Just "U" and "I" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Quick

Apart from meaning to do something with great haste, a quick is also any area of sensitive flesh - particularly under a fingernail. In a similar vein 'the quick' is the part of a dog's nail that provides it with blood and should be avoided at all costs when cutting their nails.

Both of these cause great pain which may explain where a familiar saying comes from - "to cut someone to the quick" meaning to deeply hurt them emotionally.

Answer: Quilt

A quilt is a coverlet for a bed consisting of two layers of fabric with some form of warm filling inside that is then stitched in patterns through all the layers to stop the shifting of the filling. These patterns can be fairly basic or intricate decorative designs. They are also known as a counterpane, duvet or comforter, and in Australia, we refer to them as a doona.

Answer: Quill

A quill is one of the large feathers of the wing or tail of a bird - as these are used for flight they are the strongest of them all. Goose quills, in particular, were formed into pens for writing and used until the 19th century. They are still in use today by calligraphers and professional scribes.

The hollow spines of porcupine and hedgehogs are also called quills as are the original plectrums of the harpsichord.

Answer: Squib

A squib is a small firework consisting of a tube filled with gunpowder, when lit it makes a hissing sound until it explodes. It is also the name for any other type of firework that has a fault and doesn't explode as it is supposed to.

Fans of Harry Potter will also recognise the word squib as a non-magical person who has been born to magical parents. Two famous squibs in the series include Argus Filch and Arabella Figg.

Answer: Quiff

The quiff is a hairstyle where a curl of hair is brought forward over the forehead. The British 'Teddy Boys' post WWII all sported quiffs and it had a resurgence in the 1980's.

It is alternatively used as a name for a promiscuous woman.

Answer: Squid

A squid is a ten armed cephalopod with a slender body and caudal fins with 300 different species that range in size from 15 cm to 24 metres.

It is also used as a verb to explain a parachute that, due to excess air pressure, has a long elongated shape.

The acronym SQUID stands for 'superconducting quantum interference device' - a medical device used to indicate neural activity in the brain by sensing minute changes in magnetic fields.

Answer: Squirt

Squirt is used when a liquid is forced through a narrow opening under pressure causing a spurt or jet stream.

It is also a derogatory term for someone who is short or a troublesome youngster.

Answer: Quirks

A quirk is a particular idiosyncrasy of an individual that often shows itself in strange mannerisms or peculiar actions.

It can also refer to a sudden twist or turn as when people talk of a 'quirk of fate' that changes an expected outcome.

Thirdly, it is used in architecture for a continuous groove that separates a moulding into two sections.

Answer: Quinsy

Quinsy is a known complication of tonsillitis and involves a collection of pus surrounding the tonsil/s and forming an abscess which can lead to acute emergency hospital admissions. It affects both children and adults equally.

Answer: Squinch

Apart from its meaning of squinching to fit into a confined space a squinch is also a small arch that is built across the inside joint of two walls to support something above it - often an octagonal spire.