Two Truths and a Lie: American Traditions Edition

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
6 min
Two Truths and a Lie: American Traditions Edition
Image: jonathansloane/E+/gettyimages

About This Quiz

Americans have borrowed a lot of traditions from other places, and other places have borrowed a lot from America! From the Thanksgiving wishbone to the White House tree lighting, there are some traditions that no one else can touch. During this quiz, we're going to tell you the truth, and we're also going to tell you a lie! Will you be able to figure out where we've gone off the rails?

Would you believe us if we told you that the groundhog who predicts the weather is named Punxsutawney Bill? Or are you more likely to believe that Black Friday's name came from the 1800s? You'll need to read our questions carefully to make it through all of the lies we're telling. Any real fan of the United States should do just fine, though. We're good at spinning a tall tale, but are we good enough to fool someone who loves America as much as you do?

As you go through each set of facts, don't trust your human polygraph skills - stick to what you know! Even the slightest twist of a phrase could take you off your American Dream of success. But you won't let that happen, will you?


02_turkey pardon
Wikicommons by White House Photographic Office
What's the real gobbler about the presidential turkey pardon that takes place at the White House?
The turkey is eaten after the ceremony.
A turkey is donated by the National Turkey Federation.
George Bush made it an annual event starting 1989.
01_restaurant tip
Flashpop/DigitalVision/gettyimages
Can you see the lie in these so-called facts about the American tradition of tipping?
Tips are sometimes called gratuities.
A tip of at least 15% is recommended.
Men tip more than women.
05_Valentine's Day
Ariel Skelley/DigitalVision/gettyimages
Which of these Valentine's Day facts should you refuse to love because it's a lie?
Americans get a paid day off.
Chocolates are a popular gift.
Gift cards are often given.

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03_State of the Union
Wikicommons by Shealah Craighead
Which one of these things about the annual State of the Union Address is fake news?
The president is required to deliver the speech.
It began being broadcast in 1923.
The president writes the speech.
04_Halloween
Elva Etienne/Moment/gettyimages
What would you traditionally not find American children doing on Halloween?
Wearing costumes
Singing carols
Knocking on strangers' doors
06_checkout line
Tom Werner/DigitalVision/gettyimages
Shoppers stand in line for hours to get a good Black Friday deal. Can you figure out the little white lie about this American tradition?
It was once called Pig Friday.
It's the busiest day of the year for plumbers.
The name comes from the 1800s.

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07_homecoming
Hill Street Studios/DigitalVision/gettyimages
In the American south, there's a tradition called homecoming. What's untrue about it?
There's a royal court.
Mascots are often kidnapped.
Parents are not allowed to attend the homecoming football game.
08_Super Bowl commercials
Robert Deutschman/DigitalVision/gettyimages
Which fact about the very American tradition of watching Super Bowl commercials isn't really a fact?
Ads involving alcohol are not permitted.
A 30-second ad costs around $34 million.
111 million Americans watch them each year.
09_Mardi Gras
Joel Carillet/E+/gettyimages
Can you figure out what we're making up about the Mardi Gras tradition of Fat Tuesday?
It's the last day of the celebration.
In the United Kingdom, it's called Shrove Tuesday.
Parades take place throughout New Orleans.

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10_wishbone
skynesher/E+/gettyimages
Which of these Thanksgiving wishbone facts is nothing but pure deception?
It was originally an Italian tradition.
The person who gets the smallest piece gets to make a wish.
The person who gets the biggest piece of the wishbone gets to make a wish.
11_fireworks
PeopleImages/E+/gettyimages
Every July 4th, Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks. Where's the dud in our statements?
Across the country, there are over 14,000 fireworks displays.
They were authorized in 1777.
They are legal to purchase everywhere in the country.
12_pumpkin pie
RyanJLane/E+/gettyimages
What's not factual about America's massive love of pumpkin pie?
50 million pumpkin pies are baked every year.
The world's largest pumpkin pie weighed in a 350 pounds.
It was served at the first Thanksgiving.

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13_poppies
John Lawson/Moment/gettyimages
Do you know which one of these facts about the poppies worn on Memorial Day isn't a fact at all?
They are illegal to grow in the United States.
They stem from a poem.
They are worn in remembrance of soldiers.
14_Labor Day
mstahlphoto/E+/gettyimages
Americans get the day off on Labor Day. What are we fudging about it?
It honors the American workforce.
It was first celebrated in 1882.
It's only celebrated in the United States.
15_Times Square Ball
Wikicommons by Anthony Quintano
What's not right about the tradition of watching the ball drop on New Year's Eve?
The Big Ball weighs around six tons.
It's watched by 1 billion people around the world.
It takes place in Boston.

