sports
Answers are hidden until you reveal them.
How many NBA players are left who came straight out of high school?
Our guess
Guesses ranged from about 12 to 25.
Guesses ranged from about 12 to 25.
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The answer
A count from a list reached about 12 active players. 44 players total were ever drafted out of high school, the last such draft was 2005.
A count from a list reached about 12 active players. 44 players total were ever drafted out of high school, the last such draft was 2005.
Verdict partly
Which Pacers have won Most Improved Player?
Episode 8: Put That In Your Pope (06:55)
Our guess
Paul George, Danny Granger, Jalen Rose and Jermaine O'Neal.
Paul George, Danny Granger, Jalen Rose and Jermaine O'Neal.
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The answer
Those four are correct: Jalen Rose (1999-00), Jermaine O'Neal (2001-02), Danny Granger (2008-09) and Paul George (2012-13). The award began in 1985-86, and only Orlando has more winners than the Pacers.
Those four are correct: Jalen Rose (1999-00), Jermaine O'Neal (2001-02), Danny Granger (2008-09) and Paul George (2012-13). The award began in 1985-86, and only Orlando has more winners than the Pacers.
Verdict right
Can you name the 2004-05 Houston Rockets roster, coach, first-round opponent, and the 2005 NBA Finals matchup and winner?
Episode 11: Illumination Game (01:14)
Our guess
Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady with Jeff Van Gundy coaching; Spurs beat the Pistons in the Finals; a mix of names from other Rockets years.
Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady with Jeff Van Gundy coaching; Spurs beat the Pistons in the Finals; a mix of names from other Rockets years.
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The answer
Spurs beat the Pistons, correct. The coach was Jeff Van Gundy and the Rockets lost the first round to Dallas in seven games, finishing 51-31. Other key players were Bob Sura, David Wesley, Juwan Howard and Jim Jackson. Several guessed names (Rafer Alston, Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, Steve Francis) were from other seasons.
Spurs beat the Pistons, correct. The coach was Jeff Van Gundy and the Rockets lost the first round to Dallas in seven games, finishing 51-31. Other key players were Bob Sura, David Wesley, Juwan Howard and Jim Jackson. Several guessed names (Rafer Alston, Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, Steve Francis) were from other seasons.
Verdict partly
Why don't basketball teams throw the ball out of bounds when a player gets hurt, like in soccer?
Episode 26: Day of the Marmot (00:33)
Our guess
A scoring chance in basketball comes quickly, the injured team can call timeout, and the game's rough-and-tumble origins may play a role.
A scoring chance in basketball comes quickly, the injured team can call timeout, and the game's rough-and-tumble origins may play a role.
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No answer was established.
Verdict unresolved
Where does the term "alley-oop" come from?
Our guess
"Alley" from street ball or a bowling alley, and "oop" from hoop or an exclamation; later, a French root like "aller".
"Alley" from street ball or a bowling alley, and "oop" from hoop or an exclamation; later, a French root like "aller".
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The answer
From the French "allez-oop", a circus acrobat's cry. It was first used in the 1950s by the San Francisco 49ers for a high arcing pass, and was popularized in basketball by NC State's David Thompson in the early 1970s, with the Tucker brothers at Oklahoma Baptist credited with using it in the mid-1960s.
From the French "allez-oop", a circus acrobat's cry. It was first used in the 1950s by the San Francisco 49ers for a high arcing pass, and was popularized in basketball by NC State's David Thompson in the early 1970s, with the Tucker brothers at Oklahoma Baptist credited with using it in the mid-1960s.
Verdict partly
Where does the phrase "jump on the bandwagon" come from?
Our guess
A train of wagons in the westward expansion that people joined, or a literal wagon carrying a rock band, from the 1830s-1870s.
A train of wagons in the westward expansion that people joined, or a literal wagon carrying a rock band, from the 1830s-1870s.
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The answer
A bandwagon was a literal wagon carrying a circus or parade band. Circus clown Dan Rice used his bandwagon to gain attention for his political campaign in 1848, and the figurative phrase is attested in a 1899 Theodore Roosevelt letter. P.T. Barnum is often cited but didn't coin it.
A bandwagon was a literal wagon carrying a circus or parade band. Circus clown Dan Rice used his bandwagon to gain attention for his political campaign in 1848, and the figurative phrase is attested in a 1899 Theodore Roosevelt letter. P.T. Barnum is often cited but didn't coin it.
Verdict partly
Where does the phrase "down to the wire" come from?
Episode 53: Bombs For Good (00:34)
Our guess
Horse racing, with a wire marking the finish line to help judges (an earlier guess was MacGyver-style bomb wires).
