A Spell Abroad Trivia Quiz

Answer: Passport

The word has origins in the French 'passer' meaning to pass or step, and the French 'port' for shipping port.

My passport has arrived from the government so now I can travel. And since it is valid for ten years I can travel as much as I can afford. On the cover is the Australian Coat of Arms and inside is the dreaded mug shot and all my personal details. There's a microchip imbedded into the passport so I can clear the Australian airports quickly. Happy days!

Answer: Visa

Visa is from the Latin 'videre'- to see, and later 'charta visa'- paper that has been seen.

There are no visa stamps in my passport yet because in the countries I am going to I don't need a visa if I'm only travelling for a short time. When I land in those countries the Immigration at the airport will stamp my passport to let me in and stamp it again when I leave. In some countries I would need to apply for a visa before my travel date. But I have checked with my travel agent and looked on the internet and I don't need any of these. So I'm good to go.

Answer: Ticket

This comes from the Old French 'etiquet' for bill or note.

I tuck my airline ticket safely into my handbag after happily noting I have a window seat. I will need my ticket to check in and they will swap it for a boarding pass. I must not leave it behind or they won't let me on to the plane. That would be disastrous!

Answer: Itinerary

Itinerary comes from the Latin 'itiner' for journey or road.

My itinerary has all my connecting flights and times, cities and hotel names and also tours on it. I need to keep this handy because if I'm late for a flight I could lose a whole day's sightseeing and I don't want to miss a thing. I have also given a copy to my family so they know where I will be while I'm away.

Answer: Baggage

Baggage comes from the Old French 'baguer' meaning to tie up, and 'bagues' for bundles.

It seems the airlines call my luggage baggage. I just thought they were saying I have issues. I found the listing for baggage allowances and I'm allowed one bag in economy class. I also seems like I can have up to 10 kilograms more on an international flight that I can on a domestic flight. Time to rethink what clothes to take or I may have problems on some legs of my journey.

Answer: Reservation

From the Latin 'reservare' meaning to keep back or save.

I now have a booking in the hotel of my choice. They will have a room ready for me when I arrive and for the entire length of my stay there. Excellent! And as a bonus they include breakfast every morning! Not in bed, though. I will have to go down to the restaurant.

Answer: Currency

Derived from Medieval Latin 'currentia' and 'currens' meaning to run, to flow. Hence to circulate, a current.

The currency exchange has several outlets at the airport and also throughout town. In fact, they are in almost every place I should wish to travel to. They are able to change my for any currency in the world as long as they have fore notice. Or I can change my money once I get to your destination. But after doing my research I find that the exchange rate from Australian dollars to foreign currency changes frequently. That means that sometimes I get more for my money and sometimes I get less. Sometimes you win some and sometimes you lose some.

Answer: Vaccination

Vaccination arises from the Latin 'vacca' for cow. It was coined by Edward Jenner for cowpox his inoculation against smallpox.

The doctor looked at the list of places I'm going to and he recommended I have a Cholera vaccination too. Since I don't want some form of 'Bali Belly' ruining my holiday, I put my other arm out for that one. Luckily all my other vaccinations are up to date so I didn't need any more jabs. At least this way I can be sure the only souvenirs I bring home are the trinkets I'll buy in the markets.

Answer: Camera

From 18th century Latin 'camera obscura', meaning dark chamber, comes the modern word 'camera'.

I found a wonderful little camera with an SD card that will hold up to 2000 photos! Unfortunately for the salesman, all that talk about SD cards, ISO, shutter speed and aperture made my eyes glaze over. I just want to be able to point and click. And have nice photos to remember my journey.

Answer: Translation

Translation comes from 'translat' which means carried across. It also has origins in the Old French 'translacion' for transfer.

As I look through my new dictionary I'm glad I bought it, because the foreign language is all gobbledegook to me. But it has easy conversions and some common phrases like 'how much' and 'where are the toilets'. Good job. Pity there isn't a translation for 'where's the pub?'.