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Countries by Alternate Etymology

Can you guess these countries based on a totally made up explanation of their name?
Partially inspired by this quiz from JohnnyYeet
Quiz by Quizmaster
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Featured Quiz
Last updated: December 5, 2020
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First submittedDecember 4, 2020
Times taken15,017
Average score55.0%
Rating3.55
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Name meaning
Country
Named for a U.S. state
Georgia
Named for a tasty bird
Turkey
Because people there were always in a hurry
Russia
Because so many people there didn't get enough to eat
Hungary
Named after a type of lettuce
Romania
Portmanteau of "more" and "delicious"
Mauritius
Originally one region of a country named "Lice"
Laos
Given their name by Brazil, who was making a homophobic insult
Uruguay
Named for their choirs of impoverished beggars
Singapore
Nike paid them to promote a brand of sneaker
Jordan
Because their leader, Ebenezer Scrooge, didn't like the ruling party of Gaza
Bahamas
So many people deny its existence, they changed the name to mean "is genuine"
Israel
Because there are a lot of microbes there
Germany
Formed by the merger of two countries named "Oneisia"
Tunisia
Because their country is shaped like a pepper
Chile
Corruption of "seashell"
Seychelles
Because of the thick hair gel applied by their men
Greece
Named for porcelain
China
Because they have a passion for women's support garments
Brazil
Corruption of "monocle", because so many people there wear them
Monaco
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71 Comments
pjcarpen
+23
Level 95
Dec 5, 2020
Need to accept correct spelling of Israel. Thx
Quizmaster
+1
Level ∞
Dec 5, 2020
Fixed
fixypants
+6
Level 83
Dec 5, 2020
Also, "Ebenezer", not Ebeneezer
Djilas
+3
Level 83
Dec 5, 2020
It's totally made up after all.
Shikari
+8
Level 33
Feb 23, 2021
Made up, yes, but by Dickens.
interopia
+1
Level 85
Dec 5, 2020
"Lice" should be capitalized.
Quizmaster
+1
Level ∞
Dec 5, 2020
Good point.
vitriden
+42
Level 82
Dec 5, 2020
I am not a native English speaker, but I really can't see why the answer to "Because people there were always in a hurry" couldn't be "Iran"...
Quizmaster
+20
Level ∞
Dec 5, 2020
It absolutely could be! Iran will work now.
GeoPhilia
+12
Level 56
Dec 5, 2020
It is one of the most hilarious quizzes I have seen in a long time XD
ethanc
+4
Level 70
Dec 5, 2020
I thought the hurry one was Iran haha
redsplat
+3
Level 73
Feb 24, 2021
Good point! Perhaps there's a case to be made for accepting Iran as well :) I got a bunch of hard ones but not Russia -- even said rush in my head multiple times as I went through words for hurrying. Guess I should slow down next time :P
halpie
+7
Level 77
Dec 5, 2020
Fun! There is also iceberg lettuce. So shouldn't Iceland be an answer?
Carry
+9
Level 63
Dec 7, 2020
That's kind of a stretch from iceberg to Iceland.
APHill
+6
Level 75
Dec 7, 2020
In fairness to...well, me, I thought of Iceland before the correct answer!
WolfCam
+11
Level 66
Dec 5, 2020
"Singular of lice? That's louse! There's no country named louse... is there? Louse? Louseland? I feel like I would remember a country named louse"
coro
+2
Level 58
Dec 16, 2020
Laos is pronounced louse.
Shikari
+5
Level 33
Feb 23, 2021
Not in English it isn't. In English, the country (Laos) ends in /s/ but the adjective and the name of the language and an inhabitant is pronounced (and written) without an /s/ (Lao).
Dimby
+1
Level 78
Feb 23, 2021
I learned that the "s" in Laos is silent, so it sounds like the second syllable in allow.
lucd13
+2
Level 69
Feb 24, 2021
What Shikari said - In English, the 's' is pronounced. 'Lao/Lau/etc' without saying the 's' is the pronunciation in Laotian and French - and snobbish idiots who like to hypercorrect.
trepydation
+1
Level 36
Feb 28, 2021
As an Englishman I respect the original pronunciation without the "s" so I missed the answer to this one
pinkysbrain
+1
Level 84
Dec 5, 2020
Fun quiz.
PauloMX
+3
Level 65
Dec 11, 2020
I got only 11 answers, I think it is way easier for a native English speaker because of the references.
Kasumichan
+7
Level 87
Dec 30, 2020
Anyone else think that being in a hurry meant that you get everything "Togo"?
redsplat
+1
Level 73
Feb 24, 2021
Haha no but I like it.
Baxtergrad
+3
Level 51
Feb 23, 2021
I wouldn't be surprised if that was, in fact, the origin of Israel's name.
Ctrling
+11
Level 46
Feb 23, 2021
Pretty sure the name is older than English itself
Ctrling
+1
Level 46
Feb 23, 2021
Best quiz ever
stylus
+4
Level 76
Feb 23, 2021
shouldn’t the singular of Tunisia be Onenisia with two Ns?
Alacave
+1
Level 56
Feb 23, 2021
Named after a US state - India ?
Tuesday
+16
Level 75
Feb 23, 2021
Na
Fuse
+1
Level 78
Feb 23, 2021
I really love this quiz! I managed to get 12 the 2nd time, but it is such a fantastic concept.
sckizm
+6
Level 60
Feb 23, 2021
Can you consider removing these questions from this quiz:

