QUIZ - 50

The 50^th edition of this Quiz is all about Eponyms, words derived from the names of people - real, fictional or mythical.

1. Name the famous Roman statesman, orator and writer who has given two eponyms to English language, one for a tour guide and the other for ornate language.

2. A 19^th Century novel has provided two eponyms – one derived from the book’s title (and also the name of one of the main characters) for a man’s hat and the other derived from the name of another main character for a person who manipulates and exercises excessive control over another person. Name the author of this novel.

3. Pierre Alexis, Viscount of Ponson du Terrail, the prolific French writer of 19^th Century, is best remembered for his fictional character, whose name has been adopted in English language as an adjective for fantastic or incredible. Name this character.

4. Which 19^th Century American soldier who played a prominent role in the Texas revolution has lent his name for a certain kind of knife?

5. Which word used to describe a loud booming voice is derived from the Greek herald in the Trojan War whose voice was said to be as powerful as the voices of 50 other men?

6. After which mythical character is a phrase meaning a watery grave for sailors derived?

7. Name the 17^th Century play written by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher which has given us the word Abigail, from a character of the same name

8. A stable owner living in Cambridge, England in the 16^th/17^th Century made his customers take the horse nearest to the door. His name today is associated with a choice that appears free but actually provides no alternative. What is his name?

9. Which 20^th Century American banker has provided two eponyms – one for a rose coloured gem and the other for acquiring control over an entire industry for the sake of profit?

10. The practice of filing down a horse’s teeth to make it look younger is derived from the name of the person who first employed this deception. What is the surprising term for this practice?