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Quiz about A Brief History of the Bong
Quiz about A Brief History of the Bong

A Brief History of the Bong Trivia Quiz


A water pipe or bong is one of the oldest known methods of consuming cannabis, tobacco or other herbs. Lets explore the rich history and traditions associated with bongs.

A multiple-choice quiz by schudacris. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
schudacris
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
395,506
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
118
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Question 1 of 10
1. The word "bong" has several origin stories but more than likely came from the word "buang". A buang was usually made from bamboo and was used to smoke tobacco or hashish. What language does buang come from? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. In 2013, excavations in what country turned up 2,400 year old gold bongs used by tribal chiefs? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. One of the earliest known forms of bongs were excavated from caves in what country? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The traditional buangs were exchanged along the Silk Road during 16th century. They eventually made their way to the Imperial Court of China during the Qing dynasty. What ruler is thought to be buried with their beloved bong? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. During the 19th century what material replaced wood as the most popular material used in the manufacture of bongs? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. While the Industrial Revolution helped make glass readily available in the Western world, not all cultures and peoples had access to glass. While Asians would often will use bamboo, what materials did many African smokers make do with to enjoy cannabis or tobacco?

Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. The findings of which British paleoanthropologist opened up the possibility for a different origin for the word "bong"? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What is the name of the American glass pioneer who rediscovered a Roman era glass blowing technique which allows for glass to change colors? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. What synthetic material developed in the 20th century is now being used as a safe alternative to wood and glass for bongs? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. In 2003 American law enforcement began a nationwide investigation known as Operation Pipe Dreams. What famous actor was the primary focus of the investigation and later plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute drug paraphernalia? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The word "bong" has several origin stories but more than likely came from the word "buang". A buang was usually made from bamboo and was used to smoke tobacco or hashish. What language does buang come from?

Answer: Thai

Buang comes from the Thai language! The Anglicized "bong" probably came from American soldiers stationed at the five military bases in Thailand during the Vietnam War are said to have heard locals calling bamboo water pipes "baung"s.
2. In 2013, excavations in what country turned up 2,400 year old gold bongs used by tribal chiefs?

Answer: Russia

Experts believe the bong was used by Scythians, a nomadic tribe of warriors who settled the Eurasian grasslands. These bongs were found in something called a kurgan, a mound of soil and rocks placed over a wooden burial chamber.
3. One of the earliest known forms of bongs were excavated from caves in what country?

Answer: Ethiopia

These were traditional wooden buangs believed to have been used between 1100 and 1400 A.D.
4. The traditional buangs were exchanged along the Silk Road during 16th century. They eventually made their way to the Imperial Court of China during the Qing dynasty. What ruler is thought to be buried with their beloved bong?

Answer: Empress Dowager Cixi

The Qing Dynasty lasted from 1644 to 1912 A.D. During the Qing Dynasty the widespread use of bongs and pipes developed.
5. During the 19th century what material replaced wood as the most popular material used in the manufacture of bongs?

Answer: glass

As the Industrial Revolution developed, eventually glass replaced wood as the most common material used in the creation of bongs.
6. While the Industrial Revolution helped make glass readily available in the Western world, not all cultures and peoples had access to glass. While Asians would often will use bamboo, what materials did many African smokers make do with to enjoy cannabis or tobacco?

Answer: dried gourds (and the ground)

In Africa an "Earth pipe" is frequently made of clay and often built into the ground.
7. The findings of which British paleoanthropologist opened up the possibility for a different origin for the word "bong"?

Answer: Mary Leakey

While Mary Leakey is well known for her discovery of fossils of ancient hominines and the earliest hominins, she also is accomplished in classifying tools.

Mary Leakey's findings at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania offered a different origin for the word. As Frederick Foote writes in "How To: Bongs," in the 1940s Leakey found a water pipe in Tanzania, a follow-up to ones used by the Liberian Bong'om tribe (who, naturally, live in a place called Bong).
8. What is the name of the American glass pioneer who rediscovered a Roman era glass blowing technique which allows for glass to change colors?

Answer: Bob Snodgrass

American Bob Snodgrass accidentally discovered that the glass changed colors because gold, silver and platinum (or any combination) can change as dark resin builds up inside of the glass.

A 1,600-year-old Roman chalice at the British Museum known as the Lycurgus Cup also has similar color changing glass properties. Scientists discovered that the glass had been infused with particles of gold and silver. These properties are similar to the ones (re) discovered by Snodgrass. Despite being separated by over 1,600 years and over 5,000 miles Bob Snodgrass and the artisans responsible for the Lycurgus Cup knew about the technique needed to create color changing glass. This technique is called "fuming" and is now widespread in the glass art community.
9. What synthetic material developed in the 20th century is now being used as a safe alternative to wood and glass for bongs?

Answer: Silicone rubber

Silicone rubber is a safe alternative to glass because it is generally non-reactive, stable, and resistant to extreme environments and temperatures from -67 °F to 572 °F!
10. In 2003 American law enforcement began a nationwide investigation known as Operation Pipe Dreams. What famous actor was the primary focus of the investigation and later plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute drug paraphernalia?

Answer: Tommy Chong

The estimated cost of Operation Pipe Dreams was over $12 million and included the resources of 2,000 law enforcement officers. While 54 other individuals were subjected to fines and home detentions only Tommy Chong was sentenced to prison time.

Today bongs are only marked for sale for tobacco use only, however as of 2018 several states across the United States have made cannabis use legal in defiance of federal authorities. In some more conservative areas where law enforcement is strict even using the word "bong" in a smoke shop will get you kicked out!
Source: Author schudacris

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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