The Foggiest Notion Trivia Quiz

Answer: A scientist, brainiac or researcher (sometimes with nerdish tendencies)

This term is still used widely for a person and has been extended to software in some instances. It is often used like egghead or nerd however. "Some boffin's come up with this idea".

Answer: To kiss or to pet (as in to make out)

This term is used widely though you must admit it doesn't sound too appealing from an onomatopoeic standpoint. When you read "then we snogged and it was so nice" in a teen romance novel it does tend to make you uncomfortable until you find out what it means.

Answer: Dessert in general

"What's for pudding tonight?" means what's for dessert no matter what it is. It's the familiar term rather than the term used on a menu though. The proof may be in the pudding (is in the eating), but you aren't asked to provide pudding instead of evidence.

Answer: You're renting a large tent or canopied room in which to hold an event

If you look up "marquee hire" you'll see the lovely array of these tents to rent. If you look at any of the ever-popular wedding films coming out of Britain, you'll probably spot one. In the U.S however, a theater marquee is of course the illuminated sign above a theater entrance and many of the older ones are considered historical monuments of architectural significance.

Answer: The room you're in includes its own bathroom and toilet facilities

This term has become more and more common as the British hotels and B and Bs are almost all converted to en suite accommodations in order to respond to the wishes of guests. Prior to this, you would often find the bathroom (this often just means the room with the bath and not necessarily the toilet itself) separate and shared between several guests.

As many hotels or B and B's were in older homes, the plumbing facilities require an investment however so you'll find they advertise proudly the en suite facilities in the rooms they offer. Though most Americans would take this for granted, it's still not as widespread as you'd think.

The term can be used for private homes too. When you're looking for accommodations, you'll want to check that.

Answer: They are becoming difficult, obstinate, or irritable

This one isn't quite as obvious to people as one might think. Whenever I see several people who don't get a term, I note it down.

Answer: A speech writer/PR person for politicians

The term refers to a speech writer or PR person who puts the right "spin" or effect on a speech. The term was used in the states for the Clinton administration but the person for whom allegedly the term was used in the UK is Alistair Campbell working for Prime minister Tony Blair. At the time of "press" Alistair is probably not going to spin much longer.

Answer: No dumping

As the British commitment to the environment means that they charge a heavy environmental fee to dispose of large objects such as refrigerators, cars, or similar things, people have unfortunately taken to dumping them in the countryside to escape the fee.

Therefore the signs are all around to warn them. I assumed that this meant no impromptu horse racing in the fields or tipping to anyone standing there asking for handouts. I ignored the obvious, dump trucks tip!

Answer: Stupid, ignorant, without a clue

I'm not sure why this word always took me a while to catch on, but it did, perhaps I'm gormless and I don't know it!

Answer: A period (punctuation)

This one comes up often as we edit in Quizzyland. Though this is really obvious when you see it, we have to remember that the British and American usage aren't terribly close in this instance.

Answer: a shot (as in inoculation or vaccination)

Yes, you get your flu jab.

Answer: You're pulling his or her leg, putting them on.

This one has never made sense to me...as aren't you giving the mickey rather than taking it? Nevertheless, I'm putting it in this quiz in the interests of international understanding.
I have Wajo to thank for the following information as the expression used more commonly is "to take the piss", we have a Cockney rhyming slang origin for the Mickey term, "Mickey Bliss" was apparently a Vaudevillian figure therefore, the slang omitted the Bliss which rhymes with piss. Oh well, think you get the picture.
By the way, to slip someone a mickey in older American slang was to knock someone out.

Answer: A comforter (the type on which you put a loose cloth cover)

"Duvet" comes from the French for down or fuzz, however they use the word "couette" for the bedding. "Duvet" in French now refers to soft downy hair that people like to rid themselves of in some areas and gain on their heads if they're worried about their hair loss! The duvet is a wonderful style of bedding as your sheet encases your blanket and you just shake it and make your bed in a snap.

It is a hassle getting the thing into its cover, though. The Swedish chain IKEA was one of the first to market this style of bedding in the States. I suppose it's difficult to market with queen and king size beds though, it would cost a fortune!

Answer: Excited, proud

It might sound obvious to our British friends, however I tested it on several Americans and like me, few caught on at first. You might say, "I was really chuffed when I got a 19 on the daily quiz" and well you might!

Answer: A sort of large coat and by extension the person who wears it, perceived as boring and conventional

The anorak is used for this style of coat in French as well. If you spot an anorak trainspotting, you're in for a treat in boredom I imagine! Anoraks have a tendency to be interested in details of things that would seem insignificant to mere mortals. The original word is of Inuit origin and the coat was made of seal or caribou and coated with fish oil.
Hope you've enjoyed this and as I said, I've attempted to take those that I've seen on several occasions and which mystified non British English speakers.