1. Which country donates the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square (extra point for the city)?
2. Which monarch broadcast the first radio Christmas message (extra point for the year)?
You might think you know the correct answer to this, but I can tell you that you are wrong. The very first radio broadcast by a monarch will actually take place 93 years from now, but the reason it is the first it is because will be received 107 years in the past. Those who received it were instructed, in the message, to make a written record and to file with certain authorities (to be accessed by the relevant people at a future point, so they know their experiment worked), but to otherwise keep quiet about it on the basis that nobody would believe they'd received a message from the future.
Yes, there was (and will be) time travel involved - but it's one of the earlier developments; the ability to transmit radio signals through time. Before time travel in the proper sense is developed, progress will be made from radio signals to other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
3. Who wrote A Christmas Carol?
Which carol in particular, or are we at liberty to choose one?
4. What is Smoking Bishop? (That's not just a question for single men btw!)
The nickname someone had been given because of his choice of recreational activity. A little over 2,000 years ago, this particular chap and a few dozen others of his kind were having a party. He decided to climb up on the roof and partake of his favourite waste of time.
Meanwhile, far in the future, time travel technology had reached a point where a greater range from the electromagnetic spectrum could be transmitted through time - and by this point, of course, holographic projection was the norm and had long-since replaced TV. One of the experiments at this point was to transmit a holographic projection of a particular scene from the nativity play far, far into the past.
I think you can see where this is heading - straight into the arms of one of our favourite problems with time travel: The temporal paradox.
5. Which reindeer is never mentioned in The Night before Christmas?
I don't know how many reindeer there are on the planet, but unless there are only a few the chances are the vast majority of them don't get a mention.
6. How many wise men were there according to the biblical story?
I'm inclined to say none because, come on, these guys supposedly trekked a vast distance on the basis of an astronomical event they had no understanding of, after one of their kind completely misunderstanding something he saw after smoking something interesting while on a roof at a party. He had a reputation for it, FFS!
Mind you, there were a few dozen at the party, and most of them weren't inclined to believe what he said he saw - so perhaps they were fairly wise after all. At least, they were - not the ones that accompanied him on his trek.
7. Which saint is celebrated on Boxing Day?
Saint Nowat.
Know what I mean, Harry?
8. What word links Ken Stott and Jesus?
"and"
9. Which Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale inspired the movie Frozen?
The little known one about a supermarket chain.
10. Which famous comedy double-act partner made the first ever UK mobile phone call, New Year's Day, 1985
Is this the trick question?
11. Which song topped the UK charts at Christmas in 1957 and in a medley version in 1978?
12. What is the title of biggest selling Christmas single in the UK. (extra point if you can also name No.2)
Aren't they all the same size - seven inches? (Twelve inch versions may also have been available, but these are also all the same size - twelve inches.)
13. From what does the month of December take its name?
It's bloody cold. So before we had gas and electric heating, and we all had fires, we needed a DECent EMBER to start said fire burning and keep warm.
14. In Home Alone 2, Kevin bumps into which future President of the United States of America?
This is a completely different time travel story.
15. David Bowie recorded "Little Drummer Boy" with which other famous singer?
16. Driving Home for Christmas is a song by Chris Rea, which X Factor singer also had a hit record with it?
17. Which coin did Elsie put in the Christmas pudding?
Elsie? WTF is Elsie?
(With apologies to Chubby Checker!)
18. What is the name of the tiny Pacific island that is first to celebrate Christmas?
Easter Island!
(I know that isn't right - but it would be funny as a flock of fudge firkins if it was.)
19. Which city celebrated the first Christmas on record?
20. What is the Scottish name for the new year?
Jimmy.
As in "See you (in), Jimmy".
-- Edited by VinceH on Saturday 21st of December 2019 12:31:59 PM
__________________
Vince M Hudd - Soft Rock Software
(I only came here looking for fellow apiarists...)
Which carol in particular, or are we at liberty to choose one? The Neil Sedaka one!
6. How many wise men were there according to the biblical story?
I'm inclined to say none because, come on, these guys supposedly trekked a vast distance on the basis of an astronomical event they had no understanding of, after one of their kind completely misunderstanding something he saw after smoking something interesting while on a roof at a party. He had a reputation for it, FFS! Love it!
8. What word links Ken Stott and Jesus?
"and" Brilliant answer
10. Which famous comedy double-act partner made the first ever UK mobile phone call, New Year's Day, 1985
Is this the trick question? Nope
12. What is the title of biggest selling Christmas single in the UK. (extra point if you can also name No.2)
Aren't they all the same size - seven inches? (Twelve inch versions may also have been available, but these are also all the same size - twelve inches.)
Ah, now I've got you. There are very few physical sales nowadays. The ones that are are usually on compact disc or more rarely vinyl. The majority are mp3 or streaming.
17. Which coin did Elsie put in the Christmas pudding?
Elsie? WTF is Elsie?
(With apologies to Chubby Checker!)
I thought that was Alice (with apologies to Chubby Brown)
-- Edited by VinceH on Saturday 21st of December 2019 12:31:59 PM
As always Vince, your answers have delighted me.
__________________
John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
Fabulous Vince. Your responses are always way better than the actual ones John is looking for! Made me giggle as usual.
Have to say Ive only looked at real answers for 1- 10 so far (still working!) and can say that you have fallen into a couple fo traps Riel.
