Common Words Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bark

The bark of a tree is its external covering, most evident on the trunk of the plant. The etymology of the word "bark" comes down to us through the Germanic to the Old English where its meaning then was "break". Interestingly, and with reference to its old Germanic conections, there is a municipality in Germany today named Bark, so one wonders if the word originated from that part of the country. Various products can be made from the bark of trees. These, according to Wikipedia, include wall coverings, tannin, some medicines, latex, resin, and with cork perhaps being the most well known. ("Waiter," he barked, "I can't get the cork out of this bottle of champagne!").

Bark is also used in the manufacture of material, small canoes, rope and even maps. Altogether, it's quite a fascinating and utilitarian substance. And of course, "bark" is a sound attributed to a dog when in a state of arousal - protectively, defensively, happily, and so on. It's his means of communicating verbally. It's interesting to ponder how people got "Bark, bark!" from "Woof, woof!" though, don't you think? Either way, if any dog is suddenly barking or woofing near you, be prepared to run!

Answer: Nails

Nails on our fingers are hardened protein and keratin protective coverings for the soft extremity of our fingers - rather unflatteningly likened to claws on other animals. Nails, used in the construction of any product - usually, but not always, comprised of wood - are small metal (or wood) fasteners which are hammered in between two wooden surfaces to help hold them firmly together. Until the 19th century, and dating right back to Biblical times, nails were made by hand. An example of their use back then, sorrowfully so, were those nails driven into the feet and hands of the gentle Jesus when he was crucified.

This is interesting: During the American Revolution, when England had cornered the market on nails, therby limiting their availability in the American colonies, colonists of the time sometimes deliberately burned down their homes so that nails could be manufactured from the ashes that remained. This became such a problem that Virginia passed a law forbidding the practice.

Answer: Jam

Jam is a delicious treat made from various fruits that is spread on bread, toast, crumpets, cakes and so forth to add even more flavour to the product - and inches around the waist - as its main ingredient, apart from the fruit, is sugar. If you're in a jam though, this is a sticky situation you've managed to get yourself in, that usually means trouble of some kind.

Jam was one of those new industries which sprang up throughout Europe in the 19th century alongside many other cottage industries which moved out of the home into mass production factories. England in particular became known as the jam makers of the world, particularly so when sugar became more readily available in 1874, after a repeal of the duties imposed on sugar. How do you like your jam?

Answer: Pool

The game of pool, which is a cue sport played on a rectangular table covered with cloth and surrounded by cushioned borders. The objective of the game is to use a cue stick to strike a set of balls, typically 16 in total, with the goal of pocketing them into six pockets located at the corners and sides of the table. There are several variations of the pool game, the most popular being eight-ball and nine-ball.

A pool of water refers to a small, contained, and often shallow body of water, typically found in natural or artificial settings. This body of water can vary in size and shape, ranging from small puddles or ponds to larger, more substantial water features.

Answer: Mine

Mine can be used to indicate ownership or possession. For example, "This book is mine," means that the book belongs to the speaker.

A mine can refer to an explosive device that is typically buried underground or submerged in water, designed to detonate when triggered by pressure or contact. Mines are used in military and naval operations, as well as for civilian purposes such as mining.

Answer: Bolt

A bolt is a threaded fastener with a head that can be tightened or loosened to secure objects together. Bolts are often used with nuts to create a strong, secure connection.

As a verb, "bolt" means to run away quickly and unexpectedly, often out of fear or excitement. It can also mean to secure something with a bolt or fastener.

Answer: Season

In a meteorological context, a season refers to one of the four periods of the year-spring, summer, autumn (fall), and winter. These seasons are defined by specific weather patterns and temperature changes that occur due to the Earth's axial tilt.

Season can also mean to add flavor to food by using various spices, herbs, or other seasonings. For example, you might season a steak with salt and pepper.

Answer: Draft

A draft refers to a preliminary or unfinished version of a document, report, contract, or any written work. Drafts are often created as works in progress and may undergo revisions before being finalized.

In a military context, a draft can refer to the conscription or compulsory enlistment of individuals into military service. It can also describe a group of individuals who are conscripted for military duty, as in "a draft of soldiers."

In sports, a draft is a process by which sports teams, such as in professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, or MLB, select players from a pool of eligible athletes to join their team. The selection process aims to ensure a fair distribution of talent among teams.

Answer: Squash

Squash can be a verb meaning to physically destroy anything - such as deliberately knocking an edifice down to make way for another edifice to be erected in its place. Or one can squash an idea that a person has suggested for a plan to take place, before any action has been taken at all. Or one person in authority can treat a lesser person contemptuously so as to destroy the lesser person's sense of self-esteem.

Then again, as in this question, squash can be a type of pumpkin - or a very fast and somewhat vicious game played on a court up against a wall with ball and racquets - usually between two players.

Answer: Current

A current can have several meanings. One can be a flow of electricity from a power source that powers any electrical device. Or a flow of liquid going in the one direction - such as a stream of lava down the side of a volcano, or a strong force of water in an ocean going against the normal tidal action of ebbing and flowing.

Another can be anything that is news or events happening right now, as in the answer for this question. That can be any occurrence, endlessly repeated for days, depending on its magnitude, at the expense of any other news of the day.