A Very Fishy Tail Trivia Quiz

Answer: Carlo Lorenzini

Carlo Lorenzini, born in 1826 and writing under the pen name 'Carlo Collodi', became well known as the author of "The Adventures of Pinocchio" published in 1883.
"Pinocchio" was the second full length animated film to be released by Disney, following the success of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" based on a fairy tale written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812.
Giovanni Arpino, born in 1927, also wrote stories for children as well as being a journalist and playwright.
Francesco Falconi, born in 1976, has amongst other things written fantasy books for children.

Answer: Like a fish out of water

The metaphor ' Like a fish out of water' has been around for a very long time. Geoffrey Chaucer (14th century) used a form of it in "The Canterbury Tales". He says "A monk, when he is cloisterless; Is like to a fish that is waterless".

In 1613 the phrase "The Arabians out of the deserts are "as Fishes out of the Water" is used in Samuel Pucha's "Pilgrimage".

'Like a fish out of water' is not just a metaphor. I've discovered, amongst other things that it's a swimming pool game.

Answer: A Fish Called Wanda

Micheal Palin is the former Python in question (Monty Python's Flying Circus and unfortunately his favourite fish is eaten alive by one of the baddies.
However, most of the characters in this film about treachery and greed are less than pure.
The film also stars John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline. A very funny and worthwhile watch.

Answer: Babel fish

The late great Douglas Adams was of course the genius behind the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" books, radio and television show, and the incredible little fish you simply popped into your ear for an instant translation in any language!

If you have never read the book and would like an insight into this very imaginative man's mind here is a taster...

"Now it is such a bizarrely improbable coincidence that anything so mindbogglingly useful could evolve by chance that some thinkers have chosen to see it as a final and clinching proof of the non-existence of God. The argument goes something like this:
"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing".
"But," says man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It proves you exist and so therefore you don't. QED."
"Oh dear," says God, "I hadn't thought of that," and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.
"Oh, that was easy," says man, and for an encore goes on to prove that black is white, and gets killed on the next zebra crossing."

Taken from The "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" By Douglas Adams.

Answer: Trout

The definition of 'Old Trout' according to the "Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English" is 'An unpleasant or annoying old person, especially a woman.' Rather sexist I feel!

Answer: Maori

The word Ikaroa means 'the long end of the fish' and is also another name for the Milky Way. She is also considered the Mother goddess.

Answer: coelacanth

The coelacanth, which had roamed the Indian Ocean for around 4,000,000 years, was thought to be extinct until it turned up in East London, South Africa on the boat of a fisherman who had been fishing off the Chalumna River close to East London. This happened on the 22 December 1938 and proved that the coelacanth was very much alive.

It seems a little sad to me. It pops up to say "hello there, I still exist" and is caught, stuffed and now the pride and joy of the East London Museum.

Answer: Moules et frites

Moules or mussels, as English speakers know them, are without doubt the French answer to fish and chips. Especially found at the seaside in France.

Oeuf is French for egg, escargot for snail, d'agneau for lamb.

Answer: Sardine

John Steinbeck's "Cannery Row", published in 1945, takes place in Monterrey, California on a street lined with fisheries. The street was originally called Ocean View, but was renamed after Steinbeck's book became famous.
Due to over fishing, sardines disappeared from Monterrey Bay. In fact I visited Monterrey 22 years ago and hoped to buy my husband a souvenir tin of sardines. I couldn't find any and had to make do with a book entitled "Where Have all the Sardines Gone"!
I'm told that the humble sardine is making a come back.

Answer: Surfwear fromTasmania

Sorry if I lead you astray here! The company was started in 1971 by Bill Thwaites, a local Tasmanian surfer and was originally called Seaworld. In Tasmanian terms it has enjoyed popularity especially with Tasmania's youth. In addition, the company is involved in events that will benefit youth and provides a positive message of support.

Agatha Christie certainly had many red herrings in her books and I can't help thinking what a great name it would be for misleading waves.