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Borrowed Words and Phrases Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Borrowed Words and Phrases Quizzes, Trivia

Borrowed Words and Phrases Trivia

Borrowed Words and Phrases Trivia Quizzes

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61.
  We Stole That From the Portuguese    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match the English word to its Portuguese word or phrase of origin. Boa sorte!
Average, 10 Qns, Joepetz, Nov 14 16
Average
Joepetz gold member
808 plays
62.
  Heard in Hawai'i   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
English is spoken a little differently in Hawai'i compared to the other 49 states. Test your knowledge of these words, borrowed from the Hawaiian language, that a visitor might hear in the islands.
Average, 10 Qns, CellarDoor, Jan 21 14
Average
CellarDoor gold member
650 plays
63.
  English Words Borrowed from Around the Globe   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Here is a match quiz for you. Can you match up the words with their original languages?
Average, 10 Qns, Bruyere, Jun 02 16
Average
Bruyere editor
610 plays
64.
  Native American Contribution to English    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
First Nations people assisted the explorers and pioneers who came to the Americas in many ways. One of them was to contribute new words to the language that they spoke. These loan words have found their way into the English language.
Easier, 10 Qns, einsteinII, Aug 02 17
Easier
einsteinII
967 plays
65.
  Yiddish in American English    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There are lots of words you use every day, even if you are not Jewish, that are Yiddish in origin. Here are some particularly common ones. Can you define the all?
Average, 10 Qns, RivkahChaya, Sep 10 23
Average
RivkahChaya
Sep 10 23
627 plays
66.
  The Jubilee Quiz   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
My fiftieth quiz deals with a few English words borrowed from the Hebrew language.
Average, 10 Qns, gentlegiant17, Sep 03 10
Average
gentlegiant17
1648 plays
67.
  Common Foreign Words And Phrases 2.    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All these common, foreign words and phrases are borrowed from other languages. How many of these do you know? Bonne Chance!
Average, 10 Qns, Soozy_Woozy, Sep 19 15
Average
Soozy_Woozy
3682 plays
68.
  Foreign Words in English    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
We know them; we use them; but are they English? English is the current language number one and many other languages borrow English words. Nevertheless, English also has adopted foreign words. What do you know about them? Have a fun!
Tough, 10 Qns, marvo1330, Aug 25 12
Tough
marvo1330
2680 plays
69.
  Borrowed English Words from Malay   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In the 15th century, the Malay language was upheld as the lingua franca of Maritime Southeast Asia. The interaction between European and native traders, as well as British colonization in the region, has led to the adoption of Malay words in English.
Average, 10 Qns, Matthew_07, Mar 30 20
Average
Matthew_07 gold member
Mar 30 20
249 plays
70.
  Common Foreign Words And Phrases 8    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Common foreign words and phrases are borrowed from other languages. How many of them do you know? Good Luck!
Average, 10 Qns, soozy_woozy, Sep 26 22
Average
soozy_woozy
Sep 26 22
2362 plays
71.
  World Words    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many words in the English language are "borrowed" from other languages. In this quiz, we will find out which countries they come from.
Easier, 10 Qns, karyn-li, Oct 02 09
Easier
karyn-li
2325 plays
72.
  Words of Indian Origin    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"Jungle", "Bungalow" and "Thug" apart, there are approximately 700 words of Indian origin in the English language. Here are some of the less well known ones.
Average, 10 Qns, almaster, Aug 17 22
Average
almaster
Aug 17 22
2641 plays
73.
  Borrowed English Words from Chinese    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Not a lot of words in English have come via the Chinese language, but there are a few. In fact...at least 10, as we shall see below...enjoy!
Tough, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Aug 26 02
Tough
thejazzkickazz gold member
2278 plays
74.
  I Got These Words from India   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A number of words from Hindi, Sanskrit and other native languages of the Indian subcontinent have found their way to English over the years. Take a look at some of them.
Average, 10 Qns, zorba_scank, Dec 23 15
Average
zorba_scank gold member
624 plays
75.
  Parlez-Vous Inglés, Mein Herr?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The English language developed with additions from many languages. See if you can figure out the original language of these commonly-used English words.
Average, 10 Qns, CmdrK, Aug 18 21
Average
CmdrK gold member
Aug 18 21
1087 plays
76.
  International Borrowed Word Matchup   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Here is another quiz on the origins of some English words. Match up the English word with its original language.
Average, 10 Qns, Bruyere, Jun 24 16
Average
Bruyere editor
582 plays
77.
  Take Me To Your Lieder!   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz explores different ways of spending the evening, each of them involving borrowed vocabulary.
Average, 10 Qns, dellastreet, Apr 20 16
Average
dellastreet gold member
549 plays
78.
  Beg, Borrow or Steal   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Throughout its history, English has borrowed many words from other languages. Here's a quiz about some of these exotic loanwords - some relatively recent, others less so.
Difficult, 10 Qns, LadyNym, Jul 30 15
Difficult
LadyNym gold member
494 plays
79.
  Foreigners in the English Language    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
No language can do without the benefit of 'free import' of new words from its neighbours. Especially not a world-language like English. Just see if you can 'identify' these foreigners in disguise.
Average, 10 Qns, chrissie_26, Jun 19 07
Average
chrissie_26
5147 plays
80.
  Common Foreign Words And Phrases 6    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Common foreign words and phrases are borrowed from other languages. How many of them do you know? Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, soozy_woozy, Apr 21 10
Average
soozy_woozy
2273 plays
81.
  Schadenfreude!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is all about SCHADENFREUDE. How much do you know about this word and subject?
Average, 10 Qns, froggyx, Jun 17 14
Average
froggyx
594 plays
82.
  More Loanwords from Chinese    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A list of ten commonly used loanwords from Chinese.
Average, 10 Qns, sw11, Dec 05 20
Average
sw11 gold member
Dec 05 20
266 plays
83.
  Loanwords from Chinese    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Following is a list of ten words borrowed from the Chinese language. Most of the early loanwords came during the time of the Qing Dynasty and British colonial period.
Average, 10 Qns, sw11, Aug 05 19
Average
sw11 gold member
Aug 05 19
341 plays
84.
  Your (Latin) Roots Are Showing!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You'd be surprised how many words we use in English today that haven't changed much in the last few thousand years!
Average, 10 Qns, ilyahna, May 22 22
Average
ilyahna
May 22 22
2134 plays
85.
  More Words of Indian Origin    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Given the good reception that the first quiz on words of Indian origin had, here's another one on the contributions of Indian languages to English.
Average, 10 Qns, almaster, Dec 01 15
Average
almaster
1328 plays
86.
  Its All Greek To Me    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
When scholars and scientists need new terminology they often draw on Latin and Greek, which may give outsiders the feeling they dont dare to call a spade a spade .E.g. a simple ear infection = 'otitis'. This quiz deals with such 'creations'.
Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Sep 26 20
Average
flem-ish
Sep 26 20
2259 plays
87.
  Where in the World...    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz follows a day in the life of Suzy, a girl from England, who unbeknown to her, uses words from all around the world. Where in the world do the following fairly common words originate?
Average, 10 Qns, witchdog, Jun 01 24
Average
witchdog
Jun 01 24
918 plays
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Borrowed Words and Phrases Trivia Questions

