Word of the week: "myrmidon," which is a term for a loyal follower who obeys orders without question or protest. The word is derived from the Myrmidon race of Greek myth, who accompanied Achilles to the Trojan War. The term is frequently seen today in computer and video games, especially role-playing games.

Thanks to flight attendant Kathleen Keutmann of Henderson, Nev., who gave us the answer as to what "cross-check" means, as often heard in cockpit announcements. It's the checking of your neighboring flight attendant's door, as an extra precaution to ensure that the doors are properly armed at departure and disarmed at arrival. Kathleen says this helps to prevent sliding-ramp emergency exits from opening inadvertently.

As mentioned in a previous column, George Lucas got the first name of his Indiana Jones character from his pet Alaskan malamute. Director Steven Spielberg didn't like Lucas' first choice for the character's last name, which was originally:
A) Wayne
B) Armstrong
C) McFly
D) Smith

Previous answer: The world's busiest artificial waterway is Germany's Kiel Canal, which links the North and Baltic Seas. In 2007, it handled an average of 118 ships per day.

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.

Stanley Newman is the editor of the Newsday Crossword and author/editor of more than 125 books on crosswords, word games and trivia, including "15,003 Answers: The Ultimate Trivia Encyclopedia" (Random House). To find out more about Stanley Newman visit StanXwords.com, or e-mail him at StanTrivia@aol.com.
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