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Quiz about The Year of the Sheep
Quiz about The Year of the Sheep

The Year of the Sheep Trivia Quiz


Although animal idioms are pretty common in everyday speech, who knew so many of them involved sheep? More to the point, how many can you answer correctly? Let's play and find out.

A multiple-choice quiz by poshprice. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
poshprice
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
328,325
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Very Easy
Avg Score
9 / 10
Plays
2151
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 107 (9/10), Guest 94 (10/10), Guest 70 (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Although, idiomatically speaking, sheep are known as followers, there are, as always, exceptions to the rule. But what colour makes these wayward dissenters stand out -- idiomatically, that is? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. According to the popular idiom, if you have done something wrong, what might you as well be hanged for? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. One common example of sheep being referred to in idiom involves an embarrassment or misunderstanding. Upon realising their faux pas, the person in question usually exhibits what type of grin? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. A deceitful or malicious person who attempts to disguise their true nature or intent is often referred to as "a wolf in sheep's clothing". While many people believe that the phrase originates from the Bible, it is in actual fact firmly rooted in fable. Which of the following is responsible for its creation? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. One particularly foreboding and sinister idiom refers to the innocence of young lambs, who unwittingly follow, unaware that something horribly unpleasant is going to happen to them. Where are these lambs said to be going? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The fleece of a sheep has definitely made its way into English idiom, both as a noun and a verb. On the one hand, a "fleece" is a warm, soft material, often used to make clothes. On the other, however, it has a very different meaning as a verb. What is it? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Any insomniacs out there should definitely be familiar with this next sheep-related phrase. In the absence of sleep, and with morning swiftly approaching, what is it that one is often urged to do, mentally? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. In times gone by, shepherds in the United Kingdom relied on folklore and old rhymes to predict the weather, with varying degrees of success. For the most part, these rhymes and superstitions have disappeared, but there is at least one which persists, and continues to infiltrate day-to-day language. According to this rhyme, "Red sky at night" is "shepherds' delight", but what exactly is "Red sky in morning"? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. One of the more insulting sheep-related idioms focuses on a woman's appearance. Indeed when a woman is referred to as "mutton dressed like lamb", she is being judged for her manner of dress. Which of the following best describes her appearance? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Having been ordered to do something in "two shakes of a lamb's tail", one would be expected to complete their task according to which of the following descriptions? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Although, idiomatically speaking, sheep are known as followers, there are, as always, exceptions to the rule. But what colour makes these wayward dissenters stand out -- idiomatically, that is?

Answer: Black

The phrase, "a black sheep in the family", came about due to the occasional birth of a (literally) black sheep to a white flock. The phrase is also one which has negative connotations, both literally and metaphorically. Idiomatically speaking, a "black sheep" is known as a wayward member of the family, and one who doesn't follow suit.

In addition to this, in nineteenth-century England a black sheep was considered to be a sign of the devil. Moreover its wool was far less sellable than white wool, as it could not be dyed.
2. According to the popular idiom, if you have done something wrong, what might you as well be hanged for?

Answer: A sheep as a lamb

This idiom loosely translates to "If you are going to be punished for something, you might as well be punished for something big, as for something small." The origin of this idiom dates back to nineteenth-century England, when a person risked being deported or killed for stealing sheep, no matter what the age of the animal was.

Therefore in this respect, the thief might as well steal a sheep (which has more meat on it than a lamb), as the punishment was just as severe if it was a lamb that was taken.
3. One common example of sheep being referred to in idiom involves an embarrassment or misunderstanding. Upon realising their faux pas, the person in question usually exhibits what type of grin?

Answer: A sheepish one

The online dictionary, "dictionary.com", notes that the first definition of "sheepish" (recorded around 1200) was "resembling a sheep in some characteristic". However by 1693 the definition had changed to "embarrassed or bashful".
4. A deceitful or malicious person who attempts to disguise their true nature or intent is often referred to as "a wolf in sheep's clothing". While many people believe that the phrase originates from the Bible, it is in actual fact firmly rooted in fable. Which of the following is responsible for its creation?

