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“What is a Typeface?” Alex
[Answer: This is the correct way of calling a Font]

This past Wednesday, November 7th, 2007, the show Jeopardy presented its 5,328th show, the quarterfinal of the Tournament of Champions. In the Double Jeopardy! Round, the three contestants were faced with the following category:

KNOWLEDGE OF FONTS
[For answers: Select the invisible text between slashes]

for $400

From the Latin for “flowing” comes the name of these typefaces that resemble handwriting script

// Cursive //

---

for $800

Sans serif fonts are known as grotesque or this other spooky “architectural” name

// Gothic Fonts //

---

for $1,200

It’s a Latin adjective meaning “Swiss”

// Helvetica //

---

for $1,600

Lavish or exuberant parties, or this crazy font

// Wingdings //

---

for $2,000

This font is named for an 18th century Italian typeface designer

// Bodoni //

---

You can see the rest of the categories, questions and answers for this episode at the impressive fan-based J! Archive.

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ENTRY DETAILS
ARCHIVE ID 4085 FILED UNDER Review
PUBLISHED ON Nov.09.2007 BY Armin
WITH COMMENTS
Comments
Prescott Perez-Fox’s comment is:

I didn't like how the first question was worded, as I have never used the word "cursive" in the realm of typography or design. In fact, I don't think I've uttered that word since 3rd grade.

On Nov.09.2007 at 03:44 PM
Gunnar Swanson’s comment is:

Armin,

Please phrase your answer as a question?

On Nov.09.2007 at 04:15 PM
Peter Whitley’s comment is:


What is an utter failure? (I failed on each answer...but I aced the "inside the artist's studio" category!)

On Nov.09.2007 at 04:50 PM
JonSel’s comment is:

I think the category title is a play on the phrase, "a font(fount) of knowledge". At least there was no ""comic sans" answer.

On Nov.09.2007 at 05:12 PM
Pesky Baskerville’s comment is:

Got all of them right except one....#4 I thought might be "House Party" for some reason...Are "wingdings" categorically a font or dingbats?

On Nov.09.2007 at 05:33 PM
Keenan Cummings / BYU’s comment is:

Woah, Trebek! What about François Didot?

Two answers, one question... I think I broke Jeopardy. Who writes these questions? (that's and answer, not a question).

On Nov.09.2007 at 06:56 PM
brian’s comment is:

Keenan, I believe François Didot is FRENCH. ;-)

On Nov.10.2007 at 11:01 AM
Whaleroot’s comment is:

I didn't get any of these. Maybe design isn't for me?!

On Nov.10.2007 at 02:14 PM
Keenan Cummings / BYU’s comment is:

Touché Brian! I guess I missed that all-significant word. I even included the çédille in the spelling of Françios (ç). That's kind of embarrassing. I can't believe I doubted the Trebek.

By the way, there seems to be some internet dispute over the spelling of "Trebek/Trebec"? Why is that? Who do I trust? I hope I never get "trebek" as my word on Wheel of Fortune!

On Nov.10.2007 at 04:45 PM
Russell Uresti’s comment is:

Two for 5... got cursive and helvetica... the others... no clue. Maybe I shouldn't have tried this at 1 a.m., though...

On Nov.11.2007 at 02:00 AM
Fiona Clark’s comment is:

I got #4 wrong...who knew it meant "Lavish or exuberant parties"? Next party invite, I will be sure to call it an "absolute wingding!"

On Nov.11.2007 at 11:41 AM
JT’s comment is:

Anyone know how well the contestants did with these questions? I'd be curious to what any wrong answers were.

I missed 4 and 5. (Is there not another italian typographer who's name is a font?)

On Nov.11.2007 at 09:54 PM
Monique’s comment is:

how fabulous.

agree heavily with comment on no comic sans. it was the first thing that came to mind, although I have your question...

"This typeface is most-commonly used by account people who consider themselves to be creative"

On Nov.12.2007 at 01:49 AM
hezz’s comment is:

ai, I only got the latter answers correct. Last one was an easy one though.

On Nov.12.2007 at 06:42 AM
agrayspace’s comment is:

Cursive is not a fucking TYPOGRAPHY term.

On Nov.12.2007 at 12:43 PM
Pesky’s comment is:

And I thought it was type with LITTLE SHOES ON THEIR FEET!

On Nov.12.2007 at 10:58 PM
Matt Hunsberger’s comment is:

Wingdings sure is CAARAZY!

On Nov.13.2007 at 09:40 AM
Chase Langdon’s comment is:

Wow, I surprising got all right except for cursive and bodoni

On Nov.13.2007 at 03:55 PM
Rob’s comment is:

Missed cursive and Helvetica but got the rest. Where's my money?

On Nov.13.2007 at 08:24 PM
Jeff Peppers’s comment is:

What is ridiculous?

On Nov.14.2007 at 03:44 PM
ammre’s comment is:

I feel like a geek, I'm shooting 5 for 5, but 2,000 dollars is one of my favorite typefaces, and My friend was thinking of other kitchey names for her yearly Christmas party so we had looked up other words for her seasonal soiree. I got lucky.

On Nov.15.2007 at 02:35 PM