1990s
In 1997, this British author published Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, launching a global literary phenomenon.
J.K. Rowling
Transmitted by infected mosquitoes, this infectious disease derives its name from the Italian words for "bad air."
Malaria
Harry receives an owl as an 11th birthday present from Hagrid named what?
Hedwig
Famous for independently mobile eyes, this reptile can adjust its skin color using specialized cells called chromatophores to blend into foliage or communicate with rivals.
Chameleon
Common in suburban neighborhoods, this French phrase for a dead-end street literally translates to "bottom of the bag."
Cul-de-sac
Released in September 1991, the single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" catapulted this Seattle grunge band to international superstardom.
Nirvana
In 1955, Jonas Salk developed the first successful killed-virus vaccine against this disease that causes paralysis.
Polio (or poliomyelitis)
Catching this tiny, winged ball in a game of Quidditch earns a team 150 points and ends the match.
Golden Snitch
Resembling twigs or plant stems, these insects frequently sway gently back and forth to mimic the natural movement of branches in the wind.
Stick insect (or walking stick)
This common yellow lawn flower gets its English name from the French dent-de-lion, which translates to "lion's tooth."
Dandelion
On October 3, 1995, an estimated 100 million viewers tuned in to watch the televised verdict in the trial of this former NFL star.
O.J. Simpson?
Named for a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it was identified in 1976, this viral disease causes severe hemorrhagic fever.
Ebola
Gryffindor's resident house ghost, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, is much better known by this descriptive moniker.
Nearly Headless Nick
Discovered in Indonesia in 1998, this extraordinary cephalopod can impersonate toxic species like sea snakes, lionfish, and flatfish by rapidly altering its shape and pattern.
Mimic Octopus
Long before it meant a hired driver, this French word literally translated to "stoker," as early steam-powered motor vehicles required someone to tend the fire.
Chauffeur
On December 25, 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as president, marking the formal dissolution of this superpower.
Soviet Union (or USSR)
Characterized by a "bullseye" rash, this bacterial infection transmitted by ticks is named after a town in Connecticut where it was recognized in 1975.
Lyme disease
To ward off soul-sucking Dementors, Harry learns to cast this advanced charm, which manifests in his case as a silvery stag.
Patronus Charm (or Expecto Patronum)
Blending seamlessly with coastal ocean floors as a piece of coral or gravel, this creature holds the dangerous title of the world's most venomous fish.
Stonefish
Used by pilots and mariners, this international radio distress signal comes from the French phrase m'aider, meaning "help me."
Mayday
Winning Best Picture for 1997, this James Cameron epic tied the record for the most Academy Award wins in history with 11.
Titanic
Historically common among long-distance sailors, this disease caused by a severe Vitamin C deficiency leads to bleeding gums, skin spots, and poor wound healing.
Scurvy
Lord Voldemort hides pieces of his split soul inside seven of these dark objects, including Tom Riddle's diary and Ravenclaw's diadem.
Horcruxes
Native to southern Australian waters, this marine relative of the seahorse relies on leaf-like appendages covering its entire body to disguise itself as drifting kelp.
Leafy Seadragon
Derived from the Old French words for "sour wine," this common cooking and cleaning staple is made by fermenting ethanol into acetic acid.
Vinegar