NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle
December 18, 2005
Will Shortz

Each word below can be followed by a second word according to a certain pattern to make up a familiar two-word phrase. What is the pattern and what are the phrases?

1. DOUBLE
2. COFFEE
3. BIG
4. HIRED
5. SWEET
6. BORSCHT
7. SADDLE
8. VOICE
9. THINK
10. WORK
11. DUE
12. FOSSIL

Answers:

The pattern is that the second word begins and ends with the first and last letters of the first word, respectively:

1. DOUBLE DARE (DATE)
2. COFFEE CAKE
3. BIG BANG
4. HIRED HAND
5. SWEET SPOT
6. BORSCHT BELT
7. SADDLE SHOE (SORE)
8. VOICE VOTE
9. THINK TANK
10. WORK WEEK
11. DUE DATE
12. FOSSIL FUEL