Quiz
/kwɪz/noun
A question or test intended to assess knowledge, or a brief informal competition of questions.
Did you know?The word’s earliest history is uncertain, but by the late 18th century it was already in English as slang, showing how a playful, possibly invented word can become a global testing ritual.
Etymological Timeline
Late 18th Century
English
quiz
“A slang term for an odd or eccentric person; later, a practical joke or teasing trick.”
Late 18th Century
English
quiz
“A person who teases or mocks; also, a hoax or puzzle.”
19th Century
English
quiz
“A test or examination, especially a short one.”
Modern English
English
quiz
“A short test, game, or informal competition of questions.”