QUOTES CII
Explaining a joke is like dissecting a frog. You understand it better, but the frog dies in the process.
E.B.White
When I look at the Internet, I feel the same as when I'm walking through Coney Island. It's like carnival barkers, and they all sit out there and go, "Come on in here and see a three-legged man!" So you walk in, and it's a guy with a crutch.
Jon Stewart
The whole purpose of travel is to return home and discover what your house actually smells like.
Alex Baze
"Yes" and "No" are the oldest and simplest words, yet they require the most thought.
Author Unknown
A journey of a thousand miles typically begins with a delay of about three hours.
Author Unknown
Friday, January 31, 2020
Thursday, January 30, 2020
REBUS PUZZLES LXVII
1)
JANOB
2)
CHAWHOWHORGE
3)
MARY + MARY + MARY
4)
T M
A U
H S
W T
5)
C HIJKLMNO
6)
ATTENTION
7)
META
META
META
META
8)
TO BLAME
2. TO BLAME
3. TO BLAME
9)
COME SERVED*
COME SERVED
COME SERVED
COME SERVED
10)
EHTNI DAY
Answers:
1. An inside job
2. Who's in charge?
3. Summary
4. What goes up, must come down
5. Sea water [ C H to O (H2O) ]
6. Center of attention
7. Metaphor
8. No one to blame
9. First come, first served
10. Back in the day
1)
JANOB
2)
CHAWHOWHORGE
3)
MARY + MARY + MARY
4)
T M
A U
H S
W T
5)
C HIJKLMNO
6)
ATTENTION
7)
META
META
META
META
8)
TO BLAME
2. TO BLAME
3. TO BLAME
9)
COME SERVED*
COME SERVED
COME SERVED
COME SERVED
10)
EHTNI DAY
Answers:
1. An inside job
2. Who's in charge?
3. Summary
4. What goes up, must come down
5. Sea water [ C H to O (H2O) ]
6. Center of attention
7. Metaphor
8. No one to blame
9. First come, first served
10. Back in the day
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
The answers to the clues below will have something in common.
1. Stand proud
2. Be firm
3. Set to work vigorously
4. Work hard and steadily
5. Remain resolute and unemotional when faced with adversity
6. Continue to participate in an activity or job, but to a lesser extent.
7. Remain focused on a goal and not be distracted by problems or setbacks
8. Pay attention to what's going on around you, listening for clues as to what's going to happen
Answers:
1. Hold your head up
2. Put your foot down
3. Put you shoulder to the wheel
4. Put you nose to the grindstone
5. Keep a stiff upper lip
6. Keep your hand in
7. Keep your eye on the prize
8. Keep your ear to the ground - - - idiomatic expressions containg body parts
Credit:
David W. Cromer (#1, 2, 6)
1. Stand proud
2. Be firm
3. Set to work vigorously
4. Work hard and steadily
5. Remain resolute and unemotional when faced with adversity
6. Continue to participate in an activity or job, but to a lesser extent.
7. Remain focused on a goal and not be distracted by problems or setbacks
8. Pay attention to what's going on around you, listening for clues as to what's going to happen
Answers:
1. Hold your head up
2. Put your foot down
3. Put you shoulder to the wheel
4. Put you nose to the grindstone
5. Keep a stiff upper lip
6. Keep your hand in
7. Keep your eye on the prize
8. Keep your ear to the ground - - - idiomatic expressions containg body parts
Credit:
David W. Cromer (#1, 2, 6)
The following word, name, and phrases share a common property. Can you determine what it is?
LIMERICK
ELMER FUDD
TEA KETTLE
FIRE SALE
PLUMBER'S HELPER
A SHOT IN THE DARK
HINT:
It has to do with the beginning letters of each clue word.
Answer:
The first three or four letters of each clue spell the name of a tree:
LIMEerick
ELMer fudd
TEA Kettle
FIRe sale
PLUMbmer's helper
A SHot in the dark
Credit:
Lee Glickstein
TREETOPS
LIMERICK
ELMER FUDD
TEA KETTLE
FIRE SALE
PLUMBER'S HELPER
A SHOT IN THE DARK
HINT:
It has to do with the beginning letters of each clue word.
Answer:
The first three or four letters of each clue spell the name of a tree:
LIMEerick
ELMer fudd
TEA Kettle
FIRe sale
PLUMbmer's helper
A SHot in the dark
Credit:
Lee Glickstein
TREETOPS
FACTUAL RIDDLES LI
1. Mark Twain was born in 1835 and died in 1910. What is unusual about these dates?
2. Abraham Lincoln created the Secret Service on April 14, 1865. What is unusual about this date?
3. What is unusual about the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams?
4. What is the fifth taste, after sweet, sour, salty and bitter, and often described as "savory?"
5. What was the first toy advertised on TV?
Answers:
1. Both those years saw an appearance of Halley's Comet.
2. Lincoln was assassinated the next night, April 15, 1865.
3. They both died on July 4, 1826 - exactly 50 years after signing the Declaration of Independence.
4. Umami
5. Mr. Potato Head
1. Mark Twain was born in 1835 and died in 1910. What is unusual about these dates?
2. Abraham Lincoln created the Secret Service on April 14, 1865. What is unusual about this date?
3. What is unusual about the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams?
4. What is the fifth taste, after sweet, sour, salty and bitter, and often described as "savory?"
5. What was the first toy advertised on TV?
Answers:
1. Both those years saw an appearance of Halley's Comet.
2. Lincoln was assassinated the next night, April 15, 1865.
3. They both died on July 4, 1826 - exactly 50 years after signing the Declaration of Independence.
4. Umami
5. Mr. Potato Head
AWESOME FACTS ABOUT EVERYTHING I
In the original 1900 novel Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written by L. Frank Baum, the titular magic man revealed that his full name was actually much longer. In the story Oz, as he calls himself, explains, "It was a dreadfully long name to weigh down a poor innocent child, and one of the hardest lessons I ever learned was to remember my own name.
"My full name is Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs. When I grew up I just called myself O.Z. because the other initials were P-I-N-H-E-A-D; and that spelled 'pinhead,' which was a reflection of my intelligence."
***************************************
The Cookie Monster has a name - seriously - SID
****************************************
The blob of toothpaste on your toothbrush has a name - NURDLE.
****************************************
The little groove between your nose and upper lip has a name - PHILTRUM.
****************************************
The shape where the upper lip comes to two distinct points toward the center of the mouth and directly inline with the philtrum has a name - Cupid's bow.
****************************************
The hollow area that you form when you cup your hands together has a name - GOWPEN.
BE A BETTER ANAGRAMMER XXXVIII
Each word on the left is one letter off from another word - whose initial letter is given at the right. Can you determine the other word?
1. CROUCH - C
2. TIPTOE - P (two words)
3. TEPID - S
4. INTACT - C
5. HYENA - Y
6. DESIGN - S
7. FLORAL - L
8. SPIRIT - P
HINTS:
1. Agree
2. Food
3. Vindictive
4. Mint plant
5. Busybody
6. House outside protection
7. Shoe
8. Clergy
Answers:
1. CONCUR
2. POT PIE
3. SPITE
4. CATNIP
5. YENTA
6. SIDING
7. LOAFER
8. PRIEST
Each word on the left is one letter off from another word - whose initial letter is given at the right. Can you determine the other word?
1. CROUCH - C
2. TIPTOE - P (two words)
3. TEPID - S
4. INTACT - C
5. HYENA - Y
6. DESIGN - S
7. FLORAL - L
8. SPIRIT - P
HINTS:
1. Agree
2. Food
3. Vindictive
4. Mint plant
5. Busybody
6. House outside protection
7. Shoe
8. Clergy
Answers:
1. CONCUR
2. POT PIE
3. SPITE
4. CATNIP
5. YENTA
6. SIDING
7. LOAFER
8. PRIEST
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
PUNCTUATION COUNTS VI
A professor wrote on the blackboard, WOMAN WITHOUT HER MAN IS NOTHING. The students were then instructed to insert the proper punctuation.
The men wrote, WOMAN, WITHOUT HER MAN, IS NOTHING.
The women wrote WOMAN! WITHOUT HER, MAN IS NOTHING.
Credit:
Reader's Digest
Contributed by Susan Allen
A professor wrote on the blackboard, WOMAN WITHOUT HER MAN IS NOTHING. The students were then instructed to insert the proper punctuation.
The men wrote, WOMAN, WITHOUT HER MAN, IS NOTHING.
The women wrote WOMAN! WITHOUT HER, MAN IS NOTHING.
Credit:
Reader's Digest
Contributed by Susan Allen
RIDDLES
What do the following words have to do with basketball?
1. WINDOW
2. COMPLEX
3. VALLEY
4. QUARTZ
Answer:
Their last letters, W, X, Y, Z are the final four of the alphabet. The Final Four are the last four college basketball teams still competing for the NCAA championship.
Credit:
NY Times Crossword
January 28, 2020
Trenton Charlson (adapted)
What do the following words have to do with basketball?
1. WINDOW
2. COMPLEX
3. VALLEY
4. QUARTZ
Answer:
Their last letters, W, X, Y, Z are the final four of the alphabet. The Final Four are the last four college basketball teams still competing for the NCAA championship.
Credit:
NY Times Crossword
January 28, 2020
Trenton Charlson (adapted)
Sunday, January 26, 2020
POINTS TO PONDER XLVII
From Reader's Digest
Good kids are like sunsets. We take them for granted. Every evening they disappear. Most parents never imagine how hard they try to please us, and how miserable they feel when they think they have failed.
Erma Bombeck
******************************
Freedom is being able to do what you please without considering anyone except your wife, the police, your boss, your life-insurance company, your doctor, federal and state authorities, and your neighbors.
Martin Buxbaum
From Reader's Digest
Good kids are like sunsets. We take them for granted. Every evening they disappear. Most parents never imagine how hard they try to please us, and how miserable they feel when they think they have failed.
Erma Bombeck
******************************
Freedom is being able to do what you please without considering anyone except your wife, the police, your boss, your life-insurance company, your doctor, federal and state authorities, and your neighbors.
Martin Buxbaum
FOUR RHYMING RIDDLES
1)
I'm in the fire, but not the flame,
In the master, but not the dame;
In the courier, but not the clown,
In the country, but not the town.
2)
I'm a long pole with a bushy tail,
My purpose it to clean;
I have a hundred legs,
But I prefer to lean.
3)
My first is in dog, but not in cat,
My second in glove, but not in hat.
My third in flame, but not in smoke,
My fourth in jester, but not in joke.
My whole makes no fuss about what it eats,
And is known to be nimble on its four feet.
4)
My first is in bottle, but not in milk,
My second in satin, but not in silk;
My third and fourth appear in pair,
My fifth in hope and also despair.
My last is in yellow, but not in pink,
My whole contains liquid for people to use or drink.
Answers:
1. Letter "r"
2. Broom
3. Goat
4. Barrel
1)
I'm in the fire, but not the flame,
In the master, but not the dame;
In the courier, but not the clown,
In the country, but not the town.
2)
I'm a long pole with a bushy tail,
My purpose it to clean;
I have a hundred legs,
But I prefer to lean.
3)
My first is in dog, but not in cat,
My second in glove, but not in hat.
My third in flame, but not in smoke,
My fourth in jester, but not in joke.
My whole makes no fuss about what it eats,
And is known to be nimble on its four feet.
4)
My first is in bottle, but not in milk,
My second in satin, but not in silk;
My third and fourth appear in pair,
My fifth in hope and also despair.
My last is in yellow, but not in pink,
My whole contains liquid for people to use or drink.
Answers:
1. Letter "r"
2. Broom
3. Goat
4. Barrel
NY Times Crossword
January 26, 2020
Erik Agard
This puzzle has two parts. First, answer the clues below and check your answers. Second, change one letter in the last word of each answer to name a food. The replacement letters, in order, will spell an appropriate phrase.
Part I
1. Fashionable pants that can be hard to pull off
2. "Where have the years gone?" possible response
3. Simple visuals to display collected data
4. Swimming hazards in the ocean
5. "Man, that was cheap!"
6. She scored 53 points in WNBA game
7. Seating choice in a restaurant
8. Something visually arresting
9. Duplicate and move, in word processing lingo
10. Disappear suddenly
HINTS:
6: Liz Gambage
Answers to Part I
1. SKINNY JEANS
2. "TIME FLIES"
3. BAR GRAPH
4. RIP CURRENTS
5. "WHAT A STEAL"
6. LIZ GAMBAGE
7. CORNER BOOTH
8. EYE POPPER
9. CUT AND PASTE
10. UP AND VANISH
Answers to Part II
1. BEANS - - - - - - - B
2. FRIES R
3. GRAPES E
4. CURRANTS A
5. STEAK K
6. CABBAGE B
7. BROTH R
8. PEPPER E
9. PASTA A
10. DANISH D - - - BREAK BREAD
January 26, 2020
Erik Agard
This puzzle has two parts. First, answer the clues below and check your answers. Second, change one letter in the last word of each answer to name a food. The replacement letters, in order, will spell an appropriate phrase.
