I Lurk Therefore I am Trivia Quiz

Answer: Shanghai

Shanghai is a synonym for kidnap, not ambush. Although both shanghai and ambush may come about through sneaky means, their intent and results are different. Ambuscade as a noun means an ambush and as a verb to lie in ambush. Waylay is a verb meaning to attack from hiding.

In this context, bushwhacking/bushwhacker comes from the American Civil War and was used as a term to describe the hit and run tactics of guerrilla fighters. Bushwhack grew out of that. (Source: Wikipedia)

Answer: It comes from a type of shoe made from gum rubber that allowed for quieter walking than the shoes of the day.

The consensus of most sources is that the relation to gum rubber shoes that allowed for quiet travel is the most probable etymology. In the 1800s gumshoes were shoes or boots made of gum rubber, the forerunners of modern sneakers. Around the turn of the century the term began to be used for sneaking around either to rob or oppositely to catch thieves.

At first it was "Gumshoe man" then shortened to "gumshoe". Over time it came to be applied almost exclusively to detectives, not criminals. (Sources: The Word Detective, Cool Words, Private Investigator's Mall message board)

Answer: Alienate

Alienate is an antonym for creep, the other three are legitimate synonyms. Creep can be both a noun and a verb. As a noun it takes on a more derisive connotation of someone who does not fit in. Creepy normally denotes something that inspires fear or disgust. "The creeps" come from this idea of the word and means the sensation that is caused by something creepy. Creep in the context of creepy takes lurk to a darker side.

Answer: A person who stands around openly watching others

A person who stands around openly watching others is actually more the antithesis of lurker and therefore has never been a definition of it. The Lurkers are an English punk rock band that formed in the 1970s. They had moderate success and are still active today. Lurker used to mean a small fishing boat comes from the 1913 edition of the "Merriam-Webster Dictionary".

Answer: Meddle

Meddle is an accepted synonym for snoop, the rest are antonyms. Snoopy, as the name of Charlie Brown's dog, actually has no relation to the word snoop. It is instead an affectionate Norwegian term. Snoop probably comes from the Dutch snoepen meaning to pry or snappen to bite, snatch as in eat in private. Snoop is lurk carried to a higher degree of activity. (Source: Online Etymology Dictionary)

Answer: Erect

Erect is not a synonym for slink. Slink carries with it the idea of movement caused by fear, cowardice or shame. It also can mean moving in a provocative manner. It is probably one of the closer synonyms to lurk in intent and meaning. It however does usually mean to move away from the object rather than to follow or watch the object as you would if you were lurking.

Answer: To move about in the open.

Lurking does not mean to move about in the open. It can mean to lie in wait or exist unobserved: as in danger lurking around every corner. With the advent of the Internet is has come to mean a person who reads but does not contribute to chatrooms, message boards, etc.

Answer: Rush

Rush is an antonym of prowl while the other three are acceptable synonyms. Prowl takes lurking to a new level in that there is an intent behind it, to find something. Prowl takes lurk more towards its meaning of lying in ambush rather than just mindless following.

Answer: Mascara

Mascara is not a antonym for conceal, the other three are legitimate antonyms. Mascara is a cosmetic for eyelashes and eyebrows. Mascara comes from mask and both mask and masquerade are synonyms for conceal but mascara is neither a synonym or an antonym of conceal.

Although cosmetics may be used to cover/hide things, they are usually thought of in the more positive sense of beautifying not hiding. Disclose, divulge, and reveal are all related to exposing something, rather than hiding it.

Answer: Divulge

Divulge is not a synonym for sneak, the other three are. Divulge means to reveal or disclose. The term sneakers can be traced back all the way to 1895 and sneak goes back to 1862 in relation to a type of shoe. The other three all have elements of deception or secrecy. Delude means to deceive or mislead and like sneak is considered underhanded. Evade means to escape by trickery.

In this context, spirit means to carry off mysteriously or secretly. As a synonym of lurk, sneak brings out the more devious side of lurk.