FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Ye Olde Help Wanted Trivia Quiz

Help wanted classifieds you might've seen in the past. Or maybe not. Americanisms abound.

A multiple-choice quiz by nutmeglad. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
nutmeglad

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
186,121

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
943

Last 3 plays: Guest 175 (4/10), Guest 172 (10/10), Guest 152 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "Help Wanted: Sober, God-fearing assistant who knows how to keep his nose to the grindstone. See William Shay for particulars." Who might have placed this classified? Hint

a knife sharpener

a miller

a peddler

a blacksmith

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. "Drummer wanted. Assigned territory. Must provide own horse and wagon. Contact B. Goodwin Dry Goods". What might a drummer do for Mr. Goodwin's business? Hint

traveling salesman

advertise the business

delivery service

march in local parades

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. "Hard working, sober man. 15 cents a day. Must provide own adz. See Snuffy at the Anderson Works, Bay Street." What business might have placed such an ad? Hint

ship builder

blacksmith

butcher

printer

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. "Tom the Farrier seeks an able-bodied lad to assist in daily chores. Sabbath off. 10p daily." What does a farrier do? Hint

shoes horses

raises milk cows

transports goods across rivers

catches rats

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. "Nimble fingered boy to apprentice under Master Fletcher Christian. Food and room in stable provided. Chapel Street." In what activity would the apprentice be involved? Hint

shipboard navigation

making locks and keys

making barrels

making arrows

6. "Learned scholars of high moral character to provide a university education to local men of good standing. Contact by letter Mr. Elihu Yale at College Street." In what year did this advertisement appear? Hint

1691

1701

1713

1757

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. "Experienced scrivener required. See Mr. Thomas, Owner, at the bank." What does a scrivener do? Hint

balances the ledger

designs and engraves money

cleans the building

hand copies documents

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. "Wanted: drover, experience preferred but will train. Must provide own horse and be able to travel. Apply in person to Mr. Watkins, Foreman, 3Z Ranch, Bunkhouse 12C." What would a drover do under the direction of the foreman? Hint

erect fencing

drive a wagon

drive cattle to market

prepare food on trail drives

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. "Wanted: fine lad with steady habits and pleasant disposition. Must have proficiency with the abacus. Visit Mr. Norville, Draper, at 14 Main Street. No Irish need apply." What is Mr. Norville likely to sell? Hint

cloth

horses and wagons

food

jewelry

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. "Needed: young girl of good repute to work as a scullery maid. Excellent references required. For an appointment visit Dr. Scott at the Elmswood". In what part of the estate will you find the scullery? Hint

in the laundry

near the serving table

in the garden

near the kitchen

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Most Recent Scores

Nov 15 2024 : Guest 175: 4/10
Oct 20 2024 : Guest 172: 10/10
Oct 11 2024 : Guest 152: 8/10
Oct 02 2024 : Guest 94: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Help Wanted: Sober, God-fearing assistant who knows how to keep his nose to the grindstone. See William Shay for particulars." Who might have placed this classified?

Answer: a miller

The expression "to keep one's nose to the grindstone" comes from grain mills. Two large stones rotated to mill the grain. By raising the upper stone, a coarser grain would be produced. But, if the two stones were too close together, the friction would actually start to burn the grain, so the upper stone would be raised a bit if you kept your nose to the grindstone.

2. "Drummer wanted. Assigned territory. Must provide own horse and wagon. Contact B. Goodwin Dry Goods". What might a drummer do for Mr. Goodwin's business?

Answer: traveling salesman

A drummer is an early term for a salesperson, most often a salesman. Many traveled regular routes selling housekeeping essentials to the rural folk. A drummer might also wait on customers in the store.

3. "Hard working, sober man. 15 cents a day. Must provide own adz. See Snuffy at the Anderson Works, Bay Street." What business might have placed such an ad?

Answer: ship builder

An adz is a sharp, broad-faced, shaping tool designed to shape wood to specific sizes and shapes. Early carpenters used the adz to shape the wide support beams in colonial homes, and of course, the tool was used to shape a wooden ship's support structure.

4. "Tom the Farrier seeks an able-bodied lad to assist in daily chores. Sabbath off. 10p daily." What does a farrier do?

Answer: shoes horses

Farriers traveled from farm to farm replacing broken shoes and tending to the health of the hooved animals. Today, because so few choose this line of work, good farriers are in demand and earn very good money.

5. "Nimble fingered boy to apprentice under Master Fletcher Christian. Food and room in stable provided. Chapel Street." In what activity would the apprentice be involved?

Answer: making arrows

A fletcher is one who makes arrows. This one just happened to be named Christian.

Answer: 1701

Yale University was founded by Elihu Yale in 1701. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale is part of the Ivy League.

7. "Experienced scrivener required. See Mr. Thomas, Owner, at the bank." What does a scrivener do?

Answer: hand copies documents

Scriveners were men with excellent penmanship who would hand draft important documents (deeds, e.g.), write letters and perform chores now handled by a word processor and a Xerox. Herman Melville wrote a tale called "Bartleby the Scrivener" for those interested in learning more about this one-time, important occupation.

Answer: drive cattle to market

Drovers move cattle and other livestock in "droves", i.e., herds. In this case, Mr. Watkins is looking to hire himself a cowpoke.

Answer: cloth

A draper is a seller of cloth. The reference to the Irish stems from the large Irish migration to America during the 1840s and '50s. Irish immigrants in the US at this time were seen as the drinking, brawling underclass and signs stating "No Irish need apply" appeared at factories, retail outlets and other places of employment.

Answer: near the kitchen

A scullery is a room near the kitchen where dishes, pots and pans are washed. A scullery maid would also likely wash fruits and vegetables, polish silverware and help the kitchen staff.

Source: Author nutmeglad

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor sunfloweruk23 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.