On December 22, 1944, when German troops demanded the surrender of the US soldiers defending Bastogne, General Anthony McAuliffe famously replied ‘Nuts!’ This quiz is about famous replies and retorts.

As good as it gets

1. During a series of debates for an Illinois Senate seat, Stephen Douglas accused his opponent of being two-faced. His opponent, not known for his good looks, replied, “I leave it to my audience. If I had two faces, would I be wearing this one?” Identify this politician, who went on to even bigger things.

2. In 1931, what was Mahatma Gandhi’s epic reply when asked how he could meet the ruler of England, King George V, wearing just a dhoti and home-made sandals?

3. Indian politicians used to have a sense of humour. Once when a prominent Praja Socialist Party leader was criticising the Congress party in Parliament, a member pointed out that his wife was with the Congress. The leader replied: “So far, I thought Congressmen were fools. Now I know they are gangsters too, running away with other people’s wives.” Name the couple; the wife also served as the chief minister of UP.

4. Philip II of Macedon once sent the state of Sparta this message: “You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city.” What was Sparta’s famous reply?

5. In 1984, who quoted a line from poet Muhammed Iqbal when the then Indian Prime Minister asked him a question?

6. According to contemporary accounts, when Alexander the Great came to visit this famous person at Sinope, the conquerer asked him what he desired. And the famous reply was, “Just stand out of my light.” Who was he visiting?

7. When a famous playwright bumped into old friend Edna Ferber, who was wearing a tailored suit, he looked her over and said, “Edna, you almost look like a man.” Edna looked back at him and famously said, “So do you.” Who was the playwright?

8. This is an exchange from which award-winning Indian film? “Tu mujhe nahin maar sakti. Tu meri maa hai.” “Mein pehle ek aurat hoon.” Name both the actors.

9 . Fiction. When Johny Fontane wants to be part of a film, but says he can’t since the shooting is about to begin, what was a certain Vito Andolini’s famous reply?

10. A famous man of letters sent Winston Churchill a pair of tickets to his latest play with the message: “Here are opening night seats for you and a friend — if you have one.” Churchill’s reply was, “Sorry I’m unable to use these tickets for the opening night of your play. But I’d appreciate tickets for the second night — if there is one.” Identify the playwright.

Answers

1. President Abraham Lincoln

2. “The king was wearing enough for both of us”

3. Acharya JB Kripalani and his wife Sucheta

4. The single word ‘If’ (all this obviously in translation)

5. India’s first cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma. He said ‘Saare Jahan se Accha’ on being asked about the view from space by Indira Gandhi

6. Diogenes the philosopher, one of the founders of Cynic philosophy

7. Noël Coward

8. Mother India, Sunil Dutt and Nargis

9. ‘I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.’ Don Corleone in The Godfather

10. George Bernard Shaw and Winston Churchill

BLINKJOY
 

Joy Bhattacharjya is a quizmaster

Twitter: @joybhattacharj

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