1) Is Oslo (just adding that)
2) 1932 (just adding that)
4) The stuff that is drunk in great quantities at Christmas Markets and in our house when my sister outlaw is here for Christmas. Yep Mulled wine or gluhwein. Not to be confused with Stinking Bishop.
6) Actually unknown. Not mentioned in the bible. We assume 3 because they mention 3 gifts.
8) Messiah
9) The Snow Queen.
10) Im sure John is looking for ernie Wise, but technically isnt it the old boss of whatever Vodafone was called in those days (and his son)
Im orf to bed now. I know, 'alf a job! Thats about the state of all the tax returns and Accounts on my desk - 'alf done!
Thanks once more John!
__________________
Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
Ok up since crack of sparrow lark, pile of work completed and already been shopping (I almost came home without even parking up......crazy out there! Wouldnt mind but I didnt even go for Christmas stuff, just the usual!). So thought I would have a go at some of the others not answered
12) Do they know its Christmas
13) The latin word for 10. X. Decem. Gosh doing Latin at school has so helped me in life, not! Amo, amas, amat is about the only other thing I recall. Mind you its probably still better than my French!
14) I refuse to name that lump of lard on here. Although I thought I should share this...
16. Stacey Solomon
18. Christmas Island....surely?
19. Rose....surely? ha.
Only in Manchester does Father Christmas pee in the wind...
-- Edited by Cheshire on Sunday 22nd of December 2019 11:07:26 AM
1. Which country donates the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square (extra point for the city)? Oslo, Norway
2. Which monarch broadcast the first radio Christmas message (extra point for the year)? King George V 1932
3. Who wrote A Christmas Carol? Charles Dickens
4. What is Smoking Bishop? (That's not just a question for single men btw!) Mulled Wine Punch
5. Which reindeer is never mentioned in The Night before Christmas? Rudolf
6. How many wise men were there according to the biblical story? This was the trick question. Well done Joanne, the answer is we don't know.
7. Which saint is celebrated on Boxing Day? St Stephen
8. What word links Ken Stott and Jesus? Messiah
9. Which Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale inspired the movie Frozen? The Snow Queen
10. Which famous comedy double-act partner made the first ever UK mobile phone call, New Year's Day, 1985 Ernie Wise, although as Joanne pointed out, it had happened a few hours previous unofficially with the Vodafone boss and his son
11. Which song topped the UK charts at Christmas in 1957 and in a medley version in 1978? Mary's Boy Child (Harry Belafonte and Boney M)
12. What is the title of biggest selling Christmas single in the UK. (extra point if you can also name No.2) Do They Know It's Christmas. No. 2 is Mary's Boy Child by Boney M
13. From what does the month of December take its name? 10, as in Dec. The Romans had 10 months to a year.
14. In Home Alone 2, Kevin bumps into which future President of the United States of America? The impeached one
15. David Bowie recorded "Little Drummer Boy" with which other famous singer? Bing Crosby
16. Driving Home for Christmas is a song by Chris Rea, which X Factor singer also had a hit record with it? Stacey Solomon
17. Which coin did Elsie put in the Christmas pudding? When I grew up there would be a 6d in the pudding. Otherwise known as a tanner which is where Elsie comes in. Never thought that other coins may have been used, sorry.
18. What is the name of the tiny Pacific island that is first to celebrate Christmas? Kiribati, although Christmas Island is a similar time, so I will allow that as correct.
19. Which city celebrated the first Christmas on record? Rome in 336
20. What is the Scottish name for the new year? Hogmanay.
Well done to Joanne, who scored 14 out of 23, and to Riel, who scored 8. and a big thanks to Vince, who made us chuckle with his answers. I'm still smiling at Q8 being "and"
__________________
John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
6. How many wise men were there according to the biblical story? This was the trick question. Well done Joanne, the answer is we don't know.
It was obvious that this was the trick question, but...
10. Which famous comedy double-act partner made the first ever UK mobile phone call, New Year's Day, 1985 Ernie Wise, although as Joanne pointed out, it had happened a few hours previous unofficially with the Vodafone boss and his son
...asking if this was the trick question was my subtle way of asking if you were aware of that other call. :)
19. Which city celebrated the first Christmas on record? Rome in 336
Blimey. I didn't know they had that sort of technology back then. What was actually on the record to celebrate it - and was it a 7" or 12" single, or perhaps an EP or even an LP?
__________________
Vince M Hudd - Soft Rock Software
(I only came here looking for fellow apiarists...)
6. How many wise men were there according to the biblical story? This was the trick question. Well done Joanne, the answer is we don't know.
It was obvious that this was the trick question, but...
10. Which famous comedy double-act partner made the first ever UK mobile phone call, New Year's Day, 1985 Ernie Wise, although as Joanne pointed out, it had happened a few hours previous unofficially with the Vodafone boss and his son
...asking if this was the trick question was my subtle way of asking if you were aware of that other call. :)
No, I wasn't, but I see how it could have been the trick question.
19. Which city celebrated the first Christmas on record? Rome in 336
Blimey. I didn't know they had that sort of technology back then. What was actually on the record to celebrate it - and was it a 7" or 12" single, or perhaps an EP or even an LP?
Oh come on Vince. they wouldn't have existed back then, so it would have been a 78.
__________________
John
Any advice given is for general guidance and professional advice should be sought applicable to your circumstances.
