Word Origins Quiz: 50 Trivia Questions, 5 Rounds

Q13 / 50Easy15.0s

What is the study of the origin of words called?

AEtymology

BEntomology

CEpistemology

DPhonology

104 pts+10

How much do you really know about word origins? Put it to the test with Zip Blitz, the quick-fire trivia game - fifty free questions, covering everything from everyday words and slang to ancient roots.

#	Player	Correct	Score
1	Open	—	—
2	Open	—	—
3	Open	—	—

Q4 / 50Opener

Which two Greek letters give the alphabet its name?

AAlpha and beta

BAlpha and omega

CBeta and gamma

DAlpha and gamma

Correct

Fastest yet

1.4s

+10 points

15.0s

Five rounds, climbing10 questions each

1OpenerEveryday words, slang and nicknames

2EasyLatin, Greek and French borrowings

3TrickyOld English, Norse and Middle English

4HardSanskrit grammar, Greek thinkers and medieval scholars

5BrutalProto-Indo-European, folk etymology and sound change

Word Origins titlesout of 500

Root of it all50 / 50

Walking dictionary350+

Etymologist275+

Root hunter200+

Dictionary diver100+

Word nerd1+

Lost for words0

44 of 50 right · six short of Root of it all

You vs Katie BWord Origins · Easy

412 pts

78%

You

389 pts

72%

Katie

Which language does the word 'algebra' come from?

Arabic✓GBKB

Latin

Greek

Sanskrit

Speed scores

No time for the dictionary.

Twenty seconds a question, and the faster you answer, the more you score. Which Greek letters gave us 'alphabet'? Clock's ticking.

The ramp

From slang to Sanskrit.

Five rounds of ten. Each etymology gets trickier.

Titles

Dig down to the root.

When you finish, your score earns a title: Lost for words if you score nothing, Root of it all if you get every question right.

Answer Sheet

See who knows their roots.

Review every question and compare answers with friends. Did they know which language gave us 'algebra'?

Word Origins quiz

Leaderboard

No time for the dictionary.

From slang to Sanskrit.

Dig down to the root.

See who knows their roots.

Look up something different.