Category Archives: Puppydog tails

Johnson’s London Dictionary: Heathrow

HEATHROW (n.) The Holy grail of the Hansom driver whereas he doth convey his passenger where they may ascend into the Heavens.

Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon

Royal Quiz

As a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II this quiz is all about our longest reigning Monarch. As before the correct answer will turn green when it’s clicked upon and expanded to give more information. The incorrect answers will turn red giving the correct explanation.

1. Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten in 1947, due to rationing some of the ingredients came from an unexpected quarter. Who were the donors?
Home & Colonial Stores
WRONG The bride was one of the most famous Girl Guides in the world, it was fitting that some of the ingredients used to make her official wedding cake were donated by Australian Guides. Instead of being eaten at the wedding reception, slices of the 12 wedding cakes were sent to charities, as well as to schoolchildren and patients and staff at hospitals throughout the country.
Australian Girl Guides
CORRECT The bride was one of the most famous Girl Guides in the world, it was fitting that some of the ingredients used to make her official wedding cake were donated by Australian Guides. Instead of being eaten at the wedding reception, slices of the 12 wedding cakes were sent to charities, as well as to schoolchildren and patients and staff at hospitals throughout the country.
A grateful French nation
WRONG The bride was one of the most famous Girl Guides in the world, it was fitting that some of the ingredients used to make her official wedding cake were donated by Australian Guides. Instead of being eaten at the wedding reception, slices of the 12 wedding cakes were sent to charities, as well as to schoolchildren and patients and staff at hospitals throughout the country.
2. In which area of London was Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen, born?
Belgravia
WRONG 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair.
Mayfair
CORRECT 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair.
Kensington
WRONG 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair.
3. What offence is the Queen Elizabeth purported to have committed on 15th May 1939?
She didn’t hand in a train ticket
CORRECT Elizabeth’s first tube ride was from St James’s Park to Tottenham Court Road, with her sister Margaret. It was an eventful journey – the sisters sat in a third-class smoking carriage and were chased by a ticket inspector after forgetting to hand in their tickets.
She smoked a reefer
WRONG Elizabeth’s first tube ride was from St James’s Park to Tottenham Court Road, with her sister Margaret. It was an eventful journey – the sisters sat in a third-class smoking carriage and were chased by a ticket inspector after forgetting to hand in their tickets.
She knocked off a policeman’s helmet
WRONG Elizabeth’s first tube ride was from St James’s Park to Tottenham Court Road, with her sister Margaret. It was an eventful journey – the sisters sat in a third-class smoking carriage and were chased by a ticket inspector after forgetting to hand in their tickets.
4. In St Katharine Docks can be found a giant block of acrylic bearing a royal crown – erected to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, for what was it originally intended?
As a prop in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey
CORRECT The block was second-hand and was originally commissioned (without the crown) for the famous movie.
An exhibit at The Great Exhibition in Crystal Palace
WRONG The block was second-hand and was originally commissioned (without the crown) for the famous movie.
A prototype aircraft landing indicator
WRONG The block was second-hand and was originally commissioned (without the crown) for the famous movie.
5. According to Royal Chef Darren McGrady, what was the Queen’s favourite type of burger?
Venison and cranberry
CORRECT Venison and cranberry.
Wood pigeon and fennel
WRONG Venison and cranberry.
She NEVER eats burgers
WRONG Venison and cranberry.
6. Westminster Hall, Southwark Cathedral and the Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy all contain a similar type of memorial to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. What form do these memorials take?
A marble statue.
WRONG A stained-glass window
Stained-glass window
CORRECT A stained-glass window.
An ornate pulpit
WRONG A stained-glass window
7. One of the most sacred parts of the Coronation is the anointing of the new monarch at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The stored oil made from extracts of roses, oranges, musk, cinnamon and ambergris usually lasts for decades and had been used at several Coronations, so why was a new batch made?
One of the ingredients was thought to be poisonous
WRONG The new batch had to be created for The Queen, as the previous vial had been destroyed during a wartime bombing raid.
Nobody could find the old batch
WRONG The new batch had to be created for The Queen, as the previous vial had been destroyed during a wartime bombing raid.
German bombs destroyed the stored oil
CORRECT The new batch had to be created for The Queen, as the previous vial had been destroyed during a wartime bombing raid.
8. Looking for something special for the Queen’s Coronation, florist and author Constance Spry created what?
Chicken korma
WRONG Probably the most famous dish created for Elizabeth II is the one created for her coronation banquet in 1953, Constance Spry came up with a recipe for cold chicken in a curried cream sauce, served with a salad of herbed rice and green peas. Coronation Chicken has been enjoyed ever since.
A Coronation corsage
WRONG Probably the most famous dish created for Elizabeth II is the one created for her coronation banquet in 1953, Constance Spry came up with a recipe for cold chicken in a curried cream sauce, served with a salad of herbed rice and green peas. Coronation Chicken has been enjoyed ever since.
Coronation chicken
CORRECT Probably the most famous dish created for Elizabeth II is the one created for her coronation banquet in 1953, Constance Spry came up with a recipe for cold chicken in a curried cream sauce, served with a salad of herbed rice and green peas. Coronation Chicken has been enjoyed ever since.
9. The Queen created a new breed of dog, how was it known?
A dorgi, corgi x dachshund
CORRECT This is a cross between a corgi and a dachshund. One of the Queen’s beloved corgis mated with Princess Margaret’s dachshund named Pipkin, spawning the world’s first “dorgi”. Since then there have been 11 dorgis – Tinker, Pickles, Chipper, Piper, Harris, Brandy, Berry, Cider, Candy and Vulcan.
A porgi, corgi x poodle
WRONG This is a cross between a corgi and a dachshund. One of the Queen’s beloved corgis mated with Princess Margaret’s dachshund named Pipkin, spawning the world’s first “dorgi”. Since then there have been 11 dorgis – Tinker, Pickles, Chipper, Piper, Harris, Brandy, Berry, Cider, Candy and Vulcan.
A sorgi, corgi x king charles spaniel
WRONG This is a cross between a corgi and a dachshund. One of the Queen’s beloved corgis mated with Princess Margaret’s dachshund named Pipkin, spawning the world’s first “dorgi”. Since then there have been 11 dorgis – Tinker, Pickles, Chipper, Piper, Harris, Brandy, Berry, Cider, Candy and Vulcan.
10. Famously The Queen didn’t carry cash, but is this true?
Never
WRONG The Queen only carried cash in her purse on Sundays so she could donate money to her church.
She occasionally would have money
CORRECT The Queen only carried cash in her purse on Sundays so she could donate money to her church.
Always
WRONG The Queen only carried cash in her purse on Sundays so she could donate money to her church.

