2023 Impossible Questions
& Answers

September 21
Q: Under what age, according to 19th-century Welsh tradition, is it believed to bring bad luck when cutting an infant’s nails? 
A: Under 6 months 

September 20
Q: How old was Benjamin Franklin when his formal education ended? 
A: 10 

September 19
Q: Where are two-thirds of all the world’s geysers found? 
A: Yellowstone 

September 18
Q: How much time, on average, do people in India spend reading per week, and how does it compare to other countries?
A: India at 10 hours 42 minutes and ranked #1 

September 15
Q: Name the Hollywood starlet who has been dubbed “the mother of Wi-Fi”
A: Hedy Lamarr 

September 14
Q: How many beaches globally are known to glow in the dark? 
A: Five  

September 13
Q: In 1974, the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis published a paper titled “The Unsuccessful Self-Treatment of a Case of ‘Writer’s Block.’ How many words did it contain? 
A: Zero 

September 12
Q: What is the increased risk of developing diabetes for night owls compared to early birds?
A:  19% 

September 11
Q:   In 2019, 34% of Americans reported that this word annoys them more than any other conversational word or phrase. What is the word?
A: “Whatever” 

September 8
Q:  Name the Horror film director who got his start on ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.’  
A: George A. Romero 

September 7
Q: Name the first item that was sold on eBay.
A: Broken Laser Pointer 

September 6
Q: An area on Earth contains more than half of the world’s population. Name the area. 
A: Valeriepieris 

September 5
Q: In Super Bowl 1, why did the Packers have to kick off twice when starting the second half?
A: NBC’s Commercial break 

September 1
Q:   Adjusted for inflation, which movie has made more money at the domestic box office: Star Wars: – A New Hope, E.T., The Sound of Music, or Gone with the Wind?
A: Gone with the Wind 

August 31
Q:  On August 26, 1978, this song from a major motion picture hit #1. Name the song.
A:  Grease 

August 30
Q:  According to the research, one in five adults deem this day to be the most challenging of the week. Name the day. 
A: Tuesday

August 29
Q:  How many people do you need to colonize Mars? 
A: 22 

August 28
Q: Why does the Navel Academy play Notre Dame in Football every year? 
A: For a repayment of a debt incurred during WWII.

August 25
Q:  This famous actor insisted that Carly Simon’s song, “You’re So Vain,” was about him. Name the Actor. 
A: Warren Beatty 

August 24
Q:  Name the only player in NFL history to throw for more than 70,000 yards and 500 touchdowns with one franchise. 
A: Tom Bradey 

August 23
Q: On August 23, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approved this, and now it has caused irreparable harm. What was it?
A: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 16 and older 

August 22
Q: Cheesemakers have a name for the holes in Swiss Cheese. What is the name?
A: Eyes 

August 21
Q:  What is a fire rainbow? 
A: Is a circumhorizontal arc

August 18
Q:  As comedian Bob Hope lay on his deathbed in 2003, his wife Dolores asked where he’d like to be buried. What was His reply?
A: “Surprise me.” 

August 17
Q: Name the 16th-century Italian merchant and explorer who America was named after.
A: Amerigo Vespucci 

August 16
Q:  Vincent Van Gogh’s painting “The Starry Night” depicts his view from where? 
A:  The Saint Paul-de-Mausole asylum. 

August 15
Q: Aoshima Island is one of about a dozen of these in Japan. What is the nickname for these islands?  
A: “Cat Islands”  

August 14
Q:  On August 14, 2003, it began at 4:10 p.m. ET, and within 3 minutes, 21 of these were affected, disrupting the lives of 50 million people. What happened?
A: 21 power plants shut down in just three minutes. 

August 11
Q:  On August 11, 1973, this nostalgic teenage coming-of-age movie opened. Name the Movie. 
A: American Graffiti 

August 10
Q: In the movie Star Wars, The Imperial officers’ uniforms and even Darth Vader’s helmet resemble those worn by whom?
A: German Army members in World War II.

August 9
Q: Walnuts, flaxseed, hemp, and chia seeds might say they have omega-3, but they’re actually what? 
A: Precursors that turn into omega-3 fatty acids

August 8
Q:  On August 8, 1988, the Chicago Cubs hosted their first “blank.” 
A: Night Game 

August 7
Q: On August 7, 1974, Philippe Petit was charged with criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct. What did he do? 
A: He performed a high-wire walk between the Twin Towers at a height of 1,350 feet. 

