15 questions from the program “What? Where? When?" to warm up the brain

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Check if you can give the correct answers without prompts.

– 1 –

In the fable of the American writer Ambrose Bierce, a certain deputy promises not to steal to voters after receiving a post. When it turned out that he was stealing huge sums, voters demanded an explanation. The deputy replied that he promised not to steal, but did not give another promise. Which one?

Promises not to lie.

Show answer Hide answer

– 2 –

First, Alfred Fielding and Mark Chavan suggested using their invention as exotic wallpaper, and then for covering greenhouses. But success came when IBM was convinced that it was better than newspapers. The company created by engineers was named "Sealed …". Insert the missing word.

Air. Alfred Fielding and Mark Shavan invented bubble wrap. It did not take root in greenhouses, but it turned out to be more convenient to wrap fragile equipment in it than in old newspapers.

Show answer Hide answer

– 3 –

On October 25, 1897, the newspaper Listok Petersburg published an article with the following text: “Vasileostrovites, dressed in blue, put five“skirmishers”on the fore-line. They had three on the second line. These were sentry posts. In front of the city, or rather, its gates, there were two "beks". Finally, his defender stood in the city itself. " What event were you talking about?

About the first official football match in the history of Russia.

Show answer Hide answer

– 4 –

The German writer Berthold Auerbach argued that a fragrant flower is somewhat similar to an intelligent person. And a large number of such flowers - for the gathering of smart people. What is this similarity? How are scent flowers like smart people?

Auerbach said: “Smart people are the same fragrant flowers; one is pleasant, but the whole bouquet hurts my head."

Show answer Hide answer

– 5 –

In the 30s of the XX century, type “A” carriages were used in the Moscow metro. Where was the "dead man's button" installed in them? How did she act?

The "dead man's button" was located in the driver's cab. The spring always kept it in a wrung-out state. Until the manager of the train pressed this button, the train could not move. If something happened to the driver while driving and he removed his hand, the train stopped immediately.

Show answer Hide answer

– 6 –

Representatives of different countries in national costumes were depicted on the facade of the building of the Land Gentry Cadet Corps in St. Petersburg. And only a representative of one European country, the artist decided to paint naked, with a piece of cloth in his hands. Which country did he represent?

According to legend, the director of the cadet corps, Lieutenant General Anhalt, asked the artist why one man was depicted naked. To which he replied: "I wrote this to a Frenchman, and since their fashion changes every day, at the present time I do not know what cut the Frenchmen wear their dress."

Show answer Hide answer

– 7 –

See the Megane-bashi Bridge in Nagasaki. "Basi" is translated as "bridge". What does the word "megane" mean?

Glasses. The Megane-Bassi Bridge is also called the Ocular Bridge, because the reflection of its two arches in the water is like glasses.

Show answer Hide answer

– 8 –

Badminton racket, bag of starch, cabbage heads, glass with ballpoint pen caps. Name the profession of a person who uses similar subjects in his work.

Sound producer. With the help of starch, you can simulate the crunch of snow, with the help of caps - the sound of ice in a glass, heads of cabbage when falling sound like blows in a fight, and the swing of a racket is like the whistle of an arrow released.

Show answer Hide answer

– 9 –

As you know, canaries were brought to Europe in the 15th century from the Canary Islands. Before leaving, the birders carefully examined each bird - not everyone was destined to go to European countries. Who stayed at home and why?

Birders sent birds of the same sex to Europe so that they could not breed there. Thus, all of Europe would be dependent on the import of canaries from the islands.

Show answer Hide answer

– 10 –

“One of 20 356 branches”, “Everything will work for us”, “Reception without appointment” - on what in Berlin are such inscriptions placed?

Similar inscriptions are placed on garbage cans and city bins.

Show answer Hide answer

– 11 –

English politician Benjamin Disraeli argued that there is a difference between the enemy in peacetime and wartime. What is this difference?

In wartime, the enemy is dressed in his own uniform, and in peacetime - in everyday clothes, like ordinary people.

Show answer Hide answer

– 12 –

In the twenties of the XX century, the American firm of Leslie Irvine awarded everyone who successfully used their products a badge of honor in the form of a golden caterpillar. Who were these caterpillars handed over to?

Leslie Irwin's firm produced parachutes, the main material for the manufacture of which was silk. Track badges were awarded to pilots who escaped with Irwin's devices.

Show answer Hide answer

– 13 –

In 1699, Peter I issued a decree to postpone the New Year from September to January. And when one of the boyars doubted the validity of this decree, because God could not create the Earth in the middle of winter, Peter invited them to familiarize themselves with this subject. What is this subject?

To those who argued that God could not create the Earth in the middle of winter, Peter replied that Russia is not the whole Earth. When it is winter in Russia, it can be summer in another part of the Earth. He clearly demonstrated this by showing a globe.

Show answer Hide answer

– 14 –

Once the owner of an English company posted a poster with a famous saying on the wall of his office. The next day he learned that the cashier had escaped, taking 100,000 pounds with him, the chief accountant left his wife, the typist threw her typewriter out the window, and every employee asked for a raise. Quote the saying on this poster.

Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

Show answer Hide answer

– 15 –

Imagine an island in the Aegean Sea covered with greenery. The ancient Greeks placed cargo on a ship and sailed around such islands until the ship's draft increased. How did it increase and what kind of cargo was it?

The ancient Greeks placed hives without honey on the ship. Bees were released near the island, they filled the hives with honey and the ship became heavier.

Show answer Hide answer

The puzzles for this collection are taken from this archive.