When Did We Start Using These Words?

This challenging quiz will test your knowledge of when various English words were first used. Spanning centuries from medieval times to the modern era, you'll encounter words related to emotions, objects, actions, and concepts. Each question will present a word, and your job is to choose the correct century of its first recorded use. So, sharpen your historical linguistic skills and dive into the fascinating evolution of the English language. Don't forget to look at our explanations in the end when looking at mistakes, we have lots to explain about the origins of these words.
 
1 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Computer
20th century
17th century
19th century
18th century
 
2 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Chauvinism
17th century
19th century
18th century
16th century
 
3 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Genetic
20th century
16th century
18th century
19th century
 
4 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Microscope
15th century
20th century
19th century
17th century
 
5 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Grieve
16th century
19th century
16th century
13th century
 
6 of 17
When did we start using the word: Emoji
18th century
20th century
19th century
21st century
 
7 of 17
When did we start using the word: Virus
17th century
19th century
21st century
20th century
 
8 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Biodiversity
18th century
17th century
20th century
21st century
 
9 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Serendipity
15th century
20th century
14th century
18th century
 
10 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Admire
12th century
19th century
17th century
15th century
 
11 of 17
When did we start using the word: Yearn
17th century
19th century
14th century
16th century
 
12 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Bewitch
16th century
13th century
11th century
20th century
 
13 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Astonish
20th century
17th century
16th century
19th century
 
14 of 17
Hint
When did we start using the word: Helicopter
17th century
20th century
19th century
15th century
 
15 of 17
When did we start using the word: Flabbergast
13th century
20th century
18th century
15th century
 
16 of 17
When did we start using the word: Insulin
17th century
20th century
16th century
19th century
 
17 of 17
When did we start using the word: Electron
16th century
20th century
19th century
17th century
 
Try Again...
You’ve got some learning to do! While you showed effort in tackling this challenging quiz, your score indicates that... READ MORE
 
Impressive Knowledge of Etymology!
Great job! Your impressive score reflects a solid understanding of the origins of English words. You have a keen eye... READ MORE
 
Word Historian!
Outstanding performance! You are truly a Word Historian, demonstrating an exceptional grasp of when English words first... READ MORE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Rate:
Sign Up for a Free Daily Quiz!
Did you mean:
Continue With: Facebook Google
By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy