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Varieties of English Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Varieties of English Quizzes, Trivia

Varieties of English Trivia

Varieties of English Trivia Quizzes

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Fun Trivia
All types of dialects, accents, and quirky regional lingoes that make up the varieties of English.
218 quizzes and 3,052 trivia questions.
1.
  Ye Olde Quiz   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
See if you know the modern meaning of these common expressions used in times gone by, most of which came from the Elizabethan era. Good luck to thee.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, Creedy, Jul 22 22
Very Easy
Creedy gold member
Jul 22 22
7182 plays
2.
  Gobbledygook   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Government, lawyers, doctors, even schoolteachers from Sussex are guilty of using gobbledygook: the use of many complex words when a few simple ones will suffice.
Easier, 10 Qns, deputygary, Aug 27 23
Easier
deputygary
Aug 27 23
3406 plays
3.
  Body Slang   popular trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Do you ever get frustrated with learning the scientific names for the human anatomy? Worry no more! Let us take a more light-hearted approach by matching these English language slang words to their correct body part.
Very Easy, 10 Qns, Plodd, Sep 29 16
Recommended for grades: 7,8,9
Very Easy
Plodd
1484 plays
4.
  Victorian English Slang, Familiar or Not   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
These words are from "A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant and Vulgar Words," published in London, 1859. Some are oddly modern, some just odd. Victorian slang on the left; modern definition on the right.
Easier, 10 Qns, littlepup, Oct 22 16
Easier
littlepup
765 plays
5.
  Why In The World Do We Say THAT?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
English speakers from around the globe use some very interesting phrases. Here are some of our favorites!
Average, 10 Qns, logcrawler, Nov 22 20
Average
logcrawler gold member
Nov 22 20
416 plays
6.
  South African Slang    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I've noticed a few fun language quizzes (Aussie lingo, rhyming slang etc.) and decided to throw some more choice into the mix. Behold, my first try - a Saffa (South African) lingo quiz!
Average, 10 Qns, angus007, Aug 09 21
Average
angus007
Aug 09 21
1078 plays
7.
Write It Quick
  Write It Quick!    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
One of my fondest odd skills is the ability to write in shorthand. This style of speedwriting was developed by Professor Joe M. Pullis, and this quiz is a lesson in the basic rules. My husband enjoys deciphering my scribbles, perhaps you will too.
Average, 10 Qns, TemptressToo, May 17 14
Average
TemptressToo
469 plays
8.
  Pirate Slang   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How well do you know pirate language? What's the difference between a caulker and a cackle fruit? Let's find out. If you have read "Pirates" by John Matthews or "Pirateology" by William Lubber, then you will probably ace this quiz! Good Luck1
Average, 10 Qns, mrbell, Dec 11 21
Average
mrbell
Dec 11 21
2587 plays
9.
  Dude, Don't Diss My Teenspeak!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Teens today seem to have their own language. Test your knowledge of some of today's common "teenspeak" terms.
Easier, 10 Qns, panderson, Sep 02 23
Easier
panderson
Sep 02 23
2005 plays
10.
  Maori Words in Everyday Use    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In New Zealand there are many words from the Maori language which are now in everyday use. You will hear or see these words on the TV and in newspapers without translation. These might be useful if you are planning a holiday in our beautiful country!
Average, 10 Qns, ScrabbleClare, Dec 20 13
Average
ScrabbleClare
1462 plays
trivia question Quick Question
When someone asks you for a rubber, don't be shocked. Just give them your:

From Quiz "Kiwi Terminology"




