From the Latin for "kidnapping", it's stealing the ideas or writings of another & passing them off as your own |
plagiarism |
200 |
November 1, 2013 |
From the Latin for "kidnapping", it's stealing the ideas or writings of another & passing them off as your own |
plagiarism |
200 |
November 1, 2013 |
The name of this official Chinese language comes from the Sanskrit for "counselor" |
Mandarin |
400 |
November 1, 2013 |
The name of this official Chinese language comes from the Sanskrit for "counselor" |
Mandarin |
400 |
November 1, 2013 |
Before it had instrument readouts, it was a panel that kept mud from splashing into horse-drawn vehicles |
a dashboard |
600 |
November 1, 2013 |
Before it had instrument readouts, it was a panel that kept mud from splashing into horse-drawn vehicles |
a dashboard |
600 |
November 1, 2013 |
The name of this small magnifying glass used by jewellers is from a French term for a flawed gem |
a loupe |
800 |
November 1, 2013 |
The name of this small magnifying glass used by jewellers is from a French term for a flawed gem |
a loupe |
800 |
November 1, 2013 |
In mythology it's the shield of Zeus; it also means protection or sponsorship |
aegis |
1000 |
November 1, 2013 |
In mythology it's the shield of Zeus; it also means protection or sponsorship |
aegis |
1000 |
November 1, 2013 |
This form of big-guy wrestling takes its name from the Japanese for "mutual strike" |
sumo |
200 |
October 10, 2012 |
This form of big-guy wrestling takes its name from the Japanese for "mutual strike" |
sumo |
200 |
October 10, 2012 |
(Kelly of the Clue Crew presents the clue.) From the Latin for "piece of felt", it's the process of separating a solid out of a liquid using a membrane |
filter (or filtration) |
400 |
October 10, 2012 |
(Kelly of the Clue Crew presents the clue.) From the Latin for "piece of felt", it's the process of separating a solid out of a liquid using a membrane |
filter (or filtration) |
400 |
October 10, 2012 |
This adjective meaning "evil" comes from the Latin for "left hand" |
sinister |
600 |
October 10, 2012 |
This adjective meaning "evil" comes from the Latin for "left hand" |
sinister |
600 |
October 10, 2012 |
This word meaning an hour to be home comes from the French for "cover the fire" |
a curfew |
800 |
October 10, 2012 |
This word meaning an hour to be home comes from the French for "cover the fire" |
a curfew |
800 |
October 10, 2012 |
This condiment gets its name from the Chinese for "pickled fish brine" |
ketchup |
1000 |
October 10, 2012 |
This condiment gets its name from the Chinese for "pickled fish brine" |
ketchup |
1000 |
October 10, 2012 |
The name of this heavy hooded jacket favored by skiers & hunters is from the Russian for "pelt" |
a parka |
200 |
May 1, 2012 |
The name of this heavy hooded jacket favored by skiers & hunters is from the Russian for "pelt" |
a parka |
200 |
May 1, 2012 |
A ship in the desert? No, it's just this optical illusion from the French for "to look at" |
a mirage |
400 |
May 1, 2012 |
A ship in the desert? No, it's just this optical illusion from the French for "to look at" |
a mirage |
400 |
May 1, 2012 |
This term for one who willfully destroys another's property comes from the name of a Germanic tribe |
a vandal |
600 |
May 1, 2012 |
This term for one who willfully destroys another's property comes from the name of a Germanic tribe |
a vandal |
600 |
May 1, 2012 |
Used to describe stately mansions of the old south, it's from the Latin for "before the war" |
antebellum |
800 |
May 1, 2012 |
Used to describe stately mansions of the old south, it's from the Latin for "before the war" |
antebellum |
800 |
May 1, 2012 |
The general agreement is that this word meaning a majority of opinion is from the Latin for "to feel together" |
a consensus |
1000 |
May 1, 2012 |
The general agreement is that this word meaning a majority of opinion is from the Latin for "to feel together" |
a consensus |
1000 |
May 1, 2012 |
This adjective that can mean disrespectful or lively is an alteration of "saucy" |
sassy |
200 |
December 20, 2011 |
This adjective that can mean disrespectful or lively is an alteration of "saucy" |
