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Quiz about Ancient Morporkian
Quiz about Ancient Morporkian

Ancient Morporkian Trivia Quiz


By an astonishing coincidence, Ancient Morporkian seems to be almost identical to Roundworld Latin and other ancient languages. This quiz is about the various phrases given from this language.

A multiple-choice quiz by BlackMageJawa. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
128,775
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
14 / 20
Plays
1619
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 91 (14/20), screwlogins (19/20), Guest 176 (15/20).
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Question 1 of 20
1. "Quanti Canicula Ille In Fenestra" is the more popular of Ankh-Morpork's two mottoes, but what does it mean? Hint


Question 2 of 20
2. The other motto is "Merus In Pectum Et In Aquam"
Which is laughable, given that it means...?
Hint


Question 3 of 20
3. What is the meaning of the Sto Helit family motto "Non Temetis Messor"? Hint


Question 4 of 20
4. "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" is the motto of which important Ankh-Morpork figure? Hint


Question 5 of 20
5. What, according to Fred Colon, is the meaning of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch motto "Fabricate Diem Punc"? Hint


Question 6 of 20
6. Assuming that it is Latin, what does "Fabricate Diem Punc" actually mean? Hint


Question 7 of 20
7. Why didn't the guild of heralds translate Arthur Carry's motto 'Art brought forth the candle'? Hint


Question 8 of 20
8. Back to simple translation: what does "Quod Subigo Farinam" mean? Hint


Question 9 of 20
9. The family motto of William DeWorde, editor of the Disc's first newspaper, is 'Le Mot Juste'. What does this mean? Hint


Question 10 of 20
10. "Carpe Diem" means seize the day, but what is the Magpyr's spin on this phrase? Hint


Question 11 of 20
11. What philosophical question does the Patrician pose to Vimes with the phrase "Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes"? Hint


Question 12 of 20
12. "Moritururi Nolumus Mori" says Rincewind in The Last Hero, echoing a phrase traditionally used by which group of people in Roman society? Hint


Question 13 of 20
13. Which guild has the motto "Excretus Ex Fortuna"? Hint


Question 14 of 20
14. "Homo Homini Lupus" is the family motto of the Von Uberwalds. What does it mean? Hint


Question 15 of 20
15. Another University, another motto. This time it's the Bugarup University in Fourecks. "Nullus Anxietus" means..? Hint


Question 16 of 20
16. Who was made an honorary Doctor of Sweet Fanny Adams? Hint


Question 17 of 20
17. "Questa Maladeta, Porta Si Blocca" is a line from the famous departure aria from an Ankhian opera performed in Maskerade. But what does it mean? Hint


Question 18 of 20
18. Which three Greek symbols make up the unofficial motto of Unseen University? Hint


Question 19 of 20
19. What is the origin of the bizzare legal term 'Sini Plenic Piscis' Hint


Question 20 of 20
20. If you are suffering from a case of 'Mortis Portalis Tackalatum' with complications, what's wrong with you? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 21 2024 : Guest 91: 14/20
Mar 19 2024 : screwlogins: 19/20
Feb 27 2024 : Guest 176: 15/20
Feb 15 2024 : Guest 84: 19/20
Feb 13 2024 : Guest 81: 19/20

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. "Quanti Canicula Ille In Fenestra" is the more popular of Ankh-Morpork's two mottoes, but what does it mean?

Answer: How much is that doggy in the window?`

Introduced during the reign of King Ludwig the Tree.
Nobles claim it demonstrates a)the city's inquisitive spirit, b)their keen interest in merchantile matters, and c)their love of animals.
In truth, it was chosen because the other suggestions from the insane king were 'bduh bduh bduh' and 'I think I want my potty now'
2. The other motto is "Merus In Pectum Et In Aquam" Which is laughable, given that it means...?

Answer: Pure in mind and water.

Rather an ironic motto, given that the river Ankh can only be called water because it moves slightly faster than the surrounding land.
In fact, the only reason the Ankh runs through the city is because if it walked it would get mugged.
3. What is the meaning of the Sto Helit family motto "Non Temetis Messor"?

Answer: Don't fear the reaper.

"I wonder, is that really appropriate?" asks Mr. Teatime in Hogfather, given that the Grim Reaper in question is the grandfather of the current Duchess of Sto Helit.
4. "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" is the motto of which important Ankh-Morpork figure?

