Aboriginal Australian Words in English
1 / 15From kangaroo to boomerang, discover the Aboriginal Australian language origins of iconic English words!
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The word 'kangaroo' is believed to come from the Guugu Yimithirr language. What did the original word 'gangurru' refer to?
About Aboriginal Australian Words in English
Give your memory a workout with Aboriginal Australian Words in English: 15 multiple-choice questions aimed at mixed difficulty, free to play right in your browser. From kangaroo to boomerang, discover the Aboriginal Australian language origins of iconic English words! Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. The word 'kangaroo' is believed to come from the Guugu Yimithirr language. What did the original word 'gangurru' refer to?
Answer: A specific species of large grey kangaroo
2. Which English word for a curved throwing stick comes from the Dharuk language of the Sydney region?
Answer: Boomerang
3. The word 'koala' comes from the Dharuk word 'gula.' What does it supposedly mean?
Answer: No water (referring to the animal rarely drinking)
4. Which word for a wild dog of Australia comes from the Dharuk language?
Answer: Dingo
5. The word 'wombat' comes from the Dharuk language. What is distinctive about wombats?
Answer: They dig extensive burrow systems
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Aboriginal Australian Words in English has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
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Most players finish Aboriginal Australian Words in English in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
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