Wordwise Revival (3) Trivia Quiz

Answer: French underground

Solution: The word FRENCH lies UNDER the word GROUND.

The French underground is generally associated with the French Resistance during World War II. They comprised of numerous groups that worked independently or in co-operation and fought a covert war against the Nazi occupation of France. Their efforts are one of the reasons the Allies were able to sweep through France during the Invasion of Normandy in June of 1944.

Answer: All by myself

Solution: The word ALL is beside (BY) the word MYSELF.

Released in 1975, "All by Myself" was the first solo hit for former Raspberries front-man Eric Carmen. The power ballad was based on Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Opus 18" (1901). The song would reach number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts, where it sat for three consecutive weeks. It was kept from top spot, in the first week, by The Miracles with their hit "Love Machine", and, the following two weeks by "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" by The Four Seasons.

Answer: Take on me

Solution: The word TAKE sits ON ME.

"Take on Me" was a 1985 single released by the Norwegian synth-pop band A-ha, recorded for their debut album "Hunting High and Low". The song was a massive hit for the band, opening numerous doors for them in both the United States and Europe. As a result of this success, they would win a contract to write and perform the theme song to the James Bond movie "A View to a Kill" (1985). Ironically, there was a version of the song, ("Take on Me") released in the United Kingdom in 1984, that failed to chart. The second version, released the following year, would peak at number two on those same charts.

Answer: Mixed Emotions

Solution: The above letters represent an jumble (MIXED) of the word EMOTIONS.

According to Reachout.com mixed emotions are not uncommon. They generally occur when there is a significant change in one's life. These changes may be moving house, changing jobs, losing a friend or, simply, going back to school. There may be a sadness (or a joy) leaving from one state and the opposite emotion when entering the other. These may be tinged with apprehension or regret. These opposite feelings may present us with difficulties but, hey, they're also what makes us human.

Answer: Double helix

Solution: The word HELIX is posted twice.

The term double helix is used in molecular biology to describe the structure that is created by the double strands of molecules of nucleic acids. The best example of this is DNA. The details of this model were first published in 1953, in a journal called "Nature" by James Watson and Frances Crick, both of whom did an enormous amount of study into the make-up and workings of DNA. James Watson would then use the structure to title his 1968 book on the work they did, "The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA".

Answer: walking on tiptoe

Solution: the word WALKING is ON the word TIPTOE. Though the word walking has been written vertically, this was not entirely necessary. It could have been recorded horizontally for the same effect. However, it does provide a sense of erectness, and adds to the effect/illusion.

In popular culture, particularly in slapstick or animation, a person walking on tiptoes is providing the illusions that they're trying to either, be quiet with their movements or, they're trying to be sneaky. However, walking on your toes, which is also known as "toe walking" is a condition where people will walk on their toes and don't (or are unable to) put weight on any other part of the foot. This is generally done in the standing phase of walking. Toe walking is common in toddlers, though, generally, they will develop the heel-toe style as they grow older.

Answer: Fine by me

Solution: The FINE is standing beside (BY) the word ME. Alternatively, the letters OK could have been substituted for the word fine for a similar resulting phrase, the former being a more formal response.

(Note: The original clue for this puzzle was OKME - OK by Me, however, it is possible that some may have used punctuation for the answer, which is not allowed in Fill in the Blank questions. Hence it was changed). Fine by me is the conferring of agreement, as in "that's fine by me" or "yes, spaghetti is OK for dinner". The only drawback with the use of OK or fine is that there is an apparent lack of enthusiasm in the agreement. Compare "yeah, that'll be OK" with "Oh wow, that's awesome".

Answer: Turn of the century

Solution: In this scenario the word CENTURY is written backwards. In other words, it has been TURNED around.

The turn of the century represents the movement from one century into another. It is a transitional period that does not appear to have an exact date or time frame. There is some consensus that it relates to the period just prior to the time just after. Some historians consider that the ten years before and after the change of centuries is considered the "turn".

The above would indicate that there is no common agreement in relation to this period. As a consequence, the "Chicago Manual of Style" (1906) recommends that you either not use the phrase and dictate something that is unambiguous (For example: they were a force at the end of the 20th century and continued to be so at the start of the 21st century) or, use the phrase only in a context that makes clear which transition is meant.

Answer: Upshot

Solution: The word SHOT is written with the first letter at the bottom and the rest are written in an UP-ward direction.

Despite using the two words UP and SHOT, the placement of the two, either front or back, provides the end result with completely different meanings.

Upshot means a result or outcome of an event or decision. For example, the upshot of their last place finish, at the end of the season, is relegation to a lower league next year. Alternatives for upshot include outcome, result, consequence, or aftermath.

Shot up can have a variety of meanings. It can indicate a growth spurt - "my, hasn't she shot up" - or a price rise - "Heavens to Betsy, the price has shot up 15% in the past month". Shot up can also mean riddled with gunfire or someone who has injected themselves with drugs.

Answer: Thorn in my side

Solution: The word THORN resides IN the words MY SIDE.

A thorn in the side is a source of constant irritation. The phrase, or variations of it, appear a number of times in the Bible:
"There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." (2 Corinthians 12:7)
"... shall be as thorns in your sides" (Judges 2:3)
"... those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell." (Numbers 33:55)

For something different, "Thorn in My Side" was a 1986 single for English duo The Eurythmics. Written and sung by Annie Lennox, the track is laced with spite as it details the breakdown of her marriage. This is particularly evident in the line; "Thorn in my side you know that's all you ever were".