61. Which language does "kaput" come from?

From Quiz
World Words

Answer: German

"Kaput" means broken, worn out or done with. It was used by the German migrants when they were working in very harsh conditions and for very little pay. "Kaput" is also used as a slang word if a machine is not working or if a car has run out of petrol.

62. The French word BAGATELLE means:

From Quiz Common Foreign Words And Phrases 10

Answer: Something of little value

The French word 'bagatelle' means 'something of little value or significance'. It also means 'a short light piece of music, esp. for piano' and it is another name for 'Bar Billiards'. It comes from the Italian word 'bagattella', which comes from (dialect) 'bagatta' meaning 'a little possession', from the word 'baga' which means 'a possession'. It also may come from the Latin word 'baca' which means 'berry'. Roy Orbison sang a song called 'Penny Arcade' in which the line 'Just ring the bell on the big bagatelle' is used. In this instance 'bagatelle' means a board game where balls are struck into holes, with pins as obstacles. This game is usually used in circuses and pinball machine parlours.

63. The Latin phrase MEMENTO MORI means:

From Quiz Common Foreign Words And Phrases 9

Answer: Reminder of death

The Latin phrase MEMENTO MORI means 'remember you must die'. The New Latin word 'memento' means 'remember' and the word 'mori' means 'to die'. It is a phrase used to remind us of our mortality. E.g., 'the skull rested on the shelf as a memento mori'.

64. The Italian phrase DOLCE VITA means:

From Quiz Common Foreign Words And Phrases 8

Answer: Life of luxury

The Italian phrase DOLCE VITA means 'a luxurious, self-indulgent way of life' or literally 'sweet life'. The Italian words 'dolce' means 'sweet' and 'vita' means 'life'.

