Brainiacs Will Definitely Have A Tough Time With This Street Smart Quiz
- by Dylan Dembrow
- – on
- in Mind Twisters
Being book smart is a fairly straightforward concept. It means you like to learn from a book, do well in a classroom setting, and end up getting good grades as a result.
However, the idea of being street smart is a slightly more elusive term. While you may think it only applies to a life of crime, or “living on the streets,” it means a lot more than just that.
For instance, it doesn’t mean that someone who is street smart doesn’t enjoy reading books, just that they prefer learning through hands-on experience. They’re also good at conversing with people and navigating a wide variety of social situations, which keeps them in touch with the times.
Meanwhile, certain brainiacs who have spent their entire lives with their heads buried in a book may find themselves socially inept. Sure, they may get good grades and go on to make a lot of money, but they don’t necessarily know how to connect with a lot of people and have a good time. Not to mention that studying the same thing for four to eight years won’t exactly make you the most well-rounded individual.
So let's find out exactly how street smart you really are!
What do you need to jump start a car?
Being street smart means being self-reliant. You know that at the end of the day, the only person you can really count on is yourself. So if your phone's dead and you also find yourself with a dead car battery, would you know how to jump-start your car? Though it’s one of the easiest and fastest vehicle problems to solve, many people have no idea what they’re doing once they pop open the hood. And they may not even have the tools available to handle the job.
What does “YOLO” stand for?
This acronym was considered cool for about five seconds before it started to get on everyone’s nerves. Now it’s mostly used by people you are neither book smart or street smart — in other words, it only remains popular amongst prepubescent nitwits. That being said, people who are street smart will no doubt no what this term stands for, and they will be quick to cringe or alienate themselves from anyone who uses it unironically. So do you also know what "YOLO" is short for?
What does it mean if someone is acting “salty”?
If you’re someone who loves social interactions, then there’s a good chance that you also enjoy poking fun at your close friends, and possibly even being made fun of in return. While this might be a terrifying prospect to certain nerds, insulting people in a safe environment can strangely be used to build trust amongst one another. In that regard, the word “salty” isn’t just a way to refer to your food, but also an adjective you can use to insult someone.
What does it mean to be D.D.?
If you're someone who likes to cut loose and go to parties or go to the bar, we hope you’re smart enough to take the precautions necessary to survive the night. That might mean that you and your friends establish a plan before you guys start partaking in certain substances. While it’s never a good idea to get totally out of your mind on drugs or alcohol, it’s at least a little bit smarter to know that someone will be there to take care of you if need be. So have you ever been the D.D.?
What do you dial if you want to try and figure out the last number that called you?
For those of you that are old enough, you probably remember the days before cell phones and even caller ID. Which meant that you literally had to pick up the house phone with no idea of who might be on the other end. Sounds terrifying, doesn’t it? Therefore, if you decided not to pick up and the other party didn’t leave a message, you may never know who called. Unless, of course, you were aware of this trick, which will tell you the last number that called provided it wasn’t 100% blocked.
If someone at a bar asks you to step outside, what do they usually mean?
If you normally don’t consider yourself someone who is very street smart, then there are a number of bars that you’d probably want to steer clear from. Going out to a bar can be great for cutting loose with your friends and meeting people, but it can also spell disaster if you don’t know how to keep an eye out for potential warning signs. So if you ever find yourself at a dive bar, make sure you don’t drink to the point of not being able to keep a grasp on your surroundings.
What is “cray” short for?
So this shortened word should pretty much be a gimmie for brainiacs and street-wise individuals alike. But we figured we’d start things off on the easier side. Like everything from the texting/ Internet generation, this is yet another word that has been shortened for no apparent reason other than some people think it sounds cool. While the word first received widespread recognition thanks to Kanye West in the song “N—— in Paris,” the abbreviated word has actually been around since at least 2001.
Which side of the stairs should you stick to so you don't bump into other people?
If you're a slow-walking head in the clouds kind of person, the answer to this might not be entirely obvious. However, society as a whole has a pretty firm rule that helps the flow of traffic. This isn't just for cars either. You should always use this side when going up or down stairs so as to avoid running into people who are going the opposite direction to you. If you do know the answer, chances are you get pretty annoyed when people don't!
What does “BYOB” stand for?
Though this acronym certainly predates the cell phone, texting has made shortening certain phrases and words all the more commonplace. Meaning you’ve probably seen this acronym before in a number of group texts or Facebook messages. However, if you’re someone who much more prefers the company of yourself and maybe a couples of cats, then there’s always the chance that you’ve never come across this acronym in your day-to-day life, in which case, you’ll have to take a totally wild guess as to what it means.
What does it mean if someone tells you to “stay woke.”
This terms received widespread recognition in 2014 as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement that has been sweeping the nation, though its origin comes from decades earlier. Since then, the phrase has largely taken on a more general meaning, which has permeated pop culture at a time when people seem more divided than ever. The words also appeared in the popular 2016 song “Redbone” by rap artist Childish Gambino. So do you know what this contemporary phrase refers to?
What does it mean to “go Dutch”?
