Battle of the Sexes Trivia Quiz

Answer: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States of America as well as being an inventor, writer, diplomat among many strings to his bow. With so many accomplishments in his life it was perhaps not surprising that he held a high opinion of himself. One of his self-published works was "Poor Richard's Almanack", an annual pamphlet of scientific observations, poetry and aphorisms and it was from the 1739 edition that this quote was taken. By this time, Franklin had been married for nine years to the real great love of his life, Deborah Read.

Answer: The nerve has been extracted

Rowland was known for her witty observations on love, marriage, and relationships, and her columns were widely read in the early 20th century. Her work often challenged traditional gender roles and societal expectations of women, making her a trailblazer for female writers and journalists of her time.

Despite facing criticism and backlash for her outspoken views, Rowland continued to write and publish until her death in 1950.

Answer: Rita Rudner

Having started out as a dancer, Rudner took to stand-up in the late 1970s and became known for her observational comedy. She was a regular performer in Las Vegas, setting records for the longest-running solo stand-up in the city. She has also written several books, including "Naked Beneath My Clothes" and "I Still Have It...I Just Can't Remember Where I Put It: Confessions of a Fiftysomething."

Answer: If you get a bad one you'll become a philosopher.

While there is no concrete evidence that Socrates actually said this, it has become a popular quote associated with him. Socrates was a Greek philosopher who lived in Athens during the 5th century BCE. He has been a huge and lasting influence on philosophical thinking for centuries, even though he left no written works.

His thinking has been passed down through the works of his students, particularly Plato, establishing of the Socratic method of questioning dialogue between two parties as a common form of exploring philosophical ideas.

Answer: Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir is best known for her groundbreaking and influential work in feminist theory. She was a contemporary of philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, with whom she had a significant personal and intellectual relationship, but they never married.

Her most famous work is "The Second Sex" (1949), which is considered a foundational text in feminist philosophy. In this work, de Beauvoir analyzed the social and cultural construction of gender roles, addressing issues such as women's oppression, the concept of "the Other," and the ways in which women have been historically defined in relation to men.

Answer: H L Mencken

H L Mencken, who came to prominence writing for "The Baltimore Sun" in the early 1900s, was known for his wit and his commentary on American society and politics. Mencken was well known for his critical opinions on marriage, calling it "the end of hope" so it was somewhat of a surprise when, at the age of 50, he married women's suffrage campaigner Sara Haardt in 1930.

Answer: Mae West

Known for her quick wit and double entendres, Mae West was a popular figure in the entertainment industry during the 1920s and 1930s. She was controversial in some quarters because her roles were frequently strong, independent women who were unapologetic about their sexuality - uncommon in the media at that time.

Before reaching Hollywood, West spent eight days in prison for "corrupting the morals of youth" following complaints about her 1926 stage play "Sex". West, ever the keen publicist used the stint in jail, which she could have avoided by paying a fine, to raise her public profile.

Answer: Sophia Loren

Sophia Loren was one of the most iconic actresses of the 20th century and won numerous awards for her performances. Already a star in her native Italy, she became world famous following her performance in "Two Women", a role that won her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1961.

Answer: Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Though this well-known line is often used to console those who have experienced a romantic break-up, it is in fact from a poem called "In Memoriam A.H.H.", written as a tribute to Tennyson's friend Arthur Henry Hallam. The poem is a reflection on grief, loss, and the search for meaning in the face of death.

Answer: Marry her before she finds one.

Oscar Levant was an American pianist, composer, and actor who was known for his witty remarks and one-liners. He was a frequent guest on television shows and talk shows, where he would often entertain audiences with his humor. Harpo Marx was a comic mime artist, the second eldest of the comedy troupe, the Marx brothers.

The woman to whom Levant was referring was Marx's future wife, actress Susan Fleming.