Part I
1. Fashionable pants that can be hard to pull off
2. "Where have the years gone?" possible response
3. Simple visuals to display collected data
4. Swimming hazards in the ocean
5. "Man, that was cheap!"
6. She scored 53 points in WNBA game
7. Seating choice in a restaurant
8. Something visually arresting
9. Duplicate and move, in word processing lingo
10. Disappear suddenly
HINTS:
6: Liz Gambage
Answers to Part I
1. SKINNY JEANS
2. "TIME FLIES"
3. BAR GRAPH
4. RIP CURRENTS
5. "WHAT A STEAL"
6. LIZ GAMBAGE
7. CORNER BOOTH
8. EYE POPPER
9. CUT AND PASTE
10. UP AND VANISH
Answers to Part II
1. BEANS - - - - - - - B
2. FRIES R
3. GRAPES E
4. CURRANTS A
5. STEAK K
6. CABBAGE B
7. BROTH R
8. PEPPER E
9. PASTA A
10. DANISH D - - - BREAK BREAD
Saturday, January 25, 2020
What do the following three-letter words have in common that has nothing to do with their meanings?
1. FAT
2. CAN
3. PEN
4. TON
5. CAB
HINT:
The same two letters will change each word into a new one.
Answers:
The letters AL can be added at the end of each clue word to make a new word:
1. FATAL
2. CANAL
3. PENAL
4. TONAL
5. CABAL
1. FAT
2. CAN
3. PEN
4. TON
5. CAB
HINT:
The same two letters will change each word into a new one.
Answers:
The letters AL can be added at the end of each clue word to make a new word:
1. FATAL
2. CANAL
3. PENAL
4. TONAL
5. CABAL
Friday, January 24, 2020
MISSING LINK CCXVII
Each pair or trio of words below shares a Missing Link - that is, its members have something in common, obvious or not. For example, RIVERS, NOSES, & VIOLINS can all have BRIDGES.
1. Top..........Dog
2. Quote..........Ranks
3. Library..........Rocket
4. Lay..........Take..........King
5. Red..........Army..........Fire
6. Cube..........Swiss..........Round
7. Breath..........Pockets..........Freeze
8. Work..........Dark..........Clothes
9. Pool..........Card..........Loan
10. Tag..........Toy..........Tooth
Answers:
1. Lap
2. Close
3. Science
4.Words that can follow PAR
5. Kinds of ants
6. Kinds of steak
7. Deep
8. Horse
9. Shark
10. Dog
Each pair or trio of words below shares a Missing Link - that is, its members have something in common, obvious or not. For example, RIVERS, NOSES, & VIOLINS can all have BRIDGES.
1. Top..........Dog
2. Quote..........Ranks
3. Library..........Rocket
4. Lay..........Take..........King
5. Red..........Army..........Fire
6. Cube..........Swiss..........Round
7. Breath..........Pockets..........Freeze
8. Work..........Dark..........Clothes
9. Pool..........Card..........Loan
10. Tag..........Toy..........Tooth
Answers:
1. Lap
2. Close
3. Science
4.Words that can follow PAR
5. Kinds of ants
6. Kinds of steak
7. Deep
8. Horse
9. Shark
10. Dog
DOUBLE DUTY CXXVIII
Fill in the blanks with words that will complete the word, or form a compound word or two-word phrase beginning with the word on the left, and begin the word, compound word, or two-word phrase ending with the word on the right. The number of blanks indicates the number of letters in the missing word.
1. FIN _ _ TO
2. BELL _ _ _ DOG
3. DREAM _ _ _ SECURITY
4. PLAY _ _ _ _ SMART
5. AFTER _ _ _ _ MATTER
6. BRUSH _ _ _ _ SIDE
7. GROUND _ _ _ _ TOLERANCE
8. CLOTHES _ _ _ _ _ SHOE
9. RING _ _ _ _ _ _ LAKES
10. FALSE _ _ _ _ _ _ LANE
HINTS:
First of the missing letters:
1. A
2. L
3. J
4. B
5. D
6. F
7. Z
8. H
9. F
10. M
Answers:
1. finALto
2. bellLAPdog
3. dreamJOBsecurity
4. playBOOKsmart
5. afterDARKmatter
6. brushFIREside
7. groundZEROtolerance
8. clothes HORSEshoe
9. ringFINGERlakes
10. falseMEMORYlane
Fill in the blanks with words that will complete the word, or form a compound word or two-word phrase beginning with the word on the left, and begin the word, compound word, or two-word phrase ending with the word on the right. The number of blanks indicates the number of letters in the missing word.
1. FIN _ _ TO
2. BELL _ _ _ DOG
3. DREAM _ _ _ SECURITY
4. PLAY _ _ _ _ SMART
5. AFTER _ _ _ _ MATTER
6. BRUSH _ _ _ _ SIDE
7. GROUND _ _ _ _ TOLERANCE
8. CLOTHES _ _ _ _ _ SHOE
9. RING _ _ _ _ _ _ LAKES
10. FALSE _ _ _ _ _ _ LANE
HINTS:
First of the missing letters:
1. A
2. L
3. J
4. B
5. D
6. F
7. Z
8. H
9. F
10. M
Answers:
1. finALto
2. bellLAPdog
3. dreamJOBsecurity
4. playBOOKsmart
5. afterDARKmatter
6. brushFIREside
7. groundZEROtolerance
8. clothes HORSEshoe
9. ringFINGERlakes
10. falseMEMORYlane
The answer words in the flat below differ by a single additional letter. The shorter word (first set of blanks) is capitalized.
The donkey was gloomy,
Unpleasant to look at.
Grey, stuffed and depressive,
_ _ _ _ _ _ was rather an _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
(BIG) HINT:
Winnie the Pooh
Answers:
EEYORE was rather an EYESORE.
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
November, 2019
WITZ
The donkey was gloomy,
Unpleasant to look at.
Grey, stuffed and depressive,
_ _ _ _ _ _ was rather an _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
(BIG) HINT:
Winnie the Pooh
Answers:
EEYORE was rather an EYESORE.
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
November, 2019
WITZ
LETTER BANK XXX
In a letter bank, the letters of one word are used - and repeated as necessary - to spell a longer word or phrase. No other letters are allowed. For example, IMPS is a letter bank for MISSISSIPPI.
In the flat below, the keyword SHORT represents the letter bank.
My problem is that I don't know much.
I say "I'm new" and that's my crutch.
So that's the way it is for me;
The LONG of being a SHORT you see.
HINT:
SHORT stands for a word that means someone who is new at something.
Answer:
SHORT = NOVICE
LONG = INCONVENIENCE
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
November, 2019
ANDREAS
In a letter bank, the letters of one word are used - and repeated as necessary - to spell a longer word or phrase. No other letters are allowed. For example, IMPS is a letter bank for MISSISSIPPI.
In the flat below, the keyword SHORT represents the letter bank.
My problem is that I don't know much.
I say "I'm new" and that's my crutch.
So that's the way it is for me;
The LONG of being a SHORT you see.
HINT:
SHORT stands for a word that means someone who is new at something.
Answer:
SHORT = NOVICE
LONG = INCONVENIENCE
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
November, 2019
ANDREAS
Thursday, January 23, 2020
The answers to the clues below will have something in common.
1. Coward
2. Flop or failure
3. Grumpy person
4. Easy target for crime
5. Pace-setter in a footrace
6. High roller at the casino
7. Treacherous, deceitful person
8. Person who swindles or preys on others
9. To pester or annoy
10. To intimidate, confuse, or pressure someone
Answers:
1. Chicken/mouse
2. Turkey
3. Crab
4. Pigeon
5. Rabbit
6. Whale
7. Snake
8. Shark
9. Badger
10. Buffalo
1. Coward
2. Flop or failure
3. Grumpy person
4. Easy target for crime
5. Pace-setter in a footrace
6. High roller at the casino
7. Treacherous, deceitful person
8. Person who swindles or preys on others
9. To pester or annoy
10. To intimidate, confuse, or pressure someone
Answers:
1. Chicken/mouse
2. Turkey
3. Crab
4. Pigeon
5. Rabbit
6. Whale
7. Snake
8. Shark
9. Badger
10. Buffalo
NY Times Crossword
January 23, 2020
Barbara Lin
The same phonetic change can be made to each of the words below to create new words whose ending sounds will rhyme. A hint to the change is given by the answer to the fifth clue.
1. BOAT
2. SIGN
3. WIFE
4. VERSE
5. Affirmative vote heard on the floor
Answers:
The long ( i ) sound can be added to each of the clue words:
1. BOWTIE
2. SINAI
3. WI-FI
4. VERSAILLES
5. AYE
January 23, 2020
Barbara Lin
The same phonetic change can be made to each of the words below to create new words whose ending sounds will rhyme. A hint to the change is given by the answer to the fifth clue.
1. BOAT
2. SIGN
3. WIFE
4. VERSE
5. Affirmative vote heard on the floor
Answers:
The long ( i ) sound can be added to each of the clue words:
1. BOWTIE
2. SINAI
3. WI-FI
4. VERSAILLES
5. AYE
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
MIND FLEXERS XXXIII
Answer each clue by matching it with one of the choices below. The relationships are disguised by double meanings and/or altered spacing within words. The choices are in random order.
1. Fancy-free
2. Where the Chargers play
3. One who goes through the motions
4. Group of moles
5. She watches her P's and Q's.
6. Make-up artist
7. Semi-filling substance
8. Music that goes on forever
9. Fear of salmon
10. Subject usually studied a night
CHOICES:
a. Diesel
b. Pinkie
c. ESL
d. Realistic
e. Dreadlocks
f. Lawyer
g. Electric Field
h. Liar
i. Spy ring
j. Eternal soul
Answers:
1. d - Realistic (without fancy)
2. e - Electric Field
3. f - Lawyer
4. i - Spy ring
5. b - Pinkie (the pinkie finger types the letters p and q)
6. h - Liar
7. a - Diesel
8. j - Eternal soul
9. e - Dreadlocks (lox)
10. c - ESL (most students are adults with day jobs)
Credits:
3-5: Brendan Emmett Quigley (NY Times Crossword)
6: Jack McInturff
8: Stella Daily and Bruce Venzke
9. Gary Steinmehl
10. Frederick J. Healy
Answer each clue by matching it with one of the choices below. The relationships are disguised by double meanings and/or altered spacing within words. The choices are in random order.
1. Fancy-free
2. Where the Chargers play
3. One who goes through the motions
4. Group of moles
5. She watches her P's and Q's.
6. Make-up artist
7. Semi-filling substance
8. Music that goes on forever
9. Fear of salmon
10. Subject usually studied a night
CHOICES:
a. Diesel
b. Pinkie
c. ESL
d. Realistic
e. Dreadlocks
f. Lawyer
g. Electric Field
h. Liar
i. Spy ring
j. Eternal soul
Answers:
1. d - Realistic (without fancy)
2. e - Electric Field
3. f - Lawyer
4. i - Spy ring
5. b - Pinkie (the pinkie finger types the letters p and q)
6. h - Liar
7. a - Diesel
8. j - Eternal soul
9. e - Dreadlocks (lox)
10. c - ESL (most students are adults with day jobs)
Credits:
3-5: Brendan Emmett Quigley (NY Times Crossword)
6: Jack McInturff
8: Stella Daily and Bruce Venzke
9. Gary Steinmehl
10. Frederick J. Healy
NOT SO GRAND CANYON
If an uninteresting Arizona attraction is the BLAND CANYON, what do you call ...............
1. Uninteresting New York swaterway
2. Uninteresting South Dakota municipality
3. Uninteresting North Pacific area between Alaska and Russia
4. Uninteresting Great Lake
Answers:
1. Dreary Canal
2. Vapid City
3. Boring Sea
4. Lake Inferior
Credit:
Frances Burton (Ex. and #1-3)
If an uninteresting Arizona attraction is the BLAND CANYON, what do you call ...............
1. Uninteresting New York swaterway
2. Uninteresting South Dakota municipality
3. Uninteresting North Pacific area between Alaska and Russia
4. Uninteresting Great Lake
Answers:
1. Dreary Canal
2. Vapid City
3. Boring Sea
4. Lake Inferior
Credit:
Frances Burton (Ex. and #1-3)
The following sentence and phrases conceal related words. Can you spot them?
