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True Word Origins Trivia Quiz

Have you ever wondered where some words originated? Here are ten possible sources for useful words in the English language...enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by thejazzkickazz. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
thejazzkickazz

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
62,373

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1604

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What stone was worn to ward off drunkenness? Hint

Amethyst

Garnet

Diamond

Jade

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Question 2 of 10

2. What vegetable literally means 'anti-flatulence vegetable'? Hint

Carrots

Mushroom

Squash

Aubergine

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Question 3 of 10

3. 'To eat humble pie' suggests a meat-dish composed of what type of substance? Hint

Old leftovers

Offal

Possum

Cat parts

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Question 4 of 10

4. An Irish word 'gruaimin' means a rather odious pygmy. What word do we derive from this root-expression?

Answer: (G______)

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Question 5 of 10

5. What common adjective comes from the expression 'farting dog', a rather Medieval English utterance? Hint

Feisty

Grumble

Growl

Frazzle

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Question 6 of 10

6. This word is derived from the Basque word for 'beard'. What word do you suppose it may be? Hint

Hairy

Fey

Hirsute

Bizarre

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Question 7 of 10

7. This interesting word finds its origin from the Sanskrit word 'bhasam' which means to 'blow'. What is the anatomical suggestion here? Hint

Eyes

Mouth

Bosom

Lungs

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Question 8 of 10

8. 'Character' derived it origins from the Greek 'kharakter' ... it represented a tool for what specific purpose? Hint

Beating

Eraser

Torture

Branding-iron

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Question 9 of 10

9. A lemur was named by a French naturalist as he called out: "Indri, Indri!" 'Indri' is a Malagasy term for _____? Hint

Love

Danger

Look

Help

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Question 10 of 10

10. A typical thing derives its name from bibere, from the Latin 'to drink'. What do you think it might be? Hint

Liquid

Beverage

Juice

Cocktail

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What stone was worn to ward off drunkenness?

Answer: Amethyst

'Methystos' means drunk ... 'methus' from Greek or 'methuskein' to intoxicate. 'Lithos amethusetos' hence means the anti-intoxicant stone.

2. What vegetable literally means 'anti-flatulence vegetable'?

Answer: Aubergine

Sanskrit 'Vatinganah' (plant that cures the wind) to 'badingan' to 'beringela' to the French version of 'aubergine'. Surely then, eggplant with beans would be a good combination?

3. 'To eat humble pie' suggests a meat-dish composed of what type of substance?

Answer: Offal

'Umble pie' was composed of thinly sliced tripe (cow's stomach), hence leading to the expression of eating peasantry food and remorse.

4. An Irish word 'gruaimin' means a rather odious pygmy. What word do we derive from this root-expression?

Answer: gremlin

Not quite a goblin, but very close. 'Gruaim' meant 'gloom' in Middle Irish...not a very happy fellow, much like the creatures in the movie of the same title!

5. What common adjective comes from the expression 'farting dog', a rather Medieval English utterance?

Answer: Feisty

A 'fisting' dog, during old English times, might be one to keep a fair distance from...he could be belligerent and odious at the same time!

6. This word is derived from the Basque word for 'beard'. What word do you suppose it may be?

Answer: Bizarre

Does a man with a beard have a bizarre, or outlandish, appearance? Apparently the Basques must have thought so, for this term is derived from the Basque (Euskadi) word 'bizar' (beard).

7. This interesting word finds its origin from the Sanskrit word 'bhasam' which means to 'blow'. What is the anatomical suggestion here?

Answer: Bosom

We usually blow from our bosoms, so this makes sense I think. There is some suggestion, however, that the word 'bosom' is derived from the Old English 'bosm' ... so the etymology is in question.

8. 'Character' derived it origins from the Greek 'kharakter' ... it represented a tool for what specific purpose?

Answer: Branding-iron

This makes one wonder, does the ability to employ a branding-iron properly build character?

9. A lemur was named by a French naturalist as he called out: "Indri, Indri!" 'Indri' is a Malagasy term for _____?

Answer: Look

And of course the Malagasy language is spoken only on the island of Madagascar. This language is related to the other Austronesian languages, spoken in islands of Southeast Asia.

10. A typical thing derives its name from bibere, from the Latin 'to drink'. What do you think it might be?

Answer: Beverage

Of course, the term 'imbibe' was derived from the same source! By the way...the term beverage was included at the end as a suggestion...why not go and pour yourself a cold glass of something delicious? Thanks for trying this quiz and happy word-hunting!

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

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