The Joy of Knowledge Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Boswells (Bread)

The comedy programme 'Bread' was shown on BBC1 between (1986-1991). It featured Nellie and Freddie Boswell and their five grown-up children, Joey, Jack, Adrian, Aveline and Billy. They enjoyed working the system and accepting state handouts. Freddie was a philanderer who frequently got involved with Lilo Lil when the going got tough while Nellie kept the family together by insisting they gathered around their kitchen table for Catholic prayers before eating their meals. Carla Lane, who created the series, had similar successes with other comedy sitcoms such as 'The Liver Birds' (BBC1 1969-78)and 'Butterflies' (BBC2 1978-82).

The Brady Bunch lived at 4222, Clinton Way, Los Angeles, California whereas Hyacinth Bucket resided at Blossom Avenue in England.

Answer: Sherlock Holmes

John Steed (Patrick Macnee in 'The Avengers'), Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin all wore a bowler hat. Oddjob, Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin all wore a bowler hat although Oddjob's bowler hat was unique as it featured a metallic brim. Sherlock Holmes was famous for wearing his deerstalker hat.

The bowler hat was designed in 1850 by Lock's hatters for gamekeepers of William Coke II who later became the Earl of Leicester. This hard felt hat was an image of Britishness and was first called the 'Coke' but was later known as the Bowler because of its bowl-like shape and the fact it was designed by 19th century hatter, William Bowler.

Answer: Its mouth

The name 'white' comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch word 'weit' meaning wide which refers to the lip of its lawnmower-like mouth. The white rhino is much larger than the black rhinoceros and feeds on grass rather than leaves. White rhinos are square-lipped and are grazers whereas the black rhino has a hooked prehensile lip which is adapted for grasping. Black rhinos are browsers and eat young twigs, shoots and leaves.

Answer: late 40's

Clive Dunn was born in 1920 and both of his parents were in showbusiness. In 1968 Jimmy Perry and David Croft offered him the role of Corporal Jones in 'Dad's Army' which ran on BBC1 from 1968 to 1977. 'Don't Panic!' was one of his catch phrases along with 'Permission to speak, Sir'.

In the show he had served in the Sudan, Africa, in his younger days and used anecdotes often referring to the Sudanese soldiers as fuzzy-wuzzys because they were fuzzy-haired natives. In the mid 1980s, Clive retired to Portugal with his wife Priscilla and wrote his autobiography with the apt title of 'Permission to Speak'.

Answer: Popeye

Popeye first appeared in January 17th, 1929, in Elzie Crisler Segar's 'Thimble Theatre' which featured around Olive Oyl's family. Castor was Olive's brother and Ham Gravy was her fiance. Castor and Ham Gravy embarked on an overseas voyage and hired pipe-puffing, Popeye the sailor man.

As Popeye's popularity grew, Ham Gravy was written out of the script. Swee'Pea was the son of his girlfriend, Olive Oyl, and was adopted by Popeye. Bluto was a heavy brute of a man who was the adversary of Popeye and was always trying to acquire Olive Oyl for himself. J. Wellington Wimpey was a hamburger-obsessed moocher who Wimpy bars were later named after.

The first Wimpy bar appeared in 1954 at Lyons Corner House, Coventry Street, London. Popeye first appeared on the silver screen in the 1933 Betty Boop cartoon, 'Popeye the Sailor'. Popeye popularised spinach as people would munch on spinach in the hope they would become as strong as him.

Answer: Cheese

'Tyro' is Greek for 'cheese' whereas 'phile' means 'lover of'.

Answer: Linford Christie

Linford Christie was the middle child of seven who was born to a working-class family in St Andrews, Jamaica. At the age of seven he was brought to Britain and lived in South London. He gained fame by winning the 100 metres gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games held in Barcelona.

The following year he won the World Championship title in this event. For his gallant effort he was awarded both the OBE and the MBE.

