Q 01/05

From which Latin word, meaning shadow, does umbrella derive?

A) Umbella

B) Umbra

C) Ombra

D) Umber

Answer · why

B) Umbra

Parasol combines parare and sol, sun; parapluie shields from rain and paraneige from snow.

Q 02/05

What does the word parasol literally shield you from?

A) Rain

B) Wind

C) The sun

D) Snow

Answer · why

C) The sun

A parapluie shields from rain and a paraneige from snow.

Q 03/05

What is the French term for a combined parasol and parapluie?

A) Pare-tout

B) En-tout-cas

C) Ombrelle double

D) Tout-temps

Answer · why

B) En-tout-cas

It means in any case.

Q 04/05

Umbrellas were once called gamps in Britain after a character by which author?

A) Dickens

B) Trollope

C) Austen

D) Thackeray

Answer · why

A) Dickens

Mrs Gamp in Martin Chuzzlewit was known for carrying one.

Q 05/05

Brolly is a slang word for umbrella used in Britain, Ireland and which other countries?

A) Jamaica and Barbados

B) Australia and New Zealand

C) India and Pakistan

D) Canada and the US

Answer · why

B) Australia and New Zealand

A rarer, fanciful American term for it dates from the late 19th century.