Only Masters of English Know What These Old Words Mean...

You might feel that you're competent when communicating in everyday English, but how well do you think you'd do when trying to decipher the English that our great-grandparents used? This quiz will test your knowledge of some of the most interesting yet peculiar English words that have fallen out of common use. Give it a go, and see how well you fare!
'steed' on old parchment
 
1 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
A horse
A sword
A stool
'larcener' on old parchment
 
2 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
A dairy maid
A thief
A banker
'melodist' on old parchment
 
3 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
A violin
An optimist
A singer
'immedicable' on old parchment
 
4 of 15
What does this archaic adjective mean?
Furious
Untreatable
Urgent
'lordling' on old parchment
 
5 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
A minor lord
A teaspoon
A puppy
'husbandman' on old parchment
 
6 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
A farmer
A bridegroom
A husband
'camelopard' on old parchment
 
7 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
A camel
A giraffe
A leopard
'popinjay' on old parchment
 
8 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
A parrot
An alcoholic drink
An illicit affair
'wassail' on old parchment
 
9 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
Silence
Dissatisfaction
Revelry
'poltroon' on old parchment
 
10 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
A flagpole
An armchair
A total coward
'gammer' on old parchment
 
11 of 15
Hint
What does this archaic noun mean?
A politician
A fishing boat
An old woman
'doxy' on old parchment
 
12 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
A radio
A mistress
Smallpox
'bridewell' on old parchment
 
13 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
An arranged marriage
An area where only women can enter
A prison for petty offenders
'glabriety' on old parchment
 
14 of 15
Hint
What does this archaic noun mean?
Piety
Baldness
Glibness
'darbies' on old parchment
 
15 of 15
What does this archaic noun mean?
Cutlery
Handcuffs
Trousers
funny man with quill and paper
We Sense Some Archaic Anguish...
What a shame! Your results show us that you're not entirely familiar with some of the older and most outdated words in... READ MORE
Medieval aristocrat
You're an Archaic Ambassador!
Pretty good show! While you didn't quite pass this test with flying colors, you answered enough questions correctly to... READ MORE
quill, parchment and seals
You're a Legendary Linguist!
Absolutely outstanding! Your impressive result shows us that you're highly familiar with all aspects of the English... READ MORE
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