The Twelve Days Of Christmas Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1780

The printed game of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" appeared for the first time between 1780 and 1800 in two separate editions. The publication was included in an inexpensive collection of games intended not only for Christmas celebration, but for general children's entertainment.

Answer: Forfeit

The Forfeit game, "The Twelve Days of Christmas", was played by children in 1780 according to similar instructions laid out in an 1822 edition of, "The Gaping, Wide-Mouthed, Waddling Frog", a game originally published alongside "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

Answer: Seven Dials District

The title of the small chapbook in which "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was included, stressed the importance of children enjoying "Mirth without Mischief", another game. There were few districts in late 18th century London where children could get into more mischief than in the Seven Dials or adjoining St. Giles Districts. Yet, the location of Seven Dials bordered the wealthy, aristocratic St. James District wherein lived many of the "lords" and "ladies" of the era.

Answer: 7

In the original song, the first seven gifts were all birds - the odd one out being number five, which was intended to refer to ring-necked pheasants, rather than rings of the sort worn on the finger. The original seven breeds were thus (1) partridge, (2) turtle doves, (3) french hens, (4) colly birds, (5) ring-necked pheasants, (6) geese, and (7) swans.

Answer: A chapbook

Chapbooks originated in France during the time of François Rabelais in the 16th century, initially in the form of "Cries". "Cries" consisted of a single printed broadsheet that served as a form of advertising for hawkers or street-mongers of various wares and items for sale in street markets.

Answer: The first five books of the Old Testament

The rings represent Pentateuch, providing the history of man's fall from grace.

Answer: C. Sheppard and J. Potts

The game's publishers (C. Sheppard and J. Potts) specialized in the printing and distribution of chapbooks and ballads for sale. Little is known of the authors of the street literature they produced. There being no copyright laws, as soon as a chapbook hit the streets and sold well, it was pirated by other publishers and re-printed without acknowledgment of sources.

Answer: 10

The 10 Lords a Leaping represent the ten commandments.

Answer: 12 days between December 25 - January 5

Thus, on the first day of Christmas, represents December 25, and the 12th day of January 5, Epiphany morning. As time went by, various sects of Christianity had altered the 12 day time frame and interpretations. For example, St. Stephens Day (Boxing Day) is December 26.

In variations, some provide gifts on each of the 12 days, some on the first day (Christmas), and some on the 12th day only.

Answer: What You Will

This originally was a comedy, and performed in front of a live audience in February 1602 by the great William Shakespeare. It was a popular play, and was later renamed, "Twelfth Night". Publication for the play did not take place for another five years.