1. Yes
   No
2. Perhaps
   Let's take a trip.

“Peradventure” was the old word for today’s standard (and more simplified) “perhaps.” The literal Anglo-French meaning is "by chance."

1. Hunting
   Neglecting
2. Observing
   Escaping

"Venery" is the act or sport of hunting wild animals or game. It's related to the word "venison," from the Latin "venari," meaning "to hunt."

1. Before
   After
2. Here
   Air

“Ere” basically stands for "before" (in time). Therefore, in this sentence, the trade trails go through the snowy range before they lead to the Chinese plains. It is a Middle English word coming from Old English, similar to a High German word, "er," for "earlier."

1. Willing
   Dizzy
2. Scared
   Intimidated

“Fain” was the old word for today’s “willing.” It can be traced way back to an Old Norse word, "feginn," which simply meant "happy."

1. There is no problem - it's genius.
   It's extremely rude.
2. It's nonsense.
   It's racist.

“Bunkum" simply means nonsense. This word was coined in 1820 and was originally spelled “buncombe,” because a congressman representing Buncombe County, North Carolina, bored his colleagues with an irrelevant political speech. Imagine that!

1. Bedchamber
   Cycene
2. Conservatory
   Den

Back in the day, a bedroom was referred to as a bedchamber. In earlier centuries, depending on your social status, you might have slept on mattresses that were stuffed with hay and broom straws, or mattresses that were stuffed with feathers (if you could afford this pricey item).

1. A stain
   A sculpture
2. A heavy blow
   A small insect

The noun "smite" used to mean "a heavy blow." The verb "smite" is still used today, meaning "to strike with a heavy blow." One popular form of the verb can be rather poetic: if you are "smitten" with someone, you've been struck by love.

1. Concern
   Disgust
2. Hate
   Longing or desire

To have "appetency" means to have a longing or desire. It is a word that was used early in the 17th century and originated from the Latin word “appetentia,” meaning "appetite."

1. To think or suppose
   To know with certainty
2. To complain about
   To swear by

When you ween, you think or suppose something but don’t know it for a fact. The verb is of Germanic origin, as in "wähnen,” which means “to imagine.”

1. Come forth
   Go away
2. Jump
   Hurry up

"Avaunt" was another way of saying “go away.” It originates from the Latin word "abante," which means "from before."

1. The basement
   The city’s jail
2. The neighbor’s house
   The asylum

In years past, a "bedlam" was an asylum where mentally ill people were taken. These days, of course, "bedlam" simply means a state of chaos and confusion.

1. Zero
   A large amount of money
2. A small amount of money
   An unknown amount of money

If your clothes are worth a “doit,” then unfortunately they’re worth a very small amount of money. The word “doit” dates back to the 16th century, from the name of a Dutch coin.

1. A dog
   A cat
2. A cow
   A sheep

"Grimalkin," believe it or not, was a word used back in the late 16th century to refer to a cat. The term derives from the color grey and “malkin,” an archaic word with several meanings (including a cat or a woman named Matilda or Maud). In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," a witch mentions the name "Graymalkin."

1. An insane person
   A happy person
2. An overly trusting person
   A habitual liar

If were known to others as a "gudgeon," you could be easily fooled. Or perhaps you're a small European fish, since that's another meaning!

1. To go quickly
   To hide
2. To sit
   To stall

"Hie" is an archaic word, meaning to go quickly, hurry or hasten. It is a Middle English word deriving from Old English "higian," meaning "to strive."

1. A woman’s or man’s tunic
   A thief
2. A fancy yet insubstantial cooked dish
   A doctor

A "kickshaw" referred to a fancy dish that did not make a satisfying meal. This word was used in the late 16th century and originates from the French phrase "quelque chose," which merely means "something."

1. A baker
   A reformed prostitute
2. A widow
   A wife

If you were a "magdalene," you were a reformed prostitute. Mary Magdalene is the woman Jesus appeared to after his resurrection, according to the Bible.

1. Cursing someone
   Complementing someone
2. Saying a prayer
   Saying nonsense

If someone says an orison, they’re saying a prayer (and hopefully, praying for your well-being). It originates from Old French “oreison,” coming from the Latin word “oratio,” meaning "speech" or "oration."

