tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57303912024-03-19T01:48:31.682-07:00Blaine's Puzzle BlogWeekly discussion on the NPR puzzler, brain teasers, math problems and more.Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-50817576792652171092024-03-17T06:10:00.000-07:002024-03-17T06:59:33.242-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Mar 17, 2024): A Couple of Trees<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/03/17/1238827590/sunday-puzzle-beware-the-ides-of-march">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Mar 17, 2024): A Couple of Trees</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1r613WJl4HiQgOHCsbsu9MS5sSYJ72WbBWmoSWwO7UyOjKfPutcbJz097_nkudLYmCf4eUlrIectJZR6Qp7_LvsLNdcI7Cnpx7FUrUQ1yloJ8SKjSMu5j4b1ztk3IuvhWeFgrDjMo3x1IYn6g9vORZSRp3EWAnkZBCDtJpIvfLazVeOEg-lZ/s1103/twotrees.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1r613WJl4HiQgOHCsbsu9MS5sSYJ72WbBWmoSWwO7UyOjKfPutcbJz097_nkudLYmCf4eUlrIectJZR6Qp7_LvsLNdcI7Cnpx7FUrUQ1yloJ8SKjSMu5j4b1ztk3IuvhWeFgrDjMo3x1IYn6g9vORZSRp3EWAnkZBCDtJpIvfLazVeOEg-lZ/s200/twotrees.png"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Take two three-letter tree names and combine them phonetically to get a <i>clue</i> for a type of fabric, then change one letter in that word to get something related to trees. What are the two trees?</blockquote>Anagram the letters of the clue to get an appropriate surname.Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-23166648669859712722024-02-04T05:28:00.000-08:002024-02-11T05:23:13.061-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 4, 2024): Checking a Liszt...<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/02/04/1228625144/sunday-puzzle-inside-the-country">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 4, 2024): Checking a Liszt...</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOZoX2C6wD82hSGLgnrviBsASpQnhDGjSwtYMdCvxOokKtsnn-6h1rnw_ySHTf3jVDXHcB3u-xsnj-wSkIzrnEpd3WCo8ieXzKb6mWk1m5rmzx6_wFo2zCcIYYaqyrVOtbi3myn0zdkAfIh8KgRziTTf9nV3dKCUTZv2qfJf2ymKYTbnMOlWg/s620/Soccer%20Mozart.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOZoX2C6wD82hSGLgnrviBsASpQnhDGjSwtYMdCvxOokKtsnn-6h1rnw_ySHTf3jVDXHcB3u-xsnj-wSkIzrnEpd3WCo8ieXzKb6mWk1m5rmzx6_wFo2zCcIYYaqyrVOtbi3myn0zdkAfIh8KgRziTTf9nV3dKCUTZv2qfJf2ymKYTbnMOlWg/s200/Soccer%20Mozart.jpg"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Name a famous classical composer in three syllables. Change the vowel sounds in the first and third syllables, and phonetically you'll name a sport. What is it?</blockquote>I thought I was close with Tchaikovsky<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture includes a cannon while Pachelbel wrote a canon<blockquote><b>A: </b>PACHELBEL --> PICKLEBALL</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com244tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-55410049076517046582023-12-24T05:46:00.000-08:002023-12-28T13:46:34.267-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 24, 2023): Shifting Things Around in the Workplace<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/12/24/1221282567/sunday-puzzle-an-anatomy-lesson">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 24, 2023): Shifting Things Around in the Workplace</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgFbPwqefrGP19bcoMlNit_rZsxSxAM6H1u9zZav04E9qUEv9o1sZQ3Nhcs4Aq8sOAsNJzRUycggZOA1EUrYePBpYWlVSrBdVdzkQ7SDZmGa1npkWd4b9yBnkHxRCGf9_zBfcYYwIvfrZWXKIDqNbcunDia6nRR3N9-xYP4lJOr33DqmQn13f/s1096/workspace.