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Many a Slip Trivia Quiz

The English language is full of homonyms - words with the same spelling and sound, but different meanings. Try not to make a slip as you look for the odd one out 'twixt cup and lip.

A multiple-choice quiz by Lottie1001. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Lottie1001

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
373,112

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
581

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the following is NOT a cup? Hint

mixed alcoholic drink

drinking vessel used with a saucer

item of clothing worn on the head

sporting trophy

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Question 2 of 10

2. There are many meanings of the word 'slip', but which of these isn't? Hint

petticoat

toss a pancake

lose one's balance

careless mistake

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which one of the following is not a jug? Hint

container for milk or water

method of cooking a hare

slang term for prison

a lively dance

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Question 4 of 10

4. Here are some more slips, but one isn't. Which one? Hint

fielder in a cricket match

seagoing vessel

escape restraint

cover for a pillow

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Question 5 of 10

5. Three of these are plates. Which is the red herring? Hint

flat china for serving a meal

large sheet of glass

coating of silver or gold

two-dimensional surface

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these is NOT a meaning of the word dish? Hint

hollow container for serving food

narrow trench filled with water

sexually attractive person

talk in a disparaging manner

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Question 7 of 10

7. Some more slips, but which one isn't? Hint

reveal something inadvertently

sideways movement of an aircraft

small, slim young person

hit with the palm of the hand

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Question 8 of 10

8. Three of the following are forks. Which is the red herring? Hint

piece of cutlery

pair of supports for a bicycle wheel

traditional music or dance

split in the road

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Question 9 of 10

9. The last of the many slips in this quiz, but which one isn't a slip? Hint

narrow opening

small piece of paper

mixture of clay and water for pottery

move stealthily

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Question 10 of 10

10. The word 'lip' describes three of the following. Which is the odd one out? Hint

top of a container

edge of a hollow object

facial feature

insolent talk

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following is NOT a cup?

Answer: item of clothing worn on the head

An item of clothing worn on the head is a cap, not a cup.

The word 'cup' comes through Old English from the Latin 'cupa' meaning 'tub'.

2. There are many meanings of the word 'slip', but which of these isn't?

Answer: toss a pancake

To toss a pancake is to flip it.

The phrase "many a slip 'twixt cup and lip" is said to have come from a Greek legend. A soothsayer had predicted that an Argonaut would die before he tasted any more of his wine. On returning home, the Argonaut poured a cup of wine, but was called away to hunt a wild boar before he could drink it. He was killed on the boar hunt, and never tasted the wine again.

3. Which one of the following is not a jug?

Answer: a lively dance

A lively dance is a jig.

In the US, a jug is usually a narrow container, often with a stopper. In other places the container, referred to as a jug, will have a handle and a wider mouth with a spout for pouring. A jugged hare is stewed in a covered container. Presumably the slang for a prison comes from being contained.

4. Here are some more slips, but one isn't. Which one?

Answer: seagoing vessel

A seagoing vessel is a ship.

The phrase 'slip of the tongue' refers to something said in error; it probably derives from the similar 'slip of the pen'. To 'slip through the net' means that something has escaped the system which should have dealt with it. A 'Freudian slip' is said to be caused by an unconscious wish; it is also called a parapraxis.

5. Three of these are plates. Which is the red herring?

Answer: two-dimensional surface

A two-dimensional surface is a plane.

The word 'plate' comes through Middle English and Old French from the medieval Latin 'plata' meaning 'plate armour, which was based on the Greek word 'platus' which means 'flat'.

6. Which of these is NOT a meaning of the word dish?

Answer: narrow trench filled with water

A narrow trench filled with water is a ditch.

The noun 'dish' is derived from the Greek word 'diskos', which is very similar to a modern discus. By extension, the word 'dish' can also refer to the food on the container as well as the container itself, and, as a verb, to putting the food on to the container.

7. Some more slips, but which one isn't?

Answer: hit with the palm of the hand

To hit someone with the palm of the hand is to slap them.

"Slip! Slop! Slap!" was an Australian advertising campaign designed to reduce the incidence of skin cancer. It refers to slipping on a shirt, slopping on some sunscreen and slapping on a hat.

8. Three of the following are forks. Which is the red herring?

Answer: traditional music or dance

Traditional music or dance is described as folk.

The word 'fork' is derived from the Old English 'forca' from the Latin 'furca' meaning 'forked stick'.

9. The last of the many slips in this quiz, but which one isn't a slip?

Answer: narrow opening

A narrow opening is a slit.

As a mixture of clay and water, the word 'slip' probably comes from the Norwegian word 'slipa' meaning 'slime'. Other meanings come from the Middle Low German 'slippen' meaning 'to slide', or from the Middle Dutch 'slippe' meaning a 'cut'.

10. The word 'lip' describes three of the following. Which is the odd one out?

Answer: top of a container

The top of a container is a lid.

Lip is also used in such phrases as 'to bite one's lip', meaning 'to stifle a reply' or 'to curl one's lip' which means 'to sneer'.

Source: Author Lottie1001

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