1. You’re a peanut; therefore, you’re dumb.
   You’re beautiful.
2. You’re smart.
   You’re sinful.

If you’re a "peccant," you’re a sinful person or are someone who has committed a crime. This word originates from “peccare,” the Latin word meaning “to stumble” or "to sin."

1. Affirmed
   Said
2. Suggested
   Interpreted

“Quoth” means "said," especially used in the first or third person with the subject following. It is an archaic (and humorous) Middle English word, used since the 12th century.

1. A zoo to see a tiger
   A store
2. A castle
   A forest

If you were heading over to a taiga, you were going to a forest of high latitudes (likely in the north). This word was used in the 19th century and originates from Russian and Mongolian. Taiga look at that!

1. As a way to express gratitude
   As a way to wish someone a safe trip
2. As a way to say farewell
   As a way to say, "Wear a veil."

“Vale” was a word many used to express a written or spoken farewell. This word comes from the Latin word “valere,” which literally translates into "be well" or "be strong."

1. As an insult
   To address a stranger
2. To address a colleague
   To express surprise or indignation

If the officer said, “zounds,” he was expressing surprise or indignation at what he had just heard or seen. “Zounds” was a word first used in the late 16th century; it is a contraction of "God's wounds." Who knew?

1. The respectable wife of an admiral
   A lover or mistress
2. A poor boy or beggar
   A cook

A lover or a mistress was often referred to as a “doxy” in the 16th century. It is a slang word of unknown origin. Oddly, "doxy" can also mean "opinion."

1. Likes to dance
   Plays an instrument
2. She's well read.
   Uses a pistol

This word used in the Victorian era, around 1855, was used to define a woman who uses a pistol. One may have said, "She's a great fighter, a revolveress who you don't want to mess with!"

1. Birthing process
   Graduation
2. Surgery
   Death bed

“Accouchement” was the word used in the late 18th century for the process of giving birth. It originates from the French word "accoucher," which means to assist in delivery, and the Old French word “coucher,” which means to lay down or put to bed.

1. Cooking
   Horses
2. Books
   Women

In the late 18th century, a bibliopole was someone who sold and purchased books, especially rare ones. It comes from a mix of Greek and Latin words that translate into "books" and "to sell" - hence, a bibliopole!

1. In a liquor store
   In a church cemetery
2. In the countryside
   In a kitchen on a ship’s deck

Lucky you! If you worked in a caboose, that meant you worked in the kitchen of a ship’s deck. This word was used in the 18th century and originates from the Dutch word "kabuis," or ship’s storeroom.

1. A lion
   A giraffe
2. A dog
   A pig

In late Middle English, giraffes were called camelopards (go figure). Next time you go to the zoo, make sure you scream “camelopard” loudly, and let them know you got it right and they’re wrong.

1. An old woman
   A divorced woman
2. A widow
   A young unmarried woman

If you were a damsel, then you were popular with the young fellas! A young, unmarried woman was often referred to as a damsel - whether or not she was in distress. It originates from the Old French word “damisele,” which comes from the Latin word “domina,” or "mistress."

1. An interesting thing
   A boring thing
2. A useless, ornamental thing
   A priceless thing

A fandangle was a useless or purely ornamental thing, at least in the mid 19th century. It is believed to have originated from the word "fandango," which is a lively Spanish dance performed by a man and a woman.

1. Young
   Middle aged
2. Old
   25

In the late 16th century, an old countrywoman was referred to as a "gammer," which, if you think about it, is kind of a cute name. Nothing wrong with being a gammer!

1. Look
   Listen
2. Talk
   Come back

To "harken" or "hearken" meant to listen attentively. It comes from the Old English word “heorcnian.” The spelling with EA probably came about because of its association with the word “hear.”

1. A rude person
   A high-ranking official
2. A citrus fruit
   A lover or sweetheart

Sigh, wouldn’t we all love to meet our dream "leman"? Be careful, though, because sometimes if you were a leman, you were an illicit lover, especially a mistress.

1. Laying on the couch all day
   Going for long runs
2. Having a balanced routine
   Skipping baths

If you are otiose, you are an indolent and idle person, at least in old-timey words. "Otiose" was a word used in the late 18th century that comes from the Latin word "otium," which translates into "leisure."