Famous or Somewhat Famous Passwords Quiz

Answer: Open Sesame!

"Open Sesame" was the phrase used in "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." The poor woodcutter Ali Baba watched surreptitiously as a group of thieves used the words to open a previously-sealed cave where they'd stashed their stolen treasure. They used "Close Sesame" to reseal it. Ali Babi later snuck in and used the phrase to open the cave and swipe a bag of gold himself.

Answer: Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo

"Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" was the title of the song Cinderella's Fairy Godmother sang while she transformed a pumpkin into a fancy white carriage, mice into elegant white horses, a grey horse into a distinguished coachman, and a brown dog into a footman. It appeared in the original 1950 version of the Disney film and again in the 2015 version, during which it was sung by actress Helena Bonham Carter.

Answer: XYZZY

"XYZZY' was used in the old computer game "Colossal Cave Exploration", which was originally just text, much different from today's 3D gaming experiences. To enter a room, you had to type "Enter room" at a command prompt. The only proof that it had worked is if the text appeared immediately following, "You have entered the room." There were all sorts of secrets players would have to figure out without the help of the internet.

For example, to get a little bird to come to you, you had to put down the axe you were carrying.

Answer: Buddy

Buddy was the Clinton family's chocolate lab, who lived with them while they resided at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue during Bill's second term. The Clintons had a cat at the same time, Socks, who apparently did not like Buddy so the two lived in separate areas of the White House. Presidential pets are common -- George Washington had numerous, including a greyhound named Cornwallis, and the Obamas had two Portuguese Water Dogs, Bo and Sunny.

Answer: Groucho Marx

Groucho Marx, as Professor Wagstaff, knocked on the door of a speakeasy and a none-too-bright man guarding the secret door inadvertently revealed the secret password to him. Groucho was born Julius Marx and was famous along with his brothers Chico, Harpo, Gummo, and Zeppo. Hollywood writers pay homage to Groucho by using "Swordfish" as a password, as it's appeared in such programs as "Night Court", "Mad Men", and "Robot Chicken."

Answer: War Games

"War Games" was a break-out hit of 1983, successful at the box office and with critics. It was even nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography, Sound, and Writing. Broderick played David, who was simply trying to hack into the network of a computer game company so he could play; it turned out he activated a war simulation game that was no longer just a game.

Answer: Banana fritters

"Banana fritters" worked in the 1994-1995 school year. The lady in the portrait was unpredictable, sometimes changing the password overnight, and other times letting young wizards in without requiring a secret phrase.

To make banana fritters, mash 1/2 cup a milk with three bananas. Stir in 2 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, then add two beaten eggs and a tablespoon of melted butter. Combine thoroughly. Take large spoonfuls of the mix and deep-fry until brown. Dust with confectioner's sugar.

Answer: Rumpelstiltskin

"Rumpelstiltskin" is both the name of the imp and of the fairytale, which could be as old as 4,000 years. The Brothers Grimm added it to their collection in the 1800s, and that's the version most commonly told now. In this version, the girl managed to get Rumpelstiltskin's name by secretly following him through the woods and listening as he sang to himself while dancing around a fire.

He was furious that she found out. The girl became Queen by marrying the King and lived happily ever after.

Answer: Shazam!

"Shazam" is used as a general exclamation of excitement as well as an incantation. It is mostly associated with D.C. Comics' Billy Batson, who would use the word to transform himself into his superhero alter ego Captain Marvel. It was also a catchphrase of Gomer Pyle, a fictional character played by Jim Nabors who first appeared on "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1962.

The mobile app "Shazam" was developed in 1999 and worked a bit like magic: hold up your mobile phone so that its microphone could sense music playing and it would identify the song for you.

Answer: Abracadabra

"Abracadabra" may be used in modern times by stage magicians, but linguists believe it may come from ancient Aramaic or Hebrew. In Aramaic in translates roughly as "I create as I speak" and forms of it have been found on ancient amulets.