Bright as a Button Trivia Quiz

Answer: Military Brass Buttons

The general consensus of the origin of the expression "bright as a button" came from the shinny brass buttons worn by the military, with brightness also indicating cleverness used by the military and their strategising.

Answer: Ear

"Playing by ear" means doing something without planning; you take it as it comes and go with the flow. The expression is believed to go back as far as the 16th century, and has revivals in the 20th century related to sports. Now it can relate to anything.

Answer: Feet on the ground

"Head in the clouds" means that someone has unrealistic expectations and are a dreamer. As one cannot walk around with one's head in the clouds it implies that you are dreaming. Not sure of its origins but it has been in use since the mid-1600s. The opposite idiom would be "down to earth" meaning that your feet are firmly planted and that you are realistic in your expectations.

Answer: True

It is believed that the expression "turn a blind eye" comes from an incident during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 when Admiral Horatio Nelson put his telescope to his blind eye so that he would not see any orders from his superior, Admiral Hyde Parker who was in overall command. The signals were done by flags in those days. Although it is thought by some that Nelson had the right of discretion, that has been contradicted by other ships following the orders. The overall result was that Nelson was appointed Commander-in-Chief for the following battle and Parker was recalled.

Even though Nelson is believed to be the source of this idiom, there are others who believe that the expression "to turn the deaf ear and the blind eye" is more likely correct. It was first recorded in "A Discourse of Walking by Faith" in 1698 by clergyman John Norris.

Answer: Pot calling the kettle black

This expression originated in the early kitchens where open fires where used, so that pots and pans would get black with soot. First written example was in 1600s by Cervantes in "Don Quixote".

Answer: Once in a blue moon

A blue moon originally referred to a year which had 13 full moons instead of the usual 12 full moons. The phrase refers to the third full moon in a season that had four full moons. In the 1946 publication "Sky & Telescope", the blue moon was described as a second full moon in a month, which has led to the modern reinterpretation of a blue moon, as it did not mention the seasonal link. As a blue moon does not occur very often, about every couple of years, the idiom "once in blue moon" means something that is rare.

The term "blue moon" seems to have come from the word "belewe" meaning to betray. There is also a link to Lent, as a year with a blue moon could require a further month of fasting.

Answer: Breeding season

"Mad as a March hare" is believed to come from the behaviour of hares during the mating season where they are seen to leap and frolic around the fields in a mating ritual. The phrase "mad as a hatter" either comes from the use of mercury in the making of hats or from further usage in the "Alice in Wonderland" character the Mad Hatter.

Answer: Sailor

"Knowing the ropes" is an expression that comes from the age of sailing. The early days of sailing required an in-depth knowledge of the sails and the ropes of a sailing ship, and by mid-19th century this was a common saying which is still in use today.

Answer: Larger than life

"Larger than life" was a phrase that was first recorded by "The New Yorker" during World War II as a compliment to Prime Minister Winston Churchill. In recent times it means someone that is either bigger than the position they are in or flamboyant in their position.

Answer: Extend the olive branch

"Extend the olive branch" means to try and resolve an issue with an enemy, or simply an argument with someone. The idiom has roots in the Bible where Noah was extended an olive branch by a dove in Genesis. The symbolism of the olive branch was to let Noah know that God no longer was angry and that the flood would let up and land would be found.