Battering ram
Hercules and the Hydra myth
Sports announcer
River Po undulates through northern Italy
Wait on the weather
Answers:
Hidden in each phrase or sentence is a unit of weight:
batterinG RAM
hercules and the hyDRA Myth
sports annOUNCEr
river PO UNDulates
waiT ON the weather
Battering ram
Hercules and the Hydra myth
Sports announcer
River Po undulates through northern Italy
Wait on the weather
Answers:
Hidden in each phrase or sentence is a unit of weight:
batterinG RAM
hercules and the hyDRA Myth
sports annOUNCEr
river PO UNDulates
waiT ON the weather
DUH VIII
An elderly woman lived in Canada, just over the North Dakota border. One day her son ran into the house holding a letter. "Mom," he said, "the government has decided that our land is really part of the United States. We can choose whether we're Americans or Canadians!"
"We'll say we're Americans," his mother said. "I couldn't stand another one of those Canadian winters."
An elderly woman lived in Canada, just over the North Dakota border. One day her son ran into the house holding a letter. "Mom," he said, "the government has decided that our land is really part of the United States. We can choose whether we're Americans or Canadians!"
"We'll say we're Americans," his mother said. "I couldn't stand another one of those Canadian winters."
Can you complete the Queen's reply?
Prince Philip looks out the window on Christmas Eve and sees an enormous model of Rudolph in the palace courtyard. "That's some reindeer," he says.
The Queen replies, "Yes, ........................
Answer:
"........... sixty-four years. That's a long time."
Explanation: Reindeer - reign, dear
Prince Philip looks out the window on Christmas Eve and sees an enormous model of Rudolph in the palace courtyard. "That's some reindeer," he says.
The Queen replies, "Yes, ........................
Answer:
"........... sixty-four years. That's a long time."
Explanation: Reindeer - reign, dear
The answers to the two clues below are three-word expressions. The first word of the first expression has four letters. The first word of the second expression has six letters. The two words differ only by the additional two letters in the middle of the second word.
1. Got a bit less dignified.
2. Got a bit more dignified.
Answers:
1. SHED some class
2. SHOWED some class
Credit: Jack McInturff
1. Got a bit less dignified.
2. Got a bit more dignified.
Answers:
1. SHED some class
2. SHOWED some class
Credit: Jack McInturff
What do the three-letter words below have in common, and what are the two five-letter words, either of which describes how they got to share that common feature?
ALE
ARE
OUR
RAP
RUB
HINT:
Definitions of the five-letter words:
1. Speak derisively
2. Provide recon
Answers:
What the clue word have in common:
Each word becomes a new one when preceded by SC:
SCALE, SCARE, SCOUR, SCRAP, SCRUB
The two five-letter words that explain the commonality:
1. SCOFF (SC off)
2. SCOUT (SC out)
Credit: Dan Naddor
ALE
ARE
OUR
RAP
RUB
HINT:
Definitions of the five-letter words:
1. Speak derisively
2. Provide recon
Answers:
What the clue word have in common:
Each word becomes a new one when preceded by SC:
SCALE, SCARE, SCOUR, SCRAP, SCRUB
The two five-letter words that explain the commonality:
1. SCOFF (SC off)
2. SCOUT (SC out)
Credit: Dan Naddor
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
ALTERED PROVINCE
The blanks in the flat below can be filled in with two words having the same first two letters
While trekking in Zimbabwe, a long
way from a zoo,
Attacked by a _ _ _ _ , I
almost lost a _ _ _ _ .
HINT:
Canadian provinces
Answers:
LION
LIMB - - - ON and MB are the abbreviations for Ontario and Manitoba.
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
November, 2019
R/EDS
The blanks in the flat below can be filled in with two words having the same first two letters
While trekking in Zimbabwe, a long
way from a zoo,
Attacked by a _ _ _ _ , I
almost lost a _ _ _ _ .
HINT:
Canadian provinces
Answers:
LION
LIMB - - - ON and MB are the abbreviations for Ontario and Manitoba.
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
November, 2019
R/EDS
POINTS TO PONDER XLVI
From Reader's Digest
Experiences shouldn't be prerecorded to be "aired" later in life. I've watched people at Yellowstone so bent on collecting "records" to enjoy later that they missed the beauty of the park. They were so busy shooting pictures, buying souvenirs and T-shirts, that they never took a minute to stand and soak in that spectacular place.
We can't prerecord our life to replay later, because at the replay we're only spectators. The joy comes form the participation. Preoccupation with preservation doesn't heighten an experience, it diminishes it.
Don Aslett
************************************
I have always thought it would be a blessing if each person could be blind and deaf for a few days during his early adult life. Darkness would make him appreciate sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.
Helen Keller
************************************
People have the illusion that all over the world, all the time, all kinds of fantastic things are happening. When in fact, over most of the world, most of the time, nothing is happening.
David Brinkley
From Reader's Digest
Experiences shouldn't be prerecorded to be "aired" later in life. I've watched people at Yellowstone so bent on collecting "records" to enjoy later that they missed the beauty of the park. They were so busy shooting pictures, buying souvenirs and T-shirts, that they never took a minute to stand and soak in that spectacular place.
We can't prerecord our life to replay later, because at the replay we're only spectators. The joy comes form the participation. Preoccupation with preservation doesn't heighten an experience, it diminishes it.
Don Aslett
************************************
I have always thought it would be a blessing if each person could be blind and deaf for a few days during his early adult life. Darkness would make him appreciate sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.
Helen Keller
************************************
People have the illusion that all over the world, all the time, all kinds of fantastic things are happening. When in fact, over most of the world, most of the time, nothing is happening.
David Brinkley
Sunday, January 19, 2020
RHYMING RIDDLE ANSWERS LXXIII
The answers to each item in the clues will rhyme.
1. International financial organization, Aquarium, Major - for one, Appeal for candor
2. Oft-rattled weapon metaphorically, Hard work, Mr. Rogers would be a good one, Old Testament mountain and battle site
3. Exhausted, Exhausted, Certain intersection, Discussing one's work
4. English trash can, Exotic soup, Like one of Dorothy's companion in Oz, Smirk
5. What you may do if you commit a crime, Metaphor for good brakes, 7-Up and Sprite soda flavor, Where you are in your most fruitful years
6. String quarter member, Light dessert, Scream, Calm and easygoing
7. "Break a leg" is one, "Horse" is one, "Positive" is one, "The meek shall inherit the earth" is one.
8. Charlie Brown catchphrase, You might utter one after getting out of a tense situation, 1955 Alfred Hitchcock drama starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, Life after death - to some
Answers:
1. World Bank, Fish tank, Military rank, "Let's be frank"
2. Saber, Labor, Neighbor, Tabor
3. Too pooped to pop, Ready to drop, Four-way stop, Talking shop
4. Dust bin, Shark fin, Made of tin, Silly grin
5. Serve the time, Stop on a dime, Lemon lime, In your prime
6. Cello, Jello, Bellow, Mellow
7. Platitude, Latitude, Attitude, Beatitude
8. "Good grief," Sigh of relief, To Catch a Thief, Religious belief, "
The answers to each item in the clues will rhyme.
1. International financial organization, Aquarium, Major - for one, Appeal for candor
2. Oft-rattled weapon metaphorically, Hard work, Mr. Rogers would be a good one, Old Testament mountain and battle site
3. Exhausted, Exhausted, Certain intersection, Discussing one's work
4. English trash can, Exotic soup, Like one of Dorothy's companion in Oz, Smirk
5. What you may do if you commit a crime, Metaphor for good brakes, 7-Up and Sprite soda flavor, Where you are in your most fruitful years
6. String quarter member, Light dessert, Scream, Calm and easygoing
7. "Break a leg" is one, "Horse" is one, "Positive" is one, "The meek shall inherit the earth" is one.
8. Charlie Brown catchphrase, You might utter one after getting out of a tense situation, 1955 Alfred Hitchcock drama starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, Life after death - to some
Answers:
1. World Bank, Fish tank, Military rank, "Let's be frank"
2. Saber, Labor, Neighbor, Tabor
3. Too pooped to pop, Ready to drop, Four-way stop, Talking shop
4. Dust bin, Shark fin, Made of tin, Silly grin
5. Serve the time, Stop on a dime, Lemon lime, In your prime
6. Cello, Jello, Bellow, Mellow
7. Platitude, Latitude, Attitude, Beatitude
8. "Good grief," Sigh of relief, To Catch a Thief, Religious belief, "
QUOTES CI
Beware of monotony; it's the mother of all the deadly sins.
Edith Wharton
Watching a teenager on his smartphone, I realized that the idiom "all thumbs" might be doomed.
Calvin Trillin
The reason we struggle with insecurity is that we compare our blooper reel with everyone else's highlight reel.
Pastor Steven Furtick
I think the most unamerican thing you can say is, "You can't say that."
Garrison Keillor
My heroes are Larry Bird, Admiral Bird, Lady Bird, Sheryl Crow, Chick Corea, the inventor of birdseed, and anyone who reads to you even if they're tired.
Big Bird
Beware of monotony; it's the mother of all the deadly sins.
Edith Wharton
Watching a teenager on his smartphone, I realized that the idiom "all thumbs" might be doomed.
Calvin Trillin
The reason we struggle with insecurity is that we compare our blooper reel with everyone else's highlight reel.
Pastor Steven Furtick
I think the most unamerican thing you can say is, "You can't say that."
Garrison Keillor
My heroes are Larry Bird, Admiral Bird, Lady Bird, Sheryl Crow, Chick Corea, the inventor of birdseed, and anyone who reads to you even if they're tired.
Big Bird
NY Times Crossword
January 16, 2020
Erik Agard and Jeff Chen
Here's a tricky one. (This is a hint/pun.)
The same phonetic change can be made to each word below to make a new word. Can you determine the change and find the new words?
1. BROWNIE
2. HONEY BEE
3. GENEALOGY
4. JOURNEYMAN
HINT:
Recently, certain well-known people have used this action as an act of protest during the playing of the National Anthem.
Answer:
If you phonetically "take a knee" out of each clue, you are left with new words:
1. BROW
2. HUBBY
3. GEOLOGY
4. GERMAN
January 16, 2020
Erik Agard and Jeff Chen
Here's a tricky one. (This is a hint/pun.)
The same phonetic change can be made to each word below to make a new word. Can you determine the change and find the new words?
1. BROWNIE
2. HONEY BEE
3. GENEALOGY
4. JOURNEYMAN
HINT:
Recently, certain well-known people have used this action as an act of protest during the playing of the National Anthem.
Answer:
If you phonetically "take a knee" out of each clue, you are left with new words:
1. BROW
2. HUBBY
3. GEOLOGY
4. GERMAN
NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle
January 19, 2020
Will Shortz
What do the following pairs of words have in common?
1. INCH - RING
2. LURE - POLO
3. KNEE - NEAL
4. BUSY - SIRE
5. RACE - HIRE
6. RAGE - RIPE
7. LUGE - HOSE
8. OPUS - POLO
Answer:
Each set of words can be re-arranged into rhyming anagrams:
1. CHIN - GRIN
2. RULE - POOL
3. KEEN - LEAN
4. BUYS - RISE
5. CARE - HEIR
6. GEAR - PIER
7. GLUE - SHOE
8. SOUP - LOOP
January 19, 2020
Will Shortz
What do the following pairs of words have in common?
1. INCH - RING
2. LURE - POLO
3. KNEE - NEAL
4. BUSY - SIRE
5. RACE - HIRE
6. RAGE - RIPE
7. LUGE - HOSE
8. OPUS - POLO
Answer:
Each set of words can be re-arranged into rhyming anagrams:
1. CHIN - GRIN
2. RULE - POOL
3. KEEN - LEAN
4. BUYS - RISE
5. CARE - HEIR
6. GEAR - PIER
7. GLUE - SHOE
8. SOUP - LOOP
THREE RHYMING RIDDLES
1)
My first is in ocean, but not in sea,
My second in wasp, but not in bee;
My third in glider and also in flight,
My whole a creature that comes out at night.
2)
My first is in window, but not in pane,
My second in road, but not in lane;
My third is in oval, but not in round,
My fourth in hearing, but not in sound.
My whole a sign of peace,
From the Ark won quick release.
3)
My first is in fish and also chips,
My second in mouth, but not in lips;
My third is in ache, but not in pain,
My fourth is my third all over again.
My fifth is in pupil, but not in class,
My whole a beast that feeds on grass.
Anwers:
1. Bat
2. Dove
3. Sheep
1)
My first is in ocean, but not in sea,
My second in wasp, but not in bee;
My third in glider and also in flight,
My whole a creature that comes out at night.
2)
My first is in window, but not in pane,
My second in road, but not in lane;
My third is in oval, but not in round,
My fourth in hearing, but not in sound.
My whole a sign of peace,
From the Ark won quick release.
3)
My first is in fish and also chips,
My second in mouth, but not in lips;
My third is in ache, but not in pain,
My fourth is my third all over again.
My fifth is in pupil, but not in class,
My whole a beast that feeds on grass.
