"Would you like a Hole in the Head?" Quiz

Answer: No

Clearly nobody wants a hole in the head, but the mouth, nose and ears do come in handy don't they? The expression is a very graphic way to say that something is what we do not want.

Answer: Yes

A very ambiguous remark in post war years. Those who have watched the regular dining habits of Judges and their colleagues will be pondering more on the effects of cirrhosis of the liver (and brain) than sobriety and this "interesting information note" is written advisedly. Possibly in pre-war years the private lives of the upper legal profession were better separated from the the lower classes. Still the vision lingers on of a sober upper class in England.

The British Government has now announced a large reform of the legal system, but not as quickly or as radically as many observers would wish. Fun Trivia editor Bloomsby has drawn my attention to the story about Lord Birkenhead (F.E.Smith) who when in court (as a barrister) referred to someone as having been "as drunk as a judge".

The startled judge responded sternly "The expression is as drunk as a Lord and as sober as a judge". F.E. Smith replied "Whichever may please your Lordship". Thank you to my learned friend Bloomsby for that story to support this question!

Answer: to be the first to attack someone in a hypocritical manner

This comes from the Biblical quotation of Jesus Christ in defending the woman about to be stoned for the act of adultery (please see John 8:1-11 in the Bible Gospels). Unfortunately for the persons trying to stone this woman to death, Jesus knew their sins, and He started to write them in the sand in front of them.

He said, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her." None of the potential executioners remained to carry out their self-appointed task.

Answer: they are excellent gardeners

This is a compliment that all gardeners long for and respect. They have the skill to make the green shoots grow and more besides.

Answer: something has appeared unexpectedly from nowhere

We may well understand how the event happened, but it was not foreseeable in any way by us. This originates from the blue/grey smoke of early cannons and muskets being fired during battle. If a group of soldiers could get the wind behind them and follow the thick smoke they could load and emerge from it and fire taking the other side by surprise (Many thanks to Picqero one of the Fun Trivia members for this piece of interesting information).

Answer: "Would you believe it!"

The clue was in the fact that it came from Cockney slang and it is in fact rhyming slang. It can apply to anything that takes you unexpectedly or by surprise.

Answer: miraculous, as if sent by God

A high compliment that in effect you or something are the answer to a prayer, or have come as if by Divine intervention. However, usually no Divine intervention would seem provable in worldly terms.

Answer: weather

In England the weather is so variable and subject to bad spells it has over the years been used to explain people's disposition. It is said that in Britain we are the only country that has four seasons, all on the same day! As Fun Trivia member Picqero tells me "We don't have a climate in England, just weather!".

Many thanks for that added observation. The expression can also be used to describe someone who is unwell.

Answer: silver

The expression means that in every situation or event however bad, you should be looking for some good to come out of it.

Answer: stones

Clearly if you are in a glass house throwing stones is not a good idea, is it? More generally do not do or say something that might in turn reverberate back onto you. English and the culture of England are so simple aren't they?