Etymology trivia

Related Trivia

Word origins, root words, linguistic evolution, and historical definitions.

Etymology Mini Quiz

Test your knowledge with these top questions!

Question 1

Which breakfast word blends "breakfast" and "lunch"?

Brunch first appeared in Britain in the 1890s, pairing a late breakfast with lunch.

Question 2

Which word for a dishonest person originally meant "boy" in Old English?

Old English cnafa meant boy or servant; the meaning slid to rogue over centuries.

Question 3

Which word for a burst of wind comes from the Old Norse "gustr"?

Old Norse gustr meant a sudden blast; English borrowed it as gust for a burst of wind.

Question 4

Which fear takes its name from the Greek word for "marketplace"?

Greek agora meant marketplace; agoraphobia describes fear of open or public spaces.