August 4
Q: When writing “Jerry Maguire,” what famous actor did Cameron Crowe have in mind to play the title role?
A: Tom Hanks 

August 3
Q: Name the first music video to air on MTV. 
A: Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles’ 

August 2
Q: You may be at a higher risk for obesity, hip disorders, inflammation of intervertebral discs, and back pain if you have this condition of the spine. Name the condition.
A: Hyperlordosis 

August 1
Q: Their final writing was today, August 1, 1944. Name the person. 
A: Anne Frank 

July 31
Q: Name the animal that helps defend Kitsap Naval Base in Washington state.
A: The Dolphin 

July 28
Q: During the national bird debate, who wrote that the bald eagle was a fowl of “bad moral character” and that the turkey was “a much more respectable Bird.”
A: Benjamin Franklin 

July 27
Q: What are subduction zones?
A: Places on Earth where two tectonic plates move away or towards one another 

July 26
Q: Name this popular beach that was formed out of a trash site. 
A: Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California 

July 25
Q: What does the first-place winner receive at the Wife Carrying World Championships in Finland?
A: The wife’s weight in beer. 

July 24
Q: Name the only mammal capable of sustained flight. 
A: A Bat  

July 21
Q: Which actress won an Academy Award for her role in the movie Black Swan?
A: Natalie Portman

July 20
Q: Which wild cat is most abundant in the United States?
A: Bobcat

July 19
Q: What is the purpose of the glymphatic system in the body? 
A: It filters toxins from the brain. 

July 18
Q: Who was the first female pharaoh of ancient Egypt?
A: Hatshepsut

July 17
Q: Which ancient civilization is credited with the invention of the world’s first known writing system?
A: The ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia 

July 14
No Question

July 13
Q: On July 12, 1979, the Detroit Tigers were awarded a win by forfeit from the Chicago White Sox. Why did the Tigers get the win?
A: “Disco Demolition” night at Chicago’s Comiskey Park 

July 12
Q: In a survey of 2005 people, 71% said that this activity gives them a “hall pass” for unlimited snacking. What is the activity? 
A: Going on a road trip.  

July 11
Q: Name the NFL Team that was nominated in 1985 for a Grammy award for Best Rhythm and Blues Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.
A: Chiago Bears 

July 10
Q: What is the term for when someone keeps buying books but never reads them?
A: Tsundoku

July 3 – July 7
No Questions

June 30
Q: Which U.S. state did not send any delegates to the Continental Congress and did not sign the Declaration of Independence?
A: Rhode Island 

June 29
Q: Name the Date that the Continental Congress actually voted for independence.
A: July 2  

June 28
Q: Name the four men who are typically counted as “Founding Fathers” but did not sign the Declaration of Independence.
A: George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison  

June 27
Q: Which president was born on Independence Day?
A: John Calvin Coolidge 

June 26
Q: Name the two US Presidents that died on July 4, 1826
A:  Thomas Jefferson and John Adams 

June 23
Q: Name the movie where Eddie Murphy’s character was grafted into it because it had already been filmed. 
ABest Defense 

June 22
Q: How much is Ray Romano, from the hit TV series ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,” making annually from residuals and reruns? 
A: $18 million a year from reruns and residuals alone. 

June 21
Q: An imbalance of “BLANK” in the microbiome can have serious consequences when it comes to GI and mental health. What is it? 
AAn imbalance of bacteria in the microbiome  

June 20
Q: Pencils have numbers on them. What does the number tell you about the pencil? 
A: The hardness of the pencil core and how light or dark its marking is.

June 19
Q: If a baby is born over United States airspace, does that make the child a US Citizen? 
A: Yes 

June 16
Q: In the film “Pulp Fiction,” what is the name of the fictional fast-food restaurant chain mentioned throughout the movie?
A: Big Kahuna Burger. 

June 15
Q: What is the name of the largest volcano in our solar system?
A: Olympus Mons, a shield volcano. Located on Mars.

