Posts Tagged ‘High school’

kgb_ Fact of the Day: Why is my prom called a “prom”?

Friday, May 15th, 2009
A typical gathering, with boys in tuxedos, and...
Image via Wikipedia

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so timely, they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:

Q:  Why is my prom called a “prom”?
A:  “Prom” comes from the word “promenade,” meaning a march of guests into a ballroom to announce the beginning of a formal event or ball.

Know more:

While today’s proms are marked by designer dresses and pricey stretch limos, proms were not always events of such splendor and they really have not been around that long in history.

While formal dances for teens go back as far as the late 1800’s, proms only became “iconic” beginning in the 1950’s.  America’s recovery from the Great Depression and World War II brought about this time of hoopla.

The first proms were modeled after the lavish grand debutante balls of the wealthy.  Middle class folks wanted their children to develop the poise of debutantes and arranged for dinners in nice attire so their teens could develop social etiquette.  Since then, the scale and cost of proms has escalated over the years.

Today, prom is simply what one chooses to make of it, from the ultimate high school event to a simple celebration of high school life and friendship.  While going with a date is still common, it is not unusual for teens to flock to prom alone or in groups.

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.randomhistory.com/1-50/004prom.html

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kgb_ fact of the day: Who is the fastest man?

Monday, April 6th, 2009
usain bolt - victory lap
Image by hannahspanna via Flickr

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:

Q:  Who is the world’s fastest man?
A:  Usain Bolt is currently the fastest man in the world. He set the 100m dash record at 9.69 seconds!

Track and field star Usain Bolt was born on August 21, 1986 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  He stands 6′4″ and weight 198 pounds. Prior to his record-breaking performance at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, he struggled with a hamstring injury at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics.

On August 16, 2008, he broke his own 100m dash record (9.72) by running the event in 9.69 seconds.  He accomplished this while looking around, raising his arms, and pounding on his chest in exuberance.

Just out of high school, Bolt signed his first professional contract at age 17, and was nicknamed “Lightning Bolt.”  A runner since the age of 10, many later suggested that Bolt’s career would never flourish due to injuries, reports of excessive partying, and a lack of interest in hard training.

According to the “Lightening Bolt” himself, lightning may have struck sense into him. “Over the years, I have learned a lot and it forces you to grow up quickly,” Bolt said to the International Association of Athletics Federations. “I am hungry for a title under my belt and if you want to be a champion you have to be serious, buckle down and do the work required.”

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=271/bio/

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