Thursday, January 8, 2015

Interesting Questions and Answers - part 1

Pope Francis greeting Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Q: Why does the Pope wear a white cassock?
A; Popes used to wear red most of the time, but in the 16th century, Pope Pius V was elected Pope as a Dominican priest. And since Dominicans wear white, the Pope decided to start wearing white in official functions. Since Rome gets very hot in the summer months, successive Popes still wore white and felt cooler. After a few decades, the custom remained that Popes wear white.

Q: Why are zero scores in tennis called 'love'?

A: In France, where tennis became popular, the round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called 'l'oeuf,' which is French for 'the egg.' When tennis was introduced in the US, Americans (mis)pronounced it 'love.'

Q. Why do X's at the end of a letter signify kisses?

A: In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous.

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