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="1096" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgFbPwqefrGP19bcoMlNit_rZsxSxAM6H1u9zZav04E9qUEv9o1sZQ3Nhcs4Aq8sOAsNJzRUycggZOA1EUrYePBpYWlVSrBdVdzkQ7SDZmGa1npkWd4b9yBnkHxRCGf9_zBfcYYwIvfrZWXKIDqNbcunDia6nRR3N9-xYP4lJOr33DqmQn13f/s200/workspace.png"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of an area found in many workplaces, in two words. Move the first letter of the first word to the start of the second word. Phonetically you'll name two items that have a similar use — one of which might be used in the workplace. What place is this?</blockquote>Drop the last two letters in the first word and add an "S". Rearrange to name a type of hat.<br/><br><b>Edit: </b>BRE(ak) ROOM + S --> SOMBRERO<blockquote><b>A: </b>BREAK ROOM --> RAKE, BROOM</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com182tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-14400184022613462472023-10-08T05:21:00.007-07:002023-10-15T05:30:44.114-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 8, 2023): Mammal, Insect, Bird<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/10/08/1204456271/sunday-puzzle-a-d-arn-h-ard-puzzle">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 8, 2023): Mammal, Insect, Bird</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqeNCg3GDZmpemEgOldnnI0quPM_v8SOIp_YNzvh872RWIjRlAzMp6E8KF5VXiib2QJ6DwX6QI_BWNL855F5JAdkJ6LOHnSRD1UXEnWSeoPHV6aT3NoH1wLOwZpiDb8l1cIhYyH7IYp4r96jFCNLjcsKcB3OnRvGaJWRQXNm_eQQP32_M80oT/s421/mammal-insect-bird.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqeNCg3GDZmpemEgOldnnI0quPM_v8SOIp_YNzvh872RWIjRlAzMp6E8KF5VXiib2QJ6DwX6QI_BWNL855F5JAdkJ6LOHnSRD1UXEnWSeoPHV6aT3NoH1wLOwZpiDb8l1cIhYyH7IYp4r96jFCNLjcsKcB3OnRvGaJWRQXNm_eQQP32_M80oT/s200/mammal-insect-bird.png"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Think of a mammal, an insect, and a bird, in that order — six, three, and four letters, respectively. Say them out loud and you'll name something often seen around this time of year. What is it?</blockquote>You have a couple choices for the bird.<blockquote><b>A: </b>JACK-O'-LANTERN from JACKAL, ANT and TERN (or ERNE)</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com191tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-80705539951029767222023-09-17T05:25:00.007-07:002023-10-15T05:32:16.483-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 17, 2023): Vacation Places<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/09/17/1199997087/sunday-puzzle-home-run">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 17, 2023): Vacation Places</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDevJcPvLILU5EqRlAtkxCQ-fagnH5DaIp5Pfman8w0E2BegDPFhCMyASspSYLNNGq0O5UMufNvmNFqWsY3XIIbyM9jH0-AIegzn6GqI2vZYSX1aTp7xZVFjUYAef0vtmCG7lby0OF0__S2oTaLfo7NrmS684wJ5LltxZDVQvakvQNfHckqZ70/s724/destinations.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="724" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDevJcPvLILU5EqRlAtkxCQ-fagnH5DaIp5Pfman8w0E2BegDPFhCMyASspSYLNNGq0O5UMufNvmNFqWsY3XIIbyM9jH0-AIegzn6GqI2vZYSX1aTp7xZVFjUYAef0vtmCG7lby0OF0__S2oTaLfo7NrmS684wJ5LltxZDVQvakvQNfHckqZ70/s200/destinations.png"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Name a place where many people go for vacation (3,10). Change one of the vowels sounds from a long A to a long E, and the result phonetically will be one reason to visit this place. What place is it?</blockquote>You can drop the first word and the puzzle still works.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Seychelles --> See Shells.