We Stole That From the Polynesians Quiz

Answer: Wiki

Wiki comes from the Hawaiian word "wikiwiki" which means quick. In English usage, a wiki is a type of online encyclopedia (like Wikipedia) that contains detailed information about a subject that can be found quickly.

Answer: Tattoo

The word tattoo is derived from the Samoan word "tatau" which means to tap or strike. This is a reference to how the Samoans paint tattoos on the skin which involves lightly piercing or striking the skin to leave a mark.

Answer: Cootie

The word cootie comes from the Maori word "kutu" which means flea or louse. Cooties are fictitious insects or pests that small children commonly believe in. If a child declares someone as having cooties, that is akin to being blacklisted in a playful manner.

Answer: Kahuna

The word kahuna comes from the Hawaiian word "kahuna" which means wizard. In Hawaii, a kahuna is a priest or priestess who practices the traditional Hawaiian religion. It can also mean an experienced surfer. In English colloquial use, the big kahuna is the leader or boss of a group.

Answer: Ukulele

A ukulele is a small stringed instrument traditional seen in Hawaii and in Hawaiian culture. It comes from the Hawaiian words "uku" and "lele" which mean flea and jumping, respectively. In traditional Hawaiian texts, the instrument may be spelled as ukelele.

Answer: Kava

Kava comes from the Tongan word "kava" or "kawa", both of which mean bitter. Kava is a plant in the nightshade family that is used medicinally and in religious and cultural rituals, especially in the Pacific Islands. Kava or kavakava is commonly mistaken by westerners as an alcoholic beverage and hallucinogen.

Although it may cause some hallucinogenic effects, its reputation for such in films and television is widely exaggerated.

Answer: Moai

The word Moai comes from the Rapa Nui word "mo'ai" which means statue or figurine. Easter Island off the coast of Chile is famous for its giant Moai head stone statues. The largest statue is over 33 feet tall and the heaviest weighs over 90 tons.

Answer: Taboo

Taboo comes from the Tongan word "tapu" which means prohibited or sacred. In English, the word taboo generally means something off-limits or controversial in a negative way. However the original definition of taboo meant something that was off limits in a more positive way. Traditionally, it meant a place where a common person could not visit because its religious or cultural significance meant it should be kept pure and untouched.

Answer: Canuck

The word Canuck may come from the Hawaiian word "kanaka" which means man. A Canuck is someone from Canada, which makes the Hawaiian language an unusual choice to the derive the word from. However, native Hawaiians sometimes traveled as far away from the islands as the Pacific Northwest for fishing purposes, alongside American and French whalers.

There is much disagreement about where the word Canuck comes from but the Hawaiian word "kanaka" became a popular answer in the 1970s. Another option is the Iroquois word "kanata" from which Canada is also derived, and which means village.

Answer: Samoa

The word Samoa comes from the Samoan words "sa" and "moa" which mean sacred and center, respectively. Samoa is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. The ancient (and modern) people who lived there were very respectful of the land and the gods who gave them the land and everything on it. Samoa was also a word that referred to the local chieftain of a tribe.