| For each of the following definitions, type the 101-year old dictionary word. Guess it without taking a clue and you'll score 10 points. If you take a clue or misspell a word, we'll deduct one point. We'll give you one bonus point just for showing up. Oh, yeah ... some of the answers consist of more than one word. |
Definition
#1
[ click
on the dictionary ]
Answer: jelly bean
If correct, the following message/trivia is revealed:
Correct! Though first recognized by Webster in 1905, the jelly bean had already been in existence for over 40 years. Advertisements in 1861 suggested sending the candy to soldiers fighting in the Civil War.
[ we'll reveal a letter, but it will cost you a point ]
Code: Letters are revealed, starting with the first letter – one per click – at the cost of one point each. If the word is misspelled, the following message is given:
You've spelled the word incorrectly – You lose a point. If you have any points left, try again.
Definition
#2
[
click on the dictionary ]
Answer: chain letter
If correct, the following message/trivia is revealed:
Correct! Today's most common chain letters take the form of forwarded e-mails, but the trend was once popular by U.S. Mail.
[ we'll reveal a letter, but it will cost you a point ]
Code: Letters are revealed, starting with the first letter – one per click – at the cost of one point each. If the word is misspelled, the following message is given:
You've spelled the word incorrectly – You lose a point. If you have any points left, try again.
Definition
#3
[
click on the dictionary ]
Answer: luge
If correct, the following message/trivia is revealed:
Correct! In addition to the name of the sled it is also the name of the increasingly popular Olympic sport. Popular, but not easy. America has never won a medal in singles luge competition.
[ we'll reveal a letter, but it will cost you a point ]
Code: Letters are revealed, starting with the first letter – one per click – at the cost of one point each. Because this word is only four letters, a request for a seventh clue will yield the following message:
It's not possible for us to give you any more clues to this one (hint, hint) but it is very possible for us to keep taking away points. Keep clicking for clues and you'll keep losing them ...
If the word is misspelled, the following message is given:
You've spelled the word incorrectly – You lose a point. If you have any points left, try again ...
Definition
#4
[
click on the dictionary ]
Answer: water
pistol
If correct,
the following message/trivia is revealed:
Correct! Also known as a squirt gun, this invention received a
major overhaul in 1988 with the invention of the Super Soaker,
which now dominates the water pistol market. Super Soaker is not
yet in Webster's Dictionary.
[ we'll
reveal a letter, but it will cost you a point ]
Code: Letters are revealed, starting with the first letter – one per click – at the cost of one point each. If the word is misspelled, the following message is given:
You've spelled the word incorrectly – You lose a point. If you have any points left, try again.
Definition
#5
[
click on the dictionary ]
Answer: beanball
f correct, the following message/trivia is revealed:
Correct! In the early 1900s, Chicago Cubs first baseman Frank Chance earned a reputation for 'freezing' when delivered an inside pitch. According to some players, Chance suffered so many beanballs that he suffered from double vision.
[ we'll reveal a letter, but it will cost you a point ]
Code: Letters are revealed, starting with the first letter – one per click – at the cost of one point each. If the word is misspelled, the following message is given:
You've spelled the word incorrectly – You lose a point. If you have any points left, try again.
Definition
#6
[
click on the dictionary ]
Answer: troubleshooter
If correct, the following message/trivia is revealed:
Correct! Though formally defined for over 100 years, the term 'troubleshooter' gained its greatest popularity with the dawn of the computer age.
[ we'll reveal a letter, but it will cost you a point ]
Code: Letters are revealed, starting with the first letter – one per click – at the cost of one point each. If the word is misspelled, the following message is given:
You've spelled the word incorrectly – You lose a point. If you have any points left, try again.
Definition
#7
[
click on the dictionary ]
Answer: nervous breakdown
If correct, the following message/trivia is revealed:
Correct! Though recognized by Merriam-Webster, the psychiatric community does not officially recognize 'nervous breakdown'.
[ we'll reveal a letter, but it will cost you a point ]
Code: Letters are revealed, starting with the first letter – one per click – at the cost of one point each. If the word is misspelled, the following message is given:
You've spelled the word incorrectly – You lose a point. If you have any points left, try again.
Definition
#8
[
click on the dictionary ]
Answer: genetics
If correct, the following message/trivia is revealed:
Correct! The father of genetics, Gregor Mendel, was an Austrian monk in the mid-1800s.
[ we'll reveal a letter, but it will cost you a point ]
Code: Letters are revealed, starting with the first letter – one per click – at the cost of one point each. Because this word is only eight letters, a request for a seventh clue will yield the following message:
It's not possible for us to give you any more clues to this one (hint, hint) but it is very possible for us to keep taking away points. Keep clicking for clues and you'll keep losing them ...
If the word is misspelled, the following message is given:
You've spelled the word incorrectly – You lose a point. If you have any points left, try again ...
Definition
#9
[
click on the dictionary ]
Answer: drop by
If correct, the following message/trivia is revealed:
Correct! The word 'drop' enjoys numerous partnerships, many of which are recognized by Merriam-Webster, including drop-in (a casual visit), drop-out (to withdraw from society), drop-off (to fall asleep, or a steep cliff) and drop-dead (sensationally striking).
[ we'll reveal a letter, but it will cost you a point ]
Code: Letters are revealed, starting with the first letter – one per click – at the cost of one point each. Because this word is only six letters, a request for a seventh clue will yield the following message:
It's not possible for us to give you any more clues to this one (hint, hint) but it is very possible for us to keep taking away points. Keep clicking for clues and you'll keep losing them ...
If the word is misspelled, the following message is given:
You've spelled the word incorrectly – You lose a point. If you have any points left, try again.
Definition
#10
[
click on the dictionary ]
Answer: loan shark
If correct, the following message/trivia is revealed:
Correct! Unscrupulous lenders have existed for centuries in some shape or form, generally providing loans to individuals who couldn't get them at a traditional bank. A much better alternative lender – the credit union – came to America in the early 1900s.
[ we'll reveal a letter, but it will cost you a point ]
Code: Letters are revealed, starting with the first letter – one per click – at the cost of one point each. If the word is misspelled, the following message is given:
You've spelled the word incorrectly – You lose a point. If you have any points left, try again.