Being a typical Aussie Cam McFadyen wants to know the origin of the great Biglorryblog 'Pie Quiz'. Well as you've asked Cam I'll tell you...a long time ago (in a galaxy far, far, away) Commercial Motor used to run regular three-day Round Britain group tests which all the manufacturers entered into. They usually happened when a new 'Euro' emission rating was introduced and we ran them at 18, 38, 40 and 44-tonnes.
As you can imagine, they took a lot of work to organise and we used to hire in a full-time organising secretary and adjudicator to run them for us. His name was Stan Thomas and he was the former fleet engineer for Allied Breweries before he retired and became a highly-respected engineering consultant and expert witness. However, Stan was also (in his own time) a semi-pro stand-up comic (and a very funny one too) and entertainer---in particular he was a big fan of George Formby and played George's fauourite instrument with some skill.
Stan was also what I'd call a 'snapper up of unconsidered trilfes' and by that I mean he knew (and still does klnow as he's still with us) all sorts of weird and wonderful facts. A sort of walking 'Guiness Book of Records if you like,.Anyway to cut to the chase, during the lulls in those group tests when we weren't measuring fuel, following the trucks or looking at the tachos Stan would invariably start a conversation thus: 'For a Pie...what's the capitol of Bolivia...or 'For a pie, what's the fastest fish in the sea.....etc, etc,' And that phrase went straight into Biglorryblog's little brain..and stayed there....and naturally when it came to rewarding the collected knowledge within BLB's beloved anorak army (especially in Oz and NZ) it seemed the ideal prize. Of course there are SOME people (like Clutchslip) who are most grumpy that I don't actually send them a pie. But I like to think of them as 'virtual' pies....and something that gives you a warm glow (if not warm gravy) inside. There now Cam, does that answer your question?
And speaking of which, for a pie...what instrument did George Formby play...? And don't rush at it either as it's not as clear-cut as it seems!
Well that clears that one up,just as well we all work in an industry that is full of unique 'isms',which puts a bit of humour into the day.thanks,Cam.
Thanks from NZ too for that explanation of the pies, BLB. I wondered what started it.
George Formby played a banjo ukulele, which is also sometimes called a ukulele banjo, a banjolele or a ukabanjo and probably various other combinations of the words as well.