Johnson’s London Dictionary: Ceremony of the Keys

CEREMONY OF THE KEYS (n.) The ritual observed at The Tower of London where the rhetorical question “Who goes there” is responded to affirming the King’s property.

Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon

Test Your Knowledge: August 2022

During the war, they were described as ‘Over paid, Over sexed, and Over here’. Yes, the Yanks are in London, but which ones can you identify? As before the correct answer will turn green when it’s clicked upon and expanded to give more information. The incorrect answers will turn red giving the correct explanation.

1. According to the 2011 Census, how many residents of Greater London were born in the USA?
44,000
WRONG Incredibly 64,000 Americans registered themselves as living in London according to the last complete Census results to be published by the Office for National Statistics.
64,000
CORRECT Incredibly 64,000 Americans registered themselves as living in London according to the last complete Census results to be published by the Office for National Statistics.
54,000
WRONG Incredibly 64,000 Americans registered themselves as living in London according to the last complete Census results to be published by the Office for National Statistics.
2. Which famous American made a surprise visit to Chingford in July 1952 to ride the model railway?
Mickey Rooney
WRONG Disney was looking to expand into non-animated films but was drawn to Chingford when he found out about its acclaimed model railway. His uncle was a steam engine driver, while a teenage Walt had a summertime job selling food to passengers on a local line, and he had a 5,000ft long model railway track in the garden of his Californian home. When he found out about the track in Ridgeway Park, Chingford he couldn’t resist having a look at the top of the range, and having only opened a few years before.
Walt Disney
CORRECT Disney was looking to expand into non-animated films but was drawn to Chingford when he found out about its acclaimed model railway. His uncle was a steam engine driver, while a teenage Walt had a summertime job selling food to passengers on a local line, and he had a 5,000ft long model railway track in the garden of his Californian home. When he found out about the track in Ridgeway Park, Chingford he couldn’t resist having a look at the top of the range, and having only opened a few years before.
James Stewart
WRONG Disney was looking to expand into non-animated films but was drawn to Chingford when he found out about its acclaimed model railway. His uncle was a steam engine driver, while a teenage Walt had a summertime job selling food to passengers on a local line, and he had a 5,000ft long model railway track in the garden of his Californian home. When he found out about the track in Ridgeway Park, Chingford he couldn’t resist having a look at the top of the range, and having only opened a few years before.
3. Which controversial American soldier is celebrated with a plaque in Marylebone and a stained glass window in Battersea, where he’s buried?
General Benedict Arnold
CORRECT General Benedict Arnold famously changed sides, first fighting for American then British forces during the American Revolutionary War. He later lived in Gloucester Place. The stained glass window in St Mary’s Battersea was completed in 1982.
General George S. Patton
WRONG General Benedict Arnold famously changed sides, first fighting for American then British forces during the American Revolutionary War. He later lived in Gloucester Place. The stained glass window in St Mary’s Battersea was completed in 1982.
General George Custer
WRONG General Benedict Arnold famously changed sides, first fighting for American then British forces during the American Revolutionary War. He later lived in Gloucester Place. The stained glass window in St Mary’s Battersea was completed in 1982.
4. Which American President is represented by a bust overlooking Marylebone Road?
John F. Kennedy
CORRECT John F Kennedy is to be found just west of Park Crescent looking towards Regent’s Park, George Washington’s statue is in Trafalgar Square, while Abraham Lincoln’s statue stands opposite the Houses of Parliament.
George Washington
WRONG John F Kennedy is to be found just west of Park Crescent looking towards Regent’s Park, George Washington’s statue is in Trafalgar Square, while Abraham Lincoln’s statue stands opposite the Houses of Parliament.
Abraham Lincoln