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16_National Anthem
vitapix/E+/gettyimages
When the national anthem is played, what is not the traditional thing to do?
Take off your hat.
Put your hand over your heart.
Look away from the flag.
17_christmas lights house
Rob Lewine/Image Source/gettyimages
Americans like Clark Griswold love to put up outdoor lights at Christmas. What's the fib about them?
There were not used outdoors until the 1920s.
Benjamin Franklin made the first set of lights.
13,000 people are treated for injuries relating to Christmas lights every year.
18_Cinco de Mayo
ferrantraite/E+/gettyimages
Many Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo. What's not the truth about the day?
It's celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico.
It's the same thing as Mexican Independence Day.
It has roots in the American Civil War.

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19_drinking coffee
Tom Werner/DigitalVision/gettyimages
64% of Americans drink coffee. Can you figure out our whopper about their morning tradition?
More women drink coffee than men.
The average price of a cup is $3.28.
Americans drink six cups per day.
20_St. Patrick's Day
RyanJLane/E+/gettyimages
When St. Patrick's Day rolls around, what do Americans not do?
Get the day off
Pinch one another
Drink green beer
21_fruitcake
© Anouk Stricher/Moment/gettyimages
Americans buy fruitcakes, but what's not right about their love for them?
Americans hate them.
Fruitcake used to be a way to try attracting a lover.
One American state has a fruitcake-throwing competition.

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22_tailgate
Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision/gettyimages
There's no party like a tailgate party! What is not true about the sports-related tradition?
You must be 21 to attend.
There's lots of food.
Mobile parties are called nomadic tailgating.
23_Groundhog Day
Insight Imaging/Moment/gettyimages
Where are we trying to hoodwink you with our lie about Groundhog Day?
It began as a pagan festival.
It takes place in January.
The groundhog has a name.
24_baby shower
freemixer/E+/gettyimages
What's completely wrong about American baby showers?
The average gift costs around $30.
China spends more on baby showers.
The gifts are for the mother, not the baby.

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25_prom
Image Source/DigitalVision/gettyimages
OMG ... it's time for prom! Do you see the lie we're telling about this high school tradition?
It's common to wear formal attire.
Parents attend and lead the first dance.
Prom goers go out for a meal before the dance.
26_christmas milk and cookies
knape/E+/gettyimages
Santa always gets cookies and milk, but where's the mistruth in our statements about American Christmas traditions?
Everyone gets a Christmas cracker.
Inflatable Santas are put on many lawns.
Stockings are hung.
27_to go food
Prasit photo/Moment/gettyimages
Can you determine the mistruth about America's love for doggy bags?
It's against health standards to ask for a doggy bag.
France also adopted the idea.
It's a compliment to ask for one.

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28_election
Hill Street Studios/DigitalVision/gettyimages
American elections are traditionally lengthy! What wouldn't add up at the polls?
You can vote at age 16.
Over $2.4 billion was spent during the 2012 election season.
You must register by a deadline.
29_family dinner
10'000 Hours/DigitalVision/gettyimages
What's not one of the reasons Americans eat dinner so early?
Their days start early.
Children dismiss from school early.
It's based around the time of the evening news.
30_American Dream
Davin G Photography/Moment/gettyimages
We're totally lying about the American Dream. Can you spot our fib?
It's associated with homeownership.
It originates with a Martin Luther King, Jr. speech.
Upward mobility is part of the dream.

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31_White House Christmas
IIP Photo Archive from Washington, DC, USA
What are we totally making up about the White House tree-lighting ceremony?
No visitors are permitted.
It started when Calvin Coolidge was in office.
2019 marked 98 years of the ceremony.
32_Southwestern luminarias
Sumiko Scott/Moment Open/gettyimages
Do you know what's the lie and what's the truth about Southwestern luminarias?
They are taken down on Valentine's Day.
The name means "little lantern."
It's based around a tradition of lighting the way to church.
33_Giving Tuesday
Image Source/DigitalVision/gettyimages
Americans love to give on a day called Giving Tuesday. Can you spot the big, fat lie about their charity?
In 2018, over $380 million was raised for charity.
It started in 2002.
It's held shortly after Thanksgiving.

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34_Cyber Monday
smartboy10/DigitalVision Vectors/gettyimages
Do you know what's untrue about the American tradition of online shopping on Cyber Monday?
It's existed since 2005.
Sales hit their peak at midnight.
It's the busiest shopping day in the United States.
35_Boxing Day
JDawnInk/DigitalVision Vectors/gettyimages
What's not true about the tradition of Boxing Day?
It's an American holiday.
It takes place on Dec. 26.
It originated in England.