<blockquote><b>A: </b>THE SEYCHELLES --> THE SEASHELLS</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com144tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-44670907459615791322023-08-27T06:06:00.005-07:002023-08-31T12:00:14.833-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 27, 2023): A Seriously Bad Effect<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/08/27/1196187318/sunday-puzzle-from-city-to-city">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 27, 2023): A Seriously Bad Effect</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kbO7gsYbwIHhNjz0aAKXKlnZV16wbxjd8y2k7Zaj-45DUL5_ez5sKhWxsrjZ8BncyFyqLLK5Zqpwjl3UGKyTfZeucOMtFl2F-vHXF8uxQwfo1InoxdYaK-SGbZV2zsNnmsVTgVkI_V1m3rEZZgDwXm85XdUlcOFoI0UR8u_zeld4kqnAxh9e/s1280/6letterwords.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kbO7gsYbwIHhNjz0aAKXKlnZV16wbxjd8y2k7Zaj-45DUL5_ez5sKhWxsrjZ8BncyFyqLLK5Zqpwjl3UGKyTfZeucOMtFl2F-vHXF8uxQwfo1InoxdYaK-SGbZV2zsNnmsVTgVkI_V1m3rEZZgDwXm85XdUlcOFoI0UR8u_zeld4kqnAxh9e/s200/6letterwords.jpg"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a noun in six letters. It sounds like a two-word phrase (2,6). And the thing named by the noun can have a seriously bad effect on what's named by the phrase. What is it?</blockquote>I would not eat them here or there. I would not eat them anywhere.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>I would not eat green eggs and ham. I do not like them, <i>Sam-I-Am</i>. That anagrams into the answer.<blockquote><b>A: </b>MIASMA --> MY ASTHMA</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com213tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-38935160067038438752023-05-14T05:27:00.001-07:002023-05-18T13:07:26.706-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 14, 2023): Mother's Day Puzzle<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/05/14/1176014675/sunday-puzzle-animal-anagrams">NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 14, 2023): Mother's Day Puzzle</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAewae57yEQVQ5Wf-DFSQU78vm7etNTvMX0krzwU4D69zKTvfRW5sVtF5sltZN5UKRO7vg8bfuGn0GV9uThUSqq0yMdUaoGIXOg29N8TVQOcUnd2OMDNlCU8aVa4fXGRBppbP1APOxX1Y4N4alUHFq09CBKYuWyjmDQtHd6z-lVvffdnsAvA/s1800/chickens.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAewae57yEQVQ5Wf-DFSQU78vm7etNTvMX0krzwU4D69zKTvfRW5sVtF5sltZN5UKRO7vg8bfuGn0GV9uThUSqq0yMdUaoGIXOg29N8TVQOcUnd2OMDNlCU8aVa4fXGRBppbP1APOxX1Y4N4alUHFq09CBKYuWyjmDQtHd6z-lVvffdnsAvA/s200/chickens.png"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of an animal in which the singular form of the female and the plural form of the male sound like synonyms. What animal is it?</blockquote>Take the name of a different animal, drop the fourth letter and you get another synonym.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>MONKEY - K = MONEY<blockquote><b>A: </b>DOE (dough) and BUCKS.</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com96tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-85356010765460896032023-04-30T05:35:00.003-07:002023-05-04T12:40:46.137-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 30, 2023): Azure and Beige<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/04/30/1172903467/sunday-puzzle-palindrome-zone">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 30, 2023): Azure and Beige</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOREDXDkMuXyuc5KzMhUU0zQoKeDw5-XQ3VuMqnNVH-IwC1mqfyRStWSPjds9ZvGIVqAljD8lIXyn956XlWs18B2LE_twF55IDy4z-cJ84DkgEKzh9Ohb9Bdv7Zsmu7vrE3l04BqkH7-EqhKVlHaJNgKDx7F4XmUQztOv_0YdYRl9rlZIZQ/s1000/azure-beige.