Puns and Word Play 9 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pawpaw

The pawpaw tree is native to the eastern part of North America, but has branched out far and wide. This tree grows to just over six feet in most areas. Interestingly, in the colder areas, it is deciduous, but an evergreen in warmer climates. The fruit is quite tasty, when sprinkled with lemon juice and sugar in particular, but rather unfortunately, it smells a little like vomit when first cut open. It's delicious though if you can get past the smell - and absolutely packed with all kinds of healthy vitamins.

Solution: The pun here lies in the little dog having a sore "paw" on its "poor" little tootsie, ie a "pawpaw".

Answer: Mango

Cultivated in Asia since ancient times, there are now hundreds of varities of this fruit worldwide. It's very messy to eat, make no mistake about that, but well worth it for its sweet and succulent flavour. The tree which produces this fruit can live for several hundred years, grow over 120 feet high and deliver hundreds of mangoes per season.

Solution: The pun for the escaped prisoner - a man - relates to his running away - "Look at that MAN GO, folks!"

Answer: Walnut

Walnut trees produce shell covered nuts not to everyone's taste, for the inner nut has a rather bitter flavour. They're hard to crack open, too, but many food products are made from them, which accounts for their continual demand. That, of all things, includes cat litter made from the ground up shells. The walnut tree itself is a lovely specimen, growing over 130 feet high.

Solution: Because the painter addicted to producing murals was overly obsessed with his art, he was considered a "nut" over his need to decorate "walls" - making him a wall nut.

Answer: Cashew

The cashew tree, native to South America, can grow to a height of 50 feet and produces the delicious, woefully fattening cashew nuts. The shell can also cause dermatitis in some people, and even be slightly toxic, but oh, those nuts are so yummy when slightly salted or eaten plain. They're also very nutritious and in some African countries, a milk is derived from this plant as a viable alternative to dairy milk.

Solution: The word "cashew" has a similar sound to how many people describe the sound of a hearty sneeze, ie "achoooo!"

Answer: Cantaloupe

Although cantaloupes are known as such in the northern hemisphere, in some parts of Australia they are referred to as rock melons. Most logically too, for they are classed as true melons and grow on vines. This delicious fruit, about the size of a bowling ball, has sweet, juicy flesh encased in a rough outer greyish coloured rind. It is sometimes mixed in with a bowl of fruit salad, but for true cantaloupe/rock melon lovers, just scooping spoonfuls straight from a sliced up fruit is ambrosia of the gods.

Solution: The pun rests in one of a horse's various gaits known as a canter - as in a form of the homophone, canta-loupe. Also, of course, when the equestrian asked his girlfriend to run away with him, she indignantly replied "No, sorry, I can't elope".

Answer: Ackee

Also known as an ackee apple, the ackee is part of the longan and lychee family. Originating in west Africa, it has journeyed far from its land of birth and is now know as the national fruit of Jamaica. When it is ripe and has matured into a bright yellow-orange shade, the fruit splits open and its flesh ready to be prepared and eaten. It must be allowed to open fully when ripe, otherwise there is a danger of toxicity. It is said to taste like a combination of nuts and scrambled eggs, which doesn't exactly sound too appealing, but devotees love it. The tree on which the ackee grows can reach a height of ten metres.

Solution: The answer is the similarity in pronunciation. The hardworking builder needed "a key" (ackee) to open his front door.

Answer: Lilly Pilly

There are several types of the Lilly Pilly tree, which are also known as the Lilli Pilli, but all of which are native to Australia. Many people plant them as a hedge, but if so, it must be constantly pruned. This writer planted one once, after being assured it was a hedge plant - but it is now over one hundred feet tall - and just lovely. The trees provide much needed shade and protection in the hot Australian summers. They also produce delicate white flowers in the warmer months, which develop into berries in the winter. These berries are somewhat bitter in taste, so are usually avoided by humans - but our native birds absolutely love them. So what more could you want, than a tree filled with brightly colourful creatures of the sky gulping down these gifts from nature.

Solution: It's a play on words for this question. One of the nurse's patients was a girl named Lilly and when it was time for Lilly to have her tablet, the nurse called out, "Lilly - pilly!"

Answer: Pear

Pears are delicious fruits that are produced by trees valued not only for their nourishing food, but also for their lovely flowering ornamental value. This tree came originally from Asia from as long ago as 2,000 BC, but has spread far and wide to the rest of the world from there. The wood from the pear tree, because it does not warp, is also valued in the manufactured of woodwind instruments, kitchen utensils, architectural rulers and furniture.

Solution: Socks come in "pairs", which can be worn on either foot, so little Johnny rather helpfully lost one of his "pair" under a "pear" tree.

Answer: Bilberry

Bilberries grow on a small shrub native to the northern hemisphere. Although there is no proven medical evidence for them, they are believed to be effective for eye problems - so be sure to check with your medical officer before attempting any home made cures. These dark blue berries can be made into jams, juices, various desserts and food flavouring, and, although this doesn't seem very appealing, into a type of Swedish soup.

Solution: A "bill" is a homophone (as in bil-berry) for a statement of monies owing, sent to a debtor of any person, company or organisation for services rendered to the debtor by them - and when that money is due to be paid by the debtor.

Answer: Holly

Holly is a versatile plant which can grow on trees, shrubs or climbers in many parts of the world, and has been around for million of years. This includes the European holly which has appeared on images of Christmas greeting cards for almost 200 years. The glossy green leaves of this berry endowed plant are very prickly though - so be careful when handling it. Birds, that love the berries, use the sharpness of the leaves to flee into to escape predators. Humans, however, should avoid eating the berries as they can be quite deadly. The Christian symbolism of the sharp leaves of this lovely plant represent the cruel crown of thorns pushed into the head of the crucified Jesus - while the red berries represent the drops of blood the thorns produced.

Solution: "Holly" the plant, is almost a homophone for "holy", a state of religious elevation many people experience after attending church.