Most people use thousands of words a day without ever thinking about where they came from or how strange some of the rules actually are.

This quiz gives you fifteen clues about words, alphabets, writing systems and the odd quirks of language, and asks you to pick the right answer from four options. It mixes terms most people have heard before with a few facts that might genuinely surprise you. Work through them all and find out whether you finish Lost for Words, a solid Word Nerd, a true Wordsmith, or a full blown Polyglot.

FAQs:

What kind of language facts does this quiz cover?
A mix of etymology, writing systems, wordplay terms like palindromes and pangrams, and general facts about languages themselves.

Which clue trips people up the most?
The U.S. states one usually does it. People guess Z or X before realising Q is the letter that’s actually missing.

Can I play it again? Yes, “Try again” reshuffles both the questions and the answer order.

Is the quiz free to play?
Yes, no sign up or download required.