Category: Brain Teasers

Trivia: To prevent something from coming true, you can knock on what?

Wood
Glass
Your knee
The ground

Correct Answer: Wood

So why is this answer correct? : This superstition is so common that some don’t even realize they do it. Knocking on wood is supposed to prevent whatever was said aloud from coming true. Different theories persist regarding the origin of the practice, but some historians think the practice emerged in the 19th century when children in England played a game called Tiggy Touchwood. It was basically a version of tag, but if you touched wood, you had immunity from being caught.

Trivia: What color cat is considered bad luck?

White
Brown
Gray
Black

Correct Answer: Black

So why is this answer correct? : The connection between black cats and bad luck dates back to the 13th century. In 1233, a church document called “Vox in Rama” declared that black cats were an “incarnation of Satan.” Over the centuries, black cats developed a strong association with the occult and were even blamed in Europe for helping to spread the Bubonic plague. Today, passing by a black cat is said to be a sign of bad luck, though some cultures believe the opposite.

On October 13, 1943, the government of Italy declared war on which country?

France
United Kingdom
United States
Ethiopia
Germany

Correct Answer: Germany

On October 13, 1812, Winfield Scott was captured at which War of 1812 battle, the first major engagement of the conflict?

Battle of Lake Erie
Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle of Frenchtown
Battle of Queenston Heights
Battle of New Orleans

Correct Answer: Battle of Queenston Heights

After Roman emperor Claudius died under suspicious circumstances on October 13, AD 54, which well-known figure succeeded him?

Julius Caeser
Trajan
Tiberius
Nero
Hadrian

Correct Answer: Nero

Trivia: “Shukran” means “thank you” in what language?

Arabic
Greek
Turkish
Portuguese

Correct Answer: Arabic

So why is this answer correct? : The best response to this is “afwan,” meaning “you’re welcome.”

Trivia: What French term is most similar to the English greeting “hey”?

Enchanté(e)
Excusez-moi
Coucou
À plus

Correct Answer: Coucou

So why is this answer correct? : Instead of using the formal “bonjour,” friends and family often use “coucou” to greet each other.

Trivia: How might you greet someone in Mandarin Chinese?

Bù kèqì
Wǎn ān
Nǐhǎo
Xièxiè

Correct Answer: Nǐhǎo

So why is this answer correct? : “Nǐhǎo” is pronounced “nee how” and simply means “hello.”

Trivia: In what language does “bom dia” mean “good morning”?

French
Bengali
Portuguese
Spanish

Correct Answer: Portuguese

So why is this answer correct? : Use “boa tarde” for “good afternoon” and “boa noite” for “good night.”

Trivia: How might you thank someone in Dutch?

Dank u wel
Alstublieft
Dag
Tot ziens

Correct Answer: Dank u wel

So why is this answer correct? : “Dank u wel” means “thank you very much,” while “bedankt” means “thanks.”