Anwers:
1. Bat
2. Dove
3. Sheep
Saturday, January 18, 2020
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Where are all the fairy tale characters of our youth? For example,
Q. What's Cinderella doing now?
A. Having a ball
Try these:
1. How does Goldilocks go out now?
2. Where are Hansel and Gretel now?
3. Where do Jack and Jill live now?
4. What is Beauty doing now?
5. What's Little Red Riding Hood doing now?
6. What's going on with the Three Little Pigs now?
Answers:
1. Loaded for bear
2. Out of the woods
3. Over the hill
4. She's divorced and looking for another Beast.
5. She's trying to convince Grandma not to cut her out of the will.
6. They're still living in the brick house, but the Third Little Pig is getting pretty tired of it.
Credit: John Greenman (Ex. and #1-3)
Where are all the fairy tale characters of our youth? For example,
Q. What's Cinderella doing now?
A. Having a ball
Try these:
1. How does Goldilocks go out now?
2. Where are Hansel and Gretel now?
3. Where do Jack and Jill live now?
4. What is Beauty doing now?
5. What's Little Red Riding Hood doing now?
6. What's going on with the Three Little Pigs now?
Answers:
1. Loaded for bear
2. Out of the woods
3. Over the hill
4. She's divorced and looking for another Beast.
5. She's trying to convince Grandma not to cut her out of the will.
6. They're still living in the brick house, but the Third Little Pig is getting pretty tired of it.
Credit: John Greenman (Ex. and #1-3)
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT XLVIII
Did you hear about ...........................
1. The golden oldie about Japanese food preparation?
2. The cook who wanted to double the recipe?
3. The Christmas play produced by the atheists?
4. The lawyer who didn't like what the restaurant offered?
Answers:
1. "If you knew sushi like I know sushi .............."
2. The oven wouldn't go to 700 degrees.
3. It was called Coincidence on 34th Street.
4. He asked for a change of menu.
Credit:
1: Donna S. Levin
2: Jay Trachman
3: Jay Leno
Did you hear about ...........................
1. The golden oldie about Japanese food preparation?
2. The cook who wanted to double the recipe?
3. The Christmas play produced by the atheists?
4. The lawyer who didn't like what the restaurant offered?
Answers:
1. "If you knew sushi like I know sushi .............."
2. The oven wouldn't go to 700 degrees.
3. It was called Coincidence on 34th Street.
4. He asked for a change of menu.
Credit:
1: Donna S. Levin
2: Jay Trachman
3: Jay Leno
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT - 2018
Below are some "winners" from the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest of 2018. Please see the DARK AN STORMY NIGHT post of July 8, 2014 for an explanation of this contest.
Grand Prize - Runner Up
Dreaded Pirate Larry was somewhat worried, as he looked down at his boot, where his first mate was stretched out, making whooshing sounds, attempting to blow him over, that despite having the fastest ship, the most eye patches, and the prettiest parrots, his crew may need a few lessons on the difference between literal and figurative, as evidenced by the rest of the crew applying ice to the timbers.
Shelley Siddall, West Kelowna, BC, Canada
Adventure - Winner
Eli Jacob Crowley, the famed pioneer figure who spearheaded America's westward expansion by blazing the Crowley Trail in 1838, was an awe-inspiring figure of a man, as stout as a four-century-old oak, as intellectually complex as the fronds of a Florida palm, as singularly focused as the trunk of a Giant Sequoia, though in all other respects, not like a tree at all.
John Hardi, Falls Church, VA
Children's Literature - Winner
Hi, my name is Neptune Galapagos Cooper, I'm 13, I live in the suburbs with my middle-class white family (my SUPER ANNOYING little brother, my parents, who are sooooo lame, and my dog Bailey, the only one who really gets me) and there's one thing you should know about me: I'm not like other girls.
Rachel Koch, Blackstone, MA
Crime/Detective - Dishonorable Mention
For rookie detective Lara Stinson, the hardest aspect of her most recent case was not discovering that the adolescent victim had been thrown from the tenth story of the apartment building by his own grandmother, but rather trying to spell "defenestration by octogenarian" in her subsequent report.
Thomas Purdy, Roseville, CA
Romance - Winner
Phoebe sighed happily as she read the text form Mark asking her to be "friends with benefits," as she thought maybe, just maybe, she would finally get that 401k and dental insurance.
Amber Burns, Calhoun, GA
Romance - Dishonorable Mention
She was the most desired object in the room, not unlike the last deviled egg at an Easter Day potluck.
Christine Hamilton
The Contessa's heart was pounding hard and fast, like an out-of-balance washing machine, which can get that way if you mix jeans with a lot of light things, though the new ones have some sort of sensor thing to counteract that or shut it off, but the Contessa's heart didn't have anything like that, so she had to sit down and tell Don Rolando to cool it for a while.
John Hardi, Falls Church, VA
Walking home, picking crushed bouquet bits form his hair and lapel, it occurred to Stan that perhaps "spotless" was the wrong compliment for Evelyn's home so soon after the incident between the Mazda and her beloved Dalmation.
Steve Lauducci, Bethlehem, PA
Below are some "winners" from the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest of 2018. Please see the DARK AN STORMY NIGHT post of July 8, 2014 for an explanation of this contest.
Grand Prize - Runner Up
Dreaded Pirate Larry was somewhat worried, as he looked down at his boot, where his first mate was stretched out, making whooshing sounds, attempting to blow him over, that despite having the fastest ship, the most eye patches, and the prettiest parrots, his crew may need a few lessons on the difference between literal and figurative, as evidenced by the rest of the crew applying ice to the timbers.
Shelley Siddall, West Kelowna, BC, Canada
Adventure - Winner
Eli Jacob Crowley, the famed pioneer figure who spearheaded America's westward expansion by blazing the Crowley Trail in 1838, was an awe-inspiring figure of a man, as stout as a four-century-old oak, as intellectually complex as the fronds of a Florida palm, as singularly focused as the trunk of a Giant Sequoia, though in all other respects, not like a tree at all.
John Hardi, Falls Church, VA
Children's Literature - Winner
Hi, my name is Neptune Galapagos Cooper, I'm 13, I live in the suburbs with my middle-class white family (my SUPER ANNOYING little brother, my parents, who are sooooo lame, and my dog Bailey, the only one who really gets me) and there's one thing you should know about me: I'm not like other girls.
Rachel Koch, Blackstone, MA
Crime/Detective - Dishonorable Mention
For rookie detective Lara Stinson, the hardest aspect of her most recent case was not discovering that the adolescent victim had been thrown from the tenth story of the apartment building by his own grandmother, but rather trying to spell "defenestration by octogenarian" in her subsequent report.
Thomas Purdy, Roseville, CA
Romance - Winner
Phoebe sighed happily as she read the text form Mark asking her to be "friends with benefits," as she thought maybe, just maybe, she would finally get that 401k and dental insurance.
Amber Burns, Calhoun, GA
Romance - Dishonorable Mention
She was the most desired object in the room, not unlike the last deviled egg at an Easter Day potluck.
Christine Hamilton
The Contessa's heart was pounding hard and fast, like an out-of-balance washing machine, which can get that way if you mix jeans with a lot of light things, though the new ones have some sort of sensor thing to counteract that or shut it off, but the Contessa's heart didn't have anything like that, so she had to sit down and tell Don Rolando to cool it for a while.
John Hardi, Falls Church, VA
Walking home, picking crushed bouquet bits form his hair and lapel, it occurred to Stan that perhaps "spotless" was the wrong compliment for Evelyn's home so soon after the incident between the Mazda and her beloved Dalmation.
Steve Lauducci, Bethlehem, PA
THE IG NOBEL PRIZE - 2018 WINNERS
The Ig Nobel Prize is a parody of the Nobel Prize. It's all in good, dorky fun, but there's also a serious side to the Ig Nobels. The prizes are co-sponsored by The Annals of Improbable Research and are designed "first to make you laugh, and then to make you think."
Physics - For demonstrating that, on icy footpaths in wintertime, people slip and fall less often if they wear socks on the outside of their shoes.
Medicine - For the discovery that a roller-coaster ride can relieve symptoms of asthma and aid in passing a kidney stone.
Chemistry - For measuring the degree to which human saliva is a good cleaning agent for dirty surfaces.
Literature - For documenting that most people who use complicated products do not read the instruction manual.
Peace - For measuring the frequency, motivation, and effects of shouting and cursing while driving an automobile
Economics - For investigating whether it is effective for employees to use Voodoo dolls to retaliate against abusive bosses.
The Ig Nobel Prize is a parody of the Nobel Prize. It's all in good, dorky fun, but there's also a serious side to the Ig Nobels. The prizes are co-sponsored by The Annals of Improbable Research and are designed "first to make you laugh, and then to make you think."
Physics - For demonstrating that, on icy footpaths in wintertime, people slip and fall less often if they wear socks on the outside of their shoes.
Medicine - For the discovery that a roller-coaster ride can relieve symptoms of asthma and aid in passing a kidney stone.
Chemistry - For measuring the degree to which human saliva is a good cleaning agent for dirty surfaces.
Literature - For documenting that most people who use complicated products do not read the instruction manual.
Peace - For measuring the frequency, motivation, and effects of shouting and cursing while driving an automobile
Economics - For investigating whether it is effective for employees to use Voodoo dolls to retaliate against abusive bosses.
Friday, January 17, 2020
What do the following three-letter words have in common that has nothing to do with their meanings?
1. BAN
2. TOT
3. LEG
4. FIN
5. TUB
HINT:
The same two letters will change each word into a new one.
Answer:
The letters AL can be added to the ends of the clue words to make new words:
1. BANAL
2. TOTAL
3. LEGAL
4. FINAL
5. TUBAL
1. BAN
2. TOT
3. LEG
4. FIN
5. TUB
HINT:
The same two letters will change each word into a new one.
Answer:
The letters AL can be added to the ends of the clue words to make new words:
1. BANAL
2. TOTAL
3. LEGAL
4. FINAL
5. TUBAL
ANTIGRAMS III
An antigram is a self-contradictory anagram. For example, UNITED - UNTIED. Can you determine an antigram for the following words?
1. VOTE
2. DEFIANT
3. TRUE LADY
4. CRUDE M.O.
5. DIPLOMACY (two words)
6. BUTCHERS (two words)
7. EARLIEST (two words)
8. FORTY-FIVE (two words)
9. ANTAGONIST (two words)
10. HONESTLY (three words)
11. DEMONIACAL (three words)
12. MISFORTUNE (three words)
13. A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN (six words)
Answers:
1. VETO
2. FAINTED
3. ADULTERY
4. DECORUM
5. MAD POLICY
6. CUT HERBS
7. ARISE LATE
8. OVER FIFTY
9. NOT AGAINST
10. ON THE SLY
11. A DOCILE MAN
12. IT'S MORE FUN
13. I NEVER RUN TO A FLAME
An antigram is a self-contradictory anagram. For example, UNITED - UNTIED. Can you determine an antigram for the following words?
1. VOTE
2. DEFIANT
3. TRUE LADY
4. CRUDE M.O.
5. DIPLOMACY (two words)
6. BUTCHERS (two words)
7. EARLIEST (two words)
8. FORTY-FIVE (two words)
9. ANTAGONIST (two words)
10. HONESTLY (three words)
11. DEMONIACAL (three words)
12. MISFORTUNE (three words)
13. A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN (six words)
Answers:
1. VETO
2. FAINTED
3. ADULTERY
4. DECORUM
5. MAD POLICY
6. CUT HERBS
7. ARISE LATE
8. OVER FIFTY
9. NOT AGAINST
10. ON THE SLY
11. A DOCILE MAN
12. IT'S MORE FUN
13. I NEVER RUN TO A FLAME
Thursday, January 16, 2020
The answers to the flat below are heteronyms - words that are pronounced completely differently even though they are spelled exactly the same. In this case, disregard capitalization and punctuation marks.
Choose a favorite SINGLE play?
Out of many works of note,
"Long Day's Journey Into Night"
Is the DOUBLE give my vote.
Answers:
O'Neill - one I'll
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
530nm330Hz
Choose a favorite SINGLE play?
Out of many works of note,
"Long Day's Journey Into Night"
Is the DOUBLE give my vote.
Answers:
O'Neill - one I'll
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
530nm330Hz
Either of two words can replace JAIL in this flat. The two words differ only by a single letter and they are inter-changeable.
If you want to make sure
That I'm really in stir,
Then come see me in JAIL -
And before I make bail.
Answer:
Then come see me in PERSON/PRISON
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
BEYOND
If you want to make sure
That I'm really in stir,
Then come see me in JAIL -
And before I make bail.
Answer:
Then come see me in PERSON/PRISON
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
BEYOND
LETTER BANK XXIX
A letter bank is the shorter of two words, whose letters may be used to make a longer word. The letters may be repeated as necessary, but no other letters are allowed. For example, IMPS is a letter bank for MISSISSIPPI.
