Share this game

Everyday words have family trees with some very odd branches. Can you trace a few back? @sticklerstezz73 scored 565 in Word Origins on Outlier Trivia. Can you beat it?

X Facebook WhatsApp Bluesky Threads LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Telegram Text Email Instagram

The ten questions

The answers stay hidden. Play the pack to try them yourself.

1Language › TypographyVery hardJock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert designed lettering for what?Wrong7.6s0
2Language › Word OriginsMedium"Sideburns" comes from the name of which American Civil War general?Wrong3.7s0
3Language › Word OriginsMediumThe guillotine is named after a Frenchman of which profession?Right5.6s+95
4Language › Word OriginsMedium"Vodka" literally means what in Russian?Wrong4.9s0
5Language › Word OriginsEasyWhat does the phrase "bona fide" mean?Right3.7s+97
6Language › Word OriginsHardThe wine name "sherry" comes from which Spanish town's name?Wrong4.7s0
7Language › Word OriginsHardThe word "currant" comes from the name of which Greek city?Right5.8s+94
8Language › Word OriginsHardThe word "tangerine" comes from the name of which port city?Right4.8s+96
9Language › LinguisticsExpertShown a spiky shape and a rounded one, which do most people call 'kiki'?Right8.0s+91
10Language › Idioms & PhrasesEasy'Crocodile tears' come from an old belief that crocodiles do what?Right6.9s+92