Lord of the Rings
What does ‘J.R.R.’ stand for in J.R. Tolkien?
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
What does the ‘J.K’ stand for in J.K. Rowling?
Joanne Kathleen
These two good-looking detectives whip around in a red 1976 Ford Gran Torino with a large white stripe on each side
Starsky and Hutch
This dish from Poland involves wrapping dough around a savoury filling and cooking in boiling water. They are usually then pan-fried before serving
Perogies
This North American delicacy is called ‘Rocky Mountain oysters’. What is it?
Deep-fried bull testicles. To make this delicacy, the testicles are peeled and coated in a batter of flour and spices before frying.
After the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, what is the name of Tolkien’s 3rd most famous book?
The Silmarillion
What train platform would you leave from if you were going to Hogwarts?
Platform 9-3/4. Magically concealed behind the barrier between Muggle platforms Nine and Ten
This detective was always saying “Just the facts, ma’am”
Joe Friday (Dragnet)
Where would you be if you were given a piece of greasy fish and soggy French fries wrapped in an old newspaper?
England
This Chinese soup was the inspiration for Beijing’s National Stadium – the main venue of the 2008 Olympics
Bird Nest Soup. This soup is made from the swiftlet bird nests which contain a fair amount of flavorful bird saliva
Tolkien took his inspiration for LOTR (and the Hobbit) from what mythology?
Norse mythology. In particular Icelandic
These animals are used to bridge the magical and muggle world, carrying messages and packages. Hint: Hedwig
Owls
This detective would say whenever the bad guy was caught “Book ‘em Danno, murder one”
Steve McGarrett from Hawaii 5-0
In that Indiana Jones movie, Indiana and co were presented with this disgusting dish which is actually a Chinese delicacy
Monkey brains
The national dish of this country is a delightful pudding containing minced sheep organs encased in the sheep’s stomach lining. Yum!
Scotland (haggis)
This actor in the LOTR movies actually met Tolkien. He was a big fan, read the book every year of his adult life
Christopher Lee (Saruman)
What is a Nimbus 2000?
Racing broom
A middle-aged retired English teacher and widow is a successful mystery author. Somehow she runs across actual murders wherever she goes
Jessica Fletcher, Murder, She Wrote
This derogatory term for Germans curiously refers to a most excellent topping for sausages
Sauerkraut
Name this venomous but tasty fish enjoyed by many Japanese and Koreans. It can easily kill a human, and only specially trained chefs are able to prepare it. They leave in just a trace of the venom to ‘tickle’ the tongue!
Puffer fish
There are interesting names on Tolkien’s gravestone. What are they?
Shared grave. Under his wife’s name was written “Lúthien” and under his name “Beren,” These are two characters from Silmarillion. A mortal man and an immortal elf who were deeply in love.
In the game of Quidditch, it is the role of the Seeker to catch what?
The Golden Snitch
With his rumpled overcoat and humble demeanor, this detective appears to be incompetent but he’s far from it. His catchphrase is “just one more thing”
Columbo
This cookie was sent by wives and women's groups to Australian and New Zealand soldiers who were abroad in WWI and WWII.
ANZAC biscuit. Popular because the ingredients do not spoil easily. Biscuits kept well during transportation
This common snack from Cambodia is sold as street food. It became popular during the Khmer Rouge regime, when starving Cambodians had to consider new sources of food
Deep fried tarantulas