In Europe balaclavas are common, and everybody in the UK would know this word. But they aren't primarily (nor ever were) ski-masks. They are worn in cold climates.
I also got it because of Harry Potter. @kiwiquizzer, I read the books growing up and that was one way to learn vocabulary. Reading Harry Potter and learning new words are not mutually exclusive.
I got it by wondering whether some people might wear a balaclava when skiing. Got lucky. I've seen plenty of balaclavas in the city, but don't really associate them with the ski slopes.
Kept thinking that the 5th element was a reference to classical notions of elements. But "aether" doesn't start with B. Never even thought to try for the *real* 5th element.
Bribery has nothing to do with extortion. Bribery is illegally buying a service or influence. The fact that someone took a bribe can be used as blackmail, but it isn't itself blackmail
Bribery is not extortion. Extortion is to use undue means or power over someone (especially with threats) for your own benefit. Bribery is just illegally paying people off for your personal gain. Bribery here is definitely incorrect.
Pretty daring to have both in the same quiz: "barista" and "barrister". I can imagine people trying to spell both the same and whining for not being accepted.
In U.K.a balaclava is typically a woollen head and face covering, worn to protect against cold or snow. Certainly not restricted to skiing use, in fact WAY too unsophisticated & non-technical to be worn by any top 21st century skiers.
For a while I was trying to think of the name of which marshy river in Louisiana begins with a B. Many southern states have bayous, including my own state of Missouri with its St. John's Bayou. Texas and Louisiana may have the most, but singling out Louisiana is what brought on my confusion. Why not just say, "Marshy river of the southern US?"
Per the Joint Services Brevity Guide, a "bogey" is an unidentified aircraft and a "bandit" is one that has been identified and declared "hostile". Glad both were accepted since Hollywood likes to mix up the terms (shocking I know)
don't mean to nitpick, but burka (most commonly spelled burqa) is a pashto term that refers to a specifically Afghan garment, also worn by some women in India and Pakistan, and does not apply to any and every full-covering Islamic garment. the clue here should be reworded to reflect that, i think.
I thought I’d be the only one thinking that bawdy house should be accepted. I’m pretty sure I know it just because that’s what it’s called in Canadian law.
And if you're from the region, yeah probably not, but you got there in the end anyways.