1294 - The Answer!

[Tuvok]

Have taken this from the answers that the setter sent out today:

"the question which caused so much misery or as one person put it “
brain exercise” ! Our trusty Radio Companion, a wonderful reference book by Paul Donovan, lists the castaways from Desert Island Discs and in 1974 castaway number 1294 was The Marquess of Bath……. I suspect many of you presumed 1294 was referring to the year. Three people did in fact get the answer correct, sadly one of those got another question wrong. I’m sure you will all agree they did well! Apologies to the two people who put
Countess of Bath – so near but we really couldn’t make it fit the question."

How on earth were we suposed to get that!

[Mamyalynne]

That matters a lot, thank you.x

[QuizmasterG]

Whether you agree, disagree or couldn't give a hoot, the old maxim applies:
"the quizmaster is always right" (our local quizsetter has a tee shirt with that printed on it)
Please accept it and move on.

[Mamyalynne]

True, but by having the temerity to volunteer to enquire I am now banned - lucky me eh?

[Mamyalynne]

...and yes I have been a setter.

[QuizmasterG]

There can't be many people banned from a £10 (or whatever) quiz.
Be proud!!

[Mamyalynne]

No, I shan't - have no idea of the prize money without searching.

That's not the primary reason for my quizzing.

[QuizmasterG]

The money aspect was never the point.

[QuizmasterG]

Irony - such a small word.

[furrypusscat]

Sorry to hear that Mamy but the charity loses out especially if the setter bans all who question her error or who stop supporting the quizzes. Neither do I agree with the statement, 'the setter is always right'.
As most know I set quizzes and always check and double check my answers and will always allow a mark if an alternative answer is given which fits the clue or if I am proved wrong then void the question.
Unfortunately, in this case, the results/winners had already been notified so too late to amend even if setter was to accept error.

[furrypusscat]

Also meant to say I find it hard to accept that someone has been banned for daring to question the answer which has been proven to be wrong.

[elliemay1]

Reminds me of the Mr and Mrs Troit answer!
Spent hours and hours looking for that answer and there is (as far as I know) no such book!

[QuizmasterG]

I should have possibly said (which I have see on quizzes)
"the quizmaster is always right - even if wrong!"
I have not seen the e-mails between Mamyalynne and the setter so I cannot comment on the content or tone of the correspondence.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Remember going to a quiz night many years ago when one of the questions was "What is the only 10 letter word that can be made from using only the top row of letters on a standard qwerty keyboard". After a couple of minutes I worked out the word Proprietor. My answer was not accepted as the quizmaster said the only word possible was Typewriter. I disagreed but she was adamant that she had got the questions and answers from a reputable source and that Typewriter was the only answer. I asked her if she could spell Proprietor but she said she didn't have to as she had the correct answer. Needless to say our team did not go back there.

[QuizmasterG]

Have been to, and done, lots of quizzes where the quizsetter has been incorrect - and very obviously so.
"the quizmaster is always right" has to be accepted or chaos can ensue or things are said that can't be unsaid!
Voting with your feet (and custom) is probably the best course.

[sunny-dave]

Mamya (and others) :

I'm really sorry that I did the digging around which proved that the answer to what was already a very obscure question was also factually inaccurate. It seems to have caused more heartache than illumination.

I wish that I'd been the one to incur the wrath of what sounds like an unnecessarily tetchy quiz setter - it wouldn't have worried me as I never actually submit my answers to quizzes - I just do them for the fun/interest.

I agree that "the setter is always right, even when wrong", but it is possible to acknowledge one's own errors (or even defend the indefensible) without denigrating and upsetting those who make a polite enquiry (as I'm 100% sure that Mamya did).

Dave xx

[QuizmasterG]

"it wouldn't have worried me as I never actually submit my answers to quizzes - I just do them for the fun/interest"

Well that's alright then.

[Mamyalynne]

Your support and that of others is very welcome Dave, minor in the great scheme of things but it did upset me - but then I poked my head above the parapet and not being anonymous left me open to the end result.

Have to move on, shame the Charities lose out even if only by my entry fees.

[Captain2]

Only just seen this.
Mamya, that all sounds so pathetic from the setter; their loss though as you say.
Plenty more quizzes to take it's place.

Keep on quizzing.

[sunny-dave]

Sorry QuizmasterG - you continue to (wilfully?) miss the point.

No-one is ultimately that bothered by whether a quiz answer is right/wrong or a mixture of the two - life's too short.

The issue here is that an unfailingly polite and respected member of AB has had her head bitten off by a tetchy setter for having the nerve to ask for clarification or correction.

That is what is unacceptable.

[QuizmasterG]

I have not seen the e-mails between Mamyalynne and the setter so I cannot comment on the content or tone of the correspondence.