I've Got a Harp Trivia Quiz

Answer: Harpy

Harpies are found in both Greek and Roman mythology. They have the face and body of a woman but the wings and claws of birds. The name harpy means 'swift robber'. When a person was found to have disappeared leaving no trace, they were said to have been carried off by the harpies.

Answer: Harpoon

The harpoon is a long spear generally used for fishing and whaling. It can also be used as a weapon. This instrument has been used since ancient times with written records showing its geographical reach stretching from the Indian subcontinent to Europe and Africa. The ancient Egyptians also used it as a hieroglyph to indicate a single item.

Answer: Charpoy

A charpoy or charpoi is a woven cot used commonly on the Indian subcontinent. The name literally means "four legs" in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi, languages that are widely spoken in the region. It suits the warm, tropical weather of the region in that it has a netted base allowing free circulation of air.

Answer: Cardsharp

The words cardsharp and cardshark are used interchangeably with the former being more prevalent in the UK and the latter used in America, Canada and Australia. The term shark is often used to describe a cheat or swindler. Cardsharks are those who cheat at card games like poker. The painting "The Cardsharps" by Italian master, Caravaggio, can be viewed at the Kimball Art Museum in USA.

Answer: Harper

The name Harper is a Scottish family name but has also commonly been used as a first name. It means brave. Famous people with the name include Harper Lee, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Harper Williams, American basketball player. Those with Harper as a last name include Stephen Harper, former Prime Minister of Canada, James Harper, an American actor and Dave Harper, an Australian cricket umpire.

Answer: Harpsichord

The harpsichord is a musical instrument played by way of using the keyboard. It was popular from the 15th to 17th century. The decline of this instrument coincided with the rise of the piano which was found to be more modern. Famous classical composers like Joseph Hayden, JS Bach and Wolfgang Mozart have all written pieces specifically for the harpsichord.

Answer: Sharp

The Sharp Corporation was founded over a century ago in 1912 in Tokyo, Japan. It is engaged in the design and manufacture of various electronics goods. The company is named after one of its earliest inventions - the Ever-Sharp mechanical pencil.

Answer: Harpin

Harpin, or sometimes harping, was used to describe "a wale around a ship's bow stouter than the rest of the strakes" according to the Merriam Webster dictionary. This is an archaic term used mostly in the 17th century. It could also be used to describe any wooden supports used during the construction of the ship.

Answer: Sharpies

The subculture of Sharpies was prevalent in some Australian cities, most notable Melbourne, in the 1960s and 70s. They derived their name from their sharp style of dressing. These gangs were also known for frequently indulging in violence.

Answer: Sharpshooter

A skilled marksman is known as a sharpshooter. These have been part of military units since the British first used them during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century. At the time, the weapon of choice was rifles. The US Army also awards a marksmanship badge called "sharpshooter" for those that excel in this field.