Have you ever been to a pub quiz?
Gail says that readers outside the UK might not be familiar with this popular British pastime, generally a weekly event held at a local hostelry, where teams compete against each other answering questions on a range of topics such as films, history, food and drink, science, music, geography, sport etc. The winning team typically collects a small cash prize.
The good thing about our local quiz at the Inn at the Park is that dogs are allowed, so I get to attend along with Gail and her three friends, although I have learned through experience that chewing the carpet and the pub furniture is not tolerated.
You can discover interesting things about your human at these events. I now know that Gail's command of music trivia is arbitrary and limited, but she has in depth and useful (although perhaps only in the context of a pub quiz) knowledge regarding the names of English football stadiums. Likewise, Oscar winners might pass her by, but she can tell you where the first British Labour Prime Minister was born. Overall, she is relatively strong on science and politics, but weak on Mariah Carey.
I do believe Gail's four-woman team, 'The Indecisives', benefit from my presence. They even win from time to time, although I would note that they have yet to spend any of their winnings on treats for me....
I would like to pass one small comment on to the otherwise excellent and immensely likeable quizmaster Ally. I have noticed that he never features rounds titled 'dogs' or, 'pets', or even 'animals'. I am thinking he might in future include questions along the lines of the following (answers in brackets):
- What are the two most distinctive traits of a fox terrier, according to Wikipedia? (energy and intelligence)
- How many wire fox terriers, to the nearest hundred, were registered by the Kennel Club in the UK in 2021? (600 - the exact number is 623)
- Name three famous fox terriers from film or literature (Snowy from Tintin, Asta from The Thin Man, Montmorency from The Men in a Boat)
- Which dog breed has won the Westminster Dog Show more than any other? (the wire-haired fox terrier)
- If the team mascot is a wire-haired fox terrier, what proportion of the winnings, in 'treat equivalents' should the mascot be awarded? (90%)
BOL!!! We like your suggestion of what to do with the winnings!! We have a game here called Trivial Pursuit, very similar, but the questions come off the provided cards. You can even order new sets if need be. We think there is a box in the closet with that game, but its not much fun if only two peeps are playing.
ReplyDeleteoh we would love to go to a pub quiz... and we LOVE the foxterrier trivia... it is one of the bestest breeds of the whole world
ReplyDeleteYou have a very full social life, Nobby. I'm impressed by Gail's knowledge of football stadiums and astonished that only 623 wire fox terriers were registered in 2021. It seems a very small number. though apparently not yet vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteWell Nobby, I'm not too sure about some of those answers, as I've never been to a pub quiz, but I'll take your word for it. As to the last question, I am 100% in agreement there. No point in being a mascot and not sharing the winnings!
ReplyDeleteCarol tells me that her maternal grandmother bred WFT's!
Love,
Indy xx
That is a prodigious catalogue of WFT info. I 'spect no one has amassed that much info about common striped moggies, but then I've never been invited to a pub quiz. F has a postcard I will publish for you of an eatery place where humans can book a table to include their dog - no mention of cats though (and we are such tidy eaters). paw smacks Mr T
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWell, Nobby, at risk of causing insult, pub quizzes are not the unique domain of the UK; 20+ years ago I was on the work team of the NAB Friday evening "Banking Brilliants" at the Chatswood Arms. Yes such events are common in OZ, too... though, it must be acknowledged it was likely introduced by the large UK expatriate contingent! I don't recall any canine contestants... but am certain that had there been, there woud definitely have been a sharing of winnings. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
How fun it is that you get to go to the pub for the quiz night. We think your list of questions should be handed over to the quiz master to add to any upcoming events. We think you should get a cut of any prize money to be spent on treats.
ReplyDeleteWe sure wish pub quizzes were popular here in our part of the US...it sounds like a great way to while away a Saturday evening!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Rosy and Sunny
We call it trivia night in the states. We would go if Ruby was welcome. We know lots of worthless facts
ReplyDeleteWe don't have pubs here, but we know in England they are popular and a lot of fun. Mom has visited many when she used to go to England. Dogs seem to be allowed in a lot of them too. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteNobby I think Question # 1 has a 3rd and possibly 4th answer..
ReplyDeletedistinctive traits: 3. over the moon handsome 4. without a doubt the most amazing tail structure
As for our trivia skills that could be useful in a Pub Quiz
Bryan is an expert in all things TRAINS
Cecilia is quite observant/aka nosey.
Many hugs
B&C
My younger sister married a guy from the London area, and they lived in St. Ives for a few years. They often went on walks. She said all of the walking trails always seemed to lead to one pub or other! I'll have to ask her if any of them had a pub quiz.
ReplyDeleteNobby ~ you are the star extraction for me ~ After 2 Mastes degrees I no longer enjoy quizzes of any kind ~ glad your Mom enjoys them and you get to go with her. ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Oscar agrees with the last bullet point!
ReplyDeleteMy contribution is almost binary in a general knowledge quiz - either full on useful or totally hopeless. In trivial pursuit I can race round the board and then be stuck all night on the 'pink cheese' for which I just answer "the Beatles' or 'Marilyn Monroe' to all questions - not quite true, but you get the point!
I knew none of these facts about you Nobby, and I agree you should get 90 percent in treats. that Inn is gorgeous and of course you really dress up the steps. I am impressed with the Indecisives. Afraid I would not fare well in the game but it sounds like fun and keeps the brain powered up
ReplyDelete