Wordwise 28 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pain in the neck

If anyone is considered a pain in the neck, that person is generally making a gigantic pest of him or herself about various issues, pestering people for what is not available, annoying others with constant questioning, and so on. An example could be a first year university student who argues in a tutorial every single point with a highly qualified lecturer, but without the experience or knowledge to back up any argument.

Answer: Shortbread

Shortbread is a really delicious biscuit associated with the country of Scotland. It is believed to have originated there in the 12th century. The traditional triangular shape of shortbread is referred to as Petticoat Tails by the Scots. This treat is thought to have been a favourite of the unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary, they say, refined the flavour and presentation of the biscuit, but there isn't any real proof of this, just hearsay only - so don't lose your head over it.

Answer: Open secret

An open secret isn't a secret at all because everyone knows about it. This expression made its way into popular use in the 1820s in England, but, oddly enough, it took a couple of centuries to arrive there. It originated in a 1642 Calderon Spanish play called "El Secreto el Voces". That translates to "The Noisy Secret" and it was translated into the English language in the 17th century. You could say it was no secret by then.

Answer: Water over the dam

"Water over the dam" seems to be a rather sad term really. It describes anything that has passed by and gone forever. A lost love, a long ago photograph, a lost opportunity, or happy times from long ago that are no more for example (I'm making myself mournful here). An associated more familiar expression is "Water under the bridge". Both sayings have been around since the late 1790s, with the water flowing over the dam coming first before making its way down to water under the bridge.

Answer: Comedown

"Comedown" or "Come down" describes a decline from some condition, lifestyle or status that was previously bigger, better, richer or happier in some way. An example of this could be a singer whose songs were once played everywhere, and who was once in high demand for live performances on the world stage - but who is hardly remembered by anyone today and has resorted to making a living singing in small pubs in outback towns instead.

This term could be applied to other facets of life as well.

Answer: About Time

"It's about time" is a somewhat exasperated expression frequently used when one has been kept waiting too long for another person to show up, or some long anticipated event to occur. Someone who was supposed to turn up in time for various planned functions, for example - but was always late. Of course the expression could be applied to happy occasions as well, say, when a longed for baby finally decides to make an entrance into world when Dad has been chewing his fingernails out in the waiting room for hours.

Answer: Fallback

A "fallback" when used as a noun applies to some plan or thing that is in place as a substitute when an original plan or object has failed to materialise. The term could also be applied to a person who is ready to step in at a moment's notice for someone else who has failed to turn up for some occasion or event.

This term has been around since the 1600s in England, but it was used more in a military way back then, or to describe sloping land, or darkness falling.

Answer: Back to back

"Back to back" is thought to be of American in origin, and describes some events happening in the same manner one after another. Back to back wins (or losses) of a favourite sports team for example. It is believed to have first appeared in print circa 1900 and referred then to consecutive wins of baseball games by one team.

Another possible interpretation of the term could be applied to a form of government housing in England at one time where houses were built with back yards adjoining or with a common wall between each residence.

Answer: Up in arms

To be up in arms today means to be very agitated and angry about a specific matter, so much so that one is prepared to go out and have a very vocal disagreement (or worse) about it. Originally it meant to be equipped out with all the necessary armour to literally go to battle.

This saying first appeared in print in the 1576 "Lyfe of Shatilion" by Arthur Golding where he describes "Protestantes" taking up "armes" in various places. (Writers were prone to using an excessive amount of Es back then).

Answer: Double boiler

A double boiler is a cooking name for two pots, one of which fits inside the other, used to steam food. The bottom larger pot is filled with water brought to a boil on the stove. The smaller inserted pot uses the heat released from the boiling one to heat or cook. Sounds very healthy, but rather unappetising if used to heat solid foods, but ideal to heat up sauces or to melt chocolate.

Some less healthy minded individuals, I confess unrepentantly, melt chocolate in their mouths.