Words That Changed Meaning Over Time
Originally, the word “nice” meant what?
A. Generous
B. Foolish
C. Honest
D. Quiet
Answer: B. Foolish
On I Love Lucy, who lived in the apartment next door to Lucy and Ricky?
A. The Mertzes
B. The Bradys
C. The Jeffersons
D. The Ricardos’ landlord
Answer: A. The Mertzes
Which landmark is the tall white obelisk located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.?
A. Washington Monument
B. Bunker Hill Monument
C. Space Needle
D. Liberty Bell Center
Answer: A. Washington Monument
Which pair is known for their adventures in the Peanuts comic strip?
A. Calvin and Hobbes
B. Charlie Brown and Snoopy
C. Dennis and Joey
D. Garfield and Odie
Answer: B. Charlie Brown and Snoopy
Which Sea creature has a hard outer shell and moves sideways?
A. Shrimp
B. Snail
C. Scallop
D. Sand crab
Answer: D. Sand crab
The word “silly” once meant what in Old English?
A. Blessed
B. Angry
C. Hungry
D. Loud
Answer: A. Blessed
On Bewitched, who was the nosy neighbor always spying on Samantha?
A. Mrs. Wilson
B. Mrs. Kravitz
C. Mrs. Howell
D. Mrs. Brady
Answer: B. Mrs. Kravitz
Which landmark in Washington, D.C. honors the 16th President and features a large seated statue?
A. Jefferson Memorial
B. Lincoln Memorial
C. Washington Monument
D. Capitol Building
Answer: B. Lincoln Memorial
Which comedy duo became famous for the routine “Who’s on First”?
A. Burns and Allen
B. Abbott and Costello
C. Laurel and Hardy
D. Martin and Lewis
Answer: B. Abbott and Costello
Which State is known for its city of Sioux Falls?
A. South Dakota
B. South Carolina
C. South Florida
D. South Nevada
Answer: A. South Dakota
The word “girl” originally referred to:
A. A young female
B. Any young person, regardless of gender
C. A servant
D. A child from a wealthy family
Answer: B. Any young person, regardless of gender
On Home Improvement, who was the wise neighbor whose face was usually hidden behind the fence?
A. Ned Flanders
B. Mr. Bentley
C. Wilson
D. Mr. Roper
Answer: C. Wilson
Which landmark is known for its natural red rock formations and massive stone arches?
A. Yosemite Valley
B. Arches National Park
C. Grand Canyon Village
D. Bryce Canyon
Answer: B. Arches National Park
Which pair is known for solving mysteries in the Scooby-Doo series?
A. Fred and Velma
B. Shaggy and Scooby
C. Daphne and Fred
D. Velma and Daphne
Answer: B. Shaggy and Scooby
Which Sport uses a long, narrow board to glide down snowy slopes?
A. Surfing
B. Snowboarding
C. Skating
D. Sailing
Answer: B. Snowboarding
The word “awful” once meant:
A. Full of awe or wonder
B. Extremely noisy
C. Unpleasant to smell
D. Difficult to understand
Answer: A. Full of awe or wonder
On Three’s Company, who were the quirky landlords living downstairs?
A. The Ropers
B. The Cunninghams
C. The Clampetts
D. The Arnolds
Answer: A. The Ropers
Which U.S. landmark was originally built as a fort and later became famous for a Civil War battle?
A. Fort Sumter
B. Fort Knox
C. Fort McHenry
D. Fort Ticonderoga
Answer: A. Fort Sumter
Which musical duo recorded the hit “Bridge Over Troubled Water”?
A. Hall and Oates
B. Simon and Garfunkel
C. The Everly Brothers
D. Loggins and Messina
Answer: B. Simon and Garfunkel
Which Star in our solar system provides Earth with heat and light?
A. Sirius
B. Sun
C. Saturn
D. Spica
Answer: B. Sun
The word “manufacture” originally meant:
A. To produce goods using machines
B. To make something by hand
C. To assemble items from multiple parts
D. To prepare materials for trade
Answer: B. To make something by hand
On The Jeffersons, who were the neighbors that George often clashed with but Louise got along with?
A. The Bunkers
B. The Willises
C. The Drummonds
D. The Hartleys
Answer: B. The Willises
Which American landmark is located at the exact point where the borders of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meet?
A. Four Corners Monument
B. Monument Valley
C. Mesa Verde
D. Canyon de Chelly
Answer: A. Four Corners Monument
Which famous duo created the first successful blue jeans?
A. Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone
B. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis
C. John Rockefeller and Henry Flagler
D. Andrew Carnegie and Charles Schwab
Answer: B. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis
Which Scientific instrument is used to examine very small objects by magnifying them?
A. Spectrometer
B. Seismograph
C. Stethoscope
D. Sonar
Answer: A. Spectrometer