Language Puzzles and Word Origins

Questions

1. What is the origin of the word “salary”?
2. The word “robot” comes from which language?
3. Which language contributed the word “bungalow”?
4. The word “quarantine” originates from which language?
5. “Karaoke” is a Japanese word. What does it mean?
6. The term “serendipity” was coined from a story involving which country?
7. The word “cliché” is borrowed from which language?
8. The origin of the word “alphabet” is from which two Greek letters?
9. The word “puzzle” is believed to originate from which language?
10. The term “deadline” was originally used during which historical event?

Answers

1. Latin (from “salarium”)
2. Czech (from “robota”)
3. Hindi/Bengali
4. Italian (from “quaranta,” meaning forty)
5. Empty orchestra (or singing along with music)
6. Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon)
7. French
8. Alpha and beta
9. Greek or possibly Latin origins
10. The American Civil War