Words From Mythology

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Date:

Instructions: Many everyday English words have their roots in ancient myths and legends. Can you trace these words back to their mythological origins?

1.
The word 'panic' comes from which Greek god?
A
Zeus
B
Ares
C
Pan
D
Hermes
2.
Which everyday word for a type of fabric comes from the Greek goddess of the rainbow?
A
Silk
B
Chiffon
C
Satin
D
Iris
3.
The word 'cereal' derives from which Roman goddess?
A
Ceres
B
Venus
C
Minerva
D
Diana
4.
The word 'narcissism' comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus. What happened to Narcissus?
A
He was turned to stone
B
He flew too close to the sun
C
He fell in love with his own reflection
D
He was trapped in a labyrinth
5.
'Atlas' as a word for a book of maps comes from which mythological figure?
A
A Greek Titan who held up the sky
B
A Roman emperor
C
A Norse explorer
D
An Egyptian pharaoh
6.
The word 'hypnosis' derives from which Greek god?
A
Apollo
B
Dionysus
C
Hypnos
D
Morpheus
7.
From which myth does the word 'labyrinth' originate?
A
The Trojan War
B
The Minotaur of Crete
C
The Odyssey
D
Perseus and Medusa
8.
The word 'volcano' comes from which Roman god?
A
Vulcan
B
Neptune
C
Jupiter
D
Mars
9.
The word 'tantalize' comes from the myth of Tantalus. What was his punishment?
A
He was turned into a spider
B
He was surrounded by food and water he could never reach
C
He had to push a boulder uphill forever
D
He was chained to a rock
10.
Which day of the week gets its name from the Norse god of thunder?
A
Friday
B
Thursday
C
Tuesday
D
Wednesday
11.
The word 'mercury' (the element) comes from the Roman god Mercury. What was he the god of?
A
War
B
Fire
C
Messengers and commerce
D
The sea
12.
The word 'odyssey' (meaning a long journey) comes from which character?
A
Jason
B
Achilles
C
Hercules
D
Odysseus
13.
The word 'nemesis' (meaning an enemy or downfall) comes from which Greek figure?
A
The goddess of retribution
B
A sea monster
C
A river god
D
A warrior goddess
14.
The word 'martial' (as in martial arts) derives from which god?
A
Mercury
B
Morpheus
C
Minerva
D
Mars
15.
The word 'echo' comes from a Greek nymph named Echo. What was her curse?
A
She could only repeat what others said
B
She was invisible
C
She could only see reflections
D
She could never sleep

Answer Key

Question 1

C. Pan

Question 2

D. Iris

Question 3

A. Ceres

Question 4

C. He fell in love with his own reflection

Question 5

A. A Greek Titan who held up the sky

Question 6

C. Hypnos

Question 7

B. The Minotaur of Crete

Question 8

A. Vulcan

Question 9

B. He was surrounded by food and water he could never reach

Question 10

B. Thursday

Question 11

C. Messengers and commerce

Question 12

D. Odysseus

Question 13

A. The goddess of retribution

Question 14

D. Mars

Question 15

A. She could only repeat what others said

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