From The Enigma

NPL Magazine 

May, 2026

raw

 

The first keyword of this flat, DOUGH, is a 4-letter, one-syllable word. The second keyword, DODO, is a 4-letter, 2-syllale word - in which both syllables are the same and sound exactly like the word DOUGH stand for. 

 

A wealthy couple wed, 

The family invite said

"In DOUGH of gifts send cash

To fund our nuptial bash

At the swank Hotel Europa."

What a DODO of a faux pas.

 

Answers:

 

LIEU

LULU  

 

Note from JA: This clever puzzle is doubly intriguing because the LU in LULU sounds like LIEU and the DO in DODO sounds like DOUGH 

PAIRS AND SNARES XLV

The words in each group can be confused. Can you give a simple definition of each one that shows the difference  between them?

1. TORT - TORTE

2. STYE - STYMIE 

3. CAVALRY - CALVARY

4. GORILLA - GUERRILLA

5. MARSHAL - MARTIAL -MARITAL

Answers:

1. TORT - In law,  a wrongful act that causes harm

    TORTE - A rich, dense dessert cake

 

2. STYE - A painful red bump on the edge of the eyelid

    STYMIE - To obstruct, hinder, or prevent the progress of someone or something

 

3. CAVALRY - Traditionally, fighting soldiers mounted on horseback / Today, a rapid response force using armored vehicles and helicopters  

   CALVARY - In the Bible, the hill near Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified

 

4. GORILLA -  A great ape

    GUERRILLA - A member of an unofficial, irregular armed force that fights larger, established armies or governments - using unconventional tactics

 

5. MARSHAL - A law-enforcement officer / also, as a verb, to gather, organize, and lead - as people or ideas

    MARTIAL - Relating to war

    MARITAL - Relating to marriage 

 

THEM'S THE BREAKS

GAMES/World of Puzzles

June, 2026

Patrick Berry

 

What is unusual about the following phrases?

 

1. Inane pickings

2. Honest sardine

3. Karate chop ink

4. May adolescent

5. Alamo defiance 

 

HINT:

The title is a hint. 

 

Answer:

 

Each phrase be broken into component words:

 

1. INANE PICKINGS - IN AN EPIC KINGS

2. HONEST SARDINE - HONES TSAR DINE

3. KARATE CHOP INK - KARAT ECHO PINK

4. MAY ADOLESCENT - MAYA DOLES CENT

5. ALAMO DEFIANCE - A LA MODE FIANCE  

 

CLEVER ENDEAVOR II

Find rhyming synonyms (or near synonyms) for the two words in each pair.

Ex. FEMALE SHEEP - LINE

Ans. EWE - QUEUE

 

Ex. MERRIMENT - SCARCITY

Ans. MIRTH - DEARTH

 

1. PUPIL - CAUTIOUS

2. ORDINARY - RELEVANT

3. SELECT, as a candidate - IGNORE 

4. OUTRAGEOUS - BEGGAR, perhaps

5 NON CANCEROUS - GIVE UP, as a job

6. MOON SHAPE - Having keen foresight

7. WIDESPREAD DISEASE - UNCLEAR 

8. RESISTANT, as to a disease - QUESTION or challenge 

9.  CONVERSANT, as in a 2nd language - Exactly matching  

 

Answers:

 

1. STUDENT - PRUDENT

2. MUNDANE - GERMANE

3. ELECT - NEGLECT

4. FLAGRANT - VAGRANT

5. BENIGN - RESIGN

6. CRESCENT - PRESCIENT

7. PLAGUE -VAGUE

8. IMMUNE - IMPUGN

9. FLUENT - CONGRUENT 

ANIMAL PHRASES

Answer each clue with a two-word phrase in which one of the words is the name of an animal.

Ex. Farewell

Ans: Swan song 

 

1. Warm embrace

2. Sham tribunal

3. Western, informally

4. Enthusiastic worker

5. Hottest part of summer

6. The "bigger half"

7. Easy target

8. Speak frankly

9. Gemstone 

10. Reliable source of income 

11. Emotionally aloof or seemingly unfriendly

 

Answers:

 

1. Bear hug

2. Kangaroo court

3. Horse opera

4. Eager beaver

5. Dog days

6. Lion's share

7. Sitting duck

8. Talk turkey

9. Tiger's eye

10. Golden goose

11. Cold fish  

  

From The Enigma

National Puzzlers' League Magazine

May, 2026

COUSIN JOE

 

The two keywords, ONE and TWO, are anagrams. 

 

It is Dad to the rescue when the sons need

   advice,

Since a little ONE talk is enough to

   suffice.

For large problems, though, Mom  will

   come and join in,

So her extra TWO guidance helps go for

   the win. 

 

Answers:

 

PATERNAL - PARENTAL  

QUOTES CCLXXV

Nature's rules have no exceptions.

Herbert Spencer

 

Never injure your friend, even in jest.

Author Unknown 

 

Two great talkers will not travel far together.

George Barrow

 

A committee keeps minutes and loses hours.

Author Unknown

 

The power of imagination is its unpredictability.

Marika and Howard Stone 

 

A spoken word and a thrown stone cannot be recalled.

Author Unknown 

 

Until you're ready to look foolish, you'll never have the possibility of being great.

Cher 

 

A father feels like a boy again the moment he's called to school for his child's mistakes.

Author Unknown 

 

Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

Robert A. Heinlein

Stranger in a Strange Land