Silver Age Trivia Quiz

Answer: Silver jubilee

The phrase silver jubilee is used to refer to an event marking the 25th anniversary of something. The term is most commonly used in relation to monarchs with a silver jubilee being a celebration of 25 years of that monarch's rule. For example, the UK celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee in 1977.

The word jubilee is derived from ancient Hebrew and is found in the Book of Leviticus in the Bible where it refers to a celebration that took place every 50 years.

Answer: Silver fox

Silver fox is a term used for an attractive older man, particularly one with grey hair, and is often a term used for male celebrities. A silver fox is also a type of red fox with the genetic abnormality of melanism where an animal has a darker than usual colouration owing to an excess of melanin.

These foxes are called 'silver' because their glossy coat makes them appear a silver colour rather than pure black.

Answer: Silver screen

The term silver screen originated from a type of early projection screen used in cinemas. These screens had a silver coloured coating on them which helped the images being projected stand out more. The term became used to refer to movies and the industry in general with the New York Times using the phrase in an article of 1916.

Answer: Silver bullet

Bullets made from the metal silver are found in folklore as a means of killing werewolves who are said to be immune to other forms of ammunition. The origins of the myth are unknown with some ascribing it to the story of hunter Jean Chastel killing the Beast of Gevaudan in 1767, however this is disputed as it is believed that this detail only entered the story with a 1946 novelisation of the tale. Silver bullets are also found in Swedish folklore for use against magical creatures which cannot be killed by other ammunition.

Answer: Silver

The Lone Ranger was a fictional character who was a Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the Old West. The character first appeared in a radio show broadcast in 1933. The radio show was very successful and led to a series or books, comics, films and a TV show which aired from 1949-1957. Silver was the name of the Lone Ranger's horse and the phrase 'Hi-Yo Silver', used to urge on the horse, was a famous catch phrase of the character.

Answer: The Adventure of Silver Blaze

'The Adventure of Silver Blaze' is a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle which was originally published in 'The Strand Magazine' in 1892 and can now be found as part of the collection 'The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes'. The story concerns the disappearance of a race horse called Silver Blaze.

Answer: Silverfish

Silverfish are a form of primitive wingless insect so called because they are a light, silvery grey colour and look a little like a fish, especially when moving. They are found all over the world and like quite humid areas meaning they are often found in bathrooms and kitchens. Silverfish are a household pest because they cause damage by consuming, books, carpets, clothing and plaster amongst other things.

Answer: Silverback

A silverback is the term used for the lead male gorilla in a troop. Troops tend to feature one silverback who lives with many female gorillas and their children. The name silverback comes from the silver-grey colour that the hair on the back of the gorilla goes as they age with most silverbacks being at least 12 years of age.

Answer: Maxwell's Silver Hammer

'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' is a track from The Beatles' album 'Abbey Road' which was released in 1969. The song is about murders committed using a hammer by a student called Maxwell Edison. Despite its dark subject matter the song has an upbeat sound to it akin to that of late Victorian / early 20th century music hall songs.

Answer: Silver Surfer

The Silver Surfer is a character from Marvel Comics who is a metal skinned alien of human like form who travels through space on what looks like a silver surfboard. Following the character's first appearance in the 1960s the Silver Surfer has appeared in subsequent comics series as well as appearing in various other Marvel media including films, TV shows and video games.