Aboriginal Australian Words in English

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Instructions: From kangaroo to boomerang, discover the Aboriginal Australian language origins of iconic English words!

1.
The word 'kangaroo' is believed to come from the Guugu Yimithirr language. What did the original word 'gangurru' refer to?
A
A type of wallaby
B
A specific species of large grey kangaroo
C
A jumping animal
D
All marsupials
2.
Which English word for a curved throwing stick comes from the Dharuk language of the Sydney region?
A
Spear
B
Boomerang
C
Woomera
D
Club
3.
The word 'koala' comes from the Dharuk word 'gula.' What does it supposedly mean?
A
No water (referring to the animal rarely drinking)
B
Tree bear
C
Furry climber
D
Sleepy one
4.
Which word for a wild dog of Australia comes from the Dharuk language?
A
Jackal
B
Coyote
C
Dingo
D
Wolf
5.
The word 'wombat' comes from the Dharuk language. What is distinctive about wombats?
A
They dig extensive burrow systems
B
They are nocturnal swimmers
C
They can fly short distances
D
They are the largest marsupials
6.
Which type of Australian tree gets its English name from the Dharuk word 'waratah'?
A
Eucalyptus
B
Wattle
C
Banksia
D
Waratah
7.
The word 'budgerigar' (budgie) comes from the Gamilaraay language. What does the original word roughly mean?
A
Good to eat or good food
B
Singing friend
C
Small parrot
D
Colorful bird
8.
Which musical instrument's name comes from an Aboriginal Australian language?
A
Banjo
B
Didgeridoo
C
Ukulele
D
Sitar
9.
The word 'billabong' is used in English, famously in 'Waltzing Matilda.' What is a billabong?
A
A type of song
B
A stagnant pool or oxbow lake left by a river
C
A campfire
D
A type of tent
10.
Which word for a spear-throwing device comes from the Dharuk language?
A
Javelin
B
Atlatl
C
Woomera
D
Harpoon
11.
The word 'barramundi' (a popular fish) comes from an Aboriginal language. What does it mean?
A
River fish with large scales
B
Large-scaled river fish
C
King of the river
D
Silver swimmer
12.
Which word for an Australian shrubland or bushland comes from an Aboriginal language?
A
Outback
B
Bush
C
Mallee
D
Scrub
13.
The word 'corroboree' from the Dharuk language refers to what type of Aboriginal event?
A
A ceremonial gathering with dance and music
B
A hunting expedition
C
A marriage ceremony
D
A seasonal migration
14.
Which Australian animal's name, 'quokka,' comes from the Nyungar language of Western Australia?
A
A large lizard
B
A type of bat
C
A flightless bird
D
A small wallaby-like marsupial
15.
The word 'yakka' (meaning 'work' in Australian English) comes from the Yagara language. In what context is it commonly used?
A
In legal documents
B
Only in academic texts
C
In the phrase 'hard yakka' meaning hard work
D
In formal business settings

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