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOREDXDkMuXyuc5KzMhUU0zQoKeDw5-XQ3VuMqnNVH-IwC1mqfyRStWSPjds9ZvGIVqAljD8lIXyn956XlWs18B2LE_twF55IDy4z-cJ84DkgEKzh9Ohb9Bdv7Zsmu7vrE3l04BqkH7-EqhKVlHaJNgKDx7F4XmUQztOv_0YdYRl9rlZIZQ/s200/azure-beige.png"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>The "zh" sound can be spelled in many different ways in English — like the "s" in MEASURE; like the "g" in BEIGE; like the "z" in AZURE; like the "j" in MAHARAJAH; and like the "x" in LUXURY as some people pronounce it. The "zh" sound can also be spelled as a "t" in one instance. We know of only one common word this is true of, not counting its derivatives. What word is it?</blockquote>Change the penultimate letter to an S and rearrange to name things that some people might treasure.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Rearranging the letters you get ANTIQUES. My thumbnail image also had horizontal lines reminiscent of an equal sign.<blockquote><b>A: </b><a href="https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Forming-the-zh-Sound.htm">EQUATION</a></blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com134tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-44745576811419173042023-04-09T05:42:00.001-07:002023-04-13T12:56:08.576-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 9, 2023): How Does Your Garden Grow?<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/04/09/1168817230/sunday-puzzle-category-is">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 9, 2023): How Does Your Garden Grow?</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisb9lAtRh16xPjyRTRw094QiADv5jU1y6R3RW5ryAKOAsK4Lg3IjXrc0SLJa7zJbBhUlmaKQiIyJtfuteWbM1I0sI9cWQn81-MTnVzB6d197_UHAOuNFuhMGppRQZg9YLy8J8jzooWsZGVlStual1cOox63_4KMRmSYIZlQvKbOm2Ly8tsWw/s610/garden%20photo.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisb9lAtRh16xPjyRTRw094QiADv5jU1y6R3RW5ryAKOAsK4Lg3IjXrc0SLJa7zJbBhUlmaKQiIyJtfuteWbM1I0sI9cWQn81-MTnVzB6d197_UHAOuNFuhMGppRQZg9YLy8J8jzooWsZGVlStual1cOox63_4KMRmSYIZlQvKbOm2Ly8tsWw/s200/garden%20photo.png"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Name some things you might grow in a garden. Move the middle letter to the beginning. Phonetically the result sounds like part of the human body and an article of clothing that covers it. What words are these?</blockquote>Sorry no time to work on the puzzle; we're too busy getting ready for Easter.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>We were probably "planting" eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt!<blockquote><b>A: </b>EGGPLANTS --> LEG, PANTS</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com135tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-31162913873009059132023-02-19T05:20:00.003-08:002023-02-23T13:02:32.509-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 19, 2023): Make Like A Tree and Get Out of Here<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/02/19/1158194942/sunday-puzzle-its-rhyme-time">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 19, 2023): Make Like A Tree and Get Out of Here</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwR4utr6rA_UNEMzXEMB9h1ijI0U2HlvbM4kSlmXBTYxAV-HkeZYFvGE7_G0otAxui_ZPgAAlImr9bsFMXxz8CyIMmeceklNZpnln3D1jBZf0u7LcmiKsLRixf_Qcw8I_vVZcxjsndNPaiR9m-FLIVSjZhP5pdgIB7D4MPzu2KMdZHsY8F4w/s1200/tree-sticker.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwR4utr6rA_UNEMzXEMB9h1ijI0U2HlvbM4kSlmXBTYxAV-HkeZYFvGE7_G0otAxui_ZPgAAlImr9bsFMXxz8CyIMmeceklNZpnln3D1jBZf0u7LcmiKsLRixf_Qcw8I_vVZcxjsndNPaiR9m-FLIVSjZhP5pdgIB7D4MPzu2KMdZHsY8F4w/s200/tree-sticker.png"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Name a tree. In the very middle of the word insert a homophone of another tree. The result will be a new word describing what everyone wants to be. What is it?</blockquote>What everyone wants to be? Not me.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>"Not me" would be "you" which is also a homophone for the letter U.