June 14
Q: Lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can disrupt the balance of hunger hormones in your body, leading to increased cravings and a higher likelihood of overeating. What are the two primary hormones that get out of balance? 
A: Ghrelin and Leptin  

June 13
Q: In 1712, Thomas Newcomen’s atmospheric engine became the first commercially successful engine using the principle of the piston and cylinder, the fundamental type of steam engine used until the early 20th century. What did Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine do?
A: The steam engine was used to pump water out of coal mines 

June 12
Q: Who was the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court?
A: John Jay 

June 9
Q: Name the Actor and Actress who are both tied with the most Oscar nominations but have never won. 
A: Glen Close and Peter O’Toole 

June 8
Q: What is the world’s largest desert?
A: The Antarctic Desert, covering the continent of Antarctica. 

June 7
Q: What is the largest organ in the human body?
A: The Skin 

June 6
Q: As of September 2021, Which planet in our solar system has the most moons?
A: Jupiter

June 5
Q: What is the shortest war in recorded history?
A: The Anglo-Zanzibar War 

May 29 – June 2
No questions

May 26
Q: In the movie “Inception,” what is the name of the device used to enter and navigate the dreams of others?
A: a “Dream Machine” or a “Portable Automated Somnacin IntraVenous (PASIV) Device.” 

May 25
Q: Which country has the most time zones?
A: France, with 12 time zones, including its overseas territories. 

May 24
Q: What is the smallest bone in the human body?
A: The stapes bone, located in the middle ear. 

May 23
Q: Who was the first person to reach both the North Pole and the South Pole?
A: Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer. South Pole December 14, 1911 & North Pole May 12, 1926 

May 22
Q: Who were the first two people to reach the summit of Mount Everest without using supplemental oxygen?
A:  Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler 

May 19
Q: Which TV show features a fictional advertising agency called Sterling Cooper?
A:  Mad Men

May 18
Q: Name the lake in Australia that has pink water. 
A:  Lake Hillier

May 17
Q: “Which delicious treat contains flavonoids and antioxidants that can enhance blood flow to the brain, improve memory, and provide a mood boost?”
A:  Dark chocolate 

May 16
Q: What makes up 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere?
A:  Nitrogen Gas (N2) 

May 15
Q: Which historical event marked the start of World War II?
A: German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.

May 12
Q: By issuing a proclamation, which President and in what year did Mother’s Day become a recognized holiday in the US?
A:  Woodrow Wilson, 1914 

May 11
Q: On May 11, 1947, this company announced a technological innovation that would make automobiles safer and more efficient. Name the company and innovation. 
A:  B.F. Goodrich, the tubeless tire.  

May 10
Q: What percent of a recent study of 1003 people admitted to digital snooping? 
A:  82% 

May 9
Q: A New Jersey law enacted in 1949, which is still in effect, prevents motorists from doing what? 
A:  Pump Your Own Gas 

May 8
Q: Name the three types of baseball games where the pitcher gets the credit. 
A:  Perfect Game, No-Hitter, Shutout 

May 5
Q: In a recent study of 2000 people comprised of Gen Z and Gen Xers, what percent of the participants admitted that they never started planning for retirement?
A:  26% 

May 4
Q: She was known as the First Lady of Song and became the first Black woman to win a Grammy at the Academy’s inaugural awards show on May 4, 1959. Who was she? 
A:  Ella Fitzgerald 

May 3
Q: Who has more guts, men or women?
A: Women 

May 2
Q: On May 2nd, 2011, what known threat to America was “disarmed?”
A: Osama bin Laden 

May 1
Q: Name the company that, on May 1, 1926, became one of the first companies in America to adopt a five-day, 40-hour week for workers. 
A:  Ford Motor Company 

April 28
Q: Name the country where you can buy a Big Mac for $1.91.
A:  Pakistan 

April 27
Q: The April 1995 Friend’s episode, “The One With the Evil Orthodontist.” gave birth to a new trend. Name the trend.
A:  The hairstyle known as “The Rachel.” 

