ETYMOLOGIC!

In this etymology game you'll be presented with 10 randomly selected etymology (word origin) or word definition puzzles to solve; in each case the word or phrase is highlighted in bold, and a number of possible answers will be presented. You need to choose the correct answer to score a point for that question. Beware! The false answers will often also seem quite plausible, and some of the true answers are hard to believe, but we have documentation!

Oh, and in case you're wondering, the word etymology comes from the Greek word 'etymos', which means real, or true, and the -ology ending indicates that it's the study of, or science of. Put them together and you get the study or science of the real or true. Impressive, eh?

You're person 92535 to play Etymologic!


Ready? Here's your first question...
What's the origin of the phrase by hook or by crook?
Refers to the Old English method of stealing firewood
Refers to the method by which English shepherds culled sick sheep from the flock
From Barrie's novel Peter Pan, referring to Capt. Hook's criminal tendencies
A phrase of English shipping docks, where theft was prevalent




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