Because their leader, Ebenezer Scrooge, didn't like the ruling party of Gaza

- Seems unnecessarily political and is really a stretch anyway!

Given their name by Brazil, who was making a homophobic insult

- Gay isn't a homophobic insult it's the preferred term to a lot of people, Brazil has nothing to do with the answer and really it's 2021, c'mon now.

Really like the rest of the quiz but was just left wondering why these decisions had been made.

Fuse
+10
Level 78
Feb 23, 2021
How about we just remove every question because someone doesn't like them? Not everyone will get 100%!
Fuse
+2
Level 78
Feb 23, 2021
Also Brazil was probably picked because it borders Uruguay, but that's only a guess
JohnnyYeet
+3
Level 58
Feb 23, 2021
It was picked because Uruguay gained independence from it, I think
JudgeRudy
+6
Level 66
Feb 23, 2021
I agree that there is no negative or homophobic connotation to "I'm gay", "he's gay", etc., but when you throw in the article preceding it ("You're a gay" or "the gays"), you just sound like a homophobe (at least in the U.S.). Perhaps those who are gay embrace the article preceding, and power to them for it if so. But I've heard too many homophobic hilljacks rock the preceding article to not infer a homophobic tone/intent without other context. So, to me, it's the second syllable of Uruguay that makes the clue fit. I see how others could have different perspectives, though.
RobNobody
+6
Level 77
Feb 23, 2021
There's nothing political about the Ebenezer Scrooge question. The character of Scrooge frequently dismissed things he didn't like with a "Bah!", as when he famously calls Christmas a scam by saying "Bah! Humbug," and Hamas currently has control over Gaza. Nowhere is it implied that anyone should agree or disagree with Scrooge's assessment.
jmellor13
+3
Level 67
Feb 24, 2021
The word "gay" isn't an insult, but I've never heard anyone say "You are gay" in any context except to insult someone. You wouldn't just walk up to a gay person and tell them they're gay. They already know.
redsplat
+1
Level 73
Feb 24, 2021
@sckizm I can't agree with your objections.

While some folks identify as gay, the term is still weaponised as a homophobic insult.

