Curious traditions
What is the main activity in the World Gurning Championships?
Making ugly faces.
What is the highlight of a birthday celebration?
The birthday cake.
True or False: Yeoman Warders only work at the Tower of London; they do not live there.
False. They traditionally both work and live at the Tower.
Swan Upping happens every July on the River Thames. What is the main purpose of this tradition?
To count, check, and mark the health of all the swans.
What should you do if you spill salt to avoid bad luck?
Throw some (salt) over your left shoulder.
Why is the Cheese Rolling Race considered dangerous?
Because both participants and spectators are injured every year.
When did birthday cakes become common for everyone in Britain?
In the middle of the 19th century.
According to the legend, what will happen if the ravens leave the Tower of London?
The Tower will turn to dust and the Kingdom will fall.
Royal Maundy is a religious ceremony that takes place on Maundy Thursday before Easter. What does the monarch traditionally give to specially chosen elderly people?
Special coins (Maundy Money) in red and white purses.
In the UK, is a black cat crossing your path considered good luck or bad luck?
Good luck.
Where does the Up Helly Aa festival take place, and what do people dress up as?
Scotland. They dress up as Vikings.
What special item does someone traditionally receive on their 21st birthday?
A copy of the newspaper from the day they were born.
Name two things the ravens enjoy doing during the day.
Posing for selfies, stealing sandwiches/crisps/coins, walking around the grounds.
The Ceremony of the Keys happens every single night at the Tower of London. What is it?
The ancient ceremony of locking the main gates of the Tower for the night.
In the UK, how many years of bad luck does breaking a mirror bring?
Seven years.
What are the two key rules for participants in Bog Snorkelling?
Cover 110 meters and keep their face in the water the whole time.
What unusual thing do people in Canada put on a birthday person's nose, and why?
They cover the nose with butter. It is done to make the person too slippery for bad luck to get hold of them.
What are the two main duties of Yeoman Warders in the past?
They guarded prisoners and protected the Crown Jewels.
A unique, personal tradition where a bagpiper plays for the reigning monarch is called "Morning call". What time does it happen?
at 9 o'clock in the morning
What is an unusual solution for ending the bad luck from a broken mirror?
Take the broken mirror outside and bury it under the moonlight.
Name two traditions where the main activity involves fire.
Burning the Clocks and Up Helly Aa - burning the longship
Who might choose to celebrate a "half birthday"?
Either: People whose actual birthday is overshadowed by a major holiday (like Christmas).
Or: Young children in the US whose birthday isn't during the school year.
How are Yeoman Warders traditionally paid, which gave them their nickname?
They are (or were traditionally) paid in beef. Their nickname is "Beefeaters."
True or False: The Ceremony of the Keys has never been missed or late, even during wars and bombings.
True. It is famous for its punctuality and has continued for over 700 years.
What is the ancient origin of the "touch wood" superstition?
People believed helpful spirits lived inside certain trees, and touching the tree asked the spirit for protection.