11.
  One   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"One" has been part of various slang phrases for the last couple of centuries, from America to England to Australia. Here's just a small sampling.
Average, 10 Qns, littlepup, Dec 10 16
Average
littlepup
471 plays
12.
  Kilted Kangas Speak Their Language   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
It is a wonder how different words can mean different things around the world! Here are some of ours!
Average, 15 Qns, ClaudiaCat, Sep 26 16
Average
ClaudiaCat gold member
530 plays
13.
  Smile!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"Smile"? - Well I hope I can have you laughing out loud at the various South Africanisms. These are taken from quite a few of our eleven official languages.
Tough, 10 Qns, playmate1111, Sep 17 11
Tough
playmate1111 gold member
581 plays
14.
  Kiwi Speak    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
How well do you know your Kiwi slang? Take this quiz to see, go on, give it a crack Nigel!
Average, 15 Qns, PooDog, May 05 22
Average
PooDog
May 05 22
1335 plays
15.
  Kiwi Terminology    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This quiz contains a sampling of terminology used in New Zealand that can confuse American visitors. If you've spent any time in New Zealand, this quiz will be simple. Just remember, you're looking for the "kiwi" definition of the word!
Average, 15 Qns, ourika, Jul 16 21
Average
ourika
Jul 16 21
1580 plays
16.
  Singapore Slang    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Been to Singapore and ever wondered what words like 'shiok', 'sebok' or 'nor chet' mean? Find out here.
Average, 15 Qns, meifeng, Sep 28 12
Average
meifeng
714 plays
17.
  Bahamian Slang    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This quiz will consist of Bahamian slang from over the years to the present. I'll give the meaning of a word and you can choose which word it is. Enjoy! Note: Some of the slang is more recent.
Average, 15 Qns, abbyolurin1, Nov 11 07
Average
abbyolurin1
565 plays
18.
  Konglish 101    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Welcome to Korea! If you don't speak the language, you'll find yourself picking up Konglish -- English words used in the Korean way. Can you understand the locals, and make yourself understood?
Average, 10 Qns, ubermom, Oct 20 08
Average
ubermom
624 plays
19.
  You Think You "Spake Norn Iron"    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You've played my other Northern Ireland quizzes, carried out some further research and decided it's a place you'd like to visit. But will you be able to understand the locals when you get here?
Average, 10 Qns, CuddlyNutter, Jan 09 23
Average
CuddlyNutter
Jan 09 23
205 plays
20.
  Singapore Slang II    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
"Awreddy or nor chet for Singlish lesson 2? OK lah, can start now..." Learn Singlish the fun way!
Average, 15 Qns, meifeng, Jun 12 07
Average
meifeng
610 plays
21.
  Jamaican English Part Two    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If you enjoyed the challenge of Part 1, here is the final part of my quiz on everyday Jamaican expressions.
Average, 10 Qns, reggaejames, Aug 15 14
Average
reggaejames
696 plays
22.
  South African Lingo    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Yes, us Saffas speak a different language. Can you translate what we are saying? This comes straight out of Brakpan.
Average, 10 Qns, grootes, Dec 03 23
Average
grootes
Dec 03 23
611 plays
23.
  Victorian England Words    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz on some of the words that were used in the Victorian Era which mean something different today. For each of the words select the Victorian meaning.
Tough, 10 Qns, CharmedLivesOn, Dec 18 13
Tough
CharmedLivesOn
911 plays
24.
  Jamaican Expressions Seen!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Jamaican English is full of colorful expressions. I have chosen one phrase for each letter of the alphabet A to J. I hope you enjoy the quiz.
Tough, 10 Qns, reggaejames, Mar 06 13
Tough
reggaejames
945 plays
25.
  An Englishwoman's Take on South Africanisms    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I am an Englishwoman who emigrated to South Africa many years ago. Some of the "South Africanisms" confused me, some made me smile, and I thought they would make an interesting topic for a quiz.
Average, 10 Qns, Kari247, Apr 04 11
Average
Kari247
404 plays
26.
  Bizarre Slang-s    
Multiple Choice
 5 Qns
Difficult, 5 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Apr 21 02
Difficult
thejazzkickazz gold member
1530 plays

Varieties of English Trivia Questions

1. A man walks by, in the late 19th Century U.S. You overhear one person say about him to another, "There goes one of the Lord's own." What are they saying about him, assuming they're using slang and not being literal?

From Quiz
One

Answer: he's a well-dressed dandy

"One of the Lord's own" was classed as American slang, and was "a dandy; one who is eminent as regards form, style, and chic." It also could refer to "a daisy, a stunner, or first-classer." One can imagine a person who was dressed up, acting superior to others, being called one of the Lord's own, or in other words, a person who thought himself to be special and above others, whether he was or not. It was listed in "A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant Embracing English, American, and Anglo-Indian Slang, Pidgin English, Gypsies' Jargon and Other Irregular Phraseology, Volume 2" by Albert Barrere and Chares G. Leland (London: George Bell, 1897).

2. If a Scot said, "Am no gawn to Liz's scullery again it's that bowfin it will gie ye the boak", what do they mean?

From Quiz Kilted Kangas Speak Their Language

Answer: I will never use Liz's kitchen again as it is so filthy it makes you want to vomit.

Scotland's language, Gaelic, is considered to be used by a minority, but in many places it is still prevalent. The translation of the question is: 'Am' means I am, 'no' means not, 'gawn' means going to, 'scullery' means kitchen, 'bowfin' means dirty or filthy, 'gie' means give, 'ye' means you, and 'boak' means being or feeling sick. Submitted by scotsbluebell.

3. What would be an acceptable response to "Bout ye, mucker"?

From Quiz You Think You "Spake Norn Iron"

Answer: I am well thank you.

"Bout ye" comes from shortening "about you", and "mucker" is a term of endearment thought to come from the Irish for "my friend', which is 'mo chara'. In general this greeting would only be used with someone you'd met before and knew reasonably well.

