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Origins of False Names Trivia Quiz

Various people have taken (or created) false names for one (legitimate) reason or another. Here are a few.

A multiple-choice quiz by robert362. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
robert362

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
100,272

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
826

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. After his release from prison, Oscar Wilde called himself Sebastian Melmoth. Where did this name come from? Hint

A poem

A novel

A play

A short story

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Question 2 of 10

2. Samuel Clemens wrote under the name of Mark Twain. Where did that name come from? Hint

A navigational term

A publishing term

A cowboy term

A boxing term

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Question 3 of 10

3. Joan Crawford is the name that was ultimately used by the famous actress. Where did the name come from? Hint

A historical figure

An artist

A tv show

A contest

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Question 4 of 10

4. Marilyn Monroe was originally known as Norma Jeane Baker. Where did "Monroe" come from? Hint

A musician

A business associate

A friend

A relative

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which author wrote a novel using the name "Emil Sinclair" - then had to disclose his true identity when his novel won a prize? Hint

Thomas Mann

Hermann Hesse

Andre Gide

Marcel Proust

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Question 6 of 10

6. Michael Landon grew up as Eugene Orowitz. Where did the "Landon" name come from? Hint

A scientist

A movie

A literary work

A phone book

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Question 7 of 10

7. George Webber is the protagonist in "10". What writer had previously used this name as the protagonist in his novel? Hint

John Steinbeck

Thomas Wolfe

Henry James

Theodore Dreiser

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Question 8 of 10

8. Edgar Allan Poe wrote the poem, "Israfel". Where did this name come from? Hint

Ancient history

A religious reference

An anagram

A legendary emperor

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Question 9 of 10

9. Herman Melville's novel, "Moby Dick", contains the line "Call me Ishmael". Where does that reference come from? Hint

Shakespeare

Charles Dickens

Dante

The Bible

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Question 10 of 10

10. J.D. Salinger created the character of Holden Caulfield in "Catcher in the Rye". Where did that name come from? Hint

Store catalog

Restaurant menu

Movie marquee

Bartender guide

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. After his release from prison, Oscar Wilde called himself Sebastian Melmoth. Where did this name come from?

Answer: A novel

A novel about "Melmoth, the Wanderer" must have seemed an appropriate choice for Wilde to use after his release from prison.

2. Samuel Clemens wrote under the name of Mark Twain. Where did that name come from?

Answer: A navigational term

It was a term used in the navigation of Mississippi river boats, measuring the depth of the water. Mark Twain meant the second mark on the measuring device, meaning the water was at least two fathoms deep.

3. Joan Crawford is the name that was ultimately used by the famous actress. Where did the name come from?

Answer: A contest

She hated the name - said that it sounded too much like "crawfish".

4. Marilyn Monroe was originally known as Norma Jeane Baker. Where did "Monroe" come from?

Answer: A relative

"Monroe" was her mother's (or grandmother's) maiden name.

5. Which author wrote a novel using the name "Emil Sinclair" - then had to disclose his true identity when his novel won a prize?

Answer: Hermann Hesse

The prize was supposed to be for new authors - so Hesse had to reveal his true identity.

6. Michael Landon grew up as Eugene Orowitz. Where did the "Landon" name come from?

Answer: A phone book

He was looking for a name that struck his fancy. (He did rather well with it.)

7. George Webber is the protagonist in "10". What writer had previously used this name as the protagonist in his novel?

Answer: Thomas Wolfe

"You Can't Go Home Again". The selection of the name for Dudley Moore's character

8. Edgar Allan Poe wrote the poem, "Israfel". Where did this name come from?

Answer: A religious reference

The Koran.

9. Herman Melville's novel, "Moby Dick", contains the line "Call me Ishmael". Where does that reference come from?

Answer: The Bible

An outcast.

10. J.D. Salinger created the character of Holden Caulfield in "Catcher in the Rye". Where did that name come from?

Answer: Movie marquee

Wiliam Holden and Joan Caulfield.

Source: Author robert362

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