WRONG John F Kennedy is to be found just west of Park Crescent looking towards Regent’s Park, George Washington’s statue is in Trafalgar Square, while Abraham Lincoln’s statue stands opposite the Houses of Parliament.
5. Which American invented the glass harmonica, which can still be played at his former house in central London?
Benjamin Franklin
CORRECT Benjamin Franklin’s harmonica is on show at his house at 36 Craven Street. Jimi Hendrix lived at 25 Brook Street, the same building where Handel resided. Barbara Hutton inherited $40 million from her grandfather, Frank Winfield Woolworth, founder of the Woolworth store chain and bought Winfield House, later donating the building to become the American Ambassador’s residence.
Jimi Hendrix
WRONG Benjamin Franklin’s harmonica is on show at his house at 36 Craven Street. Jimi Hendrix lived at 25 Brook Street, the same building where Handel resided. Barbara Hutton inherited $40 million from her grandfather, Frank Winfield Woolworth, founder of the Woolworth store chain and bought Winfield House, later donating the building to become the American Ambassador’s residence.
Barbara Hutton
WRONG Benjamin Franklin’s harmonica is on show at his house at 36 Craven Street. Jimi Hendrix lived at 25 Brook Street, the same building where Handel resided. Barbara Hutton inherited $40 million from her grandfather, Frank Winfield Woolworth, founder of the Woolworth store chain and bought Winfield House, later donating the building to become the American Ambassador’s residence.
6. Which American singer died on 22nd June 1969 in Cadogan Lane, Chelsea?
Mama Cass Elliot
WRONG Judy Garland died from an accidental barbiturate overdose at her Belgravia home. Mama Cass and The Who drummer Keith Moon departed this world from the same flat owned by fellow musician Harry Nilsson. Texan beauty, Bessie Love was one of the most famous silent screen actresses. As a film star, she was expected to entertain studio executives at parties, so she learned to sing, dance, and play the ukulele, later performing them on screen and stage. Love is credited with being the first person to dance the Charleston on film. She died in Northwood aged 87.
Judy Garland
CORRECT Judy Garland died from an accidental barbiturate overdose at her Belgravia home. Mama Cass and The Who drummer Keith Moon departed this world from the same flat owned by fellow musician Harry Nilsson. Texan beauty, Bessie Love was one of the most famous silent screen actresses. As a film star, she was expected to entertain studio executives at parties, so she learned to sing, dance, and play the ukulele, later performing them on screen and stage. Love is credited with being the first person to dance the Charleston on film. She died in Northwood aged 87.
Bessie Love
WRONG Judy Garland died from an accidental barbiturate overdose at her Belgravia home. Mama Cass and The Who drummer Keith Moon departed this world from the same flat owned by fellow musician Harry Nilsson. Texan beauty, Bessie Love was one of the most famous silent screen actresses. As a film star, she was expected to entertain studio executives at parties, so she learned to sing, dance, and play the ukulele, later performing them on screen and stage. Love is credited with being the first person to dance the Charleston on film. She died in Northwood aged 87.
7. Which American sportsman drew a crowd of 46,000 to Highbury Stadium in May 1966?
Dick Fosbury
WRONG The second world title fight between Muhammad Ali and Henry Cooper held the record for the largest live audience at a British boxing fight. Fosbury revolutionized the high jump by approaching the bar and jumping with his back flying over the bar. Widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, Nicklaus won 18 major championships and 73 PGA Tour events.
Jack Nicklaus
WRONG The second world title fight between Muhammad Ali and Henry Cooper held the record for the largest live audience at a British boxing fight. Fosbury revolutionized the high jump by approaching the bar and jumping with his back flying over the bar. Widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, Nicklaus won 18 major championships and 73 PGA Tour events.
Muhammad Ali
CORRECT The second world title fight between Muhammad Ali and Henry Cooper held the record for the largest live audience at a British boxing fight. Fosbury revolutionized the high jump by approaching the bar and jumping with his back flying over the bar. Widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, Nicklaus won 18 major championships and 73 PGA Tour events.