sassy |
200 |
December 20, 2011 |
This, from Middle French for "small ball", is stronger than the bullet, which is from modern French for "small ball" |
the ballot |
400 |
December 20, 2011 |
This, from Middle French for "small ball", is stronger than the bullet, which is from modern French for "small ball" |
the ballot |
400 |
December 20, 2011 |
First appearing more than a century ago, it means gutsy & is probably a blend of bold & audacious |
bodacious |
600 |
December 20, 2011 |
First appearing more than a century ago, it means gutsy & is probably a blend of bold & audacious |
bodacious |
600 |
December 20, 2011 |
This 19th century 2-wheeled cab was named for a Brit, not for its good looks |
a Hansom cab |
800 |
December 20, 2011 |
This 19th century 2-wheeled cab was named for a Brit, not for its good looks |
a Hansom cab |
800 |
December 20, 2011 |
This nickname for paper measuring 13 by 16 inches gets its name from an old watermark of a court jester's hat |
foolscap |
1000 |
December 20, 2011 |
This nickname for paper measuring 13 by 16 inches gets its name from an old watermark of a court jester's hat |
foolscap |
1000 |
December 20, 2011 |
Aka hump day, it was named for a Norse god |
Wednesday |
200 |
June 27, 2011 |
The Persian shaghal gave us the name of this dog-like African carnivore & scavenger |
the jackal |
400 |
June 27, 2011 |
The word "drama" comes from the Greek for this verb, which as a noun also means one section of a drama |
act |
600 |
June 27, 2011 |
The name of this gum tree comes from the Greek kaluptein, or "cover", & it covers more than 500 species |
the eucalyptus |
1000 |
June 27, 2011 |
Peevish or unreasonably irritable, it's from the Latin petere, meaning "to assail" |
petulant |
|
June 27, 2011 |
This part of an egg gets its name from the Old English for "yellow" |
the yolk |
200 |
May 16, 2008 |
This season gets its name from the Sanskrit for "half year" |
summer |
400 |
May 16, 2008 |
The opposite of nadir, it's from the Arabic for "road above" |
zenith |
600 |
May 16, 2008 |
The name of this element is from the Latin word for "lime", the chemical kind |
calcium |
800 |
May 16, 2008 |
The name of this musical instrument comes from Greek words for "wood" and "voice" |
the xylophone |
1000 |
May 16, 2008 |
The name of this, also called a fireplug, is partly from a word for "water" |
a hydrant |
200 |
February 12, 2008 |
The name of this bread spread goes all the way back to bous, a Greek word for "cow" |
butter |
400 |
February 12, 2008 |
These sparkly fake gems are partly named for a river that flows through Germany |
rhinestones |
600 |
February 12, 2008 |
This 5-letter synonym of "question" comes from the Latin for "to ask" or "to seek" |
a query |
1000 |
February 12, 2008 |
The name of this type of reference work is from the Greek for "cyclical" (i.e., well-rounded) & "education" |
an encyclopedia |
|
February 12, 2008 |
The name of these bones that form the spinal column comes partly from a word meaning "to turn" |
vertebrae |
200 |
May 11, 2007 |
This, a personal view or belief, comes from the Old French for "to think" |
an opinion |
400 |
May 11, 2007 |
The name of this class of cold-blooded creatures comes from a word for "to creep" |
the reptile |
600 |
May 11, 2007 |
This dog breed's name comes from a German word for "to splash about" |
the poodle |
800 |
May 11, 2007 |
Appropriately, this adjective that means the giving of one's name to something comes from the Greek for "giving name" |
eponymous |
|
May 11, 2007 |
This kind of dummy often displays women's clothes, though its name comes from the Dutch for "little man" |
mannequin |
200 |
December 28, 2006 |
This musical instrument's name may be influenced by "hurly-burly", a Scots word meaning "uproar". |
hurdy-gurdy |
600 |
December 28, 2006 |
This type of tower is usually seen in Asia, but its name comes from a Portuguese word for "temple" |
pagoda |
800 |
December 28, 2006 |
The name of this almond paste confection is derived in part from an Italian word for "candy box" |
marzipan |
1000 |
December 28, 2006 |