Horse racing, with a wire marking the finish line to help judges (an earlier guess was MacGyver-style bomb wires).
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The answer
From late 1800s horse racing, when a wire was strung across the track above the finish line to help judges determine which horse crossed first. A wire was also used at the start line, and "wire to wire" means leading from start to finish.
From late 1800s horse racing, when a wire was strung across the track above the finish line to help judges determine which horse crossed first. A wire was also used at the start line, and "wire to wire" means leading from start to finish.
Verdict right
Why is it called the Super Bowl, and why are football games called bowls?
Our guess
Because stadiums are shaped like bowls, or because of a trophy; and the Super Bowl name came from a toy.
Because stadiums are shaped like bowls, or because of a trophy; and the Super Bowl name came from a toy.
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The answer
"Bowl" comes from the Rose Bowl, the first post-season college football game, and the Yale Bowl's bowl-shaped stadium design. "Super Bowl" came from Lamar Hunt, whose daughter played with a toy called the Super Ball.
"Bowl" comes from the Rose Bowl, the first post-season college football game, and the Yale Bowl's bowl-shaped stadium design. "Super Bowl" came from Lamar Hunt, whose daughter played with a toy called the Super Ball.
Verdict right
Why did Reggie Miller wear number 31, and when did the Pacers retire it?
Episode 92: Stumpy (00:06)
Our guess
13 reversed (the opposite of the unlucky number), and the Pacers retired it around 2005-06 after he retired.
13 reversed (the opposite of the unlucky number), and the Pacers retired it around 2005-06 after he retired.
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The answer
He chose 31 because it's 13 reversed and because his sister Cheryl Miller wore it. The Pacers retired it in 2005 after his final season, he entered the Hall of Fame in 2012, and UCLA retired it in 2013 (it was already retired for Ed O'Bannon).
He chose 31 because it's 13 reversed and because his sister Cheryl Miller wore it. The Pacers retired it in 2005 after his final season, he entered the Hall of Fame in 2012, and UCLA retired it in 2013 (it was already retired for Ed O'Bannon).
Verdict right
Where does the term "shoo-in" come from and how is it spelled?
Our guess
Shoe-in: a shoe that fits like a cobbler's or Cinderella's shoe, or being "shooed" past obstacles.
Shoe-in: a shoe that fits like a cobbler's or Cinderella's shoe, or being "shooed" past obstacles.
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The answer
It's spelled "shoo-in" ("shoe-in" is a misspelling). It comes from horse racing, where a corrupt jockey would shoo a preselected winner across the finish line. Around 1900 the verb phrase "shoo in" was used in racing, and the earliest noun use found is 1937.
It's spelled "shoo-in" ("shoe-in" is a misspelling). It comes from horse racing, where a corrupt jockey would shoo a preselected winner across the finish line. Around 1900 the verb phrase "shoo in" was used in racing, and the earliest noun use found is 1937.
Verdict wrong
Where does the word "wheelhouse" (as in "in my wheelhouse") come from?
Our guess
A water-wheel mill, a train turntable, or baseball's strike zone or boxing's reach.
A water-wheel mill, a train turntable, or baseball's strike zone or boxing's reach.
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The answer
Several sources: a ship's wheelhouse (the pilot house where the wheel is, or the housing around a paddlewheel), and baseball, where the batter's power zone is the "wheelhouse". Mark Twain used the term.
Several sources: a ship's wheelhouse (the pilot house where the wheel is, or the housing around a paddlewheel), and baseball, where the batter's power zone is the "wheelhouse". Mark Twain used the term.
Verdict right
Where do halftime shows come from?
Episode 143: Clown News (00:00)
Our guess
College football marching bands, the ABA's gimmicks, circus performers or a Shakespeare-era intermission.
College football marching bands, the ABA's gimmicks, circus performers or a Shakespeare-era intermission.
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The answer
Many historians point to the Oorang Indians of the early NFL (1920s), whose owner Walter Lingo promoted his Airedale dog kennel with outrageous halftime shows. College football bands and cheerleaders also have a long history, and the ABA's Pacers had halftime events like Victor the Wrestling Bear.
Many historians point to the Oorang Indians of the early NFL (1920s), whose owner Walter Lingo promoted his Airedale dog kennel with outrageous halftime shows. College football bands and cheerleaders also have a long history, and the ABA's Pacers had halftime events like Victor the Wrestling Bear.
Verdict right
Where does the term "hat trick" come from?
