Post Quiz: Divvying Up Words

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Post Quiz: Divvying Up Words

Today, kids, we're going to talk about metanalysis. No, don't run away. According to the dictionary people, metanalysis happens when people think they're smarter about a word than they really are. When they divide the word wrong, they make new words. So we get new words. This happens a lot in English. For instance, somebody hears 'as an apple' as 'a snapple', and pretty soon, we get an overpriced bottled drink. Also, there's French. Don't get us started.

These examples came from Merriam Webster and the Oxford people. The game is simple: figure out what word came from mixing up the word given. Give yourself double (deux) points if English isn't your native language.

  1. Naperon (cloth covering)
  2. Lingot (tongue)
  3. Oche (incision)
  4. Ekename (also-name)
  5. Noumpere (equal)
  6. Naranj (Arabic for a citrus fruit)
  7. Naught (nothing)
  8. Ewt (small amphibian)
  9. Naedre (venomous snake)
  10. Noger (tool for boring wood)

Want answers? Click the picture.

The Oxford English dictionary on a woman's lap while sitting in a library.
Click for answers.
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Dmitri Gheorgheni

03.09.18 Front Page

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