Crystal Ball Words Trivia

1. Hi sweety, have you got the time to define bagassosis?

From Quiz Wrapped in Definitions

Answer: A lung disease caused from mouldy sugarcane fibre

Congratulations to player baldricksmum of the No Worries team who guessed this peculiar word correctly on 8 January, 2019. So impressive. Bagassosis is a lung disease defined in Wikipedia as "a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis" which is caused by mouldy sugarcane fibre. Another word to describe mouldy sugarcane fibre is bagasses, so you can see how the word evolved. Symptoms of this illness are difficulty in breathing, fever and coughing up blood. The condition first made its way into the medical world in 1955 in a factory manufacturing cardboard in Kolkata, India. Why the connection to sugarcane? India is a country that produces large amounts of sugarcane. Instead of throwing away the waste fibre of the cane when making molasses, it was utilised then, and still is today, in the manufacture of paper, cardboard and rayon.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 8

Answer: Metal plate binding and reinforcing rails or beams

This was one of the winning words in the Crystal Ball on 7 March, 2018, but it was guessed by nobody. The definition of "fishplate" is, according to Fun Trivia and Wikipedia, a "metal plate bolted along sides of two rails or beams" to reinforce them and hold them together. You'll usually see fishplates along the joins of railway tracks where they are connected on either sides of the track with steel rivets. The word derives from a nautical term for a piece of wood - called a fish for some peculiar reason - used to strength the mast on a sailing ship. Fishplates were invented by English locomotive engineer and author, William Bridges Adams (1797-1872) in 1842, because he wasn't happy with the then current methods by which the rails were joined. Interestingly, his daughter from his third marriage (his first two wives predeceased him) - Hope Bridges Adams Lehmann - became the first female GP and gynaecologist in Munich, Germany, obtaining her degrees in that country in 1880. However, she was not allowed to refer to herself as a doctor until the turn of the following century because of the then repressive attitudes towards women. This resulted in Hope becoming a strong advocate for female equality - which isn't altogether surprising.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 2

Answer: A form of currency

Won by drew20s of The Moops team on 6th January 2017, the likuta was once a currency used in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zaire from 1967 until 1997. Known as makuta when used plurally, the likuta/makuta was equal to one zaire. The zaire was introduced in 1967 and replaced the Congolese franc which was in use up until that time. When this new currency was brought in, one thousand francs equalled one zaire. Those who follow numismatics as a hobby would no doubt find all this fascinating.

From Quiz Wrapped in Definitions

Answer: A rarely used medical term to describe nucleoplasm

This word was won by ClarkyB of The Moops team on 8 January, 2019. Karyoplasm is a rarely used medical term describing nucleoplasm. It is a type of protoplasm found in the nucleus of a cell. Surrounded by a nuclear membrane, karyoplasm aka nucleoplasm contains chromosomes and nucleolus. (I'm trying to look intelligent here). Another medical encyclopaedia on the net informs one that it is "nuclear sap, the protoplasm of a cell nucleus, separated from the surrounding cytoplasm by the nuclear membrane, or karyomembrane". That definition comes from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). Did you all understand that? Was that a "Nyet, nyet" from the back of the room?

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 8

Answer: Secretion of milk from the lacteral glands

Guessed by quantockgal of "The British" team on 8 March, 2018, "galactosis" is defined in the dictionary as "the formation of milk by the lacteal glands". Lactation itself is a physiological occurrence that takes places in females after giving birth, when they begin to secrete milk in order to nourish their offspring. It's quite astonishing really when you think about it, that whole process of creating a new life within their bodies, and then the ability to feed new born children from themselves until they're old enough to chew solids. Women are walking miracles. This word is derived from the Greek "galact" (for milk) and the French "ose" to describe the amount of sugar in that fluid.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 2

Answer: A rickshaw

Won by ClarkyB of The Moops on 13 January 2017, a jinrikisha is a two-wheeled cart that seats one to two people, and is pulled along manually by a third person. A rickshaw, in other words. Originating in Japan in the 1860s, rickshaws quickly began to appear in most Asian countries within a few years, and even made their way over to East and South Africa as well. Because of health problems associated with the pullers of these devices, human powered rickshaws have recently been discouraged, or even made illegal, in some countries. These are replaced by petrol powered three-wheelers instead. How sad. Apparently though, no matter how romantic the image they convey, pulling a rickshaw along is looked upon as being a very degrading occupation, and the workers suffer from a variety of health problems as well. One wonders how they managed to pull up when going down a steep hill, and if ever a rickshaw, with a screaming occupant or two, ever mowed them down as it zoomed out of control past them.

