Many trivia fans know that the Canary Islands got their name not from the birds, but from the fierce dogs that once roamed there ("canis" is Latin for "dog"). But it's not nearly as well known (we think) that the birds got their name from the islands, from which they were introduced to England as caged birds about 450 years ago. Canaries as first found in the Canaries were green in color.

"Cash Cab" update: Thanks to all who wrote (with obviously sharper eyesight than your humble trivia author), to let us know how "Cash Cab" driver/host Ben Bailey reads the questions while he keeps his eyes on the road. The answer? He doesn't. He has an earphone in the ear that faces away from the camera, which feeds him the questions. More on the show in a future column.

What is typically added to bags of potato chips these days to increase their shelf life?
A) Nitrogen
B) Water
C) Sugar
D) Charcoal

Previous answer: Words starting with the letter S take up about 11 percent of standard English dictionaries, whether they’re unabridged or college-size.

TRIVIA FANS: Send the trivia questions you've always wanted answered, or original TriviaBits ideas of your own, with your full name and hometown, to Stan Newman at StanTrivia@aol.com or on a postcard to P.O. Box 69, Massapequa Park, NY 11762.

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