Answer: Tommy Cooper

Tommy Cooper was a talented magician who had a unique flair for comedy. His one-liners were often so poor that only he had the ability to raise a laugh from them. Here is an example of his humour.
I was cleaning out the attic the other day with the wife ... filthy, dirty and covered with cobwebs ... but she's good with the kids.
Allegedly he was introduced to the Queen after a Royal Command Performance and asked her Majesty if she liked football. Her reply was, Well not really. Tommy's response was, In that case ... do you mind if I have your Cup Final Tickets? Tommy Cooper collapsed on stage on 15th April, 1984 at Her Majesty's Theatre. Just like other British comedy legends such as Ronnie Barker, Benny Hill and Leonard Rossiter, he will be sadly missed but never forgotten.

Answer: Nick Freeman

Nick Freeman is a celebrity lawyer known as 'Mr Loophole'. He thrives on the fact that police fail to follow proper procedures and helped footballer David Beckham beat a speeding charge by arguing that the England captain, at the time, had been trying to evade photographers.

He has defended a string of celebrity clients who include golfer Colin Montgomerie and international footballers Dwight Yorke and Wayne Rooney.

Answer: Dragon fruit

Dragon fruit can be eaten chilled or used to flavour drinks. Alternatively the unopened flower buds of this round fruit can be cooked and eaten like vegetables. The fruit is cultivated around the world in tropical regions but its origin is somewhat vague with Southern Mexico and Central America being a likely location.

Answer: Wombat

Wombats live alone in their tunnels and are very shy animals that rest during the day and appear at night. This burrowing mammal has the ability to dig a hole 30m long and 2m deep. Rabbit fencing is bypassed allowing rabbits and other undesirable intruders in, such as dingos and foxes.

These burrows are hazardous to large livestock who can step into them and cause injuries. In contrast, this cute, short-legged creature with a waddling walk, is protected in most Australian states as it was formerly hunted for its fur.

Answer: BOLIV

The sequence consists of countries which end in (ia) such as ALBANIA, ALGERIA, ARMENIA, AUSTRALIA and AUSTRIA. A sequence is an arrangement of two or more things in a successive order therefore (BO)livia comes before (BU)lgaria alphabetically.

Answer: women

James Thurber (1894-1961) began his career as a newspaper reporter and was a regular contributer of cartoons and short stories to the 'New Yorker' magazine. He had a cartoon caption that appeared in the 'New Yorker' on June 5th, 1937 which said the following: "Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?".

Answer: Batman

Batman appeared on British television between (1966-68) on ITV. It was aimed at children but its ZAP!, BAM! and 'Holy Inferno' comments along with the dynamic duo's camp costumes, made viewing both compulsive and entertaining. Gotham City's caped crusaders were played by Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin). Regular characters included Commissioner Gordon (Neil Hamilton), Chief O'Hara (Stafford Repp) with Alfred the Butler played by (Alan Napier) and Aunt Harriet by (Madge Blake). 'Holy Mackerel!'.

The series became amusing for adults and was a high adventure for the kids especially with regular villains of the 'Riddler' (Frank Gorshin), the 'Joker' (Cesar Romero) and the pompous, waddling 'Penguin' portrayed by (Burgess Meredith). KERPOW! to these 'arch enemies' as they were no match for Batman who resided at Wayne Manor, Gotham City in America.

Answer: Suffragettes

Emmeline Pankhurst was one of the founders of the Women's Social and Political Union, which was a break-away society from the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies. Emmeline campaigned for the right of women to vote especially in public elections. Emily Davison (1872-1913) gave up her teaching job to burn post boxes, which sounded much more fun, but on a serious note, was prepared to run on the racetrack at the Epsom Derby to grab the reins of the King's horse which was running that day. She was trampled on and died from her injuries a few days later. Suffragettes campaigned to destroy public and private property for their cause but once caught they were sent to prison (no soft community service in their day!).

The government introduced the Prisoner's Temporary Discharge of Ill Health Act to prevent suffragettes from becoming martyrs and allowed them to go on hunger strike. Force-feeding was not an option as the Home Secretary knew suffragettes were prepared to die for their cause.

When the suffragettes became ill they were released from prison but on recovery were rearrested and returned to prison until their long prison sentence was complete. Means of dealing with hunger strikers became known as the 'Cat and Mouse Act'. Hope you enjoyed the quiz and learnt something new.