Little Words, Big Vocabulary Quiz

Question: Where is one most likely to hear an aria?

Answer: In the world of opera, arias are solos performed with instrumental accompaniment. Aria comes from the Italian for “atmospheric air.”

Question: Where are you most likely to find aioli?

Answer: Often used as a spread or a dip, aioli is a creamy emulsion (similar to mayonnaise) traditionally made with olive oil, garlic, and various flavors. Aioli comes from the Occitan (a language originating in southern France) words for “garlic” and “oil.”

Question: Tec is slang for which of these?

Answer: Tec as a shortening of detective had its heyday about the turn of the 20th century, when shelves were lined with hard-boiled noir paperbacks.

Question: An obi is most likely to be worn at what event?

Answer: An obi is the sash, or belt, worn with a kimono.

Question: You would likely get poi on your fingers when you are…

Answer: Poi is a Polynesian food paste made from taro plant root. Traditionally not eaten with utensils, various pois are typically characterized as being one-, two- or three-finger depending on how many digits are needed to scoop it up.

Question: In which of these places would you most likely find a rhea?

Answer: Rheas are large flightless birds found in South America. They resemble ostriches but are considerably smaller.

Question: Ecru can be used to describe what aspect of clothing?

Answer: Ecru, a word referring to light grayish yellow or brown, comes from the French for “raw” or “unbleached.”

Question: An épée is most likely to be used during which of these events?

Answer: An épée is similar to a foil but is more rigid. Fencing matches with épées are designed to replicate real sword fights as the whole body is a target, as opposed to other contests where touches to certain body parts don’t count.

Question: Which of the following is most likely to be found in an etui?

Answer: An etui is a small ornamental case that could carry an array of tiny tools, such as sewing needles or writing instruments.

Question: Which of these people would most likely be described as having élan?

Answer: Derived from the French for “dash” or “rush,” élan refers to a person’s stylish confidence.

Question: “That’s a nice apse” is a compliment that might be said about which of the following?

Answer: The apse is typically a curved end of a building, usually a church.

Question: During which of these activities might someone find themselves in an alee position?

Answer: Often used in nautical settings, alee can refer to the side of a vessel away from the wind.

Question: After visiting which of these places would you likely come home with orts?

Answer: Ort is a term from a leftover morsel at the end of a meal. Doggie bags are typically filled with orts.

Question: Oleo is synonymous with what food?

Answer: Oleo, a shortening of oleomargarine, comes from the Latin for “oil,” a key ingredient in margarine.

Question: A ewer is best suited for what task?

Answer: A ewer is a large vaselike pitcher with a wide spout, often with ornate decorations.

Question: Elhi books are intended for whom?

Answer: Elhi is derived from the words elementary and high school and refers to material designed for use in grades 1 through 12.

Question: Which of the following might be described as an olio?

Answer: Olio can refer to a type of Spanish stew that has many varied ingredients or, more generally, to any sort of miscellaneous collection.

Question: Which of the following is most likely to mulct someone?

Answer: First referring to a penalty or fine issued by a court, mulct now also means “to defraud” or “swindle.”