From Quiz Wrapped in Definitions

Answer: Pain in the testes

Snapcracker of the Retired and loving it team guessed this word correctly on 7 January, 2019. If you're familiar with Latin or Greek roots and prefixes and suffixes, then you'll know that any word ending in "algia" has a meaning related to pain. "Orchis" on the other hand comes down to us from the Latin language and basically describes the male testes. Put them together and you are describing pain in that part of the male anatomy. This very painful condition has various causes, such as injury, infection, cancer or even as the result of surgery. Apparently the word orchis, as far as describing male anatomy, sprang into use because of the resemblance of the roots of that bloom to the male reproductive anatomy. From this arose the belief in ancient days that orchids had powerful aphrodisiac qualities. The plant's root was dissolved in goat's milk and enthusiastically consumed by ye ancient gentlemen. One drink of this concoction, according to the folklore of the time, and a man could perform the labour of love seventy times in a row. Quite possibly, ye ancient ladies of the time had a lot of fun scoffing at that.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 8

Answer: Yelp or squawk or utter a harsh cry

That's when "yawp" is used as a verb. It can also be utilised as a noun to describe a raucous lot of talking or complaining or speech. Yawp was guessed by drewh2os of The Moops team on 9 March, 2018. This word, when used as a verb, originated during the Middle English period of history when it meant "imitative". It began to be used as noun to describe a harsh speech from the early 19th century.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 2

Answer: Snuff

Guessed again by drew20s of The Moops team, this time on 14 January, 2017, Fun Trivia defines this word as "strong snuff made from dark coarse tobacco". Snuff is made by grinding up tobacco leaves very finely, and, instead of smoking same, users snuffed it up their noses instead, where it sent a very strong surge of nicotine to the receptors in the brain. Originating in South America, it eventually made its way over to the European world via the early Spanish explorers and conquerors. It was used there by people who were mainly from the upper classes. Not everyone was enchanted with it, however. Pope Urban VIII ordered that it be banned from all churches, under pain of excommunication if people persisted in taking it, while over in Russia, Tsar Michael, who detested it, punished snuff takers by removing their noses. Gosh, that really smells.

From Quiz Fortune Teller

Answer: A book with notes from various editors or commentators

'Variorum' is short for 'editio cum notis variorum', which is Latin for 'edition with notes by various people'. There are two meanings of 'variorum': the one here, which is the older definition, and a collection of all known variants of the same text (e.g. a variorum edition of Darwin's 'Origin of the Species', which contains the original text plus rewrites). Some variorum editions of texts fulfill both definitions.

From Quiz Wrapped in Definitions

Answer: A stew eaten by early sailors

Guessed correctly by mazza47 of The Cat People team on 11 January, 2019, lobscuse, also known as lobscouse or just plain scouse, was a stew first eaten by northern European sailors back in the early days of sail. In fact, this dish has as many other names as its ingredients. It was also referred to as lobscourse, lobscouse, labskaus, lobby, lob's course and lap's course, depending in which part of the world it was dished up. While the origin of the original word is unknown, ingredients could include salted beef or mutton, neck of lamb, onions, flour, water, salt, crackers (also known as ship's biscuits), assorted vegetables on hand including potatoes and carrots, and even picked beetroot or red cabbage. It's just a plain old stew in other words and still very popular today as a lunchtime meal at various pubs in England, particularly those in Liverpool, where many claim the dish itself originated.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 8

Answer: The act of recording wind speed

Won by satguru of the classical music/mensan team on 1 April, 2018, this word is defined more fully in the dictionary as "the recording of the measurement of wind speed by an anemometer", but that definition would have given you the answer on a silver platter. The word itself, if not the meaning applied to it today, comes down to us from two ancient Greek words of "anemos", meaning wind, and "grafia", meaning to write or draw.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 2

Answer: Triangular shape in a cross section

A wedge, for example, is considered a cuneus. Won by snapcracker who's Retired and Loving It, on 15 January 2017, surgeons would also describe cuneus as a small wedge-shaped area in the occipital lobe of the human brain. Located in the rear of the brain, that's the area that deals with our visual processes.

From Quiz Fortune Teller

Answer: Eat it

Radicchio is a type of chicory often used in Italian cooking; it is also known as 'Italian chicory'. Its leaves are usually red with white veins. Like most chicory types, its roots can be used as a coffee substitute. It can be grilled in olive oil or mixed with other dishes such as risotto or stuffing.

