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Quiz about I Got These Words from India
Quiz about I Got These Words from India

I Got These Words from India Trivia Quiz


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.

A multiple-choice quiz by zorba_scank. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
zorba_scank
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
378,765
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
624
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: panagos (10/10), Guest 164 (3/10), gracious1 (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Which Sanskrit word meaning incarnation gained popularity from its use in role playing video games? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. It is well known that thug is derived from Hindi. Which of these related words also originated in the same language? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The slang term 'Blighty' for Britain comes from an Urdu word meaning foreign.


Question 4 of 10
4. Which of these words meaning a catchy phrase or slogan has its roots in Sanskrit? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Pukka is a UK slang term meaning genuine. What is the meaning of the word in Sanskrit? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which of these weather terms is taken from the Urdu language? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Which natural fiber derives its name from the Bengali word jhuta?

Answer: (One Word (4))
Question 8 of 10
8. Which of these spices that got its name from a Latin word has roots that can be traced to the Tamil or Malayalam language? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Which of these minerals is named after the Tamil word for ruby? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Three of these animals derive their names from languages spoken on the Indian subcontinent. Which is the odd one out? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Oct 25 2024 : panagos: 10/10
Oct 17 2024 : Guest 164: 3/10
Sep 27 2024 : gracious1: 7/10
Sep 27 2024 : Guest 209: 6/10
Sep 07 2024 : papabear5914: 6/10
Sep 01 2024 : Rumpo: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which Sanskrit word meaning incarnation gained popularity from its use in role playing video games?

Answer: Avatar

The Sanskrit word avatar has its roots in the term 'to cross over' and originally meant the earthly manifestation of a deity. In Hinduism, it is most commonly used to refer to the ten different incarnations of Vishnu, one of the triumvirate which also includes Brahma and Shiva.

While avatar is used to describe a physical manifestation of an idea or philosophy, in video games it is used for a character assumed by the player in the game.
2. It is well known that thug is derived from Hindi. Which of these related words also originated in the same language?

Answer: Loot

Loot is used to describe the act of plundering or ransacking. The spoils of such an activity are also referred to as loot.
3. The slang term 'Blighty' for Britain comes from an Urdu word meaning foreign.

Answer: True

Blighty began to be used among the British soldiers stationed in India during the Raj as a term of endearment for each other and their home country. Its roots lie in the Urdu word vilayti which means foreign and may have been used by the native people of India to refer to the foreigners.
4. Which of these words meaning a catchy phrase or slogan has its roots in Sanskrit?

Answer: Mantra

Mantra originally referred to a word or string of words used during meditation. A well known mantra is the Gayatri Mantra which is found among the ancient texts called the Vedas.
5. Pukka is a UK slang term meaning genuine. What is the meaning of the word in Sanskrit?

Answer: Cooked

Pukka is also used in Hindi and Urdu apart from Sanskrit. The word originally meant cooked or roasted. In Hindi slang, pukka is now also used to mean confirmed or sure.
6. Which of these weather terms is taken from the Urdu language?

Answer: Typhoon

Typhoon is derived from the Urdu word toofan which means a violent storm.
7. Which natural fiber derives its name from the Bengali word jhuta?

Answer: Jute

It is believed that jute was named after the Bengali word jhuta or jota which means twisted hair. The Bengali word itself has its roots in Sanskrit. Jute is a vegetable fiber and is primarily used to make gunny cloth.
8. Which of these spices that got its name from a Latin word has roots that can be traced to the Tamil or Malayalam language?

Answer: Ginger

The word ginger may have reached the English language from its Latin name zingiberi. However, this name itself may have been derived from Sanskrit which in turn would have taken it from the Tamil or Malayalam inchi. The root of the ginger plant is used extensively in traditional forms of medicine apart from its use in cooking.
9. Which of these minerals is named after the Tamil word for ruby?

Answer: Corundum

Corundum is the mineral form of aluminium oxide and is the second hardest mineral after diamond. The red variety is known as ruby and other colours are called sapphires with the most famous being the blue sapphire. The Tamil word for ruby is kuruvindam from which corundum has been derived.
10. Three of these animals derive their names from languages spoken on the Indian subcontinent. Which is the odd one out?

Answer: Jaguar

Jaguar is derived from the Tupi-Guarani language family spoken in South America. The feline is native to South America and it is hence highly unlikely that it would find a mention in the Indian languages. Cheetah is taken directly from the Hindi name for the animal which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word citrakayah meaning variegated and could refer to the spotted appearance of the feline. Mongoose and bandicoot are both taken from the Telugu language.
Source: Author zorba_scank

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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