Color Word Origins
Instructions: Where do the names of colors come from? Discover the surprising histories behind the words we use for colors every day!
- 1.
The color 'orange' is named after the fruit. What was the color called in English before oranges arrived?
ATangerineBSunsetCFlameDGeoluhread (yellow-red) - 2.
Which color name comes from the Sanskrit word for 'dark blue'?
ACobaltBIndigoCSapphireDNavy - 3.
The color 'magenta' is named after what?
AA gemstoneBA type of flowerCA battle in ItalyDA Greek goddess - 4.
Where does the word 'scarlet' originally come from?
AA city in FranceBA type of expensive clothCA queen's nameDA type of bird - 5.
The color 'vermillion' gets its name from a Latin word meaning what?
ABloodBLittle wormCFireDSunset - 6.
Which color is named after a French word for a type of willow?
ABeigeBTaupeCMauveDChartreuse - 7.
The color 'chartreuse' is named after what?
AA French liqueurBA mountainCA cityDA painter - 8.
The word 'purple' traces back to a dye extracted from what?
ASea snailsBTree barkCMineral rocksDBerries - 9.
Which color gets its name from a town in Germany known for mining?
APrussian blueBSiennaCUmberDCobalt - 10.
The colors 'sienna' and 'umber' are both named after what?
AItalian placesBAncient godsCTypes of clayDFamous painters - 11.
The word 'azure' for blue comes from which language?
ALatinBArabic/Persian (via lapis lazuli)CGreekDChinese - 12.
Which color name literally means 'mole-colored' in French?
ATaupeBBeigeCMauveDEcru - 13.
The word 'khaki' comes from which language and means what?
AArabic, meaning 'desert'BTurkish, meaning 'brown'CPersian, meaning 'earth'DHindi, meaning 'dusty' - 14.
The color name 'cerulean' comes from a Latin word meaning what?
ASeaBHeavenCSkyDCloud - 15.
Which color name comes from the old French word for 'unbleached' or 'raw'?
AEcruBCreamCBeigeDIvory