Spencer Tracy died.
Conrad Mathias, Adaminaby
Better not let Judge Judy see this question. "Such presumption! Now you listen to me. Do I sound black?"
Vic O'Callaghan, Springwood
It is the result of an effort by the media to make amends for all the years when blacks were usually shown performing in menial jobs only. You may also notice that actors playing doctors, school principals and top military brass now tend to be black.
Victoria Harrington, Thirroul
What is the origin of "shag on a rock"?
Shag is another name for the cormorant, which swims underwater to catch fish. After doing this for a while its feathers are so saturated it can scarcely fly, so it settles on a rock or other refuge and holds up its wings to dry. In this condition it is virtually defenceless - hence the expression "like a shag on a rock".
Michael Phillips, Wollstonecraft
Is there any part of the human body that gets better with age?
Co-ordination of the extremities improves from birth, through the mastery of gross motor and then fine motor skills, and continues improving with practice. The efficiency and precision of the vocal apparatus also improves with age, and singers are generally considered to reach their prime at 40, though many musicians and singers perform well into their 70s, 80s and even 90s. Women's voices improve in tone after childbirth.
Amanda Hanna, Revesby Heights
What was the dark horse and why was it not expected to succeed?
Benjamin Disraeli's novel The Young Duke: A Moral Tale though Gay (1831) describes how a dark horse, which had never been heard of, rushed past the grandstand in triumph.
Paul Vernon, Port Macquarie
Who was Terry and what did he have to do with towelling?
There was no human Terry. The 18th-century word "terry" refers to a raised uncut loop in a woven pile and is perhaps derived from the French tire, meaning drawn.
David Mabberley, Elizabeth Bay
Why are French accents so sexy?
It's physiological. To speak with a French accent requires a pout, with a moistened bottom lip. Try it yourself in the mirror with a classic Inspector Clouseau "booomp". Then try it straight as the English word it's meant to be: "bump".
Phil Cohen, Avalon
Any answers?
-Where do flies go during the winter?
-Why are our teeth set on edge by fingernails scraping on blackboards?
-What was called "orange" first: the colour or the fruit?
-What is the story behind the expression "close, but no cigar"?
-Who decided that "six feet under" was the correct depth for burials?
READERS' RESPONSES: Email your answers, or any questions you want answered, to bigquestions@smh.com.au or write to Big Questions, Spectrum, SMH, GPO Box 506, Sydney 2001. Limit questions to one short sentence and answers to a maximum of 130 words, and state your name and suburb/town.