Outside of this idiom, the word Dutch can really pertain to two different things: the Dutch people and the Dutch language. Brainiacs should at least know that there is no such country as “Dutchland,” and that the Dutch people actually hail from the country known as the Netherlands (which is sometimes informally referred to as Holland). However, the Dutch language is a not only spoken in the Netherlands but in Belgium and in a number of other countries as well. Though none of that info will really help you figure out the answer…
What does it mean if someone “bought the farm”?
People who are books smart will probably have a lesser chance of knowing the meaning of certain idioms — particularly ones that are more often to pop up in a casual conversation rather than in the text of the book. That’s likely the case when it comes to the expression that someone “bought the farm.” So do you know what this seemingly harmless phrase actually means? Or maybe it doesn’t mean anything at all and we’re just trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
Name the show.
People who are street smart will more likely be drawn to shows that deal with things a little more realistically and have an overall gritty tone. This AMC show certainly fits the bill, which revolves around a chemistry teacher going from being a straight-laced genius to a drug kingpin. The show ran for five seasons, won numerous awards, and is often considered by many to be one of the greatest shows of all time. But if you always have your head in a book you might not have noticed it.
Where can you get a whopper?
Burgers are the All-American meal. A great toasted bun, a big juicy beef patty, and tons of toppings can make for one of the most satisfying and delicious sandwiches a person can eat. Fast food places each have their own take and while they may not be gourmet, they certainly hit the spot -- especially if you're the kind of person who gets nostalgic for snack food. So, do you know which of these fast food places serves a whopper?
What is a wino?
While having street smarts doesn’t always mean that someone grew up on the streets or surrounded by crime, there’s a good chance that they’ve been exposed to more harsh realities than others. This means that not only will they have come into contact with more unsavory people, but that they’ll also have a number of expressions to refer to these types of people which are contingent upon each situation. So have you ever heard or used the term “wino” before when referring to someone?
What are the physical signs that someone is interested in you?
Since brainiacs may spend the better part of their life with their heads buried in a book, studying to become doctors, or lawyers, or engineers. Therefore, they might not be the best suited for picking up on social cues. This can be an especially big hindrance in the dating world, when whether you're interested in someone is often established through unspoken actions. So are you the type of person who can read people’s body language like a book? Or are you someone who goes in for a kiss at the end of the night to have the person lean away in discomfort?
What does it mean if someone is a snitch?
While people who are street smart often do a better job at handling themselves in social situations, they also understand that it’s best not to get involved in other people’s lives. So if you know someone is breaking the law or you see two people arguing, it might not always be the best idea to butt in and try to fix the problem, unless, of course, someone’s safety is being physically threatened. In other words, it might be a good idea to mind your own business, especially with unsavory characters.
If you’re impaled by an object, what should you do?
Having some basic survival skills under your belt is never a bad idea. Even if you’re the type of person who cringes at the slightest drop of blood, you never know when a disaster is going to strike, so you might as well learn some life-saving hacks should you ever have to use them. In this scenario, let’s imagine that a car accident has left you with a piece of shrapnel sticking out of your stomach. Help is on the way, but is there anything you can do in the meantime?
What do you dial before making a phone call if you don’t want the other party to know your number?
Ever want to make a prank phone call to one of your friends, but all you have on you is your cell phone? Or maybe you want to figure out who your boyfriend or girlfriend has been talking to without giving away your number? Well, then this three digit code could certainly be used to your advantage. While pretty much everyone has switched over to cell phones from landlines these days, this is a service that is still offered by almost all phone companies, which allows you to block your number prior to calling.
Which one of these games is traditionally NOT a drinking game?
Sometimes parties where people don’t know each other can be a bit awkward at the onset. Thankfully, their are a wide variety of drinking games to chose from which can help break the ice and give some structure to the event while people get to know each other and loosen up. We’re sure that everyone who went to public school or college is familiar with beer pong, but do you know any other popular drinking games? Or rather, which one of these isn’t usually a drinking game?
True or False: You can always go right on red?
It doesn’t matter how smart you are, some people simply just do not get how to safely drive a car. While there has long been the stereotype that women are far worse drivers than men, studies have actually proven otherwise, showing that while females have a higher likelihood of failing the initial driving exam, they actually have a better chance of remaining aware of the dangers of driving, making them safer in the long run. Since it may have been a while since you’ve taken a driving test, do you know if you can always go right on red?
Name the video game.
Unless you’re into challenging puzzle games, many brainiacs might not be able to find the value in most video games, particularly this one, which encourages the players to break the law in the most horrific ways imaginable. While this gaming franchise has had its fair share of controversy, it’s remained extremely popular amongst players and gaming critics due to its impressive worlds, gritty themes, and interesting (albeit unsavory) characters. So are you someone who likes to spend your leisure time pretending to break every law imaginable?
What do you need to change a flat tire?
While this process is slightly more involved than jump-starting a car, changing a flat is far from an impossible task, even for people who know little to nothing about cars or tools. Not to mention that not having the tools to complete this task will mean that if you find yourself with a flat, you’ll have to call for a tow truck, which could end up costing you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. In fact, most cars have all you need to change a flat right in the trunk.