(Sarah of the Clue Crew helps with an image on a monitor.) The pair of Greek letters seen here inspired this eight-letter English word that's a cornerstone of the English language |
alphabet |
|
December 28, 2006 |
This lawn weed's name comes from the old French for "tooth of the lion", referring to its sharply indented leaves |
a dandelion |
200 |
February 8, 2006 |
This word for a self-service restaurant evolved from the Spanish for "coffee shop" |
a cafeteria |
400 |
February 8, 2006 |
Latin for "within the walls", it refers to athletic contests among students within a school |
intramural |
600 |
February 8, 2006 |
The name of this foamy volcanic rock is an alteration of the Latin word meaning "foam" |
pumice |
1000 |
February 8, 2006 |
Originally one who kept legal records for the crown, now it's a public officer who investigates deaths |
a coroner |
|
February 8, 2006 |
The name of these seeds probably goes all the way back to samassammu, Akkadian for "oil plant" |
sesame seeds |
200 |
January 10, 2006 |
This fox-hunting cry may be an alteration of taiaut, a French cry used in deer hunting |
tally-ho |
400 |
January 10, 2006 |
A Middle English variant of "plait" became the name of these folds found on skirts |
pleat |
600 |
January 10, 2006 |
A Greek word for "sailor" gave us the name of this "chambered" sea creature |
nautilus |
800 |
January 10, 2006 |
This term for a minor engagement in war traces its origins back to the old Italian word scaramuccia |
a skirmish |
1000 |
January 10, 2006 |
This common term for a weak, ineffectual person may be derived from "whimper" |
wimp |
200 |
September 26, 2005 |
This word said to sled dogs may be an alteration of the French marchons, meaning "let's go" |
mush |
400 |
September 26, 2005 |
Billingsgate, a term for foul language, comes from the name of an old fish market in this world capital |
London |
600 |
September 26, 2005 |
From the Latin for "mother", it's a female prison worker who may be less than maternal |
matron |
800 |
September 26, 2005 |
Take a whirl on the dance floor under these lights whose name comes from the Greek for the "act of whirling" |
strobe lights |
1000 |
September 26, 2005 |
The English borrowed this Tongan word for "forbidden" & made it a noun referring to the prohibition itself |
taboo |
200 |
March 22, 2005 |
The name for this type of worker comes from the Latin for "lead worker" |
plumber |
400 |
March 22, 2005 |
This word used in Roman Catholic theology comes from the Latin for "edge" or "border" not "dance" |
limbo |
600 |
March 22, 2005 |
(Sarah of the Clue Crew reports from Naxos, Greece.) Ostraka, broken pieces of pottery used as ballots to recommend exile gave us this word for banishment |
ostracism |
800 |
March 22, 2005 |
This word for a prolonged state of sadness comes from the Greek for "black bile" (once thought to be it's cause) |
melancholy |
1000 |
March 22, 2005 |
This light wood gets its name from the Spanish for "raft" because people in the tropics have used its logs for rafts |
balsa |
200 |
November 22, 2004 |
The gigantic statue at Rhodes, one of the 7 ancient wonders, gave us this adjective meaning gigantic |
colossal |
400 |
November 22, 2004 |
Originally used to designate an errand boy, it was introduced into Scotland by golfer Mary, Queen of Scots |
a caddy |
600 |
November 22, 2004 |
The Greek word "iota" gave us this 3-letter word that means to write down hastily |
jot |
800 |
November 22, 2004 |
They got their name from the wooden sandals worn by the French court to protect shoes on rainy days |
galoshes |
1000 |
November 22, 2004 |
A masterful conductor is often called this, Italian for "master" |
maestro |
200 |
October 5, 2004 |
The name of this bird is from the French version of Peter |
parrot |
400 |
October 5, 2004 |
Make no bones about it, it's from a Greek expression for "dried-up body" |
skeleton |
600 |
October 5, 2004 |
This Austrian physicist's name is now synonymous with a measurement of the speed of sound |
(Ernst) Mach |
800 |
October 5, 2004 |
This 3-letter slang term for forbid or veto comes to us from the German for "nothing" |
nix |
1000 |
October 5, 2004 |
The name of this colorless Russian spirit is a diminutive of the Russian word for "water", itself a colorless liquid |
