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Quiz about American Slang and Colloquialisms

American Slang and Colloquialisms Quiz

Once again I present a quiz which gives a hint of the meaning of some slang words and phrases and acquaints you with some of my slightly disfunctional but lovable family.

A multiple-choice quiz by Pick61. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Pick61

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
353,545

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
2492

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. My Aunt Martha owns a dog which she says is a mutt. What does she mean? Hint

the dog is tan in color

the dog is a cross breed

the dog is of indeterminate ancestry

the dog is abysmally stupid

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Question 2 of 10

2. My brother Earl went to a swimming party recently and performed a cannonball. What did he do? Hint

a dive

he kissed the hostess

a dance

a magic trick

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Question 3 of 10

3. If I described my friend as being tighter than two coats of paint, what would I be implying? Hint

he's very nervous and high strung

he's a nice guy, just a little confused

he's frugal, cheap and tight fisted

he's wearing different colored socks

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Question 4 of 10

4. My cousin Bernie is a motor mouth. What does that mean? Hint

he talks too much

he has dental braces

he makes funny noises when he talks

he eats too fast

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Question 5 of 10

5. I had an uncle who was compared to a dog's hind leg. What were they saying about him? Hint

he's flea bitten

he's housebroken

he's a fast runner

he's crooked

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Question 6 of 10

6. If someone invited you to a necktie party and told you that you were the guest of honor, what would you best do? Hint

run

act humble and say "you shouldn't have"

ask what to wear and what time

go to a clothier and buy a new cravat

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Question 7 of 10

7. Cousin Leo was a great stump speaker in his day. Where did stump speaker come from? Hint

cousin Leo actually talked to tree stumps

he had only one leg

he was a poor speaker, often stumped as to what to say

in times past, orators would stand on a stump if no stage was available

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Sister Sophie was often described as being ham handed. What were they saying about her? Hint

she was an overly emoting actress

her hands looked like hams

she was heavy handed and somewhat clumsy

she like to bake hams

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Question 9 of 10

9. Brother Al was quite an athlete. He would become irritated if he threw a gutter ball. What's a gutter ball? Hint

a ball you found in a downspout

a ball you found in the gutter

you stand in the gutter and throw a ball against the house

a rolled bowling ball which falls from the alley into the gutter

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Question 10 of 10

10. My ancestor Phineas was with Lewis and Clark. His job was to get the lay of the land. What was he doing? Hint

looking for friendly native Americans

scouting ahead to study the terrain

looking for the nearest convenience store

looking for other explorers

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. My Aunt Martha owns a dog which she says is a mutt. What does she mean?

Answer: the dog is of indeterminate ancestry

A cross breed is one which the ancestry is known and has been produced by cross breeding. Some dog owners are of the opinion that mixed breeds and mutts are, in general, healthier, smarter and longer-lived than purebred dogs.

2. My brother Earl went to a swimming party recently and performed a cannonball. What did he do?

Answer: a dive

A cannonball is accomplished by wrapping the arms around the knees and holding them to the chest. It creates a large splash and can be very annoying.

3. If I described my friend as being tighter than two coats of paint, what would I be implying?

Answer: he's frugal, cheap and tight fisted

This condition can also be described as clinging to the first nickel one ever earned.

4. My cousin Bernie is a motor mouth. What does that mean?

Answer: he talks too much

Everyone knows at least one motor mouth. One who was vaccinated with a phonograph needle. Never shuts up. Ad infinitum.

5. I had an uncle who was compared to a dog's hind leg. What were they saying about him?

Answer: he's crooked

In full, he is as crooked as a dog's hind leg. In other words, don't trust him, especially in a business deal.

6. If someone invited you to a necktie party and told you that you were the guest of honor, what would you best do?

Answer: run

Necktie party was a euphemism for a hanging. It's an old west designation. The guest of honor will be wearing the rope around his neck.

7. Cousin Leo was a great stump speaker in his day. Where did stump speaker come from?

Answer: in times past, orators would stand on a stump if no stage was available

Especially in the vast rural areas of early America, candidates for election would visit small villages with no facilities for speechifying. Standing on an available stump was a way to be better seen and heard. The word stumping is still in use, but is slowly disappearing from the language.

8. Sister Sophie was often described as being ham handed. What were they saying about her?

Answer: she was heavy handed and somewhat clumsy

Ham handed is pretty much as it sounds - someone with no daintiness about them.

9. Brother Al was quite an athlete. He would become irritated if he threw a gutter ball. What's a gutter ball?

Answer: a rolled bowling ball which falls from the alley into the gutter

A gutter ball results in no pins being knocked down. It can ruin a good night at the old alleys.

10. My ancestor Phineas was with Lewis and Clark. His job was to get the lay of the land. What was he doing?

Answer: scouting ahead to study the terrain

His job would have been simply looking for potential problems from a geographic standpoint.

Source: Author Pick61

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