April 26
Q: Research has found that people who are prone to recurring UTIs because of medical interventions can reduce the reoccurrence of a UTI rate by 53%, and women who consumed this juice or took it as a supplement reduced their UTI risk by more than 25%. Name the food. 
A:  Cranberries 

April 25
Q: How much money does the average American family waste per year by throwing away unused food?
A:  $3000 

April 24
Q: The release of their first home video on April 24, 1982, turned them into an exercise guru. Name the person. 
A:  Jane Fonda 

April 5 – April 21
No Questions

April 4
Q:  The priests took the money that Judas had returned to them and did what with it?
A: Bought the potter’s field with the money which is where strangers were buried (Matthew 27:6-8) 

April 3
Q: What was the name of the high priest’s servant who had his ear cut off by Simon Peter and then reattached by Jesus?
A:Malchus (John 18:10)

March 31
Q: The U.S. SUPREME COURT has always been known as the “Highest Court of the Land,” but there’s one more court that actually sits above the Supreme Court. What is it?
A:   A basketball court. 

March 30
Q: What was the most commonly misspelled word on both Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com in 2021?
A:  Accommodate 

March 29
Q: Name the type of vegetables rich in organosulfur compounds, which, according to several studies, may help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, inflammation, and platelet clumping — all of which are great for keeping arteries free and clear.
A:  Allium veggies 

March 28
Q: What patent did Volvo give away in 1962 to save lives?
A:  The three-point seat belt 

March 27
Q: What word did Alexander Graham Bell propose as the standard phone greeting when answering the phone?
A:  ‘Ahoy’ 

March 24
Q: Name the actress who graduated from Harvard in 2003 with a psychology degree.
A:  Natalie Portman 

March 23
Q: The movie “John Wick” was named after a real person. Who was he named after? 
A:  Screenwriter Derek Kolstad’s Grandfather 

March 22
Q: Unlike other amino acids, this one doesn’t build proteins. Instead, it plays a vital role in the urea cycle, helping your body to get rid of harmful substances, particularly ammonia. It also plays an important role in widening your blood vessels (vasodilation) and may also play a part in muscle building. Name the amino acid. 
A:  Citrulline 

March 21
Q: What is the longest non-technical word in major dictionaries, and how many letters does it contain?
A: flocci­nauci­nihili­pili­fication 

March 20
Q: What is generally remembered as this organization’s anniversary in Wisconsin on March 20, 1854?
A: The Republican Party

March 17
Q: The Jazz Singer was based on Samson Raphaelson’s 1921 short story. Name the Story.
A:  “The Day of Atonement” 

March 16
Q: Name the bank that sold to J.P. Morgan Chase on March 16, 2008, to avoid bankruptcy at the shockingly low price of $2 per share.
A:  Bear Stearns 

March 15
Q: In a poll of 2,000 adults, what percent claimed their emotions impacted their decisions on what foods to eat?
A:  78% 

March 14
Q: In 2023, the DNA of four deceased US presidents will be blasted into space. Name the presidents. 
A:  George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan 

March 13
Q: Name the animal that gives birth by hanging upside down and then catches the baby.
A: Bat 

March 10
Q: This housing development sign will turn 100 years old in 2023. Name the sign. 
A:  The Hollywood sign 

March 9
Q: This film was released in Sweden in 2012, with a total runtime of 35 days and 17 hours. Name the film.
A: Logistics 

March 8
Q: What percent of Americans are metabolically healthy?
A: 12% 

March 7
Q: In 1917, this name was used as a slang term by city people to those folk who were inexperienced in the ways of the big city. What is the name, and what word came of it? 
A: Name: Jay  Word: jaywalking  

March 6
Q: Which amusement ride made its debut at the 1893 World’s Fair? 
A:  Ferris Wheel 

March 3
Q: Alfred Hitchcock once called it “a very bad movie” and was glad it got lost. However, his film is now at the top of the British Film Institute’s “Most Wanted” list of lost films. Name the film. 
A: The Mountain Eagle 

March 2
Q: Theodor Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, but we know him by another name. What is that name? 
A: Dr. Seuss 

March 1
Q: What popular food was originally developed as a possible lubricant for German U-boats?
A: Crisco

February 28
Q: Name the ABBA song that was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015. 
A: Dancing Queen 

February 27
Q: He retired from Major League Baseball in 1953, but returned in 1965 to pitch three innings for the Kansas City A’s. He was 59 at the time, making him the oldest person ever to play in the Major Leagues. Who is this? 
A: Leroy “Satchel” Paige  (Source 1, Source 2, Source 3)

February 24
Q: When was the first PG-13 rating given, and what was the film’s name?
A:
Red Dawn 