vodka |
200 |
April 19, 2004 |
It was derived from 3 German words that meant "secret state police", & that certainly describes it |
the Gestapo |
400 |
April 19, 2004 |
(Sarah of the Clue Crew in Alaska) From the Old French for "crack", this V-shaped crack in a glacier may be up to 150 feet deep |
crevasse |
600 |
April 19, 2004 |
First launched on October 4, 1957, its name is Russian for "fellow traveler" |
Sputnik |
800 |
April 19, 2004 |
People who cultivated this fruit often used to make wine were said to live to a ripe old age; hence its name |
elderberry |
|
April 19, 2004 |
Once a carnival performer who bit the heads off chickens, today it often refers to a computer nerd |
geek |
200 |
May 31, 2002 |
This snug-fitting one-piece garment used by dancers was invented by, & named for, a French aerialist |
leotard |
400 |
May 31, 2002 |
This disease's name is from the Italian for "bad air"; it was first thought to be caused by foul swamp air, not mosquitoes |
malaria |
600 |
May 31, 2002 |
From a word meaning "gift" Yale's passed the $10 billion mark in 2000 |
endowment |
800 |
May 31, 2002 |
Self-examination; literally, "a looking into oneself" |
introspection |
1000 |
May 31, 2002 |
An old French word for "thicket" gave us this word for something tossed by a bride |
Bouquet |
100 |
December 2, 1998 |
From a Provencal word for "witch", it's a sports team's good-luck symbol |
Mascot |
200 |
December 2, 1998 |
This word for a swinging cot is derived from Spanish & from the Taino language of the West Indies |
Hammock |
300 |
December 2, 1998 |
From middle English & Latin for "toward" & "to climb", one does it to a staircase or the throne |
Ascend |
400 |
December 2, 1998 |
From old English for a male servant or a boy, it's a synonym for a jack in a deck of cards |
Knave |
500 |
December 2, 1998 |
This word entered the English language in the 13th century as "sucre" |
Sugar |
100 |
September 30, 1998 |
Jeans were named for this Italian city where a strong twilled cotton cloth was made |
Genoa |
200 |
September 30, 1998 |
From the Greek nostos, "A return home", & algos, "pain", it's the pain you experience when remembering |
Nostalgia |
300 |
September 30, 1998 |
Greek for "wood sound", this instrument's name refers to its tuned wooden bars |
Xylophone |
400 |
September 30, 1998 |
Originally, it referred to a boisterous, rude lad, not a young girl who behaves like a lad as it does now |
Tomboy |
500 |
September 30, 1998 |
The Middle French word for this freshwater crustacean was "crevice", which evolved into our English word |
crayfish |
100 |
February 12, 1998 |
This 19th century vehicle seen here was named for its designer, not its good looks |
the Hansom Cab |
200 |
February 12, 1998 |
This primrose's name comes from the Old English for "cow slime" & sounds pretty similar |
cowslip |
300 |
February 12, 1998 |
This game in which players pick up sticks or straws is named for a leader of Wat Tyler's Rebellion |
jackstraws |
400 |
February 12, 1998 |
Whether it's "English" or not, the name of this nut comes from Old English for "foreign nut" |
walnut |
500 |
February 12, 1998 |
The name of this skirt isn't Scottish in origin; it may come from the Danish for "to tuck up" |
Kilt |
100 |
December 13, 1996 |
This term for a broad street is French, but it goes back to bolwerc, a Middle Dutch word for bulwark |
Boulevard |
200 |
December 13, 1996 |
The adjective vespertilian means resembling this winged mammal, whose Latin name is vespertilio |
Bat |
300 |
December 13, 1996 |
This fruity condiment's name comes from the Hindi meaning "to be licked" |
Chutney |
400 |
December 13, 1996 |
The name of this small magnifying glass used by jewelers comes from the French for an imperfect gem |
Loupe |
|
December 13, 1996 |
Local or general, this medical term comes from Greek meaning "insensibility" |
anesthesia |
100 |
November 25, 1996 |
The name of this type of popular music combines "hillbilly" & "rock & roll" |
rockabilly |
200 |
November 25, 1996 |
This word is derived from "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus" |
Scuba |
300 |
November 25, 1996 |
