Words We Borrowed

Q: From what language did the word 'kindergarten' originate?

German. The word 'kindergarten' comes from German, combining 'Kinder' (children) and 'Garten' (garden). It was coined by German educator Friedrich Fröbel in the 1840s.

Q: The word 'safari' comes from which African language, meaning 'journey'?

Swahili. 'Safari' comes from Swahili, a language spoken in East Africa. It originally meant 'journey,' and was popularized in English to describe game-hunting expeditions in Africa.

Q: The word 'ballet' originates from which Romance language?

French. 'Ballet' comes from French 'ballet,' which derives from Italian 'balletto' (small ball). The dance form developed in the Italian Renaissance courts and was refined in France.

Q: The word 'tattoo' comes from which Polynesian language?

Samoan. 'Tattoo' comes from Samoan 'tatau.' European explorers adopted the word in the 18th century after encountering the body art tradition in Polynesian cultures.

Q: The word 'tsunami' means what in Japanese?

Harbor wave. 'Tsunami' comes from Japanese 'tsu' (harbor) and 'nami' (wave). It literally means 'harbor wave,' describing the devastating waves caused by underwater earthquakes.

Q: The word 'pizza' originated in which country?

Italy. 'Pizza' comes from Italian, with roots possibly tracing to Latin 'pinsa' (stretched). The modern pizza with tomato sauce originated in Naples, Italy in the 18th century.

Q: The Dutch word for 'thank you,' adopted into English nautical terminology, is spelled how?

Dank. 'Dank' comes from Dutch and Afrikaans as a shortening of 'dankbaar' (grateful). It entered English internet and casual speech, while 'dank' has ancient roots meaning 'moist' (as in dank dungeon).

Q: The word 'slalom,' a skiing technique, comes from which Scandinavian language?

Norwegian. 'Slalom' comes from Norwegian 'slalåm,' combining 'sla' (slope) and 'låm' (lane). It describes skiing downhill through gates, adopted globally after winter sports became popular.

Q: The word 'angst,' meaning deep anxiety, originated in which language?

German. 'Angst' comes from German, meaning fear or anxiety. It entered English in the 20th century, popularized through existential philosophy and psychology.

Q: The word 'vaquero,' the Spanish ancestor of the English 'buckaroo,' means what?

Cattle herder. 'Vaquero' comes from Spanish 'vaca' (cow). When Spanish settlers brought cattle ranching to the Americas, English speakers adopted and modified 'vaquero' to 'buckaroo.'

Question 1

From what language did the word 'kindergarten' originate?

Accepted Answer

German

Answer

Dutch

Answer

Swedish

Answer

French

Question 2

The word 'safari' comes from which African language, meaning 'journey'?

Accepted Answer

Swahili

Answer

Zulu

Answer

Afrikaans

Answer

Xhosa

Question 3

The word 'ballet' originates from which Romance language?

Accepted Answer

French

Answer

Spanish

Answer

Italian

Answer

Portuguese

Question 4

The word 'tattoo' comes from which Polynesian language?

Accepted Answer

Samoan

Answer

Hawaiian

Answer

Maori

Answer

Tahitian

Question 5

The word 'tsunami' means what in Japanese?

Accepted Answer

Harbor wave

Answer

Great wave

Answer

Ocean surge

Answer

Tidal flood

Question 6

The word 'pizza' originated in which country?

Accepted Answer

Italy

Answer

Greece

Answer

Spain

Answer

Turkey

Question 7

The Dutch word for 'thank you,' adopted into English nautical terminology, is spelled how?

Accepted Answer

Dank

Answer

Dankyu

Answer

Danke

Answer

Dankje

Question 8

The word 'slalom,' a skiing technique, comes from which Scandinavian language?

Accepted Answer

Norwegian

Answer

Swedish

Answer

Danish

Answer

Finnish

Question 9

The word 'angst,' meaning deep anxiety, originated in which language?

Accepted Answer

German

Answer

Dutch

Answer

Swedish

Answer

Yiddish

Question 10

The word 'vaquero,' the Spanish ancestor of the English 'buckaroo,' means what?

Accepted Answer

Cattle herder

Answer

Adventurer

Answer

Horse rider

Answer

Lasso thrower

Words We Borrowed

From what language did the word 'kindergarten' originate?

Publisher

Words We Borrowed