From Quiz Wrapped in Definitions

Answer: Persistent high blood pressure with no cause

Hyperpiesia is defined as ongoing high blood pressure - for which no known trigger can be found. In many cases the root cause of "normal" high blood pressure can be established, such as a high powered business person with huge demands and deadlines to be met - but hyperpiesia has the medical world somewhat puzzled because its root cause doesn't appear to exist. Nobody guessed this difficult word which appeared in the Crystal Ball game on 21 January, 2019. This is not at all surprising but don't let it it send your blood pressure soaring through the roof. For future reference, if you're interested, any word beginning with "Hyper" has an essential meaning that means high, while "Hypo" is associated with low. An easy way to remember this is "Po means low".

From Quiz Fortune Teller

Answer: Sparta

The helots were a serf class in Laconia (from where the word 'laconic' comes) and Messenia, territory controlled by the military city state of Sparta. They were essentially slaves, and were subjugated by the Spartans; the historian Herodotus believed there were seven helots to every Spartan. The Spartans feared the possibility of a helot uprising, and purposely beat and humiliated them to keep them in line. Cinadon, a military officer, lead a coup d'état in the 4th century BC in the hope of granting rights to poorer Spartans and helots, but the rebellion was brutally crushed by the regime.

From Quiz Wrapped in Definitions

Answer: A raised decorative bier for a coffin

Won by Looking4IQ of the United States of Trivia team on 24 January, 2019, a catafalque is a raised decorative bier for a casket during a funeral or memorial service, but not for your everyday person in the street. It's used more in services for Popes, high up dignitaries, noblemen, very famous people and the like, and seen but rarely these days. There's something almost medieval about its use, in fact. Pope John XXIII (1881-1963), for example, had his casket supported by a catafalque as he lay in state at St Peter's Basilica while a million mourners filed past to say their final farewells. One was first used in the United States for the funeral of President Lincoln, and since then has been used for other memorial services of worthy American dignitaries in the Capitol Rotunda. The remains of the famous French writer and philosopher, Voltaire (1694-1778), were carried on a catafalque to that country's secular mausoleum, the Pantheon, thirteen years after his death, in a long procession through Paris. Because of his stinging criticism of religion while alive, he had been denied a Christian burial upon his death, but his friends had buried him secretly, and due honour was only accorded this famous man at that later time with due ceremony. Another example can be found in Australia, where a catafalque guard is often to be seen at the Australian War Museum to honour our fallen defence personnel during ANZAC Day ceremonies. These are also carried out in various other sites in Australia and around the world where our soldiers fell. Very moving ceremonies, these are held just as the sun begins to rise, while the Last Post plays hauntingly over the heads of the silent crowds.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 8

Answer: Vain and empty boasting

This word was won by snapcracker by the Retired And Loving It team on 3 April, 2018. It was coined in the 16th century by the English poet, Edmund Spenser (c.1552-1599). It appears in his famous 1599 work "The Faerie Queene" and is based on the name of one of his characters therein, the boastful Braggadocchio.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 2

Answer: Constipation

Won by mazza47 from the Cat People, on 6 February, obstipate is related to severe constipation. Embarrassing and very uncomfortable, this condition is no laughing matter, and can prove fatal if not resolved. Many elderly people are victims of constipation, which can be caused by poor diet, medical disorders and even some medications. As an indication of its effect on people, Americans spend over $250 million dollars every year on a variety of medications designed to help relieve the condition. In its less severe form it can be treated with an improvement in diet (eat more fibre, fruit and vegetables) and drink lots of fresh, cool, healthy water every day - but don't overdo it. As always, see your doctor if the condition continues to trouble you.

From Quiz Wrapped in Definitions

Answer: An outfit worn in various Asian and Islamic countries

Won once more by Looking 4IQ of the United States of Trivia on March 18, 2019, a Kameez is a traditional outfit worn by various cultures on the Indian subcontinent and in Islamic countries. It is a type of seamless shirt cut carefully from the one piece of material so that no cloth goes to waste. Its use dates back over many centuries, particularly so to Egypt, where it is referred to in Arabic as a Qamis. Worn by both men and women today, this outfit can either be plain and unadorned or brightened up with various embellishments.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 8

Answer: Pith helmet

Won by ClarkyB of The Moops team on 10 April, 2018, the definition of "topee", which comes down to us from the Hindu word "topi", is "a lightweight helmet-shaped hat made of pith or cork". Covered in cloth, these weather protection helmets became part of the standard issue for English military personnel serving overseas in hot climates. This was during the great age of colonialism, when various leading countries of the western world made grabs for large chunks of land in areas such as Africa and the Caribbean. Not only did the topee protect one from the rain, it also protected from the sun. Its wear eventually spread from the military to other members of society, both men and women. You'll frequently see these helmets still worn by members of the English Royal Marines on ceremonial occasions and parades. Pith is a natural material made from the tissue of various plants.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 2

Answer: One who uses a particular form of reasoning

Snapcracker from Retired and Loving It got this word correct on 8 February. A syllogist is one who utilises a form of reasoning known as syllogism, a deductive form of logic that arrives at a conclusion based on two statement that are both assumed to be true. An example quoted is (a) "All humans are mortal" (the major premise or statement) and (b) "All Greeks are human" (the minor premise or statement) and (c) "All Greeks are mortal" (the conclusion). The next question to be asked is - who really cares?

