Chapter 1
Literal translations that surprise us
Chapter 2
Legacies of legendary leaders
Chapter 3
Shaped by the natural world
Chapter 4
Echoes of ancient peoples
YOUR GOAL
Master of Secrets of country names
Ch 1 · Literal translations that surprise us
schopenhauer Country Name Etymologies
Deep in the Wouri River, Cameroon means River of Prawns!
schopenhauer The West African nation of Cameroon is named after an abundance of ghost shrimp found by Portuguese explorers.
schopenhauer Canada got its name from a misunderstood Huron-Iroquois word that simply meant 'village' or 'settlement.'
BETA
schopenhauer Match word clues to countries to discover the secret origins of their names.
Fun Fact
Rabbit land: Spain's name comes from an ancient Phoenician word for the rock hyrax, an animal they confused with the local rabbits.
Glossary
toponymy (noun)
The study of the origins, meanings, and history of place names. This field reveals that Spain's name historically derives from a Phoenician phrase meaning land of rabbits.
The study of the origins, meanings, and history of place names. This field reveals that Spain's name historically derives from a Phoenician phrase meaning land of rabbits.
Quiz
What did the Huron-Iroquois word 'kanata' originally mean before it became the name Canada?
Quiz
What is the name of the river in Cameroon where explorers found the shrimp that inspired the country's name?
Quiz
What language did the word 'kanata' come from before it was adapted into the name Canada?
Quiz
The name of which Pacific island nation translates to the phrase 'I go to the beach'?
Quiz
Which European nation's explorers named Cameroon after the Portuguese word for shrimp?
Quiz
Which ancient seafaring civilization is credited with giving Spain its rabbit-based name root?
Quiz
In which century did French explorer Jacques Cartier first map the name Canada?