Name that state!
Idioms
American culture riddles
Slang lol
English language logic
100

Match each US state to its nickname:

Florida, Alaska, Texas, California

Nicknames: Lone Star State, Golden State, Sunshine State, The Last Frontier

Florida: Sunshine State
Alaska: The Last Frontier
Texas: Lone Star State
California: Golden State

100

In Korean, the idiom "시간은 금이다" means time is precious.

In American English, the equivalent idiom is "time is ______."

money

100

"I stand tall with a torch so bright, welcoming all who see my light." Who am I?

The Statue of Liberty

100

What English word did "rizz" originate from?

A. risen
B. charisma
C. rizzle

B. charisma

rizz = style, charm, attractiveness

100

Abigail, Oliver, Rosa and Blake all attend the same summer camp, where they can cook, kayak, rock climb and zip-line. Each child has a different favorite activity. Who likes what?

Abigail’s favorite activity isn’t rock climbing.
Oliver is afraid of heights.
Rosa can’t do her favorite activity without a harness.
Blake likes to keep his feet on the ground at all times.

Abigail likes to zip-line, ­Oliver likes to kayak, Rosa likes to rock climb and Blake likes to cook.

200

According to the 2021 census, rank the following US states from MOST to LEAST Korean Americans: California, Georgia, New York, Washington, Texas

1. California (562,500 people)
2. New York (142,100 people)
3. Texas (111,700 people)
4. Washington (97,200 people)
5. Georgia (72,900 people)

Source: https://asiamattersforamerica.org/korea/data/population

200

If Americans make small talk about unimportant things for a long time, you can idiomatically say they are "shooting the ______."

A. bullet
B. bottle
C. beetle
D. breeze

D. breeze

200

"I am a Midwest city that sits on Lake Michigan’s shore, With landmarks like Sears Tower, Navy Pier, and more." Who am I?

Chicago!

200

Most slang in American English originates from what cultural community?


A. Black and African Americans
B. First-generation immigrant Americans
C. LGBTQIA+ Americans
D. European Americans

A + C!

Like most modern American culture, slang often originates from Black and queer communities in the US!

200

George, William, John, Abe and Millard have their birthdays on consecutive days, all between Monday and Friday. George’s birthday is as many days before Millard’s as William’s is after Abe’s. John is two days older than Abe. Millard’s birthday is on Thursday.

Whose birthday is Wednesday?

Monday: John
Tuesday: George
Wednesday: Abe
Thursday: Millard
Friday: William

300

Which letter of the English alphabet has the highest number of US states beginning with that letter?

M and N (8 each!)

For an extra 300 points, write as many of them as you can in 30 seconds.

300

Finish the American idiom: "Don’t cry over _____  _____!"

spilled milk

300

"I’m a musical genre born in the USA, With roots in the South from African rhythms and play. From Memphis down to New Orleans, my sounds evolved, With piano, brass, and guitar my songs revolved." What am I?

Jazz

300

Match each Gen Z slang with its equivalent Gen Alpha slang word:

Gen Z: bestie, boomer, fam

Alpha: chat, unc, twin, 

bestie = twin
boomer = unc
fam = chat

300

5 neighborhood dogs (Saber, Ginger, Nutmeg, Pepper and Bear) are enjoying one of these activities: getting its ears scratched, playing catch, taking a nap, burying a chew toy and going for a walk.

Pepper is either playing catch or burying a chew toy. Neither Ginger nor Saber nor Bear is on a walk. One of the dogs named after a spice is getting its ears scratched. A dog not named for a spice is playing catch. Bear is getting some exercise.

Which dog is taking a nap?

Saber is taking a nap!

400

What US state has the highest percentage of Korean Americans in their population?

A. Alaska
B. Nevada
C. Hawaii
D. California

400

In Korean, the idiom “호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다” means that if you mention someone (or something) enough, they/it might suddenly appear.

The American equivalent expression is "_______ of the _______ ."

speak (of the) devil

400

I am a city known as the "City of Brotherly Love." My name is Greek for "loving brother." I am a hub of American history. What city am I?

Philadelphia

400

In the US, each generation has their own slang with the same meanings. Given two generations, what slang expression goes in the blank?

Millenial: makeover
Gen Z: ________
Gen Alpha: looksmaxxing

glow up

400

Six neighborhood children (Leisha, Benito, Delia, Charlotte, Weldon and Zina) were measured yesterday. Weldon is taller than Delia but shorter than Zina. Leisha is taller than Benito but shorter than Delia and Weldon. Benito is not the shortest.

Who is the shortest kid?

Charlotte

500

Which US state is closest in size to the size of South Korea?

Indiana (0.95 the size of South Korea!)

500

The Korea idiom “가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다” means that we should give kindness if we expect kindness in return. What is the English equivalent idiom that refers to how we treat people?

“What goes around comes around.”

500

"You’ll find me on a big stone face, four great leaders in one place." Where am I?

Mount Rushmore (in the Black Hills of South Dakota)

500

Fill in the blanks of this article from Independent.com to answer why Gen Z slang is so unique:

"Every generation d_______s its own slang, but Gen Z's is uniquely p_________e. Social media isn't just where they chat--it's where they perform i_______."

500

Four playing cards, one of each suit, lie face down on a table. They are a three, a four, a five and a six.

The cards on either side of the four are black.
The club is to the right of the three but not next to it.
The spade is to the left of the heart.
The middle two cards add up to an even number. Neither of them is a club.

Can you determine the cards’ suits and their order?

From left to right: Three of diamonds, six of spades, four of hearts, five of clubs.