65. What does the German word WELTSCHMERZ mean?

From Quiz Common Foreign Words And Phrases 7

Answer: Melancholy discontent

The German word WELTSCHMERZ means 'sorrow over the evils of the world' and 'sentimental pessimism'. E.g., 'the news report expressed a certain weltschmerz, or world-weariness'. In the German language, 'welt' means 'world' and 'schmerz' means 'pain'.

66. What does the Italian word ANDANTE mean?

From Quiz Common Foreign Words And Phrases 6

Answer: Moderately slow tempo

The Italian word 'andante' is used in music and it means 'at a moderately slow tempo'. It comes from the Italian words 'andare' which means 'to go' and 'ambulare' which means 'to walk'.

67. What do the Latin words VENI,VIDI,VICI mean?

From Quiz Common Foreign Words And Phrases 5.

Answer: I came, I saw, I conquered

The Latin phrase 'veni, vidi, vici' means 'I came, I saw, I conquered'. It was a phrase used by Julius Caesar in 47BC, when he defeated Pharnaces 11 of Pontus, in the battle of Zela. It is a phrase that is used in the present day, by someone who is successful in the takeover of a business.

68. What does the German word ANGST mean?

From Quiz Common Foreign Words And Phrases 4

Answer: Dread & anxiety

'Angst' is from the German word angest, which has indo-european roots. It means a feeling of 'anxiety' or 'apprehension', which is often followed by depression.

69. What does the French word BRIOCHE mean?

From Quiz Common Foreign Words And Phrases 3.

Answer: A bun

Brioche comes from a French word meaning 'to knead'. A brioche is a bun or sweet roll which is usually soft and light. It is made from eggs, butter, flour and yeast.

70. What does the Latin phrase IN LOCO PARENTIS mean?

From Quiz Common Foreign Words And Phrases 2.

Answer: In place of a parent

The Latin phrase in loco parentis means: to take the responsibilities of a parent. Sometimes a guardian is appointed by law to look after the best interests of children.

71. What does the phrase NOM DE PLUME mean?

From Quiz Common Foreign Words And Phrases

Answer: A pen name

French for a name an author uses instead of his/her own name.

72. This next word, meaning outcast, comes from the name of an untouchable caste or Dalit caste, as they are now called, in Tamil Nadu. Which one?

From Quiz Words of Indian Origin

Answer: pariah

The word 'pariah', meaning outcast, originates from the untouchable caste, "Pariyan", who were found all across the erstwhile Madras Presidency.

73. What two word phrase, originally from the Italian, would we use to describe Betty Ford, Dolley Madison or any overly temperamental person who has an elevated sense of ego?

From Quiz Borrowed English Words from Italian

Answer: prima donna & primadonna

The phrase 'prima donna' means 'first lady', literally in Italian. Of course, the term could be used to directly translate the title given to Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush or Martha Washington, but it also has a negative connotation, as described in the question. The term also describes the lead female voice in an opera...some of whom might fit both meanings of the word!

74. Here's an easy one...which onomatopoeic sport's name comes to us from Chinese?

From Quiz Borrowed English Words from Chinese

Answer: ping-pong & ping pong

Ping pong is an onomatopoeic word in Chinese, meant to imitate the sound of the ball being hit back and forth. Like English, Chinese is loaded with onomatopoeias, for example 'beng' is the sound for something bursting and 'ca' is used for a screech.

75. What language did English get 'deck', 'boss' and 'yacht' from?

From Quiz English Borrowings

Answer: Dutch

The Dutch words are 'dek' (with a vowel similar to the sound of {cat);} 'baas' (with a sound similar to the long vowel of farm) and 'jacht' literally a 'hunting ship'. A fast ship for what the military would call 'rapid deployment'. Also in Russian many terms in sea-navigation are from Dutch.Examples from French :chaloupe from sloep (sloop) {;} babord from bakboord (port or larboard).

76. The Romans were great builders of roads and of military fortifications. One of the words we borrowed from them was wall, from "vallum". What was the original meaning of "vallum"?

From Quiz Sources of English: Latin

Answer: palisade

"Vallis" is Latin for valley but is unrelated to "vallum" which refers to the "valli" or stakes a palisade was made of. Later "vallum" became the word for the whole defensive structure: "palisade-cum-ditch". In some cases the palisade became a stone wall rather than just a wooden structure.

77. If a certain style of dress gives a woman a feline touch, how does it make her look?

From Quiz Greek and Latin in Disguise

Answer: like a cat

The Latin word for cat from which this adjective derives is 'feles', not to be confused with the word for happy, which is 'felix'.