Episode 155: Singing Mouse (00:38)
Our guess
Hockey in the 1930s, throwing a hat on the ice, or a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat in soccer at the turn of the century.
Hockey in the 1930s, throwing a hat on the ice, or a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat in soccer at the turn of the century.
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The answer
From an 1858 cricket match in which bowler H. H. Stevenson took three consecutive wickets and fans collected money and presented him with a hat. It moved to hockey by 1909 (a Toronto businessman offered a hat to anyone scoring three goals).
From an 1858 cricket match in which bowler H. H. Stevenson took three consecutive wickets and fans collected money and presented him with a hat. It moved to hockey by 1909 (a Toronto businessman offered a hat to anyone scoring three goals).
Verdict partly
Where does the term "nutmeg" (passing the ball through a defender's legs) come from?
Episode 155: Singing Mouse (06:07)
Our guess
A euphemism for passing through the "nuts", with the spice name as a polite substitute, from the 1970s.
A euphemism for passing through the "nuts", with the spice name as a polite substitute, from the 1970s.
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The answer
The earliest known use is in a 1977 book by Brian Glanville about the language of football, where the "nuts" are the testicles of a player through whose legs the ball is passed. Another theory is that unscrupulous exporters mixed wooden fake nutmegs into shipments.
The earliest known use is in a 1977 book by Brian Glanville about the language of football, where the "nuts" are the testicles of a player through whose legs the ball is passed. Another theory is that unscrupulous exporters mixed wooden fake nutmegs into shipments.
Verdict right
Where does the term "spitballing" come from?
Our guess
The baseball spitball pitch in the early 1900s, or a wad of paper shot through a straw.
The baseball spitball pitch in the early 1900s, or a wad of paper shot through a straw.
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The answer
It comes from baseball's spitball pitch (MLB banned it in 1911), though earlier uses exist: an 1794 Connecticut ad for a "spitball" for blacking shoes and 1830s kids' paper wads, which weren't used figuratively until the early 1900s.
It comes from baseball's spitball pitch (MLB banned it in 1911), though earlier uses exist: an 1794 Connecticut ad for a "spitball" for blacking shoes and 1830s kids' paper wads, which weren't used figuratively until the early 1900s.
Verdict right
Why are the Buffalo Bills named the Buffalo Bills?
Episode 181: Person-Sized Bison (02:25)
Our guess
A play on Buffalo Bill the showman, named in the 1960s, since "Buffalo Bisons" would be redundant.
A play on Buffalo Bill the showman, named in the 1960s, since "Buffalo Bisons" would be redundant.
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The answer
The name came from a naming contest for Buffalo's All-America Football Conference team (originally the Bison); owner James Burrell liked a writer's comparison of the team to a band of "Buffalo Bills" after William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the showman born in Iowa in 1846 who founded Buffalo Bill's Wild West in 1883.
The name came from a naming contest for Buffalo's All-America Football Conference team (originally the Bison); owner James Burrell liked a writer's comparison of the team to a band of "Buffalo Bills" after William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the showman born in Iowa in 1846 who founded Buffalo Bill's Wild West in 1883.
Verdict right
Where does 'throw your hat in the ring' come from?
Episode 195: Read-Option Father (01:09)
Our guess
Probably boxing (a challenger throwing in a hat), with Shakespeare-era guesses on timing
Probably boxing (a challenger throwing in a hat), with Shakespeare-era guesses on timing
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The answer
Boxing: contestants literally threw hats into the ring to join the fight (London Morning Chronicle, 1804). Figurative use is attested in 1820, and Teddy Roosevelt made it a political phrase in 1912.
Boxing: contestants literally threw hats into the ring to join the fight (London Morning Chronicle, 1804). Figurative use is attested in 1820, and Teddy Roosevelt made it a political phrase in 1912.
Verdict right
Why is a first-year professional athlete called a 'rookie'?
Episode 199: Rook-connoiter (00:32)
Our guess
Probably 19th century, and something to do with recruits or police; Native American, horse racing, and Shakespeare guesses also floated
Probably 19th century, and something to do with recruits or police; Native American, horse racing, and Shakespeare guesses also floated
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The answer
Recorded from the 1860s for a new military or police recruit, likely a shortening of 'recruit' (or from 'rook', to cheat); popularized by Kipling in 1892 and used in baseball by the early 1900s. Etymology is uncertain.
Recorded from the 1860s for a new military or police recruit, likely a shortening of 'recruit' (or from 'rook', to cheat); popularized by Kipling in 1892 and used in baseball by the early 1900s. Etymology is uncertain.
Verdict partly