Splash's Quick Fire Word Play Quiz

Answer: Firedamp

When methane mixes with air it produces a flammable gas. It is commonly found in coal mines and was the cause of many deaths during the early part of the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain. Firedamp is also sometimes called minedamp.

Despite advance in technology, such as the Davy Lamp which could detect methane, mining continues to be a hazardous occupation. Worldwide, around 15,000 miners are killed each year, though a range of causes.

Answer: Quicksand

Quicksand is defined as a deep mass of loose sand into which heavy objects sink.

Despite its fearsome reputation, scientific sources state it is impossible to drown in quicksand. The theory is that because the human body is less dense than the sand, a person would only sink chest deep. Getting out might still be problematical, though.

Answer: Firestarter

Literally, a firestarter is someone who starts a blaze. Metaphorically, it can refer to someone who causes a massive change in a business or science.

In many countries, destructive wildfires have been known to be started by arsonists. A study in the USA in 2017 reported that 21 per cent of wildfires were started deliberately. A further 29 per cent were caused by the careless burning of rubbish.

The term "fire raiser" is also used to refer to arsonists.

Answer: Fire opal

Opals in some circumstances can be more expensive than diamonds. While opals can be found in several countries, 95 per cent of the world's production takes place in Australia, where it is the national gemstone.

Fire opals have a bright yellow, orange or red background colour, hence the name. The reds are the more expensive of the three colours. The bigger an opal is, the more expensive it is.

Answer: Quicksilver

Quicksilver - mercury - is the only element that is liquid at room temperature. In older times, mercury was used as a medicinal aid, but as we now know, it is also toxic in its vaporised form.

Most of the world's mercury in modern times comes from Spain. In liquid form it is used in thermometers, thermostats, barometers, and batteries. For medicinal purposes, inorganic mercury salts are used in some antiseptic creams and ointments. Organic mercury compounds may be used in fungicides and herbicides - and it is vital that they are treated with caution since this is the most dangerous form.

Note: Mercury for many years was a part of the amalgam in tooth fillings. This use has declined significantly over the past 20 years. A controversy remains over whether it is harmful. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says no: other pressure groups disagree.

Answer: Firework

Fireworks were invented in China and were first noted several hundred years before the birth of Christ. China remains the world's largest producer in cash terms.

Fireworks displays take place around the world to mark notable occasions. In 2016 a record for the number of fireworks used was established at the Church of Christ in Manila, Philippines, at the countdown to the 2016 New Year Celebrations. Just shy of 811,000 fireworks were used. The display lasted for 1 hour 1 minute 32.35 seconds.

Answer: Quick tempered

"Easily angered" is the definition in my "Penguin English Dictionary". Synonyms include irritable, fiery, touchy, and cantankerous.

Answer: Quick march

Timings vary from army to army. Generally, a slow march (in ceremonial use) is about 60 paces per minute. A quick march is 120 paces a minute. That should cover 3.4 miles in an hour. In older times, a Roman legion at quick march could cover more than 20 miles a day. Some regiments, notably the Gurkhas in the British Army, quick march at 140 paces per minute.

Whatever speed you march at, be sure to start off "by the left" - left foot first.

Answer: Quickstep

Quickstep is a fast foxtrot ballroom dance. Generally seen as a light-hearted dance, it fits in well with upbeat melodies. The quickstep was developed in New York City in the 1920s from the foxtrot that had itself been invented in about 1914.

The dancers must stay in contact throughout and lifts are not allowed. Dragging your partner across the dance floor is not a legitimate move...(A little in-joke for lovers of the BBC television show "Strictly Come Dancing".)

Answer: Friendly fire

As the question suggests, friendly fire is when someone is killed or injured in shooting - or even missile - attacks by their own side.

Through the years many incidents have taken place, including aircraft pilots shooting down planes from their own air force. In one harrowing incident near the end of World War Two, RAF fighter bombers attacked three German ships in the Baltic Sea. They contained concentration camp survivors as well as Allied Prisoners of War. Almost 10,000 people died in the attack.