Lettuce is a SHORT we eat,
In a LONG (from chickpeas), it's a treat
Answer:
LEAF
FALAFEL
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
BROBBERTY
A letter bank is the shorter of two words, whose letters may be used to make a longer word. The letters may be repeated as necessary, but no other letters are allowed. For example, IMPS is a letter bank for MISSISSIPPI.
Lettuce is a SHORT we eat,
In a LONG (from chickpeas), it's a treat
Answer:
LEAF
FALAFEL
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
BROBBERTY
The answer words to this flat differ only by a single letter, as indicated by the cue words.
The town hosts a mixer each Saturday night,
For those with no husband and those with no wife.
Those who are WEIGHT are encouraged to HEIGHT,
And perhaps find the one - the love of their life.
Answer:
Those who are SINGLE are encouraged to MINGLE.
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
A. CHEMEM
The town hosts a mixer each Saturday night,
For those with no husband and those with no wife.
Those who are WEIGHT are encouraged to HEIGHT,
And perhaps find the one - the love of their life.
Answer:
Those who are SINGLE are encouraged to MINGLE.
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
A. CHEMEM
The answers to the clues below will have something in common.
1. Department in charge of personnel
2. Department where the spin doctors spin
3. Iconic car of the '60s
4. Greatest thing on a turntable
5. Boy/Girl determiners
6. What suntan lotions provide
7. Memory device for a computer
8. Computer substitute for the human mind
Answers:
1. HR (human resources)
2. PR (public relations)
3. VW beetle
4. LP record
5. XY chromosomes
6. UV protection
7. CD Rom
8. AI (artificial intelligence)
1. Department in charge of personnel
2. Department where the spin doctors spin
3. Iconic car of the '60s
4. Greatest thing on a turntable
5. Boy/Girl determiners
6. What suntan lotions provide
7. Memory device for a computer
8. Computer substitute for the human mind
Answers:
1. HR (human resources)
2. PR (public relations)
3. VW beetle
4. LP record
5. XY chromosomes
6. UV protection
7. CD Rom
8. AI (artificial intelligence)
FOUR RIDDLES
1. Who was Socrates' worst student?
2. Why can't you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom?
3. How do you know John Lennon was a really bad Clue player?
4. Why was famed Viking explorer Erikson's name not on the town register?
Answers:
1. Mediocrates
2. The P is silent.
3. "Lucy, In the sky, With diamonds"
4. A local official had taken Leif off his census.
1. Who was Socrates' worst student?
2. Why can't you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom?
3. How do you know John Lennon was a really bad Clue player?
4. Why was famed Viking explorer Erikson's name not on the town register?
Answers:
1. Mediocrates
2. The P is silent.
3. "Lucy, In the sky, With diamonds"
4. A local official had taken Leif off his census.
LA Times Crossword
January 7, 2020
David Poole
The same word is concealed in the four phrases below. The letters are in consecutive order, but scrambled. A hint to the hidden word is given in the fifth clue.
1. KID AROUND
2. WORD ASSOCIATION
3. KOMODO DRAGON
4. SALVADOR ALLENDE
5. Popular ice cream flavor
Answers:
1. kiD AROund
2. wORD Association
3. komodO DRAgon
4. salvDOR Allende
5. Rocky road - - - the hidden, scrambled (rocky) word is ROAD.
January 7, 2020
David Poole
The same word is concealed in the four phrases below. The letters are in consecutive order, but scrambled. A hint to the hidden word is given in the fifth clue.
1. KID AROUND
2. WORD ASSOCIATION
3. KOMODO DRAGON
4. SALVADOR ALLENDE
5. Popular ice cream flavor
Answers:
1. kiD AROund
2. wORD Association
3. komodO DRAgon
4. salvDOR Allende
5. Rocky road - - - the hidden, scrambled (rocky) word is ROAD.
BE A BETTER ANAGRAMMER XXXVII
Many words differ in spelling by only one letter, yet look very different from each other. Can you match the words in Column I with their one-letter off anagrams in Column II?
Column I Column II
1. SPIRAL ATTIRE
2. ABIDE GEYSER
3. EGRESS DOCILE
4. HEIST PARADE
5.YELLOW PILLAR
6. ROBOT SIGHT
7. CODDLE GREASE
8. JERSEY DEBIT
9. TIRADE ABORT
10. DIAPER SLOWLY
Answers:
1. SPIRAL - PILLAR
2. ABIDE - DEBIT
3. EGRESS - GREASE
4. HEIST - SIGHT
5. YELLOW - SLOWLY
6. ROBOT - ABORT
7. CODDLE - DOCILE
8. JERSEY - GEYSER
9. TIRADE - ATTIRE
10. DIAPER - PARADE
Many words differ in spelling by only one letter, yet look very different from each other. Can you match the words in Column I with their one-letter off anagrams in Column II?
Column I Column II
1. SPIRAL ATTIRE
2. ABIDE GEYSER
3. EGRESS DOCILE
4. HEIST PARADE
5.YELLOW PILLAR
6. ROBOT SIGHT
7. CODDLE GREASE
8. JERSEY DEBIT
9. TIRADE ABORT
10. DIAPER SLOWLY
Answers:
1. SPIRAL - PILLAR
2. ABIDE - DEBIT
3. EGRESS - GREASE
4. HEIST - SIGHT
5. YELLOW - SLOWLY
6. ROBOT - ABORT
7. CODDLE - DOCILE
8. JERSEY - GEYSER
9. TIRADE - ATTIRE
10. DIAPER - PARADE
JOKES
The next time somebody tells you nothing is impossible, ask him to put a pair of skis over his shoulder and go through a revolving door.
**********************************
Scene: Bar
Customer: What's the Wi-Fi password?
Bartender: You need to buy a drink first.
Customer: OK, I'll have a Coke.
Bartender: Three dollars.
Customer: There you go. So what's the Wi-Fi password?
Bartender: "You need to buy a drink first." No spaces, all lower case.
The next time somebody tells you nothing is impossible, ask him to put a pair of skis over his shoulder and go through a revolving door.
**********************************
Scene: Bar
Customer: What's the Wi-Fi password?
Bartender: You need to buy a drink first.
Customer: OK, I'll have a Coke.
Bartender: Three dollars.
Customer: There you go. So what's the Wi-Fi password?
Bartender: "You need to buy a drink first." No spaces, all lower case.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
ADD A LETTER - GET A NEW WORD CXIX
Add the designated letter to each word and re-arrange the letters to get a new word.
1. FETA + R
2. SINGE + R
3. CLEAN + G
4. AGENT + M
5. TREAD + I
6. ISSUE + T
7. PRIME + E
8. TINGE + S
9. PETITE + H
10. LOVERS + E
HINTS:
1. Time
2. Leave a job
3. Look
4. Some attract
5. Rant
6. Certain rooms
7. Vast area
8. Food
9. Nickname
10. Work things out
Answers:
1. AFTER
2. RESIGN
3. GLANCE
4. MAGNET
5. TIRADE
6. SUITES
7. EMPIRE
8. INGEST
9. EPITHET
10. RESOLVE
Add the designated letter to each word and re-arrange the letters to get a new word.
1. FETA + R
2. SINGE + R
3. CLEAN + G
4. AGENT + M
5. TREAD + I
6. ISSUE + T
7. PRIME + E
8. TINGE + S
9. PETITE + H
10. LOVERS + E
HINTS:
1. Time
2. Leave a job
3. Look
4. Some attract
5. Rant
6. Certain rooms
7. Vast area
8. Food
9. Nickname
10. Work things out
Answers:
1. AFTER
2. RESIGN
3. GLANCE
4. MAGNET
5. TIRADE
6. SUITES
7. EMPIRE
8. INGEST
9. EPITHET
10. RESOLVE
FACTUAL RIDDLES L
1. As of February, 2019, what is the only state capital without a McDonald's or Burger King within its city limits?
2. According to science, what is the world's saddest movie?
3. Why is the Canadian province of Manitoba abbreviated MB?
Answer:
1. Montpelier, Vermont
2. The Champ - The final scenes of the 1979 film, starring Jon Voight and Faye Dunaway, are so sad that the movie has been screened in more than 4,000 scientific studies that, for whatever reason, needed subjects to cry.
3. Manitoba's abbreviation MB is due to U.S. states already having abbreviations in all of the letters of the province's name except B.
(MA Massachusetts, MN Minnesota, MI Michigan, MT Montana, MO Missouri)
1. As of February, 2019, what is the only state capital without a McDonald's or Burger King within its city limits?
2. According to science, what is the world's saddest movie?
3. Why is the Canadian province of Manitoba abbreviated MB?
Answer:
1. Montpelier, Vermont
2. The Champ - The final scenes of the 1979 film, starring Jon Voight and Faye Dunaway, are so sad that the movie has been screened in more than 4,000 scientific studies that, for whatever reason, needed subjects to cry.
3. Manitoba's abbreviation MB is due to U.S. states already having abbreviations in all of the letters of the province's name except B.
(MA Massachusetts, MN Minnesota, MI Michigan, MT Montana, MO Missouri)
DUH VII
From Reader's Digest
Contributed by Kathy Rhodes Sales
As a school teacher expecting my first child, I had attended natural-childbirth classes. One of my classmates was in the hopital in labor at the same time I was. She quickly requested drugs to ease her pain, while I self-righteously toughed it out and gave birth aided only by my husband's coaching.
When the nurses rolled me out of the delivery room, I spotted a chalkboard. Beside my classmate's name was an A-; next to mine was a B+. "Alan, look at that!" I complained to my husband. She took all the drugs and they gave her an A-! I did it naturally and only got a B+!"
My husband said, "Kathy, that's your blood type."
From Reader's Digest
Contributed by Kathy Rhodes Sales
As a school teacher expecting my first child, I had attended natural-childbirth classes. One of my classmates was in the hopital in labor at the same time I was. She quickly requested drugs to ease her pain, while I self-righteously toughed it out and gave birth aided only by my husband's coaching.
When the nurses rolled me out of the delivery room, I spotted a chalkboard. Beside my classmate's name was an A-; next to mine was a B+. "Alan, look at that!" I complained to my husband. She took all the drugs and they gave her an A-! I did it naturally and only got a B+!"
My husband said, "Kathy, that's your blood type."
POINTS TO PONDER XLV
From Reader's Digest
I consider myself some sort of liberal, but I don't like where liberalism has gone in this country in the last 20 years. It's become mindless - Medallion-wearing and placard bearing. It's a cover also for a great deal of resentment and hatred, these terrible outbursts from people whose principles are affronted when you disagree with them.
Saul Bellow
********************************
Pride comes from an achievement that does not depend on others' approval. It is the hard-earned approval we grant ourselves. It prods us to distance ourselves from the herd.
Today, however, the word has been so debased that it is used to describe people whose only distinction is that they are part of the herd. People claim they are "proud" because they are gay, black, female, white, whatever, all of which are accidents of nature. Real pride make us distinctive, even if only in our mind's eye.
Pat Jordan
From Reader's Digest
I consider myself some sort of liberal, but I don't like where liberalism has gone in this country in the last 20 years. It's become mindless - Medallion-wearing and placard bearing. It's a cover also for a great deal of resentment and hatred, these terrible outbursts from people whose principles are affronted when you disagree with them.
Saul Bellow
********************************
Pride comes from an achievement that does not depend on others' approval. It is the hard-earned approval we grant ourselves. It prods us to distance ourselves from the herd.
Today, however, the word has been so debased that it is used to describe people whose only distinction is that they are part of the herd. People claim they are "proud" because they are gay, black, female, white, whatever, all of which are accidents of nature. Real pride make us distinctive, even if only in our mind's eye.
Pat Jordan
The answers to the clues below will have something in common.
1. Promptly
2. Dandruff
3. Semolina dish
4. State bird of Hawaii
5. Disease-carrying fly
6. Long, loose Hawaiian dress
7. Egyptian goddess of life and magic
8. Showy and frilly, but not of high quality
9. Asian appetizers like fried shrimp and egg rolls
Answers:
1. Chop-chop
2. Furfur
3. Couscous
4. Nene
5. Tsetse
6. Muumuu
7. Isis
8. Chichi
9. Pupu
1. Promptly
2. Dandruff
3. Semolina dish
4. State bird of Hawaii
5. Disease-carrying fly
6. Long, loose Hawaiian dress
7. Egyptian goddess of life and magic
8. Showy and frilly, but not of high quality
9. Asian appetizers like fried shrimp and egg rolls
Answers:
1. Chop-chop
2. Furfur
3. Couscous
4. Nene
5. Tsetse
6. Muumuu
7. Isis
8. Chichi
9. Pupu
TEN RHYMING RIDDLES
1)
When first I appear,
I seem mysterious;
But when I'm explained,
I'm nothing serious.
2)
I sleep by day,
I fly by night;
I have no feathers
To guide my flight.
3)
There dwell four sisters near this town,
In looks alike, and like in gown.
Round and round in a ring they run,
Chasing each other just for fun.
But even though they gather pace,
Between the three is equal space.