This term for a chance spectator innocently came into our language by 1620 |
Bystander |
400 |
November 25, 1996 |
This word for any of the 10 Arabic number symbols comes from the Latin word for "finger" |
Digit |
500 |
November 25, 1996 |
This term for a flower worn in a buttonhole is literally French for "buttonhole" |
Boutonniere |
100 |
November 24, 1994 |
Judo is Japanese for "soft way" & this self-defense form is Japanese for "soft art" |
Jiu-Jitsu |
200 |
November 24, 1994 |
The word chime comes from the name of this other percussion instrument |
Cymbal |
300 |
November 24, 1994 |
From a Greek word meaning "to speak ill of", it's irreverent talk of God |
Blasphemy |
400 |
November 24, 1994 |
The name of this Russian urn used to heat water for tea is Russian for "self-boiler" |
Samovar |
500 |
November 24, 1994 |
Not surprisingly, the word koala comes from a native language of this continent |
Australia |
100 |
May 20, 1993 |
This word meaning something not fully understood is from the Greek musterion, "secret rite" |
mystery |
200 |
May 20, 1993 |
The name of this 2- or 3-toed mammal comes from Middle English for "slow" |
a sloth |
300 |
May 20, 1993 |
This title of prince Siddhartha comes from Sanskrit for "awakening" |
Buddha |
400 |
May 20, 1993 |
Lepos, meaning "scale", gave us this word for a pariah |
leper |
500 |
May 20, 1993 |
This term for a copy or reproduction is from the Latin meaning "to make similar" |
facsimile |
100 |
April 2, 1993 |
December, decimal & decimate all come from the Latin word for this |
ten |
200 |
April 2, 1993 |
Some believe the word gimmick began as gimac, an anagram of this |
magic |
300 |
April 2, 1993 |
This sport derives its name from the word association, as in association football |
soccer |
400 |
April 2, 1993 |
Meaning vain & above oneself, this adjective comes from the Middle French for "high" |
haughty |
|
April 2, 1993 |
The name of this small metal fingercap is derived from an Old English word for thumb |
Thimble |
100 |
November 19, 1992 |
The name of this military horn comes from the Latin for "young ox" since the first ones were ox horns |
Bugle |
200 |
November 19, 1992 |
From Arabic for "old man", it's the leader of an Arab family, tribe, or village |
sheik |
300 |
November 19, 1992 |
This mammal's name comes from the corruption of a French phrase which meant "phony pig" |
Porcupine |
400 |
November 19, 1992 |
This term for a person who bowls is derived from the German word for "bowling pin" |
Kegler |
500 |
November 19, 1992 |
It's the nickname of a $10 bill, because the Roman numeral X on it looked like a sawhorse |
sawbuck |
100 |
September 15, 1992 |
The name of this breed of dog comes from the Low German for "puddle dog" |
poodle |
200 |
September 15, 1992 |
This term for the poisonous secretion of a snake comes from Latin for "poison" |
venom |
300 |
September 15, 1992 |
Grade of black tea whose name comes from Chinese meaning "white dawn" |
pekoe |
400 |
September 15, 1992 |
The name of this dense-pile fabric comes from the Latin villus, meaning "shaggy hair" |
velvet |
500 |
September 15, 1992 |
Though it comes from a Latin word meaning "whitish", it refers to a reddish-brown hair color |
auburn |
100 |
March 18, 1992 |
The term "Shavian" was coined by this writer to describe his life, works & ideas |
George Bernard Shaw |
200 |
March 18, 1992 |
Because they were too young or inexperienced for the cavalry, foot soldiers came to be called this |
infantry |
300 |
March 18, 1992 |
From the Latin word for "soul", it means to bring to life, like a cartoon |
animate |
400 |
March 18, 1992 |
The two units of measure that derive their names from the Latin word "uncia" |
ounce & inch |
500 |
March 18, 1992 |
Mark Twain should have known the name of this fruit may be an alternation of hurtleberry |
huckleberry |
100 |
October 17, 1991 |
The name of this tuxedoed bird may come from the Welsh for white head |
penguin |
200 |
October 17, 1991 |
Evangelical Protestant sect named for its founder, Menno Simons |
Mennonite |
300 |
October 17, 1991 |
Almond paste confection whose name comes from a Medieval Italian coin |
marzipan |
400 |