<blockquote><b>A: </b>POPLAR + YEW(U) --> POPULAR</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com171tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-50054603908650214582023-02-12T05:41:00.003-08:002023-02-16T12:15:53.380-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 12, 2023): Under Pressure<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/02/12/1155999986/sunday-puzzle-add-the-a-t">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 12, 2023): Under Pressure</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKPm4oG0_rqDBmvmOmvP63xqugwtXkbiJd8XQ4uksfXvmPQRc7aawKdEF_6u8fzHhjz4tON8_opINGf66Y47GESF5qPCZhbmpjtabAupNdX89gOJ8D4IzvPIJmOfahb6BJbH4xuSJo167Bpt5bRyX7Jnfrvr0zbNDj7v-xRNPPk2HHY3z8g/s600/rockband.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKPm4oG0_rqDBmvmOmvP63xqugwtXkbiJd8XQ4uksfXvmPQRc7aawKdEF_6u8fzHhjz4tON8_opINGf66Y47GESF5qPCZhbmpjtabAupNdX89gOJ8D4IzvPIJmOfahb6BJbH4xuSJo167Bpt5bRyX7Jnfrvr0zbNDj7v-xRNPPk2HHY3z8g/s200/rockband.png"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Name a popular rock band — one that everyone knows. Add a "B" sound at the end, and phonetically you'll name a place where you might hear this band play. What band is it?</blockquote>I believe they've been touring since the '50s.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Clearly the band hasn't been around that long, but <i>U-2 spy planes</i> have been flying since the 1950s and require a special pressurized suit.<blockquote><b>A: </b>U2 --> YouTube</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com231tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-91807398750331881072022-12-18T05:35:00.002-08:002022-12-25T06:21:24.039-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 18, 2022): What Does the Fox Say?<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/12/18/1143149839/sunday-puzzle-shh-its-puzzle-time">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 18, 2022): What Does the Fox Say?</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4ysin4OZWEun7ij5w5Ts7TBrROCC2K73vdS5J4sDWqhcUqOwt_hMu8pze9_ZyTd9eNJgSEa0P6vU93xPoH_owIEQa78fU-AKeBOW4ZRZ_i5auQZ3b_ISENU1-zYMzV1DVVqws99CBomgMeOx1F_AbHvvDW1q1CKxF5AzIb30xcGZCHCXug/s943/see%20and%20say.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="943" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4ysin4OZWEun7ij5w5Ts7TBrROCC2K73vdS5J4sDWqhcUqOwt_hMu8pze9_ZyTd9eNJgSEa0P6vU93xPoH_owIEQa78fU-AKeBOW4ZRZ_i5auQZ3b_ISENU1-zYMzV1DVVqws99CBomgMeOx1F_AbHvvDW1q1CKxF5AzIb30xcGZCHCXug/s200/see%20and%20say.png"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>If you change the third letter of WOLF to an O, you get the sound made by a dog — WOOF. Name a six-letter animal and change the second letter to get the sound made by a completely different animal. What is it?</blockquote>If you take the sound the first animal makes and you change one letter... well, I'm not saying anything more.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Rabbits are pretty silent.<blockquote><b>A: </b>RABBIT, RIBBIT</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com196tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-42943140127117526892022-10-30T05:17:00.001-07:002022-11-06T05:19:15.547-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 30, 2022): (Blank) of my (Blank)<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/10/30/1132615867/sunday-puzzle-a-soo-per-challenge">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 30, 2022): (Blank) of my (Blank)</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDUVuNaIm8jL2TMbgn_K00AFls61xeQLsvyHrB4cEJHWN50MOSR4i-GK_G89wc7fPcdsaZHulsntq2kjqMtHgguj6mpOfOcxS8AGn6olG5EgNWx2gWrWA9jzQWaGo2GZPfgQSy1F1-QtIFMPtwACE8M3ptIF1LGcaqMby53N0h9SGHgiNUg/s1000/story-of-my-life.