Genesis and Rationale

 

This blog has been created to supplement the blogs for the Macclesfield Pub Quiz League, and will record recommendations for the Nine-Banded Armadillo Trophy; nominations will be voted on monthly and there will be an annual presentation at the end of the season for the questions most deserving ridicule.

The idea arose from Duncan Disorderley’s comments in March 2013 after seeing a particularly geeky set of questions:

“I’m glad of the opportunity to say more than a few words. As someone who has been on the Macclesfield Quiz League Scene for 27 years since I first started playing for the Limping Whippet, I feel it my duty to point out that some of the questions setters are taking liberties. Questions are being asked that only the most devoted geek could answer and you can take it from me as a keen observer that this is not going down well. Mind you, this is nothing new. Let me tell you a true story. Those of a certain age may remember in the early 1990s that a spate of smart-arse questions came to a head when four whole leagues of unsuspecting teams were given this question:

“What is the only creature, apart from man, that can catch leprosy?” (I’ll pause here whilst you rack your brains)......................

No?

Thought not.

The answer is the Nine-banded Armadillo. No, not the fourteen-banded or the triple-banded – they are immune. Just the nine banded variety.

Complaints were made, results were checked and NOBODY in all four divisions (the league was bigger then), got the question right. Following lots of discussion and accusations of stopping rival teams from scoring, my old mate Peter Cole introduced the “Nine-Banded Armadillo” Trophy for the worst question of the season. This was actually awarded, (amongst much good humour, I might say) for two years running. It did have an effect and the smart-Alec questions diminished. They are back”

Whilst I hate to contradict Duncan I should point out that the question was not just geeky, it was actually inaccurate – following from Wikipedia:

“Armadillos are often used in the study of leprosy, since they, along with mangabey monkeys, rabbits and mice (on their footpads), are among the few known species that can contract the disease systemically.”

So it is not just the nine-banded but ALL armadillos along with other mammals!!

As an example of the sort of entries that are expected the following is a spoof set of Specialist Subjects, that are not so far removed from actual ones that have been set:

 

1. Geography – Minor rivers in Papua New Guinea

2. Sport – Who came sixth?

3. Sayings – Identify the phrases you’ve never heard of

4. Origami round – 15 seconds to make the model you’re allocated!

5. Arts and Entertainment – 1950’s Australian sit-coms

6. Science – Identify the molecule from the really tiny picture!

7. History – All about the middle fortnight of June 1723

8. Who’s that? - Identify pictures of people you couldn’t care less about!

All nominations for this trophy of shame should be sent to nickpeck@gmail.com and are eagerly awaited.