Words With Fascinating Origins

Q: Which word, meaning to refuse to deal with someone, comes from an Irish land agent's surname?

Boycott. Boycott comes from Charles Cunningham Boycott, an Irish land agent who was ostracized by locals for abusive practices in the 1880s.

Q: What common English word is derived from the name of the 4th Earl of Sandwich?

Sandwich. The word 'sandwich' comes from John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who popularized eating meat between two slices of bread in the 18th century.

Q: What does the word 'tsunami' literally mean in Japanese?

Harbor wave. 'Tsunami' is composed of two Japanese words: 'tsu' (harbor) and 'nami' (wave), literally meaning 'harbor wave.'

Q: What word, meaning an automated machine, originated from Czech playwright Karel Čapek?

Robot. The word 'robot' comes from the Czech word 'robota' (forced labor) and was popularized by Karel Čapek in his 1920 play 'R.U.R.'

Q: What is the origin of the word 'kindergarten'?

German. 'Kindergarten' comes from the German words 'Kinder' (children) and 'Garten' (garden), created by educator Friedrich Fröbel.

Q: From which language does the word 'safari' originate, meaning 'journey'?

Swahili. 'Safari' comes from the Swahili word meaning 'journey' or 'to travel,' referring to African hunting and wildlife expeditions.

Q: What word comes from Latin meaning 'without taste' or 'graceless'?

Insipid. 'Insipid' comes from the Latin 'insipidus,' combining 'in-' (not) and 'sapidus' (having taste), meaning lacking flavor or interest.

Q: What is the literal meaning of the word 'breakfast' based on its etymology?

Breaking the fast. 'Breakfast' is a compound of 'break' and 'fast,' literally meaning 'breaking the fast' from overnight fasting.

Q: From which Polynesian language does the word 'tattoo' originate?

Tahitian. 'Tattoo' comes from the Tahitian word 'tatau,' referring to the practice of marking the skin with intricate designs.

Q: What is the etymology of the word 'silhouette,' named after a French official?

Finance minister. 'Silhouette' comes from Étienne de Silhouette, an 18th-century French finance minister whose name became synonymous with simple outline drawings.

Question 1

Which word, meaning to refuse to deal with someone, comes from an Irish land agent's surname?

Accepted Answer

Boycott

Answer

Ostracize

Answer

Shun

Answer

Blacklist

Question 2

What common English word is derived from the name of the 4th Earl of Sandwich?

Accepted Answer

Sandwich

Answer

Burger

Answer

Pizza

Answer

Salad

Question 3

What does the word 'tsunami' literally mean in Japanese?

Accepted Answer

Harbor wave

Answer

Big wave

Answer

Ocean disaster

Answer

Tidal wave

Question 4

What word, meaning an automated machine, originated from Czech playwright Karel Čapek?

Accepted Answer

Robot

Answer

Droid

Answer

Automaton

Answer

Golem

Question 5

What is the origin of the word 'kindergarten'?

Accepted Answer

German

Answer

Dutch

Answer

French

Answer

Swedish

Question 6

From which language does the word 'safari' originate, meaning 'journey'?

Accepted Answer

Swahili

Answer

Arabic

Answer

Zulu

Answer

Afrikaans

Question 7

What word comes from Latin meaning 'without taste' or 'graceless'?

Accepted Answer

Insipid

Answer

Elegant

Answer

Vivid

Answer

Tepid

Question 8

What is the literal meaning of the word 'breakfast' based on its etymology?

Accepted Answer

Breaking the fast

Answer

Morning meal

Answer

Fast breaking

Answer

First meal

Question 9

From which Polynesian language does the word 'tattoo' originate?

Accepted Answer

Tahitian

Answer

Hawaiian

Answer

Samoan

Answer

Maori

Question 10

What is the etymology of the word 'silhouette,' named after a French official?

Accepted Answer

Finance minister

Answer

Fashion designer

Answer

Politician

Answer

Artist

Words With Fascinating Origins

Which word, meaning to refuse to deal with someone, comes from an Irish land agent's surname?

Publisher

Words With Fascinating Origins