Common Theme Quiz

Answer: Vienna

Beethoven was born in Bonn, in present day Germany, but moved to Vienna, then the musical mecca of Europe. Incidentally, Vienna also witnessed the deaths of composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Josef Haydn, Christoph Gluck, Antonio Salieri, Franz Schubert, Anton Bruckner, Johann Strauss Jr., Franz Von Suppe and Johannes Brahms.

Answer: Colonel Mustard

The comedy based on the popular murder mystery board game also starred Christopher Lloyd, Tim Curry, Michael McKean, Madeline Kahn, Lesley Ann Warren and Eileen Brennan.

Answer: Frankfort

Frankfort was the fourth smallest state capital according to the 2000 census. The only smaller state capitals were Montpelier (Vermont), Augusta (Maine) and Helena (Montana).

Answer: Sleepers

The film involves four men who are haunted by the abuse they suffered while serving time in a juvenile detention center. Now grown, the men seek revenge on their former abusers.

Answer: Great American Ball Park

The stadium was a welcome departure from the cookie-cutter, sweltering-hot astroturf-covered Riverfront Stadium, demolished in 2002. While it might appear Cincinnati escaped the stigma of a corporate-named home stadium, the naming rights for the park are actually owned by the Great American Insurance Group.

Answer: Pork Barrel

The term "pork barrel" spending, or simply "pork," originated in U.S. politics from slaveowners who gave a gift of pork to their most loyal slaves. Politicians use pork barrel spending to steer federal money to their constituents and campaign-friendly corporations.

Answer: Coney Island

Coney Island, in the Brooklyn area of New York City, is actually a peninsula connected to the Long Island mainland, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It is known for its amusement park and boardwalk, and was home to thoroughbred racing's Preakness Stakes from 1894 to 1908.

Answer: Oscar

"Oscar" was an ill-fated comedy about a reformed mobster's attempt to lead a straight life. Ironically, the film earned Marisa Tomei a Razzie nomination for WORST Supporting Actress, roughly one year prior to her winning the Academy Award for BEST Supporting Actress in "My Cousin Vinny."

Answer: Relish

"Replenish" means to refill. "Relinquish" means to give up control of. "Ravish" can mean to cause great emotion, or to rob, pillage or rape.

Answer: Hot Dog

Q.1: In German, a person from VIENNA is known as "Wiener." Also, Vienna sausages are essentially little hot dogs.
Q.2: COLONEL MUSTARD is a clue to a very popular condiment.
Q.3: A hot dog is sometimes called a "frankfurter", after the German city of Frankfurt where eating sausages out of a bun was popularized.
Q.4: Those who have seen the film SLEEPERS will likely recall that the prank that landed the boys in juvenile detention was the theft of a hot dog cart (and subsequent accidental mauling of an innocent bystander)
Q.5: BALL PARK is not only a popular brand of hot dog, but a great place to enjoy one.
Q.6: Most hot dogs are made with at least some PORK, although many also include beef, turkey or chicken.
Q.7: CONEY ISLAND is the site of the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Q.8: OSCAR Mayer is perhaps the most well-known hot dog producer in the United States, and their signature "Wienermobile" makes them the most recognizable.
Q.9: RELISH, yet another classic condiment, although one that I can usually do without.