February 23
Q: According to The Wrap, in CinemaScore’s 45-year history, how many movies received an F? 
A: 21 

February 22
Q: Name the compound found in blueberries that supports brain health. 
A: Anthocyanins

February 21
Q: Name the city that claims to have the oldest annual Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.
A: Mobile, Alabama  

February 20
Q: As of November 29, 2022, the most expensive painting ever sold was for a record-breaking $450.5 million. Name the painting and the artist.
A: Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci

February 13 – 17
No Questions

February 9-10
No Question

February 8
Q: If you add this to your eggs, it will provide you with Fiber, vitamins B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, Iron, and Potassium. It will also give your eggs a cheesy flavor. What is it? 
A: Nutritional Yeast 

February 7
Q: On February 7, 1964, something known as “Blank” mania arrived in the US. Name the mania that arrived. 
A: Beatlemania 

February 6
Q: As of January 29, 2021, it consists of 20 volumes and 59 million words. What is it? 
A: Oxford English Dictionary 

February 3
Q: What are the five student stereotypes in Breakfast Club?
A: “A brain, a beauty, a jock, a rebel, and a recluse.” 

February 2
Q: Curry has many health benefits. How many of its benefits is Andy missing out on by not eating curry?
A: 9

February 1
Q: Combining this exercise with balance exercises has been shown to improve balance more effectively than balance exercises alone. Name the exercise. 
A: Eye Exercises  

January 31
Q: What did President Truman publicly announce his support for on January 31, 1950?
A: The Hydrogen Bomb

January 30
Q: When squeezing and stretching an 11 Pound (5-kilogram) Lithium ingot into a 6-inch wide foil roll that is used in making Lithium-Ion batteries, how many feet of that 6-inch wide foil does that one 11-pound ingot make?
A: 6,600 feet (1.25 miles) 

January 27
Q: Each year, works ranging from movies to music to books see their copyrights expire. How many years of legal protection do the creators receive? 
A:  95 years

January 26
No Question

January 25
Q: Name the person who is known as the “Father” of coronary bypass surgery. 
A: Dr. René Favaloro 

January 24
Q: In 1944, Shoichi Yokoi, a Japanese sergeant, got left behind in Guam by retreating forces. How many years did he survive the jungles of Guam before being discovered? 
A: 28 years 

January 23
Q: Acceptance from Oscar Mayer to drive their Wienermobile is more competitive than this Ivy League College. Name the College. 
A: Harvard 

January 20 
Q: Only a fraction of the money stolen by the men of The Historic Brink’s Robbery in 1950 has been recovered. Name the place where it is fabled to be hidden. 
A:  In the hills north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. 

January 19 
Q: A new survey revealed that more than half of adults are dealing with “FOSY”. What is FOSY?
A: The “fear of saying yes.” 

January 18
Q: When your body is inflamed, this will increase. It is needed to replace damaged cells. What is this? 
A: Cholesterol  

January 17
Q: On January 17, 1920, the nation became officially “Blank.” This new law helped organize crime flourish.
A: Dry/Alcohol-Free 

January 16
Q: Mark Twain’s book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was greatly influenced by a book published in 1605. Name the Book. 
A: Don Quixote 

January 13
Q: How many movies have made more than $1 Billion at the box office? 
A: 51 

January 12
Q: Name the common, yet famous, kitchen utensil that was either talked about or seen on these shows – Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson, and Saturday Night Live.
A: Ginsu knife

January 11
Q: During a fight or flight response, name the region of the brain that is responsible for ringing the first alarm bell?
A: The Amygdala

January 10
Q: Pre-2020, the typical cost for a wedding ring was roughly $6000 to $8000. What was the average price in 2020? 
A: $3756 

January 9
Q: More Astronauts have come from this state than any other in the Union. Name the State. 
A: Ohio 

January 6
Q: What book was the movie “Die Hard” based on? 
A: Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorpe 

January 5
Q: 1500 miles north of Hawaii, a Russian sub sank in 1968. Name the civilian who helped the CIA recover it. 
A: Howard Hughes 

January 4
Q: Name the heart condition that develops in response to an intense emotional or physical experience. 
A: Takotsubo 

January 3
Q: Name the dictator who surrendered to the U.S. on Jan 3, 1990. 
A: Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega 

January 2
No Question