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDUVuNaIm8jL2TMbgn_K00AFls61xeQLsvyHrB4cEJHWN50MOSR4i-GK_G89wc7fPcdsaZHulsntq2kjqMtHgguj6mpOfOcxS8AGn6olG5EgNWx2gWrWA9jzQWaGo2GZPfgQSy1F1-QtIFMPtwACE8M3ptIF1LGcaqMby53N0h9SGHgiNUg/s200/story-of-my-life.jpg"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a common phrase in the form "___ of my ___." The word that goes in the first blank is the name of a well-known company. And the word that goes in the second blank sounds like part of the names of many of that company's products. What phrase is it?</blockquote>The puzzle is easy -- a clue, not so much.<br/><br/><b>A: </b>Easy as (apple) pie.<blockquote><b>A: </b>APPLE of my EYE (I in iMac, iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc.)</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com108tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-39168398990865973902022-10-16T06:01:00.004-07:002022-10-20T12:12:42.828-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 16, 2022): Confrontation or Cooperation<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/10/16/1129314851/sunday-puzzle-words-of-a-feather">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 16, 2022): Confrontation or Cooperation</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFZvx6f4QxMimKqOnlP4Rc0ExbToNDc9Pdb5lFZUnLlyJASg5Hs7MyXIdNKMdlN0bUxP_TnHR00V9BSccZW3b1rMn5LySaCiFFp8suWjIEFfJJ9-euhfJwEUNtaDRKjpG1cpmNhVrZMk7HB6XyDG-5PjqJ1_waGTjKrAf9iasc6OJ8PoEqQ/s1058/conflict-cooperation.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFZvx6f4QxMimKqOnlP4Rc0ExbToNDc9Pdb5lFZUnLlyJASg5Hs7MyXIdNKMdlN0bUxP_TnHR00V9BSccZW3b1rMn5LySaCiFFp8suWjIEFfJJ9-euhfJwEUNtaDRKjpG1cpmNhVrZMk7HB6XyDG-5PjqJ1_waGTjKrAf9iasc6OJ8PoEqQ/s200/conflict-cooperation.jpg"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a pair of two-syllable words that are pronounced the same, except one is accented on the first syllable while the other is accented on the second. The word that's accented on the first syllable is associated with confrontation, while the word that's accented on the second syllable is associated with cooperation. What words are these?</blockquote>This is a real chestnut of a puzzle.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>In Britain, children each select a "conker" (horse chestnut) as their own, attach a string and then take turns swinging at their opponent's conker until one child's conker breaks and the surviving conker is declared the victor.<blockquote><b>A: </b>CONQUER, CONCUR</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com198tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-40704326670523237482022-09-18T05:27:00.001-07:002022-09-22T12:03:10.536-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 18, 2022): Are You Using a Modern Modem?<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/09/18/1123647605/sunday-puzzle-categories-galore">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 18, 2022): Are You Using a Modern Modem?</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUMeDBrymv9elS-5-cJH9jeiFJTumbb_sWqhXZvzhdscssuKCZA2MJbo50NgBurHeS0ZLzFPaz7c3-H33SF3izDw9k5daUGYw5Q1H2-G_6xxpb7kGovIXvczs9QVE2zfzgAj_h7L32RRSDx6UggIe3UCiabZz-N3XMO7C74VoWGEUXjrp_Q/s658/modern-modem.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUMeDBrymv9elS-5-cJH9jeiFJTumbb_sWqhXZvzhdscssuKCZA2MJbo50NgBurHeS0ZLzFPaz7c3-H33SF3izDw9k5daUGYw5Q1H2-G_6xxpb7kGovIXvczs9QVE2zfzgAj_h7L32RRSDx6UggIe3UCiabZz-N3XMO7C74VoWGEUXjrp_Q/s200/modern-modem.png"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>If you squish the lowercase letