Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me Trivia Quiz

Answer: Feeling

The sense of touch is considered one of the basic modes for sensory perception of the environment. The four other traditional senses include sight, hearing, taste and smell. Some argue that there are other basic senses, such as the kinaesthetic sense that allows one to be aware of the position of various parts of the body.

The word 'touch' comes to English from the Old French verb 'touchier', meaning to touch, hit or knock. Its first recorded use was in the 13th century.

Answer: Stroking

There are many specific words used to describe the manner in which an object is touched. Stroking involves sliding along the surface; tapping suggests repeated light blows, while rapping implies sharper blows, and poking suggests contact with the tip of a single finger, or using a hand-held object to prod at the surface.

Answer: Kissing

Since the two balls have only a very small point of contact, similar to the amount of contact when a social kiss is made between two people, they are said to be kissing. This is an informal usage, and the reason for its use may be recorded differently in some places, as is often the case when a usage arises in different places before becoming common.

Answer: Handful

In the sense of 'a small amount', the word 'touch' can also be applied to phrases such as having a touch of the flu, a usage first recorded in the 1660s. In cooking, you might add a soupcon (imagine the cedilla under the 'c' in this word imported from the French, meaning 'a suspicion' or a trace amount) or a suggestion of some flavouring agent.

A pinch of salt, a speck of pepper and a dash of vinegar are common phrases in the kitchen. A handful would be far more than a touch.

Answer: Knack

The use of 'touch' to describe a particular skill or ability, a knack, was first recorded in 1927. Chutzpah is a Yiddish word referring to brash arrogance, while hubris, describing insolent pride, comes from a Greek word meaning 'presumption towards the gods'. Someone with a golden touch might also display that trait, and they could be awkward, but it is not a given.

Answer: Communicate - phone them once a week, or send regular postcards

To keep in touch means to communicate on a regular basis. This could be via postcards, emails, telephone calls, text message, social network postings, etc. The phrase is often used when people who have been out of contact meet up, and part saying "We must keep in touch", whether they actually intend to make the effort to do so or not.

Answer: Tangential

'Tangential' comes from the Latin verb 'tango, tangere', meaning to touch. A line that touches a circle, or any other curve, as a single point is called a tangent. The noun was first used in 1583 by the Danish mathematician Thomas Fincke. The adjective is also used figuratively to describe something that is only slightly connected with an original subject, a usage first recorded in 1825. Something tangible has physical presence, and can be touched.

A tactile sensation is derived from physical touching, which can feel ticklish if it is a light brushing contact in a sensitive spot.

Answer: Add a finishing detail

A final touch is a small detail added at the end in order to improve or complete a product. Finding the right earrings to go with an evening gown can provide the final touch to the outfit; a sprig of parsley may be the final touch in presenting an exquisite dish.

Some painters and writers keep adding final touches to their work for years, never satisfied that it is really finished, and cannot be further improved.

Answer: Borrow money from me

The use of 'touch' to mean 'borrow money' was first recorded in 1760. My son probably thought I would be a 'soft touch' (one who is easily manipulated), but he was 'touched in the head' (a derogatory way of referring to someone with impaired mental facilities) to think he would get money from me. Our subsequent conversation 'touched on' (included in the discussion) my desire to pay off my bills rather than underwrite his pleasures.

Answer: Stirring

I could also have said that the scene touched me. The use of 'touch' to refer to stirring up emotions has been attested since the 14th century. Something that touches me deeply may be said to affect me, to strike a chord in me, to tug at my heart, to arouse my sympathy. One's emotions need not be empathetic - they could be of repugnance or fear, for example - but they will occur in response to something that would definitely not be described as bland, boring or predictable.