QUESTION: What is the translation of the song Charlie Chaplin sings in Modern Times?

In Modern Times (1936) Chaplin performs a song often referred to as The Nonsense Song. It has deliberately nonsensical lyrics, which are a mix of various languages and gibberish.

When Chaplin sang the song, it was the first time an audience had heard his voice, since he had become famous in the days before 'talkies'. By singing nonsense he could embrace new sound technology but still appeal to those who liked films in which he said nothing.

Post-production information for the film's foreign distribution states: 'Note! Very important. Mr Chaplin sings a song in a 'Bogus' language (no translation needed)'. This segment of the song shows it makes little sense: 'La spinash o la bouchon/Cigaretto Portabello/Si rakish spaghaletto/Ti la tu la ti la twah'.

Thomas Evans, Swansea.

QUESTION: Do the Royal Family fill in the census forms?

A census has been held every ten years since 1801, except in 1941, during the Second World War. In the early years, it was little more than a head count. The 1841 census was the first considered a 'modern census'. Each person had to give their name, age, sex and occupation, as well as country of birth if born abroad. All households were obliged to complete the census, including the Royal Family.

For their 1841 census, recorded at Buckingham Palace, in the name column, Queen Victoria simply wrote 'The Queen'. She did not give an occupation. In 1851, under 'name' she gave 'Her Majesty Alexandrina Victoria' and occupation 'The Queen'. Her husband, Prince Albert, was listed as head of household. By this time, seven of their nine children had been born and were recorded.

The 1861 the Queen was 'Victoria R' and her occupation 'The Sovereign'. Albert was 'Price Consort' and the Queen was head of household.

The last census the public have access to is 1921's. Census records are sealed for 100 years.

Mary Rogers, Tadley, Berks.

QUESTION: Were any famous figures expelled from school?

Further to earlier answers, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was expelled from his boarding school, L'Instituto Salesiano, in Faenza, aged ten, for stabbing another pupil in the hand. He later became a school teacher.

Henry Riley, Cannock, Staffs.