October 17, 1991 |
Sorority is derived from the Latin soror, which means this |
sister |
500 |
October 17, 1991 |
This name for an earthenware beer mug is German for "stone" |
Stein |
100 |
May 14, 1990 |
Italian for "first lady", it can refer to a temperamental woman or man |
Prima donna |
200 |
May 14, 1990 |
From the Latin for "worm", it's defined simply as "animals obnoxious to man" |
Vermin |
300 |
May 14, 1990 |
From the Latin for "hunger", it's a period when food is extremely scarce |
Famine |
400 |
May 14, 1990 |
This Scottish cap was named for the hero of a Robert Burns poem |
Tam O\' Shanter |
500 |
May 14, 1990 |
"Saloon" came from this French word, which sounds more elegant |
salon |
100 |
November 14, 1989 |
Shade of purple whose name comes from a word for mallow because it's the color of mallow petals |
mauve |
200 |
November 14, 1989 |
Derived from the Greek for "to sell alone"; if you have one, you alone sell a product |
monopoly |
300 |
November 14, 1989 |
The "chop" in "chopsticks" means this in Pidgin English, as in "chop-chop" |
hurry (or quick or fast) |
400 |
November 14, 1989 |
This synonym for "gloomy" comes from a Medieval Latin term for "evil days" |
dismal |
|
November 14, 1989 |
The adjective "ruddy" comes from the old English "rudig," meaning this color |
Red |
100 |
November 17, 1988 |
It's a French word meaning "Dutch," and in English it usually refers to a sauce |
Hollandaise |
200 |
November 17, 1988 |
From the Latin for shield, "scutum," it's a shield bearing a coat of arms |
Escutcheon |
300 |
November 17, 1988 |
An Arabic word for "poor" gave us this term for a Muslim or Hindu beggar said to have mystical powers |
Fakir |
400 |
November 17, 1988 |
Named for a town in France, this sheer net fabric is used to make bridal veils and tutus |
Tulle |
500 |
November 17, 1988 |
It used to mean sweetheart, but now refers to that big fifth grader who picked on you |
bully |
100 |
November 17, 1987 |
The word manage goes back to the Latin "manus", the word for this part of the body |
hand |
200 |
November 17, 1987 |
This word for pal is said to be Oxford University slang for chamberfellow; a roommate |
chum |
300 |
November 17, 1987 |
This word for boss or head is from a Japanese word meaning squad leader |
honcho |
400 |
November 17, 1987 |
From Old English "nay", no, and "whit", thing, this word means zero |
naught |
500 |
November 17, 1987 |
Imitation diamonds, they were originally gems obtained from a certain German river |
rhinestones |
100 |
November 21, 1986 |
It's the pace at which Pilgrims rode to Canterbury |
canter |
200 |
November 21, 1986 |
The name of this game is Chinese for "house sparrow" a picture on one of the tiles |
mah-jong |
300 |
November 21, 1986 |
An Irishman with this accent might be putting his foot in his mouth, because this word means "shoe" |
brogue |
400 |
November 21, 1986 |
The name of this part of a camera was derived from its resemblance to a lentil seed |
lens |
500 |
November 21, 1986 |
= |
= |
100 |
November 25, 1985 |
This "impertinent young person" once had nothing better to do than stand around snapping whips |
whippersnapper |
200 |
November 25, 1985 |
"Chicanery" may have come from cheaters at "Chicane", a French variety of this Scottish sport |
golf |
300 |
November 25, 1985 |
While Mr. is the abbreviation for mister, Mrs. is the abbreviation for this "lady of the house" |
mistress |
400 |
November 25, 1985 |
French for "little park" it came to mean a special section of courtroom floor reserved for judges |
parquet |
500 |
November 25, 1985 |
Though an insect larva, its name comes from French for hairy cat |
caterpillar |
100 |
November 19, 1985 |
Word slavery comes from these eastern Europeans who were often enslaved by conquerors |
Slavs |
200 |
November 19, 1985 |
Term for noisy dance or party which originally meant a kick in the shins |
shindig |
300 |
November 19, 1985 |
From same root as senile, to Romans this body's name meant a council of old men |
senate |
400 |
November 19, 1985 |
Though John Duns Scotus was considered a great philosopher, his followers were later called this |
dunces |
500 |
November 19, 1985 |