Answer: Aesop

The idiom, "a wolf in sheep's clothing", originates from one of Aesop's fables. The plot of the fable revolves around a hungry wolf, who, having found a sheep's fleece in a field, decides to try and pass as sheep in order to find food. However before the wolf can steal a sheep, a shepherd mistakes him for one and kills him for his own dinner. Over time the idiom has become synonymous with a hidden danger.
5. One particularly foreboding and sinister idiom refers to the innocence of young lambs, who unwittingly follow, unaware that something horribly unpleasant is going to happen to them. Where are these lambs said to be going?

Answer: To the slaughter

The phrase, "lamb to the slaughter", comes from the Bible (King James), and illustrates the helplessness of individuals who are unaware of the dangers that lie ahead of them. In 1953, Welsh author, Roald Dahl, wrote a short story entitled, "Lamb to the Slaughter", playing on the meaning of the idiom in a rather grotesque way.

The plot of the story revolved around a usually mild-mannered woman named Mary Maloney, who murdered her husband when he tried to leave her, by hitting him over the head with a leg of lamb.

Moreover when the police came to investigate, Mary came up with an ingenious way to get rid of the murder weapon, by serving it to them. Thus the police were, without realising it, the proverbial "lambs to the slaughter", innocently munching away on a rather unpleasant meal.
6. The fleece of a sheep has definitely made its way into English idiom, both as a noun and a verb. On the one hand, a "fleece" is a warm, soft material, often used to make clothes. On the other, however, it has a very different meaning as a verb. What is it?

Answer: To rob or cheat

The term, "fleeced", dates back to 1530, and refers to the literal "fleecing" or "sheering" of a sheep's wool. By 1570, however, its definition had changed to embrace the metaphorical, which is how "fleeced" became a common English idiom for "swindled or cheated".
7. Any insomniacs out there should definitely be familiar with this next sheep-related phrase. In the absence of sleep, and with morning swiftly approaching, what is it that one is often urged to do, mentally?

Answer: Count sheep

"Counting sheep" is considered an old fashioned cure for sleeplessness. Its origin relates back to the time when shepherds were responsible for keeping track of their sheep, in order to prevent them from straying or being stolen. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, shepherds in England and Scotland used number systems, such as the "Yan Tan Tethera", to help them keep track of their flock.
8. In times gone by, shepherds in the United Kingdom relied on folklore and old rhymes to predict the weather, with varying degrees of success. For the most part, these rhymes and superstitions have disappeared, but there is at least one which persists, and continues to infiltrate day-to-day language. According to this rhyme, "Red sky at night" is "shepherds' delight", but what exactly is "Red sky in morning"?

Answer: Shepherds' warning

Various countries and cultures have their own weather folklore, some of which is similar to the United Kingdom's "Red sky at night" rhyme. It was believed that red sky at night meant no rain, while the reverse was true in the morning.
9. One of the more insulting sheep-related idioms focuses on a woman's appearance. Indeed when a woman is referred to as "mutton dressed like lamb", she is being judged for her manner of dress. Which of the following best describes her appearance?

Answer: Inappropriate

The phrase, "mutton dressed like lamb", refers to an older woman who attempts to dress younger than her age. It is a rather offensive and somewhat catty expression, which exploits the difference between young and old meat. Mutton is older and darker, while lamb's meat is pink and tender.
10. Having been ordered to do something in "two shakes of a lamb's tail", one would be expected to complete their task according to which of the following descriptions?

Answer: Speedily

The idiom, "two shakes of a lamb's tail", means to do something quite quickly, and was inspired by the way lambs wag their tails when feeding. While some have cited it as First World War British Army slang, others have claimed that it is American in origin.
Source: Author poshprice

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