What does ‘sobriquet’ mean?
A: nickname
B: tight bandage
C: barbecue coal
Answer:
[A] nickname. After seeing him before he’d had his coffee, I can’t imagine how Paul possibly got the sobriquet Grumpy!
Find out which is the most misused word in the English language here.
What does ‘feckless’ mean?
A: bold and daring
B: of clear complexion
C: weak and ineffective
Answer:
[C] weak and ineffective. In formal debate, ‘Oh yeah?’ is a rather feckless rebuttal.
What does ‘bailiwick’ mean?
A: special domain
B: holiday candle
C: dugout canoe
Answer:
[A] special domain. “Ask me anything about grammar,” the curmudgeonly copy editor said. “That’s my bailiwick.”
What does ‘troglodyte’ mean?
A: cave dweller or reclusive person
B: bird of prey
C: know-it-all
Answer:
[A] cave dweller or reclusive person. I wouldn’t go so far as to call Jerry a troglodyte, but he’s definitely on the shy side.
What does ‘paean’ mean?
A: fervent prayer
B: lowly worker
C: song of praise
Answer:
[C] song of praise. Let us raise a toast and a rousing paean to Jay and Cathy’s wedding!
What does ‘sangfroid’ mean?
A: snooty attitude
B: coolness under pressure
C: French chef
Answer:
[B] coolness under pressure. With unrelenting sangfroid, Andrea remained a pro at the poker table despite the high stakes.
Find out which common words used to mean completely different things.
What does ‘redoubtable’ mean?
A: unquestionable
B: dubious
C: formidable
Answer:
[C] formidable. The pitcher shuddered as the redoubtable Albert Pujols strode to the plate.
What does ‘imprecate’ mean?
A: curse
B: famous
C: pester or distract
Answer:
[A] curse. Before being banished, the witch ominously threatened to imprecate the town for five generations.
What does ‘somnambulist’ mean?
A: a sleepwalker
B: hypnotiser
C: historian
Answer:
[A] sleepwalker. For a somnambulist, Lady Macbeth is rather talkative.
Check out these separate words everyone combines into one – but shouldn’t.
What does ‘restive’ mean?
A: comfortable
B: leftover
C: fidgety
