You May Be A Geek If... Quiz | Thematic Fun

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The word "geek" is derived from which of the following?

Answer: "Geck", Middle Low German for "fool", and was originally used for circus performers

Many dictionaries and websites state that "geek" was originally a word for the lowest kind of circus performer...specifically one who bites the heads off live chickens. However, Shakespeare used the word "geck" at least twice, in "Cymbeline" and in "Twelfth Night".

Also on the subject of words, thesaurus.com lists more than 50 synonyms for "geek"...among the most fun are auger, cereb, cognoscenti, egghead, grind, grub, guru, ivory dome, solon, spider, and tool!

2. C8H10N4O2 is a molecule dear to the hearts and minds of geeks. What is it?

Answer: Caffeine

Worldofmolecules.com informs us that caffeine is also called 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine or 3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione. This substance is so beloved by geeks that www.thinkgeek.com sells caffeine gum, mugs and T-shirts emblazoned with the caffeine molecule, yerba mat� (a caffeinated drink usually only consumed in Argentina), and even caffeine soap and body gel.

3. Wil Wheaton is the author of "Just a Geek" and "Dancing Barefoot". Among people who may be geeks, for which of the accomplishments below is Mr. Wheaton better known?

Answer: The role of Ensign Wesley Crusher on "Star Trek: The Next Generation"

Wil Wheaton, in the words of amazon.com's editor, has made "the transition from a B-list actor to an A-list author". His books (and website, wilwheaton.net) describe his frustration with being remembered chiefly for his "Star Trek" role. (We all have problems, Wil.)

In case you were curious (which by the way is another symptom of geekhood), the person inside the Chewbacca suit was Peter Mayhew, and "User Friendly"'s brilliant cartoonist is J.D. "Illiad" Frazer.

4. What's the last name of the person who invented Linux?

Answer: Torvalds

Linus Torvalds invented Linux in 1990. (If you don't know what Linux is, you aren't a geek. I'm sorry. I think.) After Torvalds moved from his native Finland to Oregon, USA, he was quoted as saying "The only place people recognize me is when I'm shopping at Fry's Electronics."

Larry Page and Sergey Brin are "the Google guys", now also known as "the Google billionaires".

Chuck Munyon was the winner of the first season of the reality show "Beauty and the Geek" on American television.

5. Which of these important geek events happened on May 22, 1973?

Answer: The Ethernet was first proposed

Ethernet differs from the Internet in that "ethernet" refers to the connection of multiple computers within the same building. Its inventor, Robert Metcalf, first proposed the idea in a memo to his bosses at Xerox on May 22, 1973.

Ms. Sirtis first jumped into her "Star Trek" body-hugging jumpsuit in 1987.
ILM was founded by Lucas in July, 1975.
The first "D&D" tourney was held in 1976.

6. Which of the following is NOT the title of a book by Stephen Hawking?

Answer: The Elegant Universe

"The Elegant Universe" (subtitled "Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory") is by Brian Greene, a quantum field theory specialist. "There is an ill-concealed skeleton in the closet of physics: As they are currently formulated, general relativity and quantum mechanics cannot both be right." Superstring theory, also known as the "theory of everything" attempts to explain those instances in the history of physics. (Quote and info from the amazon.com review of "The Elegant Universe".)

Mr. Hawking is, of course, the world's most famous theoretical physicist. For more about him, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking.

7. Many people picture the quintessential geek as looking a bit nerdy (the pocket protector is an over-used cliche), but when I think "geek", I think of former NASA flight director Gene Kranz. Who portrayed Kranz with eerie, geek-wardrobe-and-all accuracy in the movie "Apollo 13"?

Answer: Ed Harris

Kranz worked at NASA for more than 25 years. Those who knew him then (including my father) say that Harris' portrayal captured both Kranz's humor and his sheer geekiness...qualities that often go together.

After a fun evening spent rewatching "Apollo 13", I recommend reading Kranz's autobiography, "Failure Is Not an Option: Mission Control from Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond".

8. Although not strictly accurate, many people assume that geeks have difficulty with interpersonal relationships and socializing. Which of the following would NOT be found in a profile on the Internet dating website "Geek2Geek"?

Answer: Phone number

From www.gk2gk.com: "Geeks make the best friends and lovers, because they're smart and they're loyal."

For more information (and perhaps to meet "Tall, Dork and Handsome") visit http://www.gk2gk.com/about.

9. A wonderful cartoon and instant geek classic was Gary Larson's "Midvale School for the Gifted", which shows one of its students shoving hard at a door marked "PULL". What's the name of the comic strip drawn by Mr. Larson?

Answer: The Far Side

"The Far Side" is a huge favorite of scientists. While the cartoon mentioned above is a geek favorite, my own Larson choice is the one of the guy in Hell, facing two doors: "Damned if You Do" and "Damned if You Don't".

10. Most so-called "reality" programs are not a geek's cup of TV. However, the US television shows "BattleBots" and "Junkyard Wars" appeal to both a geek's ability to build oddly functional things out of rubbish AND his urge to compete. From what UK show did "Junkyard Wars" evolve?

Answer: Scrapheap Challenge

In an article on TV for geeks, salon.com states "Instead of identifying geeks based on their Coke-bottle glasses, "BattleBots" and "Junkyard Wars" recognize what really makes a geek -- the creative desire to make something new, whether out of code or silicon or chicken wire."

I hope this quiz has mentioned a new thing or two to you...if not, you are DEFINITELY a geek! Congratulations!

Source: Author LilahDeDah

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ozzz2002 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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