We Stole That from the Arabs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Arsenal

The Arabic word "dar sina'a", from which we get the word arsenal, once referred to a government-run factory, usually for military purposes. In Italy, the word meant harbor, which explains why the Venetian Arsenal is a series of shipyards.

Answer: Safari

The word safari is commonly attributed as coming from the Swahili word "safari" which also means travel. However, the Swahili word came from the Arabic "safara". Typically speaking, a safari is a trip where tourists and others see wildlife, usually in Africa. However, in both Arabic and Swahili, it can mean any journey.

Answer: Average

The word average comes from the Arabic word "awar" which means a blemish or a flaw. The word average originally meant something ordinary and came to mean the mathematical average over time. Average may also come from the Arabic word "awira" which means to lose an eye.

Answer: Julep

The Arabic word "julab" originally referred to any syrup-like concoction. Over time it gradually expanded to include sugary drinks and cocktails when sugar became more popular in Europe.

Answer: Sequin

The word sequin comes from the Arabic word "sikka" which was a die used to make coins. Sequin might also come from the Italian word "zecchino", which was an ancient coin. Nowadays, sequins are tiny, shiny dots typically seen on women's clothing.

Answer: Harem

The etymology of the word harem is complicated. It comes from the Arabic word for "haram" which means forbidden. It pertained to a part of the home that was considered a woman's room where men were not allowed. "Harim" means womankind.

Answer: Tariff

The Arabic word for tariff is "ta'rifa" which means notify or rate. A tariff is used in trade relations. Typically, it is a tax on imported goods from a foreign location as a way to promote domestic goods. Exports can also be under a tariff.

Answer: Coffee

The Arabic word for coffee, "qahwa", means brew because it is said to be brewed like wine. Wine was also commonly served warm when coffee first started to be cultivated in the 15th century. The word "qahwa" is also where the word "cafe" comes from.

Answer: Mummy

Mummy comes from the Arabic word "mumiya" which refers to the process of drying out a corpse for embalming. It also refers to the ointment and other items used to embalm a corpse before wrapping the mummy.

Answer: Assassin

The Nizari People are also sometimes called Assassins from their Arabic name of "al-hashishiya". The word assassin became synonymous with someone who kills an important person during the Crusades, when the Nizari would target an incoming crusade's strongest members to prevent the oncoming raids.