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Confederate Lingo [1] Trivia Quiz

These Rebs had some strange ways of expressing themselves. Here are some of these unique expressions.

A multiple-choice quiz by beterave. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
beterave

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
355,430

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
981

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. During the Civil War, every Confederate infantryman was required to have '40 dead men' before going into battle. What were '40 dead men'? Hint

Life insurance

A full cartridge box

Forty dollars

A blanket roll, haverack and canteen

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Question 2 of 10

2. You're a veteran of Antietam and have seen your share of minor skirmishes. What would you call a brand new regiment with untried recruits? Hint

Grasshoppers

Bait

Fresh Fish

Rookies

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Question 3 of 10

3. "Ole Jimboy just got mustered out yesiday". What probably happened to Ole Jimboy? Hint

His enlistment expired

He deserted

He was killed

He was wounded

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Question 4 of 10

4. The 8th Tennessee was full of 'pie eaters'! What were 'pie eaters'? Hint

City boys

Ex slaves

Foreigners

Country boys

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was someone who was wearing 'chicken guts' on their sleeves? Hint

An officer

A cook

A coward

A prisoner

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Question 6 of 10

6. What did the men call the despised tarred knapsack? Hint

A beehive

A housewife

Brokeback

A mule pack

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Question 7 of 10

7. During the Civil War, what were 'lucifers'? Hint

Matches

A branding iron

Cigars

A smoking pipe

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Question 8 of 10

8. What did it mean to 'open the ball' on someone? Hint

Start a fight

Going to a dance

Fall in for inspection

Paycall

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Question 9 of 10

9. When someone 'skedaddled', what did they just do? Hint

Have some grub

Ran away

Danced

Got promoted

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Question 10 of 10

10. If it were payday and you were headed to 'robbers row', where were you headed? Hint

To see a 'laundress'

To see a sutler

To a card or dice game

To see your company commander

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. During the Civil War, every Confederate infantryman was required to have '40 dead men' before going into battle. What were '40 dead men'?

Answer: A full cartridge box

Forty dead men was a full cartridge box, forty being the number of cartridges the box could carry.

2. You're a veteran of Antietam and have seen your share of minor skirmishes. What would you call a brand new regiment with untried recruits?

Answer: Fresh Fish

Untried and unbloodied soldiers were called 'fresh fish about to be fried'. That moniker stuck until proven otherwise.

3. "Ole Jimboy just got mustered out yesiday". What probably happened to Ole Jimboy?

Answer: He was killed

Ole Jimboy most likely stopped a minie ball and was keeled over dead. Mustering out always meant killed in action.

4. The 8th Tennessee was full of 'pie eaters'! What were 'pie eaters'?

Answer: Country boys

'Pie eaters' were country boys and were also called 'rustics', 'hayseeds' and 'bumpkins'. It was assumed that they didn't have a lick of sense and were twice as dumb as any mule. This view was widespread at the time, and not only in the South.

5. Who was someone who was wearing 'chicken guts' on their sleeves?

Answer: An officer

An officer who was wearing gold braid on their sleeves were referred to as wearing 'chicken guts'. As the war went on this practice became rare among company and field grade officers.

6. What did the men call the despised tarred knapsack?

Answer: A beehive

The men called the knapsack a beehive. No one on either side really cared for it. It was not designed for comfort and it was a sure sign that whoever retained one was 'fresh fish'.

7. During the Civil War, what were 'lucifers'?

Answer: Matches

Lucifers were wooden matches used during the Civil War. They were invaluable to an army that was going to spend a great deal of time outdoors.

8. What did it mean to 'open the ball' on someone?

Answer: Start a fight

When someone 'opened the ball', they were starting a fight. This also implied commencing hostilities in an engagement.

9. When someone 'skedaddled', what did they just do?

Answer: Ran away

The act of skedaddling was running away and fast. "Them Yanks skedaddled when JEB Stuart's boys showed up".

10. If it were payday and you were headed to 'robbers row', where were you headed?

Answer: To see a sutler

The sutlers were notorious for overcharging the common soldier. They were regarded as no less than thieves and scoundrels. Their parked wagons were known as 'Robbers' Row'.

Source: Author beterave

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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