Why So Blue? Trivia Quiz

Answer: glue

The word "glue" came into English from the French language word 'glu' which initially referred to birdlime, a substance spread on trees to catch birds. The Latin 'gluten' meaning 'to stick' or 'to spread' is the source for the French word.

Answer: lunge

The lunge is a technique used in the sport of fencing, most commonly used to attack the opponent and score a point by making contact on their torso with a weapon. A similar type of movement, also called a lunge, is a fitness technique that can be used with or without weights.

Answer: plunge

To "take the plunge" is to commit to an undertaking that one might not be too confident about. The phrase is thought to derive from a description of people diving into water from height.

Answer: lounge

A lounge can be either an alternative name for the sitting room or for the waiting area in a public place such as an airport. As a verb it means to stand or sit in a relaxed way, which might possibly derive from the French "s'allonger" meaning "to lie down".

Answer: legion

The legion was the largest unit within the Roman army. It changed in size throughout the imperial period but at its largest comprised around 6,000 soldiers.

Answer: pigeon

The Columbidae family includes doves and pigeons. The pigeons at Trafalgar Square in central London numbered around 2,000 at the start of the 21st century, drawn by the large crowds at one of the UK's favourite tourist attractions. The Greater London Authority considered them a pest and banned bird food sellers from the square in an attempt to reduce their numbers. Within three years, the numbers recorded were down to 300.

Answer: ponies

A pony has a few different specific definitions but in general terms it is a type of small horse. One such type is the Shetland Pony, a breed from the islands in the north of Scotland. Living in such a tough environment for a few thousand years has helped the Shetland develop into a hardy breed that is known for its strength and stamina, allowing it to be harnessed by the human population for work.

Answer: pianos

Liberace, the self-styled "Mr. Showmanship", was a regular performer in Las Vegas on his piano from his debut in 1944 until shortly before his death in 1987. Elton John once cited Liberace's style as a performer as a significant influence on his career. Nearly two decades after Liberace's passing, Elton opened his first residency in Las Vegas, "The Red Piano".

After that five-year run ended, he returned with a second residency, "The Million Dollar Piano" in 2011.

Answer: passion

The word "passion" derives from the Latin past participle of the verb "pati", meaning "to endure". Its usage evolved over time to mean "suffering", particularly with reference to religious martyrs. Its modern definition of intense feelings or emotions was first recorded in the late 14th century.

Answer: Picasso

Pablo Picasso's blue period encompassed his works from 1901 to 1904. The depression and solemnity that permeated Picasso's spirit in this period was triggered by the death of his close friend Carlos Casagemas. Picasso's first painting of Casegemas, 1901's "The Death of Casegemas" on first glance seems bright and colourful but the poet's body and his shroud are cast in a pale mournful blue. Picasso soon adopted a more narrow palette with blue the dominant colour. During this period Picasso was traveling around his native Spain and was inspired by the people he encountered on his journey to capture their sorrows and hardships in his paintings.