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Traditional Trades & Professions Quiz – Level 1 (Easy)

KL · January 15, 2024 · Leave a Comment

Test your knowledge of historical trades and traditional jobs. “Level 1” features terminology which should be familiar to many English speakers, but some questions may still prove tricky. See how well you can do.

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Traditional Trades & Professions - Level 1

Some of the trades included in this quiz continue to be practiced today, others have fallen out of use. Can you identify them all?

1 / 10

What is a draper?

An important trade guild in Medieval Europe, drapers sold cloth intended for making clothing (as opposed to upholstery or sail cloth). The term has largely fallen out of use, but survives in the fashion industry in reference to the "draping" of cloth on a mannequin during the design phase of garment construction.

2 / 10

What is a haberdasher?

A minor character in Chaucer's famous Canterbury Tales, a haberdasher is a tradesman who deals in small, practical wares such as caps, purses, thread, etc.. In modern usage, speakers of British English associate haberdashery with consumable sewing supplies (buttons, thread, zippers, etc). North Americans understand the word "haberdashery" to mean articles of mens clothing and fashion accessories like neckties, hats, suits, and more.

3 / 10

What is a cobbler?

Contrary to the modern usage of the term, the primary function of a cobbler has historically been to repair and sell used shoes, rather than being a "shoemaker" who manufactures new footwear.
The word "cobble" means to mend or patch, especially in the context of shoes or boots.

4 / 10

What is a sherman?

A sherman (also spelled "shearman") trims sheep of their valuable wool fleece, thereby keeping the animals healthy and providing raw material for spinners and weavers. The term can also refer to a worker who removes excess nap, or directional material from a textured fabric, thereby rendering it smooth and uniform.

5 / 10

What is a hosier?

A hosier is someone who manufactures socks and stockings, or sells such legwear, collectively known as "hosiery."

6 / 10

What is a farrier?

A farrier keeps horses healthy by trimming their hoofs and attaching (nailing on) horseshoes. This trade also commonly involves blacksmithing skills. The farrier may wholly fabricate horseshoes or modify existing ones to customize the fit.

7 / 10

What is a luthier?

Pronounced "lou-thee-er," a luthier is an artisan who crafts and/or repairs stringed instruments that can be plucked or bowed. This may include various musical instruments featuring necks and sound boxes such as violins and guitars, but excludes pianos and harps.

8 / 10

What is a milliner?

A milliner offers hats and other fashion accessories for sale to consumers. The term "milliner" refers specifically to those who manufacture hats as well as those involved in the resale of hats and associated items.

9 / 10

What is a sawyer?

A sawyer is a laborer who creates boards from unprocessed lumber by working a saw back and forth, often in tandem with another worker. The term "sawyer" refers particularly to those working with a pitsaw (a narrow blade held rigid by a frame), either by hand or mill-driven. The term "sawyer" is used today to refer to chainsaw operators in the logging industry.

10 / 10

What is a cooper?

A cooper is a craftsman who makes casks or barrels. The trade is known as "cooperage."

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The average score is 81%

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Notice: All questions, answers, and explanations may not be duplicated, used, or reproduced without express permission from the author.


Liked this one? Try another quiz.

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Filed Under: Everyday Living in History, Past Practices, Quiz Tagged With: history, material culture, past practices, traditional trades, trivia

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