Share this game

Everyday words have family trees with some very odd branches. Can you trace a few back? @almacca scored 699 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?Wrong5.0s0
2Language › Word OriginsMedium"Sideburns" comes from the name of which American Civil War general?Right1.5s+100
3Language › Word OriginsMediumThe guillotine is named after a Frenchman of which profession?Right2.7s+99
4Language › Word OriginsMedium"Vodka" literally means what in Russian?Wrong1.8s0
5Language › Word OriginsEasyWhat does the phrase "bona fide" mean?Right1.9s+100
6Language › Word OriginsHardThe wine name "sherry" comes from which Spanish town's name?Right1.3s+100
7Language › Word OriginsHardThe word "currant" comes from the name of which Greek city?Right1.1s+100
8Language › Word OriginsHardThe word "tangerine" comes from the name of which port city?Right1.9s+100
9Language › LinguisticsExpertShown a spiky shape and a rounded one, which do most people call 'kiki'?Right2.2s+100
10Language › Idioms & PhrasesEasy'Crocodile tears' come from an old belief that crocodiles do what?Wrong3.5s0