Answer: The Patrician.

The actual motto is "Si Non Confectus Non Reficat".
5. What, according to Fred Colon, is the meaning of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch motto "Fabricate Diem Punc"?

Answer: To protect and serve.

But given that the Vimes family motto "Protego Et Servio" translates to the same thing, Colon may have been mistaken. Or lying.
6. Assuming that it is Latin, what does "Fabricate Diem Punc" actually mean?

Answer: Make my day, punk.

A phrase Sir Samuel Vimes would probably feel far more inclined to use.
7. Why didn't the guild of heralds translate Arthur Carry's motto 'Art brought forth the candle'?

Answer: It was a clue to a murder.

The phrase would have been translated to "Ars Enixia Est Candalam", and Dragon King of arms was subtly boasting about how he'd done it.
8. Back to simple translation: what does "Quod Subigo Farinam" mean?

Answer: Because I knead the dough.

That's heraldry for you. Crossword clues and bad puns.
9. The family motto of William DeWorde, editor of the Disc's first newspaper, is 'Le Mot Juste'. What does this mean?

Answer: The right word.

As hinted at by the surname, the DeWordes, and William in particular, are very keen on words.
The Truth suggests that the English motto is 'The right word in the right place', however the given Latin phrase translates only to the first half of this.
10. "Carpe Diem" means seize the day, but what is the Magpyr's spin on this phrase?

Answer: Seize the throat.

"Carpe Jugulum", the title of the book the Magpyrs appear in, is also their family motto. Being vampires, they would of course go for the throat.
11. What philosophical question does the Patrician pose to Vimes with the phrase "Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes"?

Answer: Who guards the guards themselves?

Or, to put it another way, who watches the Watch? Vimes' response is "We all watch each other".
12. "Moritururi Nolumus Mori" says Rincewind in The Last Hero, echoing a phrase traditionally used by which group of people in Roman society?

Answer: Gladiators.

Before a fight, Gladiators would have to face the emperor's box (if he was present) and say "Ave Ceasar, Morituri te salutant" or "Hail Ceasar, we who are about to die salute you."
Rincewind's version, on the other hand, translates as "We who are about to die, don't want to."
13. Which guild has the motto "Excretus Ex Fortuna"?

Answer: Gamblers.

It means "Really out of luck".
14. "Homo Homini Lupus" is the family motto of the Von Uberwalds. What does it mean?

Answer: Every man is a wolf to another man.

The Von Uberwalds, including COnstable Angua of the Watch, are werewolves.
15. Another University, another motto. This time it's the Bugarup University in Fourecks. "Nullus Anxietus" means..?

Answer: No Worries.

It should be pointed out that The Last Continent, the majority of which is set of Fourecks, is not about Australia. Some parts are just slightly, well, Australian. Still, no worries eh?
16. Who was made an honorary Doctor of Sweet Fanny Adams?

Answer: Prince Khufura of Klatch.

Unseen University awarded the Prince a "Doctorum Adamus Cum Flabello Dulci" in Jingo.
17. "Questa Maladeta, Porta Si Blocca" is a line from the famous departure aria from an Ankhian opera performed in Maskerade. But what does it mean?

Answer: This damn door sticks.

The full translation of the scene runs "This damn door sticks. It sticks no matter what I do. It says push and indeed I am pushing. Maybe it should be marked pull." It is nevertheless highly romantic, because the actual meaning isn't very important.
18. Which three Greek symbols make up the unofficial motto of Unseen University?

Answer: Eta Beta Pi.

To the food obsessed wizards, of course, this dreadful pun could almost be read as "Eat A Better Pie"
Just goes to show the sense of humour the average wizard has.
19. What is the origin of the bizzare legal term 'Sini Plenic Piscis'

Answer: A man who was pushed into a river but ended up benefiting.

It translates as 'Pockets full of fish'. According to Mr. Slant in The Truth, it refers to a case where a man was pushed into a river, but the defendant succesfully pleaded that since the plaintiff had emerged from the river with a number of fish in his pockets, it had been to his net benefit.
20. If you are suffering from a case of 'Mortis Portalis Tackalatum' with complications, what's wrong with you?

Answer: You're dead as a doornail.

Pteppic was suffering from this in Pyramids. The complications were that he was still talking and moving.
Source: Author BlackMageJawa

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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