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Foreignisms Trivia Quiz

A quiz on foreign expressions commonly and not so commonly used in English. Most taken from _Foreignisms_ by Tad Tuleja, 1989, so translations may vary.

A multiple-choice quiz by napkintosh. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
napkintosh

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
3,236

Updated
Jun 16 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2523

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Two millennia ago, Lucretius proclaimed 'Ex nihilo nihil fit,' meaning what? Hint

Nothing has meaning

Nothing is made from nothing

My time is up

Nothing stands in the way

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Question 2 of 10

2. The Spanish expression 'No digas ni pio' means what in English? Hint

Don't talk to them

Don't tell me

Don't make a sound

I am not your father

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Greek expression 'Aisoi, apustoi' means what in English? Hint

Time is expensive

Out of sight, out of mind

Where there's a will, there's a way

While I breathe, I hope

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Question 4 of 10

4. Literally translated, the Russian expression 'Porokhu ne vydumayet' means 'He won't invent gunpowder.' What does it mean in English? Hint

He won't invent gunpowder

He looks like Vladimir Putin

He'll always be in the dark

He won't take us by storm

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Question 5 of 10

5. A 'Freudian Slip' is synonymous with which Latin expression? Hint

Mueva la lengua

Nel freudia

Aer lingus

Lapsus linguae

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Question 6 of 10

6. "En el pais de ciegos, el tuerto es rey." To whom does "el tuerto" refer? Hint

The one-eyed man

The blind man

The tallest man

The deaf man

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Question 7 of 10

7. The French expression "sang-froid" literally translated means "cold blood." What is its more colloquial meaning? Hint

Composure

Psychosis

Cruelty

Obtundity

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Question 8 of 10

8. In Polish it's "hetman." In Narragansett, "sachem." In Sanskrit, "maharajah." What is it in English? Hint

Idiot

Judge

Actor

Great King

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Question 9 of 10

9. If not used as a title, the Russian word 'tovarich' means what? Hint

General

Teacher

Friend

Master

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Question 10 of 10

10. In Italian, it's 'Che sara, sara' and in Spanish, it's 'Que sera, sera.' What is it in English?

Answer: (5 Words)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Two millennia ago, Lucretius proclaimed 'Ex nihilo nihil fit,' meaning what?

Answer: Nothing is made from nothing

2. The Spanish expression 'No digas ni pio' means what in English?

Answer: Don't make a sound

Literally, it means 'Don't even say peep.'

3. The Greek expression 'Aisoi, apustoi' means what in English?

Answer: Out of sight, out of mind

4. Literally translated, the Russian expression 'Porokhu ne vydumayet' means 'He won't invent gunpowder.' What does it mean in English?

Answer: He won't take us by storm

A Flemish variation is "he has not invented hot water." (thanks to Flem-ish for that one!)

5. A 'Freudian Slip' is synonymous with which Latin expression?

Answer: Lapsus linguae

Aer Lingus is an airline in Ireland...

6. "En el pais de ciegos, el tuerto es rey." To whom does "el tuerto" refer?

Answer: The one-eyed man

Translated: "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king."

7. The French expression "sang-froid" literally translated means "cold blood." What is its more colloquial meaning?

Answer: Composure

8. In Polish it's "hetman." In Narragansett, "sachem." In Sanskrit, "maharajah." What is it in English?

Answer: Great King

9. If not used as a title, the Russian word 'tovarich' means what?

Answer: Friend

It means 'Comrade' when used as a title, but in nontitular usage it means friend.

10. In Italian, it's 'Che sara, sara' and in Spanish, it's 'Que sera, sera.' What is it in English?

Answer: Whatever will be, will be

Source: Author napkintosh

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