Anything Goes Number Three Trivia Quiz

Answer: Their roots draw up gold from under the ground

The vast majority of the world's eucalyptus trees grow in Australia, some 700 of them in fact. Only about fifteen others grow elsewhere naturally on the globe. Researchers, however, have been turning more and more to Australians' native plant (which we call the gum tree) and utilising it elsewhere in several countries. Eucalyptus trees are exceptionally fast growing; they produce a natural substance which can be used as an insecticide and in cleaning products; and they're excellent when planted in swamp areas to help drain same and rid those areas of mosquitoes. They produce dainty, shy little flowers which are lovely in bloom, and they provide a quick and accessible source of firewood.

The eucalyptus also provides a source of readily available food for several native animals, birds and insects, but be wary of standing under them, particularly in summer, as their branches, known as widow makers, can snap off suddenly and fall. Very interestingly too, their roots draw up minute particles of gold from below the surface of the ground. These appear on the tree's leaves and indicate deposits of this and other valuable metals underneath the earth which would go otherwise undetected.

Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon (1769-1821) was astonishing, possessing one of those rare minds that occur every few generations. His perfect recall of historical and modern events, people, names, maps, military campaigns and laws impressed all who knew him. What was even more impressive was that this remarkable ability to recall and instantly organise all the information he needed on any issue saw him dictating and planning on many levels at any given time, linking and interlinking all streams of information at a moment's notice. To discuss his achievements at all levels of society requires much more than this simple question can provide, and would require half a dozen quizzes on their own.

The man was a genius.

Answer: He forgot his parachute

The poor man. A very experienced jumper, McGuire's aim on leaving the plane was to film his student on his first descent from the aircraft, but apparently so intent was he on making sure everything was in place for his student, Ivan forgot to strap on his own parachute. That's taking dedication to teaching just a little too far.

The sheriff of Franklin County, Louisburg, USA, where this tragedy took place, said there was no foul play and no indication of suicide. He added, "A man who has jumped 800 times ought to remember his parachute". Talk about stating the obvious.

Answer: He crashed his plane into his head

Roger the Dodger forgot to duck, unfortunately. The ironic thing about this death was that the unlucky Roger, an experienced model plane enthusiast for several years, had taken up the hobby because he thought it would be a lot safer than the one in which he was usually involved. That other one was drag-racing.

Answer: Figure skating

That seems rather at odds with his image as a leading man, but there it is. Tab Hunter was also a skilled equestrian as well. Actor, singer and author Tab Hunter was born Arthur Kelm on July 11, 1931. Oh dear. When he seemed destined to be a Hollywood leading man, the studios hastily renamed him. The poor boy sprang from a troubled background, with an allegedly abusive father whose violence was such that his mother left him and took her two sons with her. Tab Hunter supported her all her life, including her several stays in institutions where she had to undergo the barbaric practice of shock treatments. He went on to become a big name star of more than forty films. One of these included his role as a young marine in the 1955 movie "Battle Cry" in which he was pursued by an older woman with whom he had an affair, before settling down with the girl next door.

It took Tab Hunter many years before he acknowledged his homosexuality, and the press was downright cruel to him during this time. The movie studios were no better, setting up alleged romances between Tab and stars such as Debbie Reynolds and Natalie Wood as smoke screens. All that did was lead to sneers by insiders. Very sad and bitingly cruel.

Answer: Passing gas

Ugh. This well-known game was documented in the diary of one John Gregory Bourke, who was an author and Captain in the US army. How long the game had been around prior to this date is unknown, but it seems to have been quite well known then. Today this game can still be found.

It's called "Safety" instead, however, and was noted even in 2011. The object of the game is to touch wood after you've passed gas before someone can punch you. How uncouth. I think I'd punch them anyhow.

Answer: A tea bag

This great old performer was notoriously cheap; in fact, he seemed to have had an almost pathological fear of spending money. Cooper (1921-1984), who served during the Second World War, first began his stage career while in that service. Part of his stage persona was a fez hat. That came about when he was on stage during a performance in Cairo, Egypt, during which he was supposed to wear a helmet. Forgetting to take it on stage with him, he reached instead and removed a fez from a waiter's head. The laughter this brought about subsequently became a permanent part of his act. Cooper was also a noted magician, but his comic act required that all his magician's tricks went wrong. So good was he at his acting on stage that Tommy Cooper actually died during a live performance on television.

The audience, however, thought it was part of the act and continued to laugh heartily while he was dragged off stage. The show then went on. Nothing like leaving them laughing, is there?

Answer: Flies on the Eyeballs Guy

Appointed to the position by President Bush in 2002, Cofer Black worked in that field until his resignation in 2004. He joined the CIA after he completed his Master's Degree in international relations in 1974, and worked in the counter espionage arena for many years afterwards. Following his resignation from the White House job, Black commenced work for one of the biggest private security contractors in the world.

President Bush had nicknames for just about everyone with whom he had contact, both personally and professionally. Amongst a host of other names, his wife was Bushie or Pickles; the former Prime Minister of Russia was Ostrich Legs; one of his senior advisers was nicknamed Turd Blossom; the Director of his National Energy Policy Development Group was known as Light Bulb; and he gave Republican John Sweeney the descriptive nickname of Congressman Kickass. I think Flies on the Eyeballs Guy takes the cake, however.

Answer: Toronto

Toronto, Ontario was given this name, and others, in the late 19th century for its strict puritanical code which was enforced rigidly. Because of its large population of Methodists, much of this code was centred around keeping the Sabbath holy, and the strict curtailment of alcoholic substances. So strict were the city's leaders in enforcing these codes that the city was frequently referred to, unflatteringly by outsiders, as "Toronto the Good" and the "Calvinist Tehran".

It was only in the mid-1940s or so that an influx of migrants of other faiths moved into the city balanced things out. That's not to say they were a mob of sinners, though, just that they were perhaps less corseted in their moralistic views.

Answer: The grunt bar

Japanese squat toilets are considered the very epitome of all that a squat loo should be. Exceptionally clean and well maintained, they are built into the floor, most adorned with a wall hook on which to hang the lower part of one's clothing. One doesn't want one's clothing to accidentally fall into the container after all. Many also come with toilet slippers to ease the feet and keep the floor clean. Two buttons are available for flushing.

The idea is to stand facing the back wall and squat, holding onto that convenient piping if necessary for balance. Because of the danger of perhaps not aligning correctly, users are invited with a sign overhead to "Please take one step closer". Quite seriously, as revealed in calm discussions, other merits of the squat dunny include: the pelvic muscles of females being exercised so incontinence is minimised; strength being increased in the hip area; an improvement in breathing and concentration (in my case that would involve concentrating on not accidentally putting my foot in it); body waste being "eliminated more quickly and completely"; haemorrhoids prevented and cured; and the knees wondrously exercised. Ultra-modern Japanese toilets include music ("Spring Song" by Felix Mendelssohn - what an incredible honour); heated seats (if one prefers a seat); instruments to measure the user's blood sugar content, blood sugar levels, pulse and body fat; jet stream enemas (most unwelcome if you press the incorrect button); and talking toilets that greet the user. I can't wait to see what these incredibly technically minded and impressive people have done with electric toothbrushes.