From Quiz Fortune Teller

Answer: Blood

An acanthocyte is a type of red blood cell with a spiked membrane ('acantha' being Greek for 'thorn'). They have a roughly spiky, star-like shape, or crenation. If these critters show up in a blood smear, it's not a good thing! Diseases which cause acanthocytes to appear include anorexia, liver disease and anaemia. They are caused by changes to structural proteins or lipids.

From Quiz Wrapped in Definitions

Answer: A form of Italian lawn bowls

Won by namrewsna from the Wisdom of the Fool team on 19 March, 2019, bocce is an Italian game somewhat similar to the sport of lawn bowls. Also known as bocci or boccie, this ball game has been around (pardon the pun) since the days of the Roman Empire. It is very popular still in Italy today and in any country to which Italian people have emigrated. Like any other game, bocce has assorted rules to follow for the successful completion of any game, but the major part of the fun associated with bocce, if you've ever been lucky enough to attend an Italian function where the game is part of the day's entertainment, is the sheer joy and exuberance of the players and audience present. You'll go home with a huge smile on your face, a full belly (those Italians most definitely know how to cook) and some very happy memories.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 8

Answer: Pork sausage

This word was won by Looking4IQ of the United States of Trivia team on 11 April, 2018. Originating in Portugal, "linguica" is a sausage made from pork, and mixed in with garlic and paprika for extra flavour. Typically it is dished up with rice, beans and other taste treats made from the oinker as well. In some other Portuguese speaking country, it is also flavoured with chillies and peppercorns and turmeric. Ohhh, the indigestion.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 2

Answer: Strong apple cider

Won by postcards2go of the Regal Beagles on February 9, scrumpy is a very strong cider from the western areas of England. It isn't exactly described as a smooth and elegant drink, but one that's a big "rough" around the edges, strong and tasty though, and satisfying enough to slake a strong thirst on a hot day. Made from apples, any old apples, and not those selected for special flavours or size, scrumpy is still made today in households or small companies from the English areas of Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. The word scrump itself means anything that is undersized, and a scrumpling is a small apple. In days gone by, English farm labourers, in addition to their daily wage, were also supplied with a quart of scrumpy a day as an extra incentive to keep on working.

From Quiz Fortune Teller

Answer: Face

The modiolus is the point of contact, or chiasma, of facial muscles located at each angle of the mouth, where eight facial muscles meet. Its purpose is to help move the mouth and face, and it is controlled by the facial nerve. There is also a body part called a modiolus in the ear - this one is a conic central axis in the cochlea, made of spongy bone.

From Quiz Wrapped in Definitions

Answer: A type of high school for students

Won by baldricksmum of the No Worries team on 20 March, 2019, a lycee is a midway school between that of primary or elementary - and college or university - depending in which country you reside. In Australia, for example, a lycee school is our equivalent of a high school. These schools cater to students approximately aged between twelve to eighteen, or, if you live in France where the word originated, for grades from nine to twelve. In that country, attending pupils are either lyceen (boy) or lyceenne (girl). By the final two years of study at a lycee, or at a High School in Australia, students have a reasonable idea as to which university course they wish to undertake when they graduate, or whether to complete their education when they finish year twelve.

From Quiz Crystal Ball Stumpers 2

Answer: Newcomer

Guessed by missmess of The Joy team on February 10, malahini is an Hawaiian word that refers to a newcomer to the islands. There doesn't appear to be any further information about this musically sounding word than that - except I wouldn't mind being a malahini to that lovely land.

From Quiz Fortune Teller

Answer: Scallop

'Quin' is another pronunciation of 'queen' (as anyone who's read Terry Pratchett's 'Tiffany Aching' books will know), and the oyster known as the 'quin' or 'queen oyster' is a species called Pecten opercularis, a medium-sized scallop. It's an edible scallop found in the northeast Atlantic Ocean, and is a popular seafood dish on the Isle of Man. In fact, it's so popular there it has its own festival, the Queenie Festival, where local pubs and restaurants serve queen scallops, and which also features live music and water sports.

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