Language Origins Trivia Questions

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  • 1/15 Questions

    Which liquid's name comes from the Latin for "sour wine"?

    • Sherry
    • Cordial
    • Whiskey
    • Vinegar
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About This Quiz

Explore the fascinating origins of words in the 'Language Origins Trivia Questions' quiz. Discover how words like 'appendix', 'barbarians', and 'vinegar' evolved from ancient languages, enhancing your linguistic knowledge and appreciation.

Language Origins Trivia Questions - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Which word for a maddened warrior comes from the Old Icelandic for "bear shirt"?

    • Dervish

    • Fury

    • Janissary

    • Berserker

    Correct Answer
    A. Berserker
    Explanation
    The word "Berserker" comes from the Old Icelandic term "bear shirt." This term refers to a maddened warrior who would wear a bear's skin during battle. The term "Berserker" is used to describe someone who displays uncontrollable rage and ferocity in combat, similar to the characteristics associated with a bear.

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  • 3. 

    The term "salary" originates from money given to Roman soldiers to buy what?

    • Salmon

    • Sandals

    • Salt

    • Slaves

    Correct Answer
    A. Salt
    Explanation
    The term "salary" originates from the Latin word "salarium," which was the money given to Roman soldiers to purchase salt. Salt was a valuable commodity in ancient times and was used as a form of currency. It was essential for preserving food and enhancing its flavor. The payment of salt to soldiers was a common practice, and over time, the term "salarium" evolved into the word "salary" that we use today to refer to regular payment for work.

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  • 4. 

    Which English word is borrowed from the Czech word for "worker"?

    • Fax

    • Machine

    • Robot

    • Computer

    Correct Answer
    A. Robot
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Robot." The word "Robot" is borrowed from the Czech word "robota," which means "forced labor" or "work." It was first used in the play "R.U.R." by Karel Čapek in 1920, where it referred to artificial workers. Since then, the term "robot" has become widely used in English to describe automated machines or devices that can perform tasks autonomously or with minimal human intervention.

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  • 5. 

    Which Roman's name was the origin of the Russian word "Tzar"?

    • Julius Caesar

    • Trajan

    • Marcus Brutus

    • Marcus Aurelius

    Correct Answer
    A. Julius Caesar
    Explanation
    Julius Caesar is the correct answer because the Russian word "Tzar" is derived from the Latin word "Caesar." In ancient Rome, Julius Caesar was a prominent figure and eventually became the dictator of the Roman Republic. His name, Caesar, became a title used by subsequent Roman emperors and eventually evolved into the Russian word "Tzar," which refers to the ruler or emperor. Therefore, Julius Caesar's name is the origin of the Russian word "Tzar."

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  • 6. 

    The word "planet" comes for a Greek verb meaning what?

    • To Exist

    • To Hold

    • To Spin

    • To Wander

    Correct Answer
    A. To Wander
    Explanation
    The word "planet" comes from a Greek verb meaning "to wander". This is because, in ancient times, the planets were observed to move across the night sky in a way that was different from the fixed stars. They appeared to wander among the constellations, hence the name "planet" was derived from the Greek word meaning "to wander".

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  • 7. 

    In Latin, the word "appendix" means "the part that" does what?

    • Is Useless

    • Hangs

    • Finishes

    • Comes Later

    Correct Answer
    A. Hangs
    Explanation
    The word "appendix" in Latin means "the part that hangs". This suggests that the correct answer is "Hangs".

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  • 8. 

    The "trivia" comes from a Latin term for what?

    • A Crossroads

    • A Bureaucrat

    • An Inn

    • A Ledger

    Correct Answer
    A. A Crossroads
    Explanation
    The term "trivia" comes from the Latin word "trivium," which means "a place where three roads meet" or "a crossroads." In ancient times, crossroads were often gathering places where people would exchange news and information. Over time, the term "trivia" came to refer to unimportant or insignificant facts, possibly because the information exchanged at crossroads was often trivial in nature.

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  • 9. 

    The word "sinister" comes from the Latin word for which direction?

    • West

    • East

    • Right

    • Left

    Correct Answer
    A. Left
    Explanation
    The word "sinister" comes from the Latin word "sinestra," which means left. In Latin, "sinestra" was associated with the left-hand side, which was often considered unlucky or ominous. Over time, this association with negativity led to the word "sinister" being used to describe something threatening or evil. Therefore, the correct answer is left.

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  • 10. 

    What English word derives from a Greek insult meaning "babblers"?

    • Barbarians

    • Buffoons

    • Bums

    • Bushwhackers

    Correct Answer
    A. Barbarians
    Explanation
    The English word "Barbarians" derives from a Greek insult meaning "babblers." In ancient Greece, the term was used to refer to people who did not speak Greek and were considered to have a less sophisticated language. Over time, the term evolved to describe any foreign and uncivilized group of people. Today, "barbarian" is used more broadly to refer to someone who is uncivilized or lacks refinement.

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  • 11. 

    The word "tennis" was originally the word "tenez" from which language?

    • Dutch

    • French

    • Spanish

    • Arabic

    Correct Answer
    A. French
    Explanation
    The word "tennis" was originally derived from the French word "tenez." This suggests that the French language is the origin of the word "tennis."

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  • 12. 

    The word "cantaloupe" translates in Italian to a "wolf" that does what?

    • Runs

    • Dances

    • Fights

    • Sings

    Correct Answer
    A. Sings
    Explanation
    The word "cantaloupe" translates to "cantalupo" in Italian, not "wolf". Therefore, the question is incorrect or incomplete.

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  • 13. 

    The term "cab", used for a taxi, comes from the Old Italian word for which animal?

    • Cow

    • Goat

    • Dog

    • Horse

    Correct Answer
    A. Goat
    Explanation
    The term "cab" used for a taxi comes from the Old Italian word "capra" which means goat. This is because in the past, goats were used as a form of transportation in Italy. The word "cab" was later adopted to refer to horse-drawn carriages for hire and eventually evolved to include motorized taxis.

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  • 14. 

    The word "pedestrian" originally referred to the followers of which philosopher?

    • Aristotle

    • Epicurus

    • Plato

    • Pythagoras

    Correct Answer
    A. Aristotle
    Explanation
    The word "pedestrian" originally referred to the followers of Aristotle. Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who believed in the importance of observation and empirical evidence in understanding the world. His followers were known as "peripatetics," which means "those who walk about" in Greek. This term eventually evolved into "pedestrian" in English, referring to something ordinary or lacking in creativity or imagination.

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  • 15. 

    The word "stool" derives from an Old English word for what other kind of seat?

    • Toilet

    • Throne

    • Chair

    • Bench

    Correct Answer
    A. Throne
    Explanation
    The word "stool" is derived from an Old English word for "throne". This suggests that in the past, a stool was associated with a seat of power or authority, similar to a throne. The connection between the two words implies that a stool was not just a simple chair or bench, but a significant and prestigious seat.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 20, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • May 13, 2015
    Quiz Created by
    Thames
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