FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Words of Warning Trivia Quiz

I got to thinking about the various words and phrases we use to warn or alert others about potentially hazardous circumstances. Here is a straightforward quiz exploring some common and not so common examples.

A multiple-choice quiz by scalar. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
scalar

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
275,232

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2637

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Question 1 of 10

1. The first word in this quiz is one you might hear on the golf course when a player is about to tee off.
Although the answers here are just the word or phrase, they seem to fit better when you mentally add an exclamation point!

Answer: (One Word - don't add that exclamation point!)

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. This word may be heard in the forest, when a logger has finished his work and a tree is about to fall.

Answer: (One Word - don't add that exclamation point!)

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. This word of warning may be the best known and perhaps scariest of all. It should never be used in jest, especially in a crowded environment.

Answer: (One Word, Four Letters - don't add that exclamation point!)

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. This one is a little less known, but used before an explosion or demolition.

Answer: (Four Words, 4,2,3,4 Letters)

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. This warning is used when something might be falling from above, such as a foul ball.

Answer: (Two Words, 5 and 2 Letters)

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. In battle, this may be the most chilling and instantly reacted-to warning.

Answer: (One Word, Eight Letters)

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. This seemingly calendar-based word is one for distress or imminent catastrophe.

Answer: (One Word, Six Letters)

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. This somewhat sexist phrase is more of an alert than a warning. The potential for a bad outcome increases with the size of the ship and the severity of the seas.

Answer: (Two Words, Three and Nine Letters)

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. The next command is also nautical in origin and means "Clear a path!"

Answer: (One Word, Seven Letters)

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Another word, from a man's name, is more of an announcement than a warning, though a paratrooper might yell it with some alarm.

Answer: (One Word, Eight Letters)

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The first word in this quiz is one you might hear on the golf course when a player is about to tee off. Although the answers here are just the word or phrase, they seem to fit better when you mentally add an exclamation point!

Answer: Fore

The origin of "Fore!" may be from "before," meaning the time when it is said.

2. This word may be heard in the forest, when a logger has finished his work and a tree is about to fall.

Answer: Timber

The origin of this warning is either obvious or unknown. You might think "Lumber!" or "Tree!" would work as well.

3. This word of warning may be the best known and perhaps scariest of all. It should never be used in jest, especially in a crowded environment.

Answer: Fire

It is actually a crime in most places to shout "Fire!" if there is none.

4. This one is a little less known, but used before an explosion or demolition.

Answer: Fire in the hole

"Fire in the hole!" comes from mining, but is also used at other times, such as when a hand grenade is thrown.

5. This warning is used when something might be falling from above, such as a foul ball.

Answer: Heads up

I guess "Eyes up!" might be a better description of what is required.

6. In battle, this may be the most chilling and instantly reacted-to warning.

Answer: Incoming

While "Incoming!" can be used in any kind of attack, it is most common in response to indirect fire, such as mortars or artillery.

7. This seemingly calendar-based word is one for distress or imminent catastrophe.

Answer: Mayday

Interestingly, "Mayday!" actually comes from the French "m'aider," meaning help or aid me.

8. This somewhat sexist phrase is more of an alert than a warning. The potential for a bad outcome increases with the size of the ship and the severity of the seas.

Answer: Man Overboard

There is a big difference between falling off a dinghy in a pond and off the QEII in a North Atlantic storm.

9. The next command is also nautical in origin and means "Clear a path!"

Answer: Gangway

"Gangway!" has a surprising number of meanings, most as nouns, but as an interjection its meaning is clear.

10. Another word, from a man's name, is more of an announcement than a warning, though a paratrooper might yell it with some alarm.

Answer: Geronimo

Geronimo (1829-1909) was an Apache Indian Chief, but darned if I can find why parachutists use it as a battle cry.

Source: Author scalar

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