4)
My second is performed by my first,
And it's thought,
A thief by the marks of my whole
Might be caught.
5)
My teeth are sharp,
My back is straight;
To cut things up
Is my fate.
6)
Come up and we go,
Go down and we stay.
7)
Four fingers and a thumb,
Yet flesh and blood have we none.
8)
Black spots on a white face,
Throw us and we tumble all over the place.
9)
I'm a busy, active creature,
Full of mirth and playful nature;
Nimbly I step from tree to tree,
To get the food that's right for me.
10)
Two brother we are,
Great burdens we bear,
By which we are bitterly pressed;
In truth we may say,
We are full every day,
But empty when we go to rest.
Answers:
1. Riddle
2. Bat
3. Windmill
4. Footstep
5. Saw
6. Anchor
7. Glove
8. Dice
9. Squirrel
10. Pair of shoes
1)
When first I appear,
I seem mysterious;
But when I'm explained,
I'm nothing serious.
2)
I sleep by day,
I fly by night;
I have no feathers
To guide my flight.
3)
There dwell four sisters near this town,
In looks alike, and like in gown.
Round and round in a ring they run,
Chasing each other just for fun.
But even though they gather pace,
Between the three is equal space.
4)
My second is performed by my first,
And it's thought,
A thief by the marks of my whole
Might be caught.
5)
My teeth are sharp,
My back is straight;
To cut things up
Is my fate.
6)
Come up and we go,
Go down and we stay.
7)
Four fingers and a thumb,
Yet flesh and blood have we none.
8)
Black spots on a white face,
Throw us and we tumble all over the place.
9)
I'm a busy, active creature,
Full of mirth and playful nature;
Nimbly I step from tree to tree,
To get the food that's right for me.
10)
Two brother we are,
Great burdens we bear,
By which we are bitterly pressed;
In truth we may say,
We are full every day,
But empty when we go to rest.
Answers:
1. Riddle
2. Bat
3. Windmill
4. Footstep
5. Saw
6. Anchor
7. Glove
8. Dice
9. Squirrel
10. Pair of shoes
NY Times Crossword
January 20, 2020
Mary Lou Guizo
The answers to the clues below will have something in common.
1. Hold back
2. Give up
3. No more Mr. Nice Guy!
4. Say something that is too personal and hurtful
5. One engaged in friendly contention or debate
Answers:
1. Pull punches
2. Throw in the towel
3. The gloves are off!
4. Hit below the belt
5. Sparring partner - - - all boxing-related expressions
January 20, 2020
Mary Lou Guizo
The answers to the clues below will have something in common.
1. Hold back
2. Give up
3. No more Mr. Nice Guy!
4. Say something that is too personal and hurtful
5. One engaged in friendly contention or debate
Answers:
1. Pull punches
2. Throw in the towel
3. The gloves are off!
4. Hit below the belt
5. Sparring partner - - - all boxing-related expressions
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
The answers to the clues below will have something in common
1. Avoid direct opinions on important topics
2. Read the riot act to someone
3. Gets less strict about something
4. "I'm OK with that."
5. Metaphor for a reversed situation
6. Metaphor for generosity
Answers:
1. Skirt the issues
2. Dress down
3. Slacks off on
4. Suits me just fine
5. The shoe's on the other foot.
6. He'll give you the shirt off his back.
Credit:
1-4: Jim Holland
1. Avoid direct opinions on important topics
2. Read the riot act to someone
3. Gets less strict about something
4. "I'm OK with that."
5. Metaphor for a reversed situation
6. Metaphor for generosity
Answers:
1. Skirt the issues
2. Dress down
3. Slacks off on
4. Suits me just fine
5. The shoe's on the other foot.
6. He'll give you the shirt off his back.
Credit:
1-4: Jim Holland
Monday, January 13, 2020
The answers to the clues below will have something in common.
1. Arizona's colorful badlands
2. Lydia, in an old song
3. Feature of many cathedral windows
4. Art supply staple
5. LGBTQ banner
Answers:
1. Painted desert
2. Tattooed Lady
3. Stained glass
4. Colored pencils
5. Rainbow flag
Credit:
1-3: Donna S. Levin
1. Arizona's colorful badlands
2. Lydia, in an old song
3. Feature of many cathedral windows
4. Art supply staple
5. LGBTQ banner
Answers:
1. Painted desert
2. Tattooed Lady
3. Stained glass
4. Colored pencils
5. Rainbow flag
Credit:
1-3: Donna S. Levin
PARAPROSDOKIANS XX
From Reader's Digest
Contributed by Sheila Lane
At a grocery checkout counter, my father was sorting through various currencies, searching for U.S. dollars to pay for his purchases. "Look at all that foreign money," the cashier said, I bet you're going overseas."
"I'm an airline pilot," Dad explained." "I frequently fly to the Oreint."
"Oooh, a pilot! That must be exciting!"
"Not if I do it right," replied my father.
***********************************
From Reader's Digest
Contributed by @JENSTATSKY
1. On the 13th day of Christmas, my true love said to me, ".................
2. On the 13th day of Christmas, my true love said to me, ".................
Answers:
1. "Enough already."
2. "I think I might be a hoarder."
From Reader's Digest
Contributed by Sheila Lane
At a grocery checkout counter, my father was sorting through various currencies, searching for U.S. dollars to pay for his purchases. "Look at all that foreign money," the cashier said, I bet you're going overseas."
"I'm an airline pilot," Dad explained." "I frequently fly to the Oreint."
"Oooh, a pilot! That must be exciting!"
"Not if I do it right," replied my father.
***********************************
From Reader's Digest
Contributed by @JENSTATSKY
1. On the 13th day of Christmas, my true love said to me, ".................
2. On the 13th day of Christmas, my true love said to me, ".................
Answers:
1. "Enough already."
2. "I think I might be a hoarder."
Sunday, January 12, 2020
MISSING LINK CCXVI
Each trio of words below shares a Missing Link - that is, its members have something in common, obvious or not. For example, RIVERS, NOSES, & VIOLINS can all have BRIDGES.
1. Bed..........Bud..........Bowl
2. Work..........Rest..........Play
3. Bank..........Watch..........Cheese
4. Book..........Shop..........Circuit
5. West..........Lime..........Stroke
6. Fight..........Market..........Session
7. Bug..........Luck..........Liberty
8. Sea..........Space..........Secret
9. Fish..........Flea..........Flower
10. Getty..........Lincoln..........Rockefeller
Answers:
1. Rose
2. Area
3. Swiss
4. Closed
5. Key
6. Bull
7. Lady
8. Open
9. Kinds of markets
10. Names of Centers
Each trio of words below shares a Missing Link - that is, its members have something in common, obvious or not. For example, RIVERS, NOSES, & VIOLINS can all have BRIDGES.
1. Bed..........Bud..........Bowl
2. Work..........Rest..........Play
3. Bank..........Watch..........Cheese
4. Book..........Shop..........Circuit
5. West..........Lime..........Stroke
6. Fight..........Market..........Session
7. Bug..........Luck..........Liberty
8. Sea..........Space..........Secret
9. Fish..........Flea..........Flower
10. Getty..........Lincoln..........Rockefeller
Answers:
1. Rose
2. Area
3. Swiss
4. Closed
5. Key
6. Bull
7. Lady
8. Open
9. Kinds of markets
10. Names of Centers
MIND FLEXERS XXXVII
Answer each clue by matching it with one of the choices below. The relationships are disguised by double meanings and/or altered spacing within words. The choices are in random order.
1. Film with a stage
2. Standards' changer
3. This could be a bust
4. Labor day setting
5. Child publication
6. Where the Twins play
7. Pecking order
8. Lover of literature
9. Bad impression
10. Short circuit and power failure
CHOICES:
a. Statue
b. Dent
c. Double park
d. Kiss
e. Current events
f. Romeo
g. Nativity scene
h. Bar
i. Cookbook
j. Western
Answers:
1. j - Western (stagecoach)
2. h - Bar (raise/lower)
3. a - Statue
4. g - Nativity scene
5. i - Cookbook (Julia Child)
6. c - Double park
7. d - Kiss
8. f - Romeo
9. b - Dent
10. e - Current events (electrical)
Credits:
1: Richard Hughes
2: Lynn Lempel
3. Zhouqin Burnikel
4. Laura Taylor Kinnel
Answer each clue by matching it with one of the choices below. The relationships are disguised by double meanings and/or altered spacing within words. The choices are in random order.
1. Film with a stage
2. Standards' changer
3. This could be a bust
4. Labor day setting
5. Child publication
6. Where the Twins play
7. Pecking order
8. Lover of literature
9. Bad impression
10. Short circuit and power failure
CHOICES:
a. Statue
b. Dent
c. Double park
d. Kiss
e. Current events
f. Romeo
g. Nativity scene
h. Bar
i. Cookbook
j. Western
Answers:
1. j - Western (stagecoach)
2. h - Bar (raise/lower)
3. a - Statue
4. g - Nativity scene
5. i - Cookbook (Julia Child)
6. c - Double park
7. d - Kiss
8. f - Romeo
9. b - Dent
10. e - Current events (electrical)
Credits:
1: Richard Hughes
2: Lynn Lempel
3. Zhouqin Burnikel
4. Laura Taylor Kinnel
Saturday, January 11, 2020
The names and phrases below have something in common that has nothing to do with their meanings. It does have to do with a pattern in their letters. Can you spot it?
Celine Dion
President Nixon
Get directions
Best intentions
Be infeior
HINTS:
1. The letters make up a common refrain.
2. The letters in the pattern are all vowels.
Answer:
Each name and phrase has the vowel pattern E I E I O, with no other vowels in between.
Credit:
Don Gagliardo
Celine Dion
President Nixon
Get directions
Best intentions
Be infeior
HINTS:
1. The letters make up a common refrain.
2. The letters in the pattern are all vowels.
Answer:
Each name and phrase has the vowel pattern E I E I O, with no other vowels in between.
Credit:
Don Gagliardo
Friday, January 10, 2020
The partial words below can be completed by adding the same three letters, in the same order, to each of them. What are the letters and what are the new words?
GU _ _ _
AG _ _ _
EX _ _ _
ST _ _ _
AN _ _ _
HINT:
WH _ _ _ could be added to the list.
Answers:
The letters to be added are ILE:
GUILE
AGILE
EXILE
STILE
ANILE
(WHILE)
GU _ _ _
AG _ _ _
EX _ _ _
ST _ _ _
AN _ _ _
HINT:
WH _ _ _ could be added to the list.
Answers:
The letters to be added are ILE:
GUILE
AGILE
EXILE
STILE
ANILE
(WHILE)
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
SPEAKING OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES I
NY Times PUZZLEMANIA (special section)
December 15, 2019
Will Shortz
Each sentence below conceals the name of a foreign country phonetically somewhere inside it.
Ex: The stream was full of little eels.
Ans. Italy (little eels
1. We drew every polygon alike.
2. Hand-drawn ninja makes us laugh.
3. I meant to say thank you, but I forgot.
4. We had a cuckoo waiter at the restaurant
5. To write a temperature, use a degree symbol.
6. Did you see the Pokemon goalie announcement
7. I sometimes worry - do robots wanna take over the world?
8. Without being marked per se, shell zones can be found on many beaches.
Answers:
1. Ghana (polygon alike)
2. Jamaica (ninja make us)
3. Cuba (thank you, but)
4. Kuwait (cuckoo waiter)
5. Greece (degree symbol)
6. Mongolia (Pokemon goalie announcement
7. Botswana (robots wanna)
8. Seychelles (per se shell zones)
NY Times PUZZLEMANIA (special section)
December 15, 2019
Will Shortz
Each sentence below conceals the name of a foreign country phonetically somewhere inside it.
Ex: The stream was full of little eels.
Ans. Italy (little eels
1. We drew every polygon alike.
2. Hand-drawn ninja makes us laugh.
3. I meant to say thank you, but I forgot.
4. We had a cuckoo waiter at the restaurant
5. To write a temperature, use a degree symbol.
6. Did you see the Pokemon goalie announcement
7. I sometimes worry - do robots wanna take over the world?
8. Without being marked per se, shell zones can be found on many beaches.
Answers:
1. Ghana (polygon alike)
2. Jamaica (ninja make us)
3. Cuba (thank you, but)
4. Kuwait (cuckoo waiter)
5. Greece (degree symbol)
6. Mongolia (Pokemon goalie announcement
7. Botswana (robots wanna)
8. Seychelles (per se shell zones)
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
NY Times Crossword
December 19, 2019
Andy Kravis and Erik Agard (II)
The answers to the paired clues below share the same letters except for the two that can fill either side of the slash ( / ) mark. Use the clues below to determine the letters, and then try to see what two things they have in common. For example,
COMPA / CAR
Executive perk, maybe
It might fit in a tight spot
The answer words are COMPANY and COMPACT.
The letters before and after the slash mark are NY/CT.