Speaking as an anti-Zionist, anti-apartheid, pro-Palestinian, pro-BDS Jewish person, I found the clue for Bahamas hilarious, clever and creative. Not that I got it right, but that's on me :)

MillionYearsAgo
+1
Level 75
Feb 23, 2021
Didn't do all too well on this quiz, but really enjoyed it - great idea
Shikari
+1
Level 33
Feb 23, 2021
Love the quiz! How about Kosavo as an alternative country named after a lettuce?
Shikari
+2
Level 33
Feb 23, 2021
I had no idea Americans rhymed Uraguay with hay! In British English it rhymes with dye.
Lilylee
+5
Level 75
Feb 23, 2021
They don't.
JohnnyYeet
+1
Level 58
Feb 23, 2021
Great quiz! Thanks for the mention!
JWatson24
+1
Level 71
Feb 23, 2021
Really enjoyed the Ebenezer Scrooge one lol
BetterThanNiall
+5
Level 66
Feb 23, 2021
Took me ages to get Germany cause i just kept linking microbes with Micronesia
TurkeyCookTime
+2
Level 76
Feb 23, 2021
Same, but I didn't even get Germany
Elisalisalisa
+1
Level 56
Feb 23, 2021
same, and also didn't get Germany
XYU
+3
Level 62
Feb 23, 2021
Good fun, nice one - funny to see that "Uruguay" joke. I think it's OK, and too silly to take seriously anyway, but everyone will have their own thoughts there.

I knew "Hamas", but still couldn't get "Bah - Hamas"!

Yoshimano
+1
Level 65
Feb 23, 2021
Fun but hey..

"Formed by the merger of two countries named "Oneisia" was really far-fetched.. especially given how unnatural it is to the mind to picture two countries sharing a same name. At least "both named Oneisia..." could help

Thanks!

sg1rob
+4
Level 78
Feb 23, 2021
Thought Micronesia was the answer to "lots of microbes".
willmowill
+1
Level 80
Feb 23, 2021
Same here, I think it should count too
Antimatter
+3
Level 45
Feb 23, 2021
Very clever, made me smile! Would like a version 2 of this
rama2008
+1
Level 67
Feb 23, 2021
Couldn't another answer for people didn't get enough to eat - Finland?
TheAnimationGuy
+1
Level 44
Feb 24, 2021
Only got the first four 😞
31modulo16
+4
Level 63
Feb 24, 2021
"Ba Hamas" is sending me into tears. Incredible quiz. :)
VoyTyla
+1
Level 38
Feb 24, 2021
I love it!! 14/20 but I still don't understand Laos pun
redsplat
+3
Level 73
Feb 24, 2021
"Louse" is the singular form for "lice."
AussieAngie
+1
Level 65
Feb 25, 2021
Phew. Really made me think - feel lucky to have got 19.
Hampus
+1
Level 56
Feb 25, 2021
Pretty bad but also pretty good.
TimFed
+1
Level 75
Feb 27, 2021
Guyana or Argentina for Brazilian homophobic insult?
Jango
+2
Level 64
May 24, 2021
Nice quiz; thanks for making me laugh! Was stumped on a few of them and when I saw the answers at the end I laughed even harder... Like having groanworthy Christmas cracker jokes in the middle of May 😹
FSLiudger
+2
Level 59
Jan 6, 2022
Hilarious!!! 🤣
Dollyfroggy
+2
Level 60
Feb 21, 2022
If you like this type of quizzes you should try my version with alternate country names instead of etymologies.
gaz123
+1
Level 66
Oct 24, 2022
Being called "gay" isn't a homophobic insult. Being gay is something that people are. Says a lot of the author of this quiz, who is obviously homophobic.
Uzbekifan
+1
Level 55
May 3, 2023
Anyone who would just walk up to a gay person and say "you are gay" would mean it in an insulting/homophobic way
bromate23
+2
Level 67
Nov 28, 2022
bahamas was amazing
sarmoj
+1
Level 73
Jul 19, 2023
*loudly exhales*
mooselikestoparty
+1
Level 61
Aug 7, 2023
I'm here for the dad joke quizzes. Love it!
Heist
+1
Level 77
Aug 26, 2024
Very clever clue constructions!
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