The Secret Trivia Quiz

Answer: Concealed

If something is concealed, it is hidden or obscured from view in some way. The etymology of the word is taken from both the old Latin "celare" (meaning to hide), and the 14th century French "concelen" (meaning to hide or dissimilate).

The pictured clue is of a seal, a sound that is the same as in the word conCEALed.

Answer: Covert

If something is described as covert, it is not practised out in the open, but carried out behind the scenes. This is a word that lately has been associated with popular spy movies and books. Its etymology is traced back to the French language of the 1300s, when it meant obscure or underhanded. By the mid-fourteenth to early fifteenth century its meaning had evolved to mean under cloak, and then evolved further to mean organised behind-the-scenes opposition to those in power.

The pictured clue is of a cove, as in the word COVErt.

Answer: Confidential

If anything is confidential, then its content or information is restricted to all but a few people. Medical files on a patient, for example, are confidential, as are certain political policies, or students' records. These are only released on a need to know basis and anything less is a complete betrayal of trust and duty of care. The etymology of the word is medieval Latin, meaning clerk, or notary, or pertaining to private or secret matters that were originally meant only for the eyes of the king.

The pictured clue is of a dent, as in the word confiDENTial.

Answer: Mysterious

A straight mystery is usually associated with a detective story for many people today, but if anything is described as mysterious, then elements of the unknown or even supernatural begin to creep into the word's meaning. The word's etymology dates back to the 1610s, when it meant anything associated with a mystery. By the 1630s, it had come to be associated with the occult and the mystical. Moving along to the 1800s, it was also associated with mesmerism, a mysterious ability to control one's person mind by the power of hypnosis.

The pictured clue is of a mist, a sound that is the same as in the word MYSTerious.

Answer: Furtive

Something described as furtive has the suggestion of stealth to it, illegality even, and rather unpleasant. It's sly and sneaky, wishing to avoid discovery. The word's etymology dates back to the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries where it was associated with theft, a thief, a rascal and someone who earned his or her living by means of extortion. Over the centuries since then, the word's meaning has remained the same, always associated with anything that is nasty and unpleasant.

The pictured clue is of a fur, as in the word FURtive.

Answer: Enigmatic

If someone is described as being enigmatic, their behaviour or personality is somewhat of a puzzle, difficult to understand, with his or her real feelings hidden and obscure. Some find this alluring and irresistible, while others find such behaviour irritating and annoying. The original meaning of this word in the 1640s was associated with the obscure and mysterious, and even with elements of the occult, but more so with concepts such as the painting of the "Mona Lisa" by da Vinci, the irritating lady with the enigmatic smile. We cannot really tell what she is thinking and feeling.

The pictured clue is of a mat, as in the word enigMATic.

Answer: Incognito

If someone is travelling incognito, their identity or appearance has been disguised, and they have usually assumed a false identity and another name. The etymology of the word is Italian, from the time period of the 1640s. When associated with a person it meant unknown, or the opposite of the reality. It could also be applied to non-human concepts, such as terra incognita, or unknown destination, land or region.

The pictured clue if of cogs, as in the word inCOGnito.

Answer: Arcane

If something is described as arcane, it implies secret and mysterious knowledge only available to those who have passed all the required tests or grades which grants them the right to share in such knowledge. The various masonic lodges, with all their esoteric doings, are a perfect example of the application of this word. Dating back to the 1540s, the word meant hidden, private and concealed, or locked away in a box for safe-keeping.

The pictured clue is of a cane, as in arCANE.

Answer: Cryptic

If anything has been described as cryptic, it means that it is mystifying or delivered in such a way that its real purpose, intent or meaning is hard to decipher or understand. Dating back to the early 1600s, the etymology of the word is anything that is concealed, hidden or enigmatic. A facial expression could also be described as cryptic if you cannot figure out what that person is really feeling or thinking. The very epitome of a cryptic example, however, is the set of instructions that comes with a new computer program. Less frustrating to many is the cryptic crossword.

The pictured, rather spooky looking clue is of a crypt, as in the word CRYPTic.

Answer: Clandestine

Anything described as clandestine has the element of being slightly less than correct about it, something, perhaps, that society would frown upon if revealed, and therefore has been kept a secret. It is surreptitious and hush-hush. This word is sometimes applied to intelligence work behind enemy lines as well. With its origins in the mid 1500s, its etymology is taken from the Latin word clandestinus, which means secret or hidden.

The pictured clue is of the tines of a fork, as in the word clandesTINE.