78. What sort of people would you call latitudinarians?

From Quiz Its All Greek To Me

Answer: people who are broad and liberal in their standards of religious beliefs and conduct

79. Hint: b + 3 letters + o.- What term for an attractive but rather stupid (and esp. promiscuous ) young woman derives from the Italian word for baby: bambino ?

From Quiz Foreigners in the English Language

Answer: bimbo

Bimbo is a shortened form for bambino in Italian.

80. What does 'Schadenfreude' mean?

From Quiz German Words in English

Answer: gloating

It used to be said that gloating over the misfortunes of others is 'typically German'. It's worth being very skeptical indeed about such statements.

81. Another German word that has 'crossed over' is 'weltschmerz'. What does it mean?

From Quiz Foreign Words That Have Crossed Over

Answer: Sadness at the state of the world

Sadness at comparing the real with the ideal.

82. What is a golem?

From Quiz Oy! Yiddish!

Answer: an artificial man of clay

The ancient legends of the golem were the basis of many a book and some films, besides influencing Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

83. Bongos are hand drums widely used in Afro-Cuban music. What else (also pertaining to the African continent) does the word "bongo" denote?

From Quiz Somewhere in Africa...

Answer: an antelope

"Bongo" is an interesting case (though far from being unique in the English dictionary) of a word that has two different meanings and two separate etymologies - though both of them originated in the African continent. The name of the hand drums - used in pairs and held between the player's knees - is believed by some scholars to have derived from the Bantu word for "drum", "ngoma" or "mgombo".The word, however, entered English from Latin American Spanish (where it is spelled "bongó") in the 1920s. The name of the large antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus) native to West and Central Africa is believed to originate from Kele, a Bantu language spoken in Gabon. Its earliest known use in English is a few decades older than that of the musical term - dating from 1861, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. LadyNym of Phoenix Rising's Red Crew felt like dancing to some Latin American music while writing this question.

84. Mahjong is a very popular Chinese tile-based game. What is the literal meaning of "mahjong"?

From Quiz More Loanwords from Chinese

Answer: Little sparrow

Mahjong is originally known as "maque" in Chinese pinyin meaning little sparrow. The game was developed during the Qing and spread to many countries in the 20th century. There are 144 tiles, played usually by four players. It is one of the favorite pastime gambling games for the Chinese.

85. Among many other things, Japan is famous for its distinctive clothing. On which part of your body would you wear tabi, zori and geta?

From Quiz Back to the Futon

Answer: feet

Zori and geta are both traditional types of thonged Japanese footwear. Zori are flat, much like flip-flops, while geta are wooden clogs with an elevated base. Of the two, zori are considered more formal, and often worn with kimonos, while geta tend to be worn in summer with less formal clothing. Tabi (meaning "foot pouch") are ankle socks with a separate section for the big toe, worn with either of these sandals during the colder months of the year. The first known use of "zori" in English dates from 1823; "geta" came a few decades later, in 1876, and "tabi" around 1890.

86. Strong winds bring heavy rains affecting mainly countries in east Asia and Indo-China. Name these winds that sometimes cause destructive flooding.

From Quiz Loanwords from Chinese

Answer: Typhoon

The word first appeared druing the 18th century. Typhoon is a tropical cyclone that usually occurs from May to October, but it can also hit at any time. The strong winds are in excess of 70 kph, and affect Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the southern part of China. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are not affected by typhoons.

87. The restaurant you went to is Italian, a TRATTORIA in fact. The MINESTRONE was fine and the PASTA was AL DENTE. For dessert you select the ZUPPA INGLESE, or literally "English soup". Which British dish does ZUPPA INGLESE most closely resemble?

From Quiz Take Me To Your Lieder!

Answer: Trifle

"Zuppa Inglese", like trifle, includes layers of sponge, custard and cream. There is a theory that it originated in Italy when the sixteenth century Dukes of Este asked their cooks to reproduce a dish they had been served when visiting the Elizabethan English court.

88. The English really utilise this introduced Italian word we use during rainy weather. Do you know it?

From Quiz The Long Journey to English

Answer: Umbrella

The Latin language of course introduced this word into the Italian, what with Rome and the Romans and all. "Umbrella" made its way into the English language some time during the 17th century, but before it unfurled there, it travelled from "umbra" (Latin) to "ombra" (Italian) and to "ombrella" (later Italian). The good old umbrella we know today is a device that can shelter us from either the sun or the rain, but which has an irritating habit of turning inside out on windy days.

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Last Updated Oct 26 2024 5:45 AM
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