More Mystifying Meanings Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bad or wrong pronunciation

I like this word - especially as it has links to one of my other quizzes (the caco- element of it would fit into my scatological quiz quite well)! It comes from the Greek roots kakos (bad) and epos (word). Simple isn't it?

Answer: An impassioned choral hymn or poem

A dithyramb is a wild, impassioned choral hymn in honour of Bacchus so I probably would enjoy it! It can also be used to describe a poem or piece of writing in a wildly rapturous or bombastic style. It comes from the Greek word dithyrambos.

Answer: The wolverine

CARCAJOU is another name for the wolverine or glutton, which is said to be a pretty fierce animal. The name comes from the Canadian French and probably derives from a native people's name for the animal.

The kinkajou is also an animal but is probably cuter than the wolverine in most people's eyes. It's a South American tree-dwelling creature related to the raccoon.

Answer: Part of a jellyfish

The MANUBRIUM is the oral part of a jellyfish - the part that hangs down at the centre of the animal. It can also be applied to any handle-like structure and is used by biologists to describe the presternum or anterior part of the breast-bone in mammals - quite a versatile word!

It is taken straight from the Latin - manubrium, which means handle.

Answer: A medley of songs

QUODLIBET - a humorous medley of songs. Another meaning is a philosophical argument or disputation. Apparently, it particularly applies to an argument or dispute undertaken as an exercise.

It comes from the Latin quod (what) and libet (what it pleases)

Answer: A type of mountaineering tool

RURP is a very small hook-like piton used in mountaineering. I was delighted to come across this word as it sounds like it should be a word for a rude noise! In fact, it comes from the US and is an acronym - Realised Ultimate Reality Piton. Whatever will they come up with next.

Answer: A lizard

Well, I could keep it as a pet because it's a type of Eastern Mediterranean lizard - so named because it has a star-like pattern of spots along its back. The name comes simply from the Latin for star (stella).

Answer: A faker of works of art

From the French - TRUQUEUR, a faker of works of art. The associated words are trucae or truquage - the act of faking works of art. I rather like the fact that there is a specific word for this!

Answer: Behaving like an old woman

The word ANILE means old-womanish or imbecile. It comes from the Latin word anus which means old woman - something I learnt from compiling this quiz but which is probably old hat to students of Latin.

Answer: An elephant goad

Put simply, an ANKUS is an elephant goad - every home should have one! Vital to the mahouts who work with elephants in the forestry I guess. It is a Hindustani word like so many others that have found their way into the English language. Hmmm, that gives me an idea for another quiz!