Word Origins From Mythology

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. A 'midas touch' refers to ...? Ability to make money Profound courage Great wisdom Unusual strength

2. The word 'narcissism' implies ...? Excessive self-admiration Easygoing friendliness Deep piety A pledge of poverty

3. A 'herculean' task is one that is ...? Performed before a huge audience Of a noble nature Performed while blindfolded Extremely difficult to perform

4. Something that is 'mercurial' is ... ? Inexpensive or cheap Changeable or volatile Opulent or gaudy Deceptive or difficult to understand

5. In 'The Raven', Poe refers to a 'plutonian' shore. To what is he referring? Opium fantasies The world of dreams The underworld The distant future

6. A person who is described as a Gorgon is ...? All-seeing and all-knowing Extremely ugly and frightening Incapable of cowardice Of advanced age

7. A 'cassandra' is a person who ...? Is irresistible to the opposite sex Enjoys the waging of war Is incapable of sleep Has the power of prophecy, but is never believed

8. Someone who is a 'Janus' or 'Janus-faced' is ...? Invisible Reckless Miserly Deceitful

9. 'Procrustean' tactics are those that ...? Rely on the goodwill of others Compel compliance by using force Cause others to feel guilty Employ subtlety and seduction

10. The description of a person as 'protean' suggests someone who is ...? Changeable and varied Constantly hungry Greedy and superficial Perpetually lost