How much do you know about Aibohphobia?

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A palindrome is defined as a word, phrase, number or sequence of words or numbers that read the same backwards as forwards. Spaces between words and punctuation are allowed. One of the following groups of palindromes contains a word that is *NOT* a palindrome which one?

Answer: Rotator, Red, Refer

The word palindrome was coined by Ben Jonson in the 17th century. The word comes from Greek roots, "Palin" meaning "again' and "dromos" meaning "direction".
Try a few more:
- eye
- level
- pop
- wow
Easy isn't it. If not do not get into a "doom mood".

2. Bob and Anna decided to form a club for all their palindromically named friends. Unless they added one particular letter to their name, which friend wasn't allowed to join?

Answer: Hanna

Interestingly for Olive she had to always be known as Evil Olive for her to retain membership. Hanna who was refused membership could join when she changed her name to "Hannah".

A group of people formed a sinner's club but they all had to stay members to retain membership:
Dennis, Nell, Edna, Leon, Nedra, Anita, Rolf, Nora, Alice, Carol, Leo, Jane, Reed, Dena, Dale, Basil, Rae, Penny, Lana, Dave, Denny, Lena, Ida, Bernadette, Ben, Ray, Lila, Nina, Jo, Ira, Mara, Sara, Mario, Jan, Ina, Lily, Arne, Bette, Dan, Reba, Diane, Lynn, Ed, Eva, Dana, Lynne, Pearl, Isabel, Ada, Ned, Dee, Rena, Joel, Lora, Cecil, Aaron, Flora, Tina, Arden, Noel, and Ellen sinned.

However, one bright member worked out if Dennis alone was kicked out, the rest could still retain membership and they then did not have to be known as sinners.

3. Palindromes are everywhere. Some people say that Chocolate Ants have a nutty flavor. What sort of insect has a tangy taste? Tangy ____

Answer: gnat

Palindromes are sometimes not obvious when spread across two words. Odd numbers are best in palindromes as the central figure only needs to appear once.
A few animal palindromes:
- Taco cat
- Oozy rat in a sanitary zoo
- Stack cats
- Tarzan raised Desi Arnaz' rat
- Ten animals I slam in a net.

4. Two girls only in a room. Marge is holding a telegram from Sharon. Using this palindromic sentence, work out to whom Marge showed the telegram: "Marge lets ____ see Sharon's telegram"

Answer: norah

The longer the sentence the less obvious the palindrome. Punctuation and spacing contribute to not seeing palindromes but they do not disqualify them.
Some favourites:
- Race fast, safe car!
- Yo, banana boy!
- Tips spill, lips spit
- Olson is in Oslo
- Naomi, did I moan?

5. Adam met Eve for the first time in the Garden of Eden. How did he address Eve? "____, in Eden, I'm Adam".

Answer: Madam

... And what did Eve reply when Adam introduced himself? She thrust her hand to shake Adam's hand and said, simply, "Eve".
Here are a couple more vaguely biblical palindromes:
- Eve damned Eden, mad Eve.
- Cain: a maniac
- Repel a leper
- Dogma: I am God!
And an oldie but goodie:
- Did I do, O God, did I as I said I'd do? Good, I did.

6. I have a pet owl who ate a toy worm. From what was the worm constructed? Mr Owl ate my ____ worm

Answer: metal

I can't imagine a metal worm would taste good but it would be better than palindromic 'gnu dung'.

Palindromes may appear contrived but if they make you smile, they've worked.
Here are a few food idioms:
- Lisa Bonet ate no basil
- No lemon, no melon (a great fruit salad)
- Wonton? Not now
- A nut for a jar of tuna

And a personal favourite:
- Lived on Decaf; faced no Devil.

7. A man went up to his head of state and confessed his sins: " To ____ ____: I'm a idiot." Who was the head of state when inserted into the palindromic sentence?

Answer: Idi Amin

Names are common palindromes as there is a bit of flexibility with the name itself:
- Ah, Satan sees Natasha!
- Al lets Della call Ed Stella
- "Dennis and Edna dine," said I, as Enid and Edna sinned
- Sir, I'm Iris
- Todd erases a red dot

8. A celebrity drives up to two workers to ask for directions. Both men recognise the celebrity. What did the garageman see in this palindromic sentence? Gateman sees name, garageman sees ____.

Answer: nametag

Occupational palindromes are not easy to find:
- Swap God for a janitor; rot in a jar of dog paws
- Steven, I left an oily lion at feline vets
- Rise to vote, Sir
- Ma is a nun, as I am

9. Re-write the following phrase as a palindrome using synonyms: "At no time weird nor level".

Answer: Never odd or even

Palindromes can be quite philosophical:
- Golf? No sir, prefer prison-flog
- Do geese see God?
- Dogma in my hymn: I am God.

10. What occurs in the following palindrome when you throw away an unfinished cigar? "Cigar? Toss it in a can. ____ ____ ____".

Answer: it is so tragic

Sentence palindromes can slip by unnoticed. It is rare though, that over so many characters, one does not appeared contrived:
- Was It A Rat I Saw / Was It A Rat I Saw / Was It A Rat I Saw (Why don't I just get my eye checked?)
- A Santa Lived As a Devil At NASA
- A Man, A Plan, A Canal-Panama! (actual book title about the building of the canal)
- Gert, I saw Ron avoid a radio-van, or was it Reg?
- No, sir, prefer prison (Things must really be bad!)
- Sup not on pus (good advice!)

Source: Author 1nn1

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Fifiona81 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

How much do you know about Aibohphobia? | Quiz

If you suffer from aibohphobia, then avoid this quiz. Take it and you might become a sufferer. All that is required is for you to complete a few palindromes. "Don't nod". It is not that easy.

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