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“Do You Know What These Words Originally Meant?”: Take The Quiz And Test Your Etymology Knowledge

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You know how to speak and communicate, but have you ever thought about the origin of the words you use? 🗣️🤔

This etymology trivia takes you on a journey to discover the surprising origins and meanings behind everyday words. Whether you are a language enthusiast or just curious, you’ll walk away having learned something new!

Let’s start the challenge!

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Close-up of the word "dictionary" defined in a book, focusing on word origins and meanings.

Image credits: Pixabay

Text asks about the etymology of a word meaning "gathering" or "assembly" in Old Norse, on a gradient background.

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Circle

Government

Roundabout

Thing

Text on image asking to guess the etymology of "marathon".

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Latin

Greek

Persian

French

Quiz image asking to guess the etymology of a word's Latin origin.

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Port

Safari

Library

Aquatic

Text asking about the etymology of "Hamburg" in "Hamburger."

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A method to make ham

A type of bun

A type of meat

A city in Germany

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Text about the etymology of the word "quarantine" and its Italian origin.

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Isolation

40 days

Forbidden travel

Lock-in

Text on a pink background: Fill in the blanks about the etymology of the word "girl" in Middle English.

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A young noblewoman

A farmworker

A child of any gender

A servant

Text on a purple background reading "Originally, 'nice' meant:" related to word etymology.

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Bland

Foolish

Kind-hearted

Generous

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Arabic

Portuguese

Turkish

Hindi

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Text in image about etymology of the word "salary" on a light blue background.

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Work contract

Saint ally

Wage

Salt payment

Text asking which word didn’t originate from Latin, on a gradient background.

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Calendar

Karaoke

Animal

Glory

Etymology of "spa" linked to a town known for healing waters, set on a pastel gradient background.

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The UK

Belgium

France

Germany

Etymology of the word "muscle" displayed on a pink background.

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Small body

Strong tendon

Power part

Little mouse

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Etymology quiz text on blue background asking which word has a Greek root.

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Autopsy

Census

Lecture

Biscuit

Etymology of "Alcohol" shown on blue background, highlighting its Arabic origins.

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Medicine

Powder

Purity

Essence

"What does 'biscuit' mean in Latin? Gradient background with etymology query."

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A pastry that is hard to bite

Twice-cooked

Sweet dough

Bread roll

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Chair

Chocolate

Heaven

Knife

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Text about the etymology of "sincere" and its Latin origins on a blue background.

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Totally honest

Five truths

Without blemish

Free from flaw

Quiz on etymology: What original role did "bachelor" denote?

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Agriculture

Knighthood

Teaching

Arts

Text on a pink to yellow gradient background asking the etymology of "gymnasium."

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Exercise place

Naked training

Physical practice

Athlete room

"Guess the etymology: The word 'guitar' has its root in which language?"

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French

Old Norse

Old English

Ancient Greek

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Guess the etymology of "pencil" displayed on a gradient background.

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Little tail

Drawing tool

Sharp stick

Small brush

Etymology of "chocolate" traced to Nahuatl origin, questioning its original meaning.

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Sweet drink

Cocoa treat

Bitter water

Ground bean

Etymology of "algebra," highlighting its Arabic origins and original meaning, on a purple background.

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Mathematical study

Number theory

Restoring broken parts

Creating puzzles

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This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

Erika Saikovskytė

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

What do you think ?

Auntriarch 3 days ago

I'd be interested to know what the difference is between without blemish and free from flaw.

13points

Marianne 3 days ago

Same!

2points

Load More Replies...

pebs 3 days ago

I chose flaw, but english is not my mothertongue...

0points

XenoMurph 3 days ago

Blemish is external, appearance. Flaw is internal?

0points

Marianne 3 days ago

"The word pencil comes from the Latin word penicillus, meaning small tail or "little brush," referring to a small brush used for writing or drawing." ... Sooo ... why is "small brush" wrong and "little tail" right??

10points

Lene 3 days ago

I'm just happy that I got the Old Norse ones correct ❤🤓

2points

pebs 3 days ago

Me too, surprisingly, since I'm Italian. I chose the ones that didn't come from Greek or Latin! :)

0points

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Auntriarch 3 days ago

I'd be interested to know what the difference is between without blemish and free from flaw.

13points

Marianne 3 days ago

Same!

2points

Load More Replies...

pebs 3 days ago

I chose flaw, but english is not my mothertongue...

0points

XenoMurph 3 days ago

Blemish is external, appearance. Flaw is internal?

0points

Marianne 3 days ago

"The word pencil comes from the Latin word penicillus, meaning small tail or "little brush," referring to a small brush used for writing or drawing." ... Sooo ... why is "small brush" wrong and "little tail" right??

10points

Lene 3 days ago

I'm just happy that I got the Old Norse ones correct ❤🤓

2points

pebs 3 days ago

Me too, surprisingly, since I'm Italian. I chose the ones that didn't come from Greek or Latin! :)

0points

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