1)
IN THE / Y
Obstructing
On paper
2)
A / ONE
"Volunteers?"
Play's start
3)
/ W GIRL
Dale Evans, for one
Young woman who just moved into the neighborhood
Answers:
1)
WAY
OR (IN THEORY) - - - WA/OR
2)
ANY
ACT - - - NY/CT
3)
COW
NEW - - - CO/NE
What the letters before and after the / have in common:
They are the postal abbreviations of U.S. states and the two states are contiguous!
December 19, 2019
Andy Kravis and Erik Agard (II)
The answers to the paired clues below share the same letters except for the two that can fill either side of the slash ( / ) mark. Use the clues below to determine the letters, and then try to see what two things they have in common. For example,
COMPA / CAR
Executive perk, maybe
It might fit in a tight spot
The answer words are COMPANY and COMPACT.
The letters before and after the slash mark are NY/CT.
1)
IN THE / Y
Obstructing
On paper
2)
A / ONE
"Volunteers?"
Play's start
3)
/ W GIRL
Dale Evans, for one
Young woman who just moved into the neighborhood
Answers:
1)
WAY
OR (IN THEORY) - - - WA/OR
2)
ANY
ACT - - - NY/CT
3)
COW
NEW - - - CO/NE
What the letters before and after the / have in common:
They are the postal abbreviations of U.S. states and the two states are contiguous!
FIVE RIDDLES
1. How can you distinguish between an alligator and a crocodile?
2. How do you know that hard-working ants still have time for fun?
3. What do you say to someone who has just become a vampire?
4. The Eskimos have 100 words for snow. Why are only 15 of them taught in school?
5. A little girl went to the dentist, and he told her she had only two baby teeth left. How did she respond?
Answers:
1. The alligator will see you later; the crocodile will see you in a while.
2. They like to go on picnics.
3. "Coagulations"
4. The other 85 are curse words.
5. "Well, there goes my main source of income."
1. How can you distinguish between an alligator and a crocodile?
2. How do you know that hard-working ants still have time for fun?
3. What do you say to someone who has just become a vampire?
4. The Eskimos have 100 words for snow. Why are only 15 of them taught in school?
5. A little girl went to the dentist, and he told her she had only two baby teeth left. How did she respond?
Answers:
1. The alligator will see you later; the crocodile will see you in a while.
2. They like to go on picnics.
3. "Coagulations"
4. The other 85 are curse words.
5. "Well, there goes my main source of income."
Monday, January 6, 2020
QUOTES C
Gardening, like life, requires courage. We must be brave enough to cut back the old and sit with bare branches, awaiting new growth. And we must trust that it will come.
Cheryl Richardson
We must learn to talk to people we disagree with because you can't unfriend everyone in real life.
Celeste Headlee
Visiting the Social Security office for the first time is like the first day of school when you were a child. You don't feel you really belong there, but there isn't much you can do about it.
Pearl Swiggum
The best way to get promoted in any organization is to help the person ahead of you get promoted.
Author Unknown
The distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion, however persistent.
Albert Einstein
Gardening, like life, requires courage. We must be brave enough to cut back the old and sit with bare branches, awaiting new growth. And we must trust that it will come.
Cheryl Richardson
We must learn to talk to people we disagree with because you can't unfriend everyone in real life.
Celeste Headlee
Visiting the Social Security office for the first time is like the first day of school when you were a child. You don't feel you really belong there, but there isn't much you can do about it.
Pearl Swiggum
The best way to get promoted in any organization is to help the person ahead of you get promoted.
Author Unknown
The distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion, however persistent.
Albert Einstein
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT XLVII
Did you hear about .......................
1. The guy who swallowed a dictionary?
2. The heart-broken tractor salesman?
3. The autobiography of Yogi Berra?
4. The buff fifth century warrior-king?
5. The guy who forgot how to throw a boomerang?
Answers:
1. He got thesaurus throat he'd ever had.
2. He got a John Deere letter.
3. It's titled I Catching.
4. Attila the Hunk
5. Eventually, it came back to him.
Credit:
4: Joy C. Frank
Did you hear about .......................
1. The guy who swallowed a dictionary?
2. The heart-broken tractor salesman?
3. The autobiography of Yogi Berra?
4. The buff fifth century warrior-king?
5. The guy who forgot how to throw a boomerang?
Answers:
1. He got thesaurus throat he'd ever had.
2. He got a John Deere letter.
3. It's titled I Catching.
4. Attila the Hunk
5. Eventually, it came back to him.
Credit:
4: Joy C. Frank
LETTER BANK XXVIII
The key word represented as EIGHT is a letter bank for the key word represented as TWELVE. That is, only the letters in key word EIGHT, repeated as necessary, may be used to form key word TWELVE. The two key words do indeed have twelve and eight letters, respectively.
Patricia raced atop her horse.
The dust blew in her eyes.
That TWELVE became an EIGHT,
But still her goal remained the prize.
HINT:
What's a 12-letter word for horsewoman?
Answer:
That EQUESTRIENNE became a SQUINTER
The key word represented as EIGHT is a letter bank for the key word represented as TWELVE. That is, only the letters in key word EIGHT, repeated as necessary, may be used to form key word TWELVE. The two key words do indeed have twelve and eight letters, respectively.
Patricia raced atop her horse.
The dust blew in her eyes.
That TWELVE became an EIGHT,
But still her goal remained the prize.
HINT:
What's a 12-letter word for horsewoman?
Answer:
That EQUESTRIENNE became a SQUINTER
INTERNAL PALINDROME DELETION
The longer, two-word answer in this flat contains a three-letter palindrome. When that palindrome is deleted, you will be left with the answer to the shorter clue.
The storm's fast approaching,
And I'm on board ship.
The wind is now howling,
The sails start to rip.
I'm tied to the main _ _ _ _
Lest I lose my grip.
I'm wearing a _ _ _ _ _ _ _
In case we do flip.
My life's worth preserving!
Why did I make this trip?
HINTS:
1. The internal palindrome is EWE.
2. _ _ E WE _ _
Answer:
I'm tied to the main MAST
I'm wearing a MAE WEST (life jacket)
MA(E WE)ST
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
WITZ
The longer, two-word answer in this flat contains a three-letter palindrome. When that palindrome is deleted, you will be left with the answer to the shorter clue.
The storm's fast approaching,
And I'm on board ship.
The wind is now howling,
The sails start to rip.
I'm tied to the main _ _ _ _
Lest I lose my grip.
I'm wearing a _ _ _ _ _ _ _
In case we do flip.
My life's worth preserving!
Why did I make this trip?
HINTS:
1. The internal palindrome is EWE.
2. _ _ E WE _ _
Answer:
I'm tied to the main MAST
I'm wearing a MAE WEST (life jacket)
MA(E WE)ST
Credit:
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
WITZ
Sunday, January 5, 2020
The Enigma
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
(LET IT) BEYOND
The answer words to this flat differ by only their second and fourth letters - which are both the same two vowels - reversed.
To India the Beatles went
And on its droning Eastern strings
Young George became a decent _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ,
While mordant John remained a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
Answers:
SITARIST
SATIRIST
NPL Magazine
October, 2019
(LET IT) BEYOND
The answer words to this flat differ by only their second and fourth letters - which are both the same two vowels - reversed.
To India the Beatles went
And on its droning Eastern strings
Young George became a decent _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ,
While mordant John remained a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
Answers:
SITARIST
SATIRIST
SPOONERISMS XVIII
A Spoonerism is a phrase in which the initial sounds of the words have been reversed, as in RIGHT LANE - LIGHT RAIN. In the Spoonerism below, the initial sounds of the two key words are not reversed, but replaced by two other initial sounds. The two new words formed are appropriately and cleverly related to the subject matter. Can you finish the quote below?
We had taken our daughter to see TheWizard of Oz. During the movie, we heard people whispering that a heavy snowfall had started, and we decided to leave before driving home became hazardous. As we dashed out of the theater, the manager looked at us quizzically.
My wife called out to him, "We're off to _____ _____ _____ ."
Answer:
"................................ flee the blizzard."
Credit: Reader's Digest
Contributed by Charles A. Lubetkin
A Spoonerism is a phrase in which the initial sounds of the words have been reversed, as in RIGHT LANE - LIGHT RAIN. In the Spoonerism below, the initial sounds of the two key words are not reversed, but replaced by two other initial sounds. The two new words formed are appropriately and cleverly related to the subject matter. Can you finish the quote below?
We had taken our daughter to see TheWizard of Oz. During the movie, we heard people whispering that a heavy snowfall had started, and we decided to leave before driving home became hazardous. As we dashed out of the theater, the manager looked at us quizzically.
My wife called out to him, "We're off to _____ _____ _____ ."
Answer:
"................................ flee the blizzard."
Credit: Reader's Digest
Contributed by Charles A. Lubetkin
INITIAL OFFERINGS
LA Times Crossword
January 5, 2020
David Kwong
The following three-word names and phrases share a common - though very obscure - property. Can you spot it? The puzzle title is a hint.
1. NEW DELHI, INDIA
2. OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN
3. PARDON THE INTERRUPTION
4. EARNED RUN AVERAGE
5. ALBANY, NEW YORK
6. EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
Answer:
Within each clue, in consecutive order, are the three initial letters of the clue:
1. new delhi, iNDIa
2. olivia newtON John
3. pardon the interruPTIon
4. earned run avERAge
5. albANY, new york
6. empire strikES Back
LA Times Crossword
January 5, 2020
David Kwong
The following three-word names and phrases share a common - though very obscure - property. Can you spot it? The puzzle title is a hint.
1. NEW DELHI, INDIA
2. OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN
3. PARDON THE INTERRUPTION
4. EARNED RUN AVERAGE
5. ALBANY, NEW YORK
6. EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
Answer:
Within each clue, in consecutive order, are the three initial letters of the clue:
1. new delhi, iNDIa
2. olivia newtON John
3. pardon the interruPTIon
4. earned run avERAge
5. albANY, new york
6. empire strikES Back
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Friday, January 3, 2020
BE A BETTER ANAGRAMMER XXXVI
Each word on the left is one letter off from another word - whose initial letter is given at the right. Can you determine the other word?
1. UPON - P
2. LINER - R
3. CRANK - R
4. HONEY - E
5. TIPTOE - P
6. GUILD - F
7. SIMMER - R
8. OUTBID - S
9. UNTRUE - N
10. ENTIRE - R
HINTS:
1. Weak
2. Rule
3. Farm
4. Fun
5. Small
6. Water
7. Negligent
8. Apartment
9. Fix, as an animal
10. Body part
Answers:
1. PUNY
2. REIGN
3. RANCH
4. ENJOY
5. PETITE
6. FLUID
7. REMISS
8. STUDIO
9. NEUTER
10. RETINA
Each word on the left is one letter off from another word - whose initial letter is given at the right. Can you determine the other word?
1. UPON - P
2. LINER - R
3. CRANK - R
4. HONEY - E
5. TIPTOE - P
6. GUILD - F
7. SIMMER - R
8. OUTBID - S
9. UNTRUE - N
10. ENTIRE - R
HINTS:
1. Weak
2. Rule
3. Farm
4. Fun
5. Small
6. Water
7. Negligent
8. Apartment
9. Fix, as an animal
10. Body part
Answers:
1. PUNY
2. REIGN
3. RANCH
4. ENJOY
5. PETITE
6. FLUID
7. REMISS
8. STUDIO
9. NEUTER
10. RETINA
QUOTES XCIX
Every person is a fool in somebody's opinion.
Spanish proverb
Applaud, my friends, the comedy is over.
Ludwig van Beethoven (said on his deathbed)
An optimist thinks this is the best of all worlds. A pessimist thinks he may be right.
Doug Larson
You cannot get ahead while you are getting even.
Rep. Dick Armey
I'm done with dating sites. I'm now focusing on pizza delivery guys because at least I know they have a job, a car, and pizza.
@ LINDAINDISGUISE
We worry about what a child will be tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.
Stacia Tauscher
Every person is a fool in somebody's opinion.
Spanish proverb
Applaud, my friends, the comedy is over.
Ludwig van Beethoven (said on his deathbed)
An optimist thinks this is the best of all worlds. A pessimist thinks he may be right.
Doug Larson
You cannot get ahead while you are getting even.
Rep. Dick Armey
I'm done with dating sites. I'm now focusing on pizza delivery guys because at least I know they have a job, a car, and pizza.
@ LINDAINDISGUISE
We worry about what a child will be tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.
Stacia Tauscher
What do the following words have in common?
1. Bar
2. Eye
3. Soup
4. Lake
5. Tail
6. Hole
7. Walk
8. Directions
HINT:
Each word can be preceded by a related word.
