Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-10-2016: Halloween

There’s an ALMOST slip!

I’m just listening to the news: on Radio 4.

And the newsreader’s just almost described a man accused of murdering four people, as ‘plead not guilty due to demonic possession.’

But managed to correct himself, and use the phrase, ‘dimished responsibility,’ instead.

It’s a shame, really.

Demonic possession would’ve been entirely appropriate

Especially when you consider the date … 

~≈É≈~

But let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: scoring six out of six in the process.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s Halloween themed questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 31st October is Halloween.   The Jack O’Lantern displayed by many, today, is usually carved out of which squash?

Q2) However, in some parts of the British Isles, Jack O’Lanterns are made out of what: cabbages, turnips or potatoes?

Q3) A headless horseman — with a Jack O’Lantern instead of a head — features in versions of which story?

Q4) Trick or Treating is said to have its origins in the handing out of what cakes?

Q5) It’s also said to have its origins in a tradition called what: girting, guising or galavanting?

Q6) The Coco — or Coca — is a ghostly creature: with its origins in Galicia, in Spain.   It’s also said to have roots, in which other country?

Q7) If you’re bobbing for apples, you’re playing a traditional Halloween game: involving getting apples from a tub of water.   With what?

Q8) The Halloween Tree was written by which British writer?

Q9) The Crow was set around Halloween.   Its star made his last appearance in the film.   Who was that star?

Q10) Finally … Halloween is the night before which Christian festival?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) Between the 1970s, and 1990s, 30th October was known as Devil’s Night.   In which US state?

A1) Michigan.

Q2) In 1994, it prompted the then mayor of Detroit into a neighbourhood response event: dubbed what?

A2) Angel’s Night.

Q3) 30th October, 1961, saw a nuclear test explosion: of the world’s largest nuclear device.   By which country?

A3) The USSR.

Q4) World War 1 ended in the Middle East on 30th October, 1918.   When an Armistice was signed between the Allies: and which empire?

A4) The Ottoman Empire.

Q5) Nicholas Reed was jailed, on 30th October, 1981: for aiding and abetting what?

A5) Suicide: he was a senior member of the UK branch of Exit.

Q6) Finally … Three crewmen from HMS Petard boarded the U559: on 30th October, 1942.   The various bits of kit they retrieved, allowed the UK to decrypt which notorious German code?

A6) Enigma.

I’ll leave you with this thought …

“Halloween was confusing. All my life my parents said, ‘Never take candy from strangers.’ And then they dressed me up and said, ‘Go beg for it.’ I didn’t know what to do. I’d knock on people’s doors and go, ‘Trick or treat.’”

Rita Rudnor.

And this song … 

This song: dedicated to anyone who like’s gurning … 

Oh … and a memorial for Coventry† … 

Happy Halloween … 

*        Ah HA!   Sounds like I’ll be having a read of a blog post, later, Debbi†!

†        Ye gods!   Ghost Town is thirty-five years old!   Where the hell did that lot go … ?