8. In 1886, future US president Theodore Roosevelt married Edith Carow in St George’s Hanover Square. What was Edith’s unusual middle name, more often associated with a famous puppet?
Orville
WRONG Edith also had a brother, Kermit who died in infancy one year before her birth. Her brother’s first name and her middle name were the surname of a paternal great-uncle, Robert Kermit an American shipowner and owner of the Red Star Line, also called the Kermit Line.
Elmo
WRONG Edith also had a brother, Kermit who died in infancy one year before her birth. Her brother’s first name and her middle name were the surname of a paternal great-uncle, Robert Kermit an American shipowner and owner of the Red Star Line, also called the Kermit Line.
Kermit
CORRECT Edith also had a brother, Kermit who died in infancy one year before her birth. Her brother’s first name and her middle name were the surname of a paternal great-uncle, Robert Kermit an American shipowner and owner of the Red Star Line, also called the Kermit Line.
9. In 1887 an American show, seen by thousands at Earl’s Court, was endorsed by Queen Victoria. Who was the famous showman who attracted such an august following?
Wild Bill Hickok
CORRECT John Robinson Whitley came up with the idea of the exhibition on a plot of land thought unsuitable for housing. Intending to put on an American Exhibition showing goods and products along the lines of the Great Exhibition, he met President Grover Cleveland and while in America saw Buffalo Bill’s Roughriders and Redskin Show. He booked them for Earls Court’s first season and changed the nature of the Exhibition completely. Billed as the ‘Greatest Showman’, in 1882, Barnum purchased a gargantuan 6-ton African elephant named “Jumbo” from the London Zoological Society. In late 1897, Bailey took his giant circus to Europe for a five-year tour, transporting the entire three-ring behemoth to England by ship. The parade alone dazzled audiences that many went home afterwards mistakenly thinking they had seen the entire show.
Phineas Taylor Barnum
WRONG John Robinson Whitley came up with the idea of the exhibition on a plot of land thought unsuitable for housing. Intending to put on an American Exhibition showing goods and products along the lines of the Great Exhibition, he met President Grover Cleveland and while in America saw Buffalo Bill’s Roughriders and Redskin Show. He booked them for Earls Court’s first season and changed the nature of the Exhibition completely. Billed as the ‘Greatest Showman’, in 1882, Barnum purchased a gargantuan 6-ton African elephant named “Jumbo” from the London Zoological Society. In late 1897, Bailey took his giant circus to Europe for a five-year tour, transporting the entire three-ring behemoth to England by ship. The parade alone dazzled audiences that many went home afterwards mistakenly thinking they had seen the entire show.
James A. Bailey
WRONG John Robinson Whitley came up with the idea of the exhibition on a plot of land thought unsuitable for housing. Intending to put on an American Exhibition showing goods and products along the lines of the Great Exhibition, he met President Grover Cleveland and while in America saw Buffalo Bill’s Roughriders and Redskin Show. He booked them for Earls Court’s first season and changed the nature of the Exhibition completely. Billed as the ‘Greatest Showman’, in 1882, Barnum purchased a gargantuan 6-ton African elephant named “Jumbo” from the London Zoological Society. In late 1897, Bailey took his giant circus to Europe for a five-year tour, transporting the entire three-ring behemoth to England by ship. The parade alone dazzled audiences that many went home afterwards mistakenly thinking they had seen the entire show.
10. On 30th September 1959, Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield cut the ribbon on which west London landmark?
BBC Television Centre
WRONG She got all the glamorous jobs like opening the Chiswick Flyover. In 1964 the flyover became part of the M4 motorway and by 1969 was said to be the most dangerous road in Britain.
Chiswick Flyover
CORRECT She got all the glamorous jobs like opening the Chiswick Flyover. In 1964 the flyover became part of the M4 motorway and by 1969 was said to be the most dangerous road in Britain.
Trellick Tower
WRONG She got all the glamorous jobs like opening the Chiswick Flyover. In 1964 the flyover became part of the M4 motorway and by 1969 was said to be the most dangerous road in Britain.