Big Fat Lies

The brilliant minds at mental_floss have entertained millions of trivia buffs with their unique magazine and trivia books. Now you can challenge your trivia knowledge wherever you go with the trivia card game, Big Fat Lies. Each card contains two statements - one is true, the other is not. Can you spot the Big Fat Lie? Try some of the sample questions below and check out the full game that includes 500 questions covering categories such as science, history, and pop culture.

For each pair below, can you identify which statement is the Big Fat Lie?

• A: Sylvester Stallone agreed to play the lead in Beverly Hills Cop; the part was later rewritten for Eddie Murphy.
• B: Michael Douglas agreed to play the lead in Alien; the part was later rewritten for Sigourney Weaver.
• See the answer

• A: First Lady Mamie Eisenhower never missed an episode of As the World Turns.
• B: First Lady Nancy Regan never missed an episode of Diff’rent Strokes.
• See the answer

• A: Before every siege, Alexander the Great shaved off his eyebrows as a personal sacrifice to Mars.
• B: Russia’s Peter the Great imposed a beard tax upon his countrymen; anyone sporting facial hair had to pay a hefty tribute.
• See the answer

• A: In parts of Greece, the thumbs-up sign is considered a rude gesture.
• B: In parts of Afghanistan, the high five is a gesture used by children to indicate they have to go to the bathroom.
• See the answer

• A: Santa’s favorite red-nosed reindeer was originally named Rollo, then later Reginald, before creator Robert May finally settled on Rudolph.
• B: Sponge Bob Squarepants was originally called Old Yeller Squarepants, until Disney slapped Nickelodeon with a lawsuit.
• See the answer

• A: During his breakout 1984 season, Dwight Gooden admitted to closing his eyes while pitching to some batters.
• B: To keep himself interested, right-hander Larry Bird would occasionally shoot exclusively with his left hand.
• See the answer

• A: Nintendo superstar Mario was originally called Jump Man.
• B: Tomb Raider heroine Lara Croft was originally named Liz Kensington.
• See the answer

• A: The first IBM personal computer included software for playing Solitaire.
• B: The Apple I personal computer was introduced in 1976 at a devilishly inexpensive price: $666.
• See the answer

• A: The 1897 Sears, Roebuck catalog sold an array of hypodermic syringe kits intended for shooting heroin.
• B: The 1906 Sears, Roebuck catalog sold a wonder drug called Gusto that promised to cure all headaches and make people taller.
• See the answer

• A: Milk Duds got their name when the manufacturer repeatedly failed to produce a perfectly spherical candy; each lopsided piece was pronounced a “dud”.
• B: The York Peppermint Patty was developed by two immigrant confectioners in New York City; they named the candy to honor their new home.
• See the answer

1. B is the lie.
2. B is the lie.
3. A is the lie.
4. B is the lie.
5. B is the lie.
6. A is the lie.
7. B is the lie.
8. A is the lie.
9. B is the lie.
10. B is the lie.