wayne Flynt told the Associated Press that the "narrative of senility, exploitation of this helpless little old lady is just hogwash. It's just complete bunk". Flynt said he found Lee capable of giving consent, and believes no one will ever know for certain the terms of said consent. That having been said, Lee is quite deaf and suffers profound vision loss from macular degeneration. Truman Capote, then Persons, lived next door with his aunts while his mother was in New York. Like Dill, Capote had an impressive imagination and a gift for fascinating stories. Both Lee and Capote were atypical children: both loved to read. Lee was a scrappy tomboy who was quick to fight, but Capote was ridiculed for his advanced vocabulary and lisp. She and Capote made up and acted out stories they wrote on an old Underwood typewriter Lee's father gave them. They became good friends when both felt alienated from their peers; Capote called the two of them "apart people". In 1960, Capote and Lee traveled to Kansas together to investigate the multiple murders that were the basis for Capote's nonfiction novel In Cold Blood. Well, interesting subject, but a weak question. I shall have to do better next week!! For Everyone (I believe?): Thanks for playing. See you all next week. Nancy.
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aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
9 years ago
I'm with TM on the Z standing for zone and a thought for I but P is still a mystery. I will check back later for clues.

Cold here but haven't seen any snow so far, if it ever dries up a bit I can get out and do a bit of pre-spring cleanup, stuff that should have been done in the fall. So looking forward to spring.

Annette
mnwsgal
9 years ago
Agree with Z for zone, don't have I, perhaps P stands for Post.

Our kids are coming this afternoon for our Christmas celebration. Will check in as time allows.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
9 years ago
Hmmm, well, it looks like we are all in agreement with zone (or zonal or zoning) and not sure of the rest. I do sort of know what the numbers refer to in the code.

For the other innovation, do you mean about mail in general or the zip code specifically?

I wonder if my mailman knows...hmmm...doubtful, but I won't cheat and ask him. :)

Cynthia
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
9 years ago
The second was another innovation to speed the mail up and standardize addresses - too much more and I'll give that away!!

Housemate Joyce gave me this question - it was on Pawnography and nobody got it!! As to the other 2 letters - well....it was a way to make things better!!

Nancy.
thinman
9 years ago
Hmmm. Did the second innovation have to do with the two-letter abbreviation for states? Or maybe the barcode printed on the envelopes? Or maybe an optical reader for the ZIP codes?

My guess for the letter I is Information, only because it seems to fit.

TM
thinman
9 years ago
Hmmm. Did the second innovation have to do with the two-letter abbreviation for states? Or maybe the barcode printed on the envelopes? Or maybe an optical reader for the ZIP codes?

My guess for the letter I is Information, only because it seems to fit.

TM
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
9 years ago
I think you gave us a clue for the I. Originally, I was thinking information, but now, I am thinking of something that goes with making things better! Seems like the need for these never ends around this house.

I like TM's idea of standardized two- letter state abbreviations. I remember writng Penna for Pennsylvania back in the day before PA.

Cynthia
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
9 years ago
Ah yes, making things better!! And Cynthia, you know, TM is a smart guy!!

Nancy - who used to write to her Aunt in Florida - FLA in the the US of A - made her crazy!! Guess it probably didn't impress the mail guys either!! lol.
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
9 years ago
OOO, sorry and information is incorrect - we are making things better, not educating!!

Nancy.
thinman
9 years ago
OK, making stuff up now -- Zone Improvement Proposal.
Or maybe Zone Improvement Plan

Or ...

TM

PS Sorry about the double post.

This post was edited by thinman on Sat, Jan 10, 15 at 19:09
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
9 years ago
I'm going with Zone Improvement, still stuck on the P although Plan might fit.
I'll go along with TM on the two letter abbreviation for the states.

Annette
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
9 years ago
Okay, liking the Zone Improvement Plan and also the two letter abbreviation for states. Thank you, TM! If I am right, it is mostly due to you - although I did pick up on you clue for improvement, Nancy. Still that is only a small part! :)

Cynthia
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
9 years ago
Well, it was an idea to make things better!!

Nancy.
mnwsgal
9 years ago
ZIP, I'll go along with Zone Improvement Plan and the strandardized 2 letter state abreviation. I miss the old abreviations.

The other late improvement that hardly anybody uses is the added 4 digits to the standard Zip code. I use it whenever I'm sending packages as hear packages get sent quicker if they have the last four digits. No idea if that is true or not.

Had a great family Christmas. Kids(in their 30s with no children) had lots of info to share about recent trips and plans. Lots of laughter and talk, talk, talk.
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
9 years ago
What a great family gathering Bobbie, and no pressure from the other side of the family. That always makes conversation more comfortable, and kudos to you for allowing that!! Too many times I hear of the next generation (whichever generation that is) complaining about multiple requests for family dinners.

An improvement it was that they cooked up. And the mentioned extensions - oy!! Online credit card payments are often dependent on the correct address to match the account. you might be interested to know that not all banks did it the same way, in the beginning. That made for some unhappy customers, I can tell you.

Nancy - who is looking at the waning full moon out her window. Winter moons are so lovely!!
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
Original Author
9 years ago
OK, well you all got it I believe?

ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly (zipping along), when senders use the code in the postal address. The basic format consists of five decimal numerical digits. An extended ZIP+4 code, introduced in 1983, includes the five digits of the ZIP code, a hyphen, and four more digits that determine a more specific location within a given ZIP code. The USPS provides a free online lookup tool for ZIP codes at usps.com/zip4.

The term ZIP code was originally registered as a servicemark (a type of trademark) by the U.S. Postal Service, but its registration has since expired. USPS style for ZIP is all caps, although style sheets for some publications use sentence case or lowercase.

Simultaneously, along with the introduction of the ZIP code, two-letter state abbreviations were introduced, which are generally written with both letters capitalized. The reason for the two-letter abbreviations is that it was thought that a long city name coupled with a multi-letter state abbreviation (e.g.: Mass. for Massachusetts; Ca., Cal., or Calif. for California; Pa., Penn., or Penna. for Pennsylvania) would be too long for address labels used on magazines when the ZIP code was added. Robert Moon, an employee of the post office, is considered the father of the ZIP code; he submitted his proposal in 1944 while working as a postal inspector. No word on whether he got a bonus for the suggestion!

{{gwi:598938}}

Thanks for playing. See you all next week, and now over to Cynthia's question.

Nancy.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
9 years ago
Very cool, Nancy! Thanks for the stars!

Cynthia
mnwsgal
9 years ago
Thanks for the stars, Nancy, and the question which experience we all lived through and promptly took for granted forgetting the pertinent details.
thinman
9 years ago
Hey, we got it! Hooray for us.

Thanks, Nancy. Good question and, as Bobbie pointed out, one that we all knew at one time, but slipped away, as so many things do.

TM

Weekend Trivia ~ Saturday

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