Answer:
Each word can be preceded by the name of a bird:
1. Crow bar
2. Eagle eye
3. Duck Soup
4. Swan Lake
5. Dovetail
6. Pigeonhole
7. Jaywalk
8. Cardinal directions
1. Bar
2. Eye
3. Soup
4. Lake
5. Tail
6. Hole
7. Walk
8. Directions
HINT:
Each word can be preceded by a related word.
Answer:
Each word can be preceded by the name of a bird:
1. Crow bar
2. Eagle eye
3. Duck Soup
4. Swan Lake
5. Dovetail
6. Pigeonhole
7. Jaywalk
8. Cardinal directions
The answers to the clues below will have something in common.
1. Kind of cookie, usually having a fruit center
2. One-time 3X5 stationery staple
3. Fifties' weight phenomenon for many
4. Prize on a carousel
5. Seal the deal, kid-style
Answers:
1. Thumbprint
2. Index card
3. Middle-age spread
4. Brass ring
5. Pinky-swear
Each answer names one of the fingers.
Credit:
Mark Diehl
1. Kind of cookie, usually having a fruit center
2. One-time 3X5 stationery staple
3. Fifties' weight phenomenon for many
4. Prize on a carousel
5. Seal the deal, kid-style
Answers:
1. Thumbprint
2. Index card
3. Middle-age spread
4. Brass ring
5. Pinky-swear
Each answer names one of the fingers.
Credit:
Mark Diehl
REBUS PUZZLES LXVI
1)
G FOCUS PROBE
A O C
L N L
AURORA A I
X T P
A A S
E
2)
O
P E A S
3)
VA DERS
4)
GIVE GET
GIVE GET
GIVE GET
GIVE GET
5)
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTVW
6)
KNEE
UR FULL OF
7)
FAREDCE
8)
NINE
CUMULUS
9)
JOBINJOB
10)
TAILR
RIALT
AIRTL
TLRIA
Answers:
1. Car collisions
2. Split pea soup (split PEAS O up)
3. Space invaders
4. Forgive and forget
5. Missing you (U)
6. You are full of baloney (below knee)
7. Red in the face
8. On cloud nine
9. In between jobs
10. Trail mix
Credits:
1. Don Gagliardo
2. The Enigma
NPL Magazine
November, 2019
ENDGAME
1)
G FOCUS PROBE
A O C
L N L
AURORA A I
X T P
A A S
E
2)
O
P E A S
3)
VA DERS
4)
GIVE GET
GIVE GET
GIVE GET
GIVE GET
5)
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTVW
6)
KNEE
UR FULL OF
7)
FAREDCE
8)
NINE
CUMULUS
9)
JOBINJOB
10)
TAILR
RIALT
AIRTL
TLRIA
Answers:
1. Car collisions
2. Split pea soup (split PEAS O up)
3. Space invaders
4. Forgive and forget
5. Missing you (U)
6. You are full of baloney (below knee)
7. Red in the face
8. On cloud nine
9. In between jobs
10. Trail mix
Credits:
1. Don Gagliardo
2. The Enigma
NPL Magazine
November, 2019
ENDGAME
The answers to the first thee clues are altered familiar expressions, explained by the answer to the fourth clue.
1. Feature of a clumsy dancing couple
2. Baseball team enjoying the Jacuzzi
3. Beloved Vivaldi piece on steroids
4. Even
Answers:
1. Four left feet
2. Nine men in a tub
3. Sixteen Seasons
4. All squared up
Explanation:
The first word (number) in each answer is the square of the first word (number) in the familiar expression:
2 (squared) left feet = Four left feet
3 (squared) men in a tub) = Nine men in a tub
4 (squared) Seasons = Sixteen seasons
Credit:
Jack McInturff
1. Feature of a clumsy dancing couple
2. Baseball team enjoying the Jacuzzi
3. Beloved Vivaldi piece on steroids
4. Even
Answers:
1. Four left feet
2. Nine men in a tub
3. Sixteen Seasons
4. All squared up
Explanation:
The first word (number) in each answer is the square of the first word (number) in the familiar expression:
2 (squared) left feet = Four left feet
3 (squared) men in a tub) = Nine men in a tub
4 (squared) Seasons = Sixteen seasons
Credit:
Jack McInturff
Thursday, January 2, 2020
COMMONPLACES
GAMES/World of Puzzles
December, 2019
Scott Erdman
What property do the names of these locations from around the globe share?
CYPRUS
SEOUL
NOME
WALES
GREECE
ROME
BOULDE
VAIL
ERIE
Answer:
They all have homophones:
CYPUS - cypress
SEOUL - soul/sole
NOME - gnome
WALES - wails/whales
GREECE - grease
ROME - roam
BOULDER - bolder
VAIL - veil/vale
ERIE - eerie
GAMES/World of Puzzles
December, 2019
Scott Erdman
What property do the names of these locations from around the globe share?
CYPRUS
SEOUL
NOME
WALES
GREECE
ROME
BOULDE
VAIL
ERIE
Answer:
They all have homophones:
CYPUS - cypress
SEOUL - soul/sole
NOME - gnome
WALES - wails/whales
GREECE - grease
ROME - roam
BOULDER - bolder
VAIL - veil/vale
ERIE - eerie
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
TRIPLE BONDS XIV
SPLIT ENDS II
GAMES/World of Puzzles
December, 2019
John McAllister
Note from JA: Some of the answers to this puzzle are product names and/or names celebrities, both of which I try to avoid. In this case, I felt that they served a broader purpose in support of the puzzle.
A two-word name or phrase can be placed between the two words of each clue below to give three over-lapping two-word names or phrases. For example, given the clue PORKY _____________ PAL, the answer would be PIG PEN, as in PORKY PIG, PIG PEN, PEN PAL.
1. TIMES __________ __________ CANAL
2. OUTER __________ __________ CODE
3. WAX __________ ____________ PLATE
4. JET __________ _____________ JOHNSON
5. BILLY __________ ___________ BARREL
6. DIRTY __________ _________ ANIMAL
7. FANNIE __________ __________ POINT
8. EMPTY __________ __________ SALAD
9. IRVING __________ __________ STREET
10. HEARTBREAK _______ _______ GIRLS
Answers:
1. TIMES SQUARE ROOT CANAL
2. OUTER SPACE BAR CODE
3. WAX POETIC LICENSE PLATE
4. JET BLACK MAGIC JOHNSON
5. BILLY GRAHAM CRACKER BARREL
6. DIRTY RAT PACK ANIMAL
7. FANNIE MAE WEST POINT
8. EMPTY NEST EGG SALAD
9. IRVING BERLIN WALL STREET
10. HEARTBREAK HOTEL CALIFORNIA GIRLS
SPLIT ENDS II
GAMES/World of Puzzles
December, 2019
John McAllister
Note from JA: Some of the answers to this puzzle are product names and/or names celebrities, both of which I try to avoid. In this case, I felt that they served a broader purpose in support of the puzzle.
A two-word name or phrase can be placed between the two words of each clue below to give three over-lapping two-word names or phrases. For example, given the clue PORKY _____________ PAL, the answer would be PIG PEN, as in PORKY PIG, PIG PEN, PEN PAL.
1. TIMES __________ __________ CANAL
2. OUTER __________ __________ CODE
3. WAX __________ ____________ PLATE
4. JET __________ _____________ JOHNSON
5. BILLY __________ ___________ BARREL
6. DIRTY __________ _________ ANIMAL
7. FANNIE __________ __________ POINT
8. EMPTY __________ __________ SALAD
9. IRVING __________ __________ STREET
10. HEARTBREAK _______ _______ GIRLS
Answers:
1. TIMES SQUARE ROOT CANAL
2. OUTER SPACE BAR CODE
3. WAX POETIC LICENSE PLATE
4. JET BLACK MAGIC JOHNSON
5. BILLY GRAHAM CRACKER BARREL
6. DIRTY RAT PACK ANIMAL
7. FANNIE MAE WEST POINT
8. EMPTY NEST EGG SALAD
9. IRVING BERLIN WALL STREET
10. HEARTBREAK HOTEL CALIFORNIA GIRLS
QUADRUPLE BONDS II
Note from JA: Some of the answers to this puzzle are product names and/or names of celebrities, both of which I try to avoid. In this case, I felt that they served a broader purpose in support of the puzzle.
Can you think of three words that could fill the blanks below such that the first and second, second and third, third and fourth, and first and fourth words form familiar two-word phrases or compound words? The fourth word is given below as a hint.
SWISS ________ ________ ________ ________
HINT:
SWISS ________ ________ ________ BANK
Answer:
SWISS MISS PIGGY BANK
Note from JA: Some of the answers to this puzzle are product names and/or names of celebrities, both of which I try to avoid. In this case, I felt that they served a broader purpose in support of the puzzle.
Can you think of three words that could fill the blanks below such that the first and second, second and third, third and fourth, and first and fourth words form familiar two-word phrases or compound words? The fourth word is given below as a hint.
SWISS ________ ________ ________ ________
HINT:
SWISS ________ ________ ________ BANK
Answer:
SWISS MISS PIGGY BANK
HE'S MAKIN' A LIST
GAMES/World of Puzzles
December, 2019
Scott Erdman
All of the answers to this puzzle contain the word LIST, either in the beginning, middle, or end.
1. The science of projectiles
2. Tour de France racer
3. Apathetic
4. Leaning, as a ship
5. Join the military
6. Person hostile to arts and culture
7. Pay attention
8. Sparkle
9. Exercise
10. Moon of Jupiter
11. Kind of medicine
12. Not prone to fantasy
Answers:
1. Ballistics
2. Cyclist
3. Listless
4. Listing
5. Enlist
6. Philistine
7. Listen
8. Glisten
9. Calisthenics
10. Callisto
11. Holistic
12. Realistic
GAMES/World of Puzzles
December, 2019
Scott Erdman
All of the answers to this puzzle contain the word LIST, either in the beginning, middle, or end.
1. The science of projectiles
2. Tour de France racer
3. Apathetic
4. Leaning, as a ship
5. Join the military
6. Person hostile to arts and culture
7. Pay attention
8. Sparkle
9. Exercise
10. Moon of Jupiter
11. Kind of medicine
12. Not prone to fantasy
Answers:
1. Ballistics
2. Cyclist
3. Listless
4. Listing
5. Enlist
6. Philistine
7. Listen
8. Glisten
9. Calisthenics
10. Callisto
11. Holistic
12. Realistic
GAMES/World of Puzzles
December, 2019
Stu Agler
Each clue below can be answered by a word that includes four occurrences of the vowel shown, and no other vowels. Can you determine the words? As a hint, the answers in each group will be in alphabetical order.
A
Ski mask
Type of boat
Indian prince
E
Totally vulnerable
Fizzy
Court official
I
Gum disease
Restricting, as growth
Believing the world is meaningless
O
Recipe source
Ottoman
Black magic
Answers:
A
Balaclava
Catamaran
Maharaja
E
Defenseless
Effervescent
Referee
I
Gingivitis
Inhibiting
Nihilistic
O
Cookbook
Footstool
Voodoo
December, 2019
Stu Agler
Each clue below can be answered by a word that includes four occurrences of the vowel shown, and no other vowels. Can you determine the words? As a hint, the answers in each group will be in alphabetical order.
A
Ski mask
Type of boat
Indian prince
E
Totally vulnerable
Fizzy
Court official
I
Gum disease
Restricting, as growth
Believing the world is meaningless
O
Recipe source
Ottoman
Black magic
Answers:
A
Balaclava
Catamaran
Maharaja
E
Defenseless
Effervescent
Referee
I
Gingivitis
Inhibiting
Nihilistic
O
Cookbook
Footstool
Voodoo
DROP A LETTER - GET A NEW WORD XXV
FAMILY REUNIONS
GAMES.World of Puzzles
December, 2019
Regis Modesta
Drop one letter from each of the following words and re-arrange the remaining letters to form new words. The first five words will have something in common, and the second five words will have something (different) in common.
1. EWER
2. UNITY
3. KINDLY
4. EPITHET
5. PREGAME
6. COOLEST
7. GARBLED
8. REFUTER
9. UNYOKED
10. VERBENA
HINTS:
1-5: Size
5-10: Animals
Answers:
1. WEE
2. TINY
3. DINKY
4. PETITE
5. MEAGER
6. OCELOT
7. BADGER
8. FERRET
9. DONKEY
10. BEAVER
FAMILY REUNIONS
GAMES.World of Puzzles
December, 2019
Regis Modesta
Drop one letter from each of the following words and re-arrange the remaining letters to form new words. The first five words will have something in common, and the second five words will have something (different) in common.
1. EWER
2. UNITY
3. KINDLY
4. EPITHET
5. PREGAME
6. COOLEST
7. GARBLED
8. REFUTER
9. UNYOKED
10. VERBENA
HINTS:
1-5: Size
5-10: Animals
Answers:
1. WEE
2. TINY
3. DINKY
4. PETITE
5. MEAGER
6. OCELOT
7. BADGER
8. FERRET
9. DONKEY
10. BEAVER
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