10 Easy Questions about The Missing Link

Answer: Thunder

'DAYS OF THUNDER' is a movie starring Tom Cruise as a race car driver. The title refers to the incredible noise made by the field of cars as they race.

A THUNDERBOLT can be just an alternative way of describing lightning. In a number of mythologies it is the weapon of a god associated with ruling the skies - such as Zeus, in Greek myth. On a more contemporary note, the scar on Harry Potter's forehead (in the books by J K Rowling and the movies based on them) is said to be in the shape of a thunderbolt.

Answer: Face

Someone who has a POKER FACE controls the expression of their emotions, making it hard for others to interpret their feelings. This is useful when playing poker, as your opponents have difficulty deciding how happy or otherwise you are about the cards in your hand.

When you FACE THE MUSIC, you are taking responsibility for something that has gone amiss, and attempting to address the problem.

Answer: Fly

'SHOO FLY, don't bother me' is the opening line of an American minstrel show song from the 1860s, which remains popular as a children's song. Shoofly pie is a molasses-based pie that got its modern name from a brand of molasses made in Philadelphia; the molasses company took its name from Shoofly the Boxing Mule, a famous circus animal of the time (1880s), which in turn may have gotten its name from the song.

FLY PAPER used to be a necessity in the home - a strip of paper that was coated with a sweet and fragrant sticky (and sometimes poisonous) coating so that any insects crawling on or flying into it would be trapped. Because a strip of trapped insects is not aesthetically pleasing, many people now prefer to use aerosol and/or electronic deterrents.

Answer: Show

On television, there have been a number of programs called 'The LATE SHOW', usually with the name of the presenter added to the title. They typically air at times around midnight, such as 11:30pm-1:00am.

A SHOW OF HANDS is sometimes used as an informal way of seeing whether the majority of members in a group are in agreement - if so, raise your hand. It can create a situation in which people feel pressured to go along with the others, rather than feeling free to state their position when they disagree with the majority. For that reason, secret ballots are commonly used for important decisions.

Answer: Kiss

The LAST KISS is a common feature in romantic literature, movies, television shows, music - you get the idea. It may be a farewell as someone is departing, possibly forever (as in a soldier heading off to war); it could involve someone dying in their lover's arms. It was the title of a 1960 song from Wayne Cochrane which has been covered by J Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers and by Pearl Jam, among others.

KISS MY GRITS is a rude expression (but not as rude as the one for which it is a euphemism) which gained popularity as the catchphrase of the character Flo on the television sitcom 'Alice' (1976-1985).

Answer: Garden

A ROSE GARDEN could be literally a region where rose bushes are the dominant plant, such as the famous one at the White House in Washington, DC. It can also be used metaphorically, as in Lynn Anderson's 1970 hit song '(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden', to mean a life that is simple and carefree.

A GARDEN SALAD, sometimes derisively referred to as rabbit food, is a dish based on lettuce, with a variety of other vegetables, usually raw, added. It is often served with a dressing to impart further flavour; this may be based on mayonnaise or a vinaigrette.

Answer: Stick

Where would a hockey player be without their L-shaped HOCKEY STICK? The hockey stick used by an ice hockey player has a larger and flatter blade than that of a field hockey player.

While chewing gum comes in a variety of forms, the good old STICK OF GUM (usually sold in packages that have each stick individually wrapped) is a classic. The first item to be scanned by the soon-to-be-ubiquitous bar code reader was a pack of ten sticks of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum, sold at 8:01 am on 26 June 1974 at an Ohio supermarket.

Answer: Putty

SILLY PUTTY is a brand name (trademarked by Crayola) for a silicone polymer first created in the course of experimentation to find a rubber substitute during World War II. The 'Silly' part of its name refers both to the silicone, and to its unusual behavior under stress. When handled gently, it stretches and is malleable, and bounces when tossed against a hard surface; when hit a sharp blow, however, it breaks.

If you are PUTTY IN MY HANDS, then I am able to manipulate you into doing whatever I want. My younger brother is putty in his grandson's hands, for example.

Answer: Roast

The SUNDAY ROAST (which may or may not be a ROAST BEEF), is a traditional British meal that allowed the cook (read wife/mother) to attend church services while the family's meal cooked without needing regular attention. It became common practice in the late 18th century, although its roots can be traced back to medieval times, when serfs got Sunday off, so the men could practice their fighting after church, to be served a hearty roast meal afterwards.

As well as the roast meat, the meal includes at least a couple of vegetables, most commonly including roast potatoes.

Other side dishes are traditional with various meats: Yorkshire pudding with beef, crackling and apple sauce with pork, mint sauce with lamb, stuffing with chicken.

Answer: Smile

SERVICE WITH A SMILE is a byword in the hospitality and retail industries. Nobody likes to be made to feel as if it is a burden to provide them with a service! What's more, if the employee keeps reminding themselves to look as if they are enjoying themselves, it actually does help make them feel less tired and stressed in the job.

Allen Funt used the expression "SMILE, YOU'RE ON 'CANDID CAMERA'" as host of the television show of that name, which first aired on American television in 1948. He used hidden cameras to capture the reactions of everyday people when confronted with unusual and puzzling situations.