4. In Victorian England what did the word cove mean?

From Quiz Victorian England Words

Answer: A person

Today this word means a small sheltered bay in the shoreline of a sea, river, lake or a narrow gap. It could also mean a cave or a cavern. In the Victorian England it meant a person, but more commonly a man. Sometimes this word is used in the Victorian sense today, definitely if the speaker is old fashioned, but you don't tend to hear it much.

5. What is the meaning of a "bakkie" in South Africa?

From Quiz Smile!

Answer: A pick up truck

Yes, a bakkie is a pick up truck, which is often used as a taxi in the rural areas of South Africa, sometimes carrying up to 20 passengers all crammed in the back. All your see are heads, arms and legs all over and the occasional crate of chickens and/or a goat tied to the top! Pronounced "lucky".

6. When I moved into my first house my neighbour's invited me around for a "bring and braai". What was I supposed to take along?

From Quiz An Englishwoman's Take on South Africanisms

Answer: Meat and a salad

A braai is a barbecue. When invited to a bring and braai you are supposed to take along your own choice of meat, chicken, etc. plus a salad or dessert to be shared.

7. What would a soldier do with a "combat emplacement evacuator"?

From Quiz Gobbledygook

Answer: Dig a hole

A "combat emplacement evacuator" is a shovel. US Representative H.R. Gross of Iowa used to issue "Gobbledygook Awards" to examples of gobbledygook he came across in legislation. The US Army actually used "combat emplacement evacuator" in a request for shovels.

8. Louise is going to Paihia in the beautiful Bay of Islands for the weekend to visit her "whanau". Who or what is she going to see?

From Quiz Maori Words in Everyday Use

Answer: Family

Maori people are very family-oriented and have a strong tradition of knowing their genealogy back for generations. Whanau describes a person's close family, hapu is the word for extended family and iwi is the word for a person's tribe. In Maori, the letters "wh" are pronounced like a soft "f".

9. What is a cat-o'-nine-tails?

From Quiz Pirate Slang

Answer: a whip used for flogging

The expression "let the cat out of the bag" may be derived from this.

10. Which word is used to emphasize surprise, happiness, or disappointment?

From Quiz Bahamian Slang

Answer: Muddasick

Someone can say something like, "Muddasick, why does it have to rain on a holiday?" or "Muddasick! You planned a surprise party for me all on your own?" in order to emphasize their feelings.

11. Thank God it's Friday! My friends and I are going 'lumching' tonight. What activity are we going to do?

From Quiz Singapore Slang

Answer: Dancing

Lumching is a cross of the word dancing and the act it involves, that is, to 'lum' which is Hokkien (a Chinese dialect) for hug or embrace.

12. Below are a couple of greetings, some of which you may have heard before. Which one is typically South African?

From Quiz South African Slang

Answer: Howzit

Originally from the "How is it going?" (how are you?) after one said hello. Shortened to "How is it?", which sounds (and spelled these days) "Howzit" when pronounced fast.

13. What am I if I'm "up the duff?"

From Quiz Kiwi Speak

Answer: Pregnant

14. What is a bludger?

From Quiz Kiwi Terminology

Answer: Someone who sponges off of others

15. If a Jamaican was "kin teet", what would they be doing?

From Quiz Jamaican English Part Two

Answer: Smiling

" Fram har man come fram farin a pure kin teet she deh pon." Translation, She has been smiling ever since her boyfriend returned from abroad.

16. If someone was giving you "a pure haas dead an cow fat story", what would he be telling you?

From Quiz Jamaican Expressions Seen!

Answer: An inconsequential or unrelated story

"When time come fi Taam to pay me back a pure haas dead an cow fat story im a gi me." When Tom's loan is due he avoids the issue by talking about unimportant and unrelated matters.

17. What does bubulcitate mean?

From Quiz Bizarre Slang-s

Answer: cry like a cowboy

18. This one's been around for a while, and I'm pretty sure that you've heard it. What does someone mean when he sees a man just sitting on a park bench, and tells his kids, that guy is "long in the tooth"?

From Quiz Why In The World Do We Say THAT?

Answer: that he is really old

The origin of the phrase seems to be based on the fact that the teeth of animals, especially horses, grow as they age and their gums recede. Remember that old snapshot of yourself as a little kid back in the day when you had such a beautiful smile? Then a couple of years later you see a photo of yourself missing two front teeth and you thought, I know "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth". Teeth like the rest of our bodies grow over time. First (usually when you're about six months old), you get your baby teeth. Later they'll fall out, and you'll start the process of making yourself some more new ones. As an adult, you'll likely have 32 "pearlies" of all different types. You'll have incisors (8), canines (4), pre-molars (8), and finally a bunch of molars (12), including wisdom teeth. Take care of your choppers, orthodontists "will cost you an arm and a leg". Question submitted by paulmallon

19. "Don't worry. He's one of the lads," says an Englishman in the 1890s about a man who's just walked up to join your private conversation. What does that mean?

