When did we start using the word: Computer
Before 1935, a computer was a person who performed arithmetic calculations. And it was used way back in the 17th century.
When did we start using the word: Chauvinism
The word dates from the late 19th century and is named after Nicolas Chauvin, a Napoleonic veteran noted for his extreme patriotism, popularized as a character by the Cogniard brothers in Cocarde Tricolore (1831).
When did we start using the word: Genetic
William Bateson, a proponent of Mendel's work, coined the word genetics in 1905.
When did we start using the word: Microscope
The word 'microscope' was first coined by Giovanni Faber in 1625 to describe an instrument invented by the famous Galileo Galilei in 1609.
When did we start using the word: Grieve
The word grieve came about around the year 1200. It comes from the Latin verb gravāre, meaning “to burden,” from gravis, “heavy.”
When did we start using the word: Emoji
First recorded use was 1997
When did we start using the word: Virus
When did we start using the word: Biodiversity
In 1985, Walter G. Rosen first coined the term 'Biodiversity'. It is a compound word of the longer form 'Biological diversity' which was coined by Lovejoy in 1980 to denote the number of species present in a group.
When did we start using the word: Serendipity
Horace Walpole (1717-1797) coined the term serendipity in 1754 in allusion to an ancient oriental legend of the "Three Princes of Serendip".
When did we start using the word: Admire
First use is recorded as being in 1429
When did we start using the word: Yearn
The earliest known use of the verb yearn is in the mid 1500s. OED's earliest evidence for yearn is from before 1568, in Wyfe of Auchtermuchty.
When did we start using the word: Bewitch
The earliest evidence for bewitch is from around 1225, in Worcester Glosses to Old English Homilies.
When did we start using the word: Astonish
OED's (Oxford English Dictionary) earliest evidence for astonish is from 1530, in the writing of John Palsgrave, teacher and scholar of languages.
When did we start using the word: Helicopter
The English word helicopter is adapted from the French word hélicoptère, coined by Gustave Ponton d'Amécourt in 1861, which originates from the Greek helix (ἕλιξ), genitive helikos (ἕλῐκος), "helix, spiral, whirl, convolution" and pteron (πτερόν) "wing".
When did we start using the word: Flabbergast
OED's earliest evidence for flabbergast is from 1773, in Annual Register 1772. Flabbergast is of unknown origin...
When did we start using the word: Insulin
When did we start using the word: Electron
(The term "electron" was coined in 1891 by G. Johnstone Stoney to denote the unit of charge found in experiments that passed electrical current through chemicals
Try Again...
You’ve got some learning to do! While you showed effort in tackling this challenging quiz, your score indicates that there's room for improvement. Don’t be discouraged—understanding the rich history of English words takes time. Review your answers, do a bit of research, and try again. With a little more study, you'll be mastering the centuries of word origins in no time!
Impressive Knowledge of Etymology!
Great job! Your impressive score reflects a solid understanding of the origins of English words. You have a keen eye for historical linguistic trends and clearly know your stuff. Keep honing your etymological skills, and you'll continue to uncover the fascinating stories behind the words we use every day. Share your results and challenge your friends to see if they can match your impressive knowledge!