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Quiz about Gesundheit
Quiz about Gesundheit

Gesundheit! Trivia Quiz


Atchoo! Gesundheit! Sneezing throughout the ages and throughout the world has had some wonderful superstitions attached to it - here are a just a few

A multiple-choice quiz by EmmaF2008. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
EmmaF2008
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
314,649
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
6675
Awards
Editor's Choice
Last 3 plays: Guest 2 (4/10), magicgenie4 (3/10), Mpproch (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. In Ancient Greece, one explanation for sneezing was that it was a way of 'purging the brain of superfluities' and that 'sick persons as cannot sneeze die quickly, because it is a sign the brain is wholly stuffed with evil humours, which cannot be purged.'. Which famous philosopher proposed this explanation? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The Ancient Greeks had a wide range of superstitions associated with sneezing. Which of the following was NOT one of these? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. In which European country did there once exist a belief that a newborn infant was under the influence of fairy spells until it sneezed? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. There is an English rhyme which denotes what will happen when you sneeze on certain days of the week. What will happen if you sneeze on Tuesday? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In Japan, what does it mean if you sneeze once? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. According to Chinese superstition, a sneeze on New Year's Eve is a sign of bad luck for the year to come. If you do happen to sneeze then, is there any way to avoid this terrible fate?


Question 7 of 10
7. What is the common response to another person's sneeze in Iceland? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Not all suspect sneezing stories have been consigned to history. One such story is that it is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. Is this true or false?


Question 9 of 10
9. One urban legend that remains is that sneezing affects your heart in some way. Which of the following is the most common misconception? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Can sneezing damage your hearing?



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Oct 27 2024 : Guest 2: 4/10
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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In Ancient Greece, one explanation for sneezing was that it was a way of 'purging the brain of superfluities' and that 'sick persons as cannot sneeze die quickly, because it is a sign the brain is wholly stuffed with evil humours, which cannot be purged.'. Which famous philosopher proposed this explanation?

Answer: Aristotle

Although the custom of blessing people following a sneeze is thought to have appeared later in history, Aristotle in 'Problems' addresses the issue of blessing those who sneeze. He says that although other forms of breaking wind may be 'dirty' or as a 'reproach against gluttony' the sneeze 'since it issues from the head' and is 'blameless' and is given 'honourable greeting'.
2. The Ancient Greeks had a wide range of superstitions associated with sneezing. Which of the following was NOT one of these?

Answer: Sneezing in bright sunlight was lucky

Superstitions related to sneezing were not limited to Ancient Greece. Catullus, the Roman poet, has Cupid sneezing in "Acme and Septimus" to convey his approval of two lovers: "Love stood listening with delight,
And sneezed his auspice to the right".
3. In which European country did there once exist a belief that a newborn infant was under the influence of fairy spells until it sneezed?

Answer: Scotland

A similar belief existed in Ireland, where there was a magical cure for a 'fairystruck' child. This involved lighting a fire in a closed room (wouldn't want any fairies peeking), sprinkling the fire with herbs until it smoked and then carrying the child around the fire three times while saying an incantation and sprinkling holy water.

This was continued until the child sneezed three times, which was a sign the fairy spell was broken.
4. There is an English rhyme which denotes what will happen when you sneeze on certain days of the week. What will happen if you sneeze on Tuesday?

Answer: Kiss a stranger

There are a number of variations of this rhyme, one of which is
"Sneeze on Monday hastens anger,
Sneeze on Tuesday kiss a stranger,
Sneeze on Wednesday receive a letter,
Sneeze on Thursday something better,
Sneeze on Friday give a gift, Sneeze on Saturday, receive a gift,
Sneeze on Sunday before you break your fast,
You'll see your true love before a week's past"

Another variation ends "Sneeze on a Friday, sneeze for a sorrow, Sneeze on a Saturday, see you sweetheart tomorrow, Sneeze on a Sunday, bad luck with follow"
5. In Japan, what does it mean if you sneeze once?

Answer: Something good is being said about you

This belief is present in Japan, China, and Vietnam - and as we also saw earlier, Ancient Greeks attached significance to how many times a person sneezed. Illustrations of this superstition can be seen in manga and anime.
6. According to Chinese superstition, a sneeze on New Year's Eve is a sign of bad luck for the year to come. If you do happen to sneeze then, is there any way to avoid this terrible fate?

Answer: Yes

Just in case you find yourself sneezing on New Year's Eve, the answer is to visit three different families, all with a different last name and ask each of them to give you a small tortoise-shaped cake which you must eat before midnight. No problems there then.
7. What is the common response to another person's sneeze in Iceland?

Answer: God help you!

This is believed to date back to a time when a terrible illness (possibly The Plague) swept through Iceland. A brother and sister, on observing that others in the household who had died had started by sneezing, followed their first sneeze with this exclamation. Fortunately, we must assume that at least one of them survived to pass on this custom!
8. Not all suspect sneezing stories have been consigned to history. One such story is that it is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. Is this true or false?

Answer: False

While the common explanation as to why you close your eyes while sneezing is to keep your eyeballs in, the less grisly reality is that your eyes are held in by muscles, and are not likely to go anywhere while you sneeze - eye closing is simply a reflex.

It is in fact possible to keep your eyes open while sneezing, however it takes practice so really you must decide, is this a talent you want?
9. One urban legend that remains is that sneezing affects your heart in some way. Which of the following is the most common misconception?

Answer: When you sneeze your heart stops

Sneezing is usually preceded by a large inhalation which increases pressure in the chest. The sneeze itself lowers the pressure. The changing pressure can influence blood flow to the heart and can result in heart rate changes, but at no stage does it stop beating. Good news then.
10. Can sneezing damage your hearing?

Answer: Yes

It is possible. The force of a sneeze is approximated to be air travelling at about 100 miles per hour. If you happen to pinch your nose closed, this can redirect this force into the Eustachian tubes and cause your eardrum to rupture, resulting in hearing loss. Luckily, this should pass, but don't make a habit of it!
Source: Author EmmaF2008

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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