From Quiz One

Answer: he's one of our group, go ahead and talk

"One of the lads" is reported in Australia and the British Isles as the equivalent to the Americanism "One of the boys." Both phrases were noted in "Dictionary of Americanisms, Briticisms, Canadianisms and Australianisms" by V.S. Matyushenkov, 2010, and also in "A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English" by Eric Partridge. The Online Etymology Dictionary says "One of the boys" meaning an "ordinary amiable fellow" dates from 1893.

20. To Singapore we go, and be jolly ready for verbal abuse at the coffee shop. You order a drink and you ask for a coffee, or 'kopi' as we call it. Then the server asks you, "Peng or not?" 'Peng'? What does he mean by wanting the drink 'peng'?

From Quiz Kilted Kangas Speak Their Language

Answer: He's asking if you want the drink with ice.

'Peng' is a Singlish type slang term for ice. Ordering drinks in Singapore revolves around a long list of lingo, from asking for less sugar with evaporated milk or 'kopi siew dai', to making it thicker and richer by asking for 'kopi gao'. Submitted by Abby_91.

21. How might one describe a person who one is said to be "on the pig's back"?

From Quiz You Think You "Spake Norn Iron"

Answer: In a very fortunate situation

Literally a translation of the Irish "ar mhuin na muice", its current use can be traced back to the 17th century. Its actual origins are unclear, but a reasonable supposition would be the idea that, if you owned a pig or pigs instead of subsisting on potatoes, you were doing very well indeed. A similar phrase is "living off the fat of the land", though this doesn't entail the element of "good fortune" that the Northern Ireland use of "on the pig's back" implies.

22. In Victorian England what did the word gum mean?

From Quiz Victorian England Words

Answer: Abusive language

Nowadays, people mainly use this word for the food item, chewing gum. But it could also mean glue. Victorians, however, used the term to describe loud, abusive language. For example, "Let us have no more of your gum". This might have been used if a rude person was interrupting a speech.

23. "Now is the winter of our discontent". How would we express that term today?

From Quiz Ye Olde Quiz

Answer: I'm absolutely fed up with everything

Shakespeare used this expression in his play "Richard III" in the opening scene of act one. Richard was absolutely fed up to the back teeth about everything working out perfectly for everyone else, but not for him. A good deal of jealousy was mixed in with his emotions as well. The full quote is "Now is the the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son of York." The time of being fed up has come to an end, apparently, and the speech includes a pun on the homonyms sun/son. Richard, just in passing, has been much maligned in history, thanks to Shakespeare's play, which was an endeavour to please the royal court of his time. Richard, in fact, was an efficient and fair king who was much respected by his people.

24. A South African favourite is "slap chips". What are these?

From Quiz Smile!

Answer: Soft chips

"Slap chips" are thick, long French fries which don't go crisp in the oil - they are soft and stodgy, and often look like mashed potatoes in the bottom of the bag. A good hangover food for some.

25. A few days later another neighbour came around with a dish of "bobotie" as a welcoming gift. What is bobotie?

From Quiz An Englishwoman's Take on South Africanisms

Answer: A dish of savoury mince with an egg-based topping

Bobotie is a traditional South African dish made with savoury mince and topped with egg custard type topping. It is believed to have originated from the Dutch settlers. The mince is usually curried, but there are many variations, all of which are delicious.

26. In a school classroom, what is an "individualized learning station"?

From Quiz Gobbledygook

Answer: Desk

"Individualized learning station" comes to us courtesy of the US Office of Education. A chalkboard would be a "wall-mounted display for interfacing with calcium sulfate sticks." A locker would be a "personal appurtenance storage unit." Lizards are (in my opinion) filthy, nasty things. I don't think a lizard cage has any place in a classroom.

27. Kiri comes into the house to tell her mother that she has a sore "puku". Which part of her body is hurting?

From Quiz Maori Words in Everyday Use

Answer: Stomach

My parents used to tell me not to unscrew my belly button or my puku would fall off. I tried really hard to do this but strangely never succeeded!

28. What does it mean in pirate jargon to "feed the fish"?

From Quiz Pirate Slang

Answer: to be thrown into the sea

Dead or alive, if you're thrown into the sea, you're "feeding the fish".

29. What is also used to emphasize surprise, happiness, or disappointment?

From Quiz Bahamian Slang

Answer: Well Muddo

"Well muddo, how can you be so rude?" is an example of how "well muddo" is used to emphasize surprise, happiness, or disappointment.

30. "Wah! He so 'eksi' one just because he has money and has gone round the world rubbing shoulders with famous people." What is 'eksi'?

From Quiz Singapore Slang II

Answer: Showy

'Eksi' comes from the word 'act' to denote someone who is boastful and likes showing off. 'Wah' is an expression.

This is category 4560
Last Updated Mar 23 2024 5:45 AM
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