What does it mean if something is “on fleek”?
While many new phrases of the Internet age are often the result of words being shortened or broken into acronyms, this is a phrase/ word that seems to have just come out of thin air. In other words, it’s totally made up. While the word had shown up previously under a different usage, it gained widespread recognition in a Vine video that was originally posted on June 21, 2014. Though the person only used the word to refer to her eyebrows, it has since become an adjective for nearly anything you can imagine.
Name the movie.
Maybe the best example there is of someone who is extremely street smart is a gangster. These individuals are able to build empires and amass unfathomable fortunes often without any college experience, simply because they aren’t afraid to pave their own way and figure out how to take advantage of the system. While this certainly isn’t acceptable behaviors, there’s still something strangely intriguing about these types of people. So have you seen this classic gangster movie about Henry Hill's rise from rags to riches?
Which app deletes messages shortly after they're viewed?
Social media has been going strong for quite awhile now with sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit being so easy to use to communicate. Before all that though, there were chat programs like AIM and MSN in which you could put a brief status to let your friends know how you were doing. We've come a long way since then, but a lot of that silliness seems to be forever engraved on the internet. So, which of these apps lets you be dumb without consequences?
What does “gucci” mean when it’s used as an adjective?
Even if you’re not someone who is particularly street smart, we’re sure you’ve at least heard of the Italian brand Gucci. This company was founded back in 1921 by none other than Guccio Gucci, and it has gone on to be considered one of the most popular luxury brands of today — meaning that if you make an average salary, you probably don’t own any Gucci products. Their items are extremely expensive, with simple purses and handbags costing well over a thousand dollars apiece. But do you know what “gucci” means when used as an adjective?
At a corner store, someone buys $8.42 worth of snacks, but they hand the cashier $10.42. Why would they most likely do this?
People who are street smart usually start working from a young age, and they might end up taking terrible jobs just for some extra cash. While this is by no means fun, it gives you an insight into the service industry that many people never come to understand. In fact, working these terrible jobs at a young age will only make you more understanding in the long run, and there’s a good chance that the type of people who go off on waiters or cashiers have never handled the stresses of a minimum wage job.
What does it mean to “Netflix and chill”?
One of the most popular idioms of the Internet generations, this phrase has been around for a handful of years and largely came about after pretty much everyone and their brother had gotten an online Netflix account. The phrase may have started off meaning exactly what it sounds like it means, but it has slowly evolved over time to mean something else entirely. And now that it’s had such widespread use, it’s often used ironically. So do you know what “Netflix and chill” refers to?
Name the movie.
This 2001 film stars Denzel Washington as Detective Alonzo Harris, a street-wise cop who takes a new recruit under his wings and shows him what its like to be a narcotics officer. However, Alonzo is far from a by the book cop who turns out to be more of a criminal than he is a police officer as he’s seen drinking on the job, beating people up and even shooting unarmed citizens throughout the movie. Meanwhile, his recruit, played Ethan Hawke, is forced to wise up fast if he has any hope of staying alive.
What does it mean if a party is “lit”?
Some people live for partying. It’s what gets them through every single work week, offering a promise of unwinding, kicking back with friends, and meeting new people. Meanwhile, some people absolutely can’t stand the idea of being crammed into a house or bar full of people they don’t know all that well while being under the influence of one or multiple substances. So if you’re the former, you probably have a better idea of what this popular party phrase actually means.
If someone orders an “angel shot” at the bar, they are…
This phrase appears to have first popped up back in 2016, when the Iberian Rooster — a small bar in St. Petersburg, Florida — posted this phrase and definition in a very specific locating in their bar, explaining to one-half of the patrons what this term was actually code for. Additionally, you can order this beverage neat, on the rocks, or with a lime on the side to communicate specifics about your situation to the bartender. So do you know what this secret code actually means?
What does it mean if someone is a “snack”?
Remember the days when the word snack meant the bag of celery sticks your mom packed you for school? Or when she’d show up to your spots game with orange slices for the entire team? Well, like a number of other words and phrases that are seemingly meaningless, the word “snack” has also taken on a more adult connotation in the last few years. So do you know what it means if someone calls you a “snack”? If not, you may want to figure it out sooner rather than later.
Name the show.
While this show largely flew under the radar while it was on the air, in the subsequent years since it ended it often ends up near the top of ever “best TV series of all time” list. The show was praised for its realistic look at the city of Baltimore, Maryland — particularly the aspects of the criminal underworld and the justice system. But because it was so realistic, those unfamiliar with street slang may have been totally lost while trying to watch this show, which originally aired on HBO from 2002 to 2008.
What does it mean if someone asks you for a light?
Right now, you’re probably thinking that the answer to this question is pretty obvious. In fact, maybe its so obvious that you’re starting to second guess yourself right now. Surely, you’ve seen this happen dozens of times in movies, and maybe you’ve even had someone ask you for a light while holding an unlit cigarette between their lips. But was the cigarette simply a cover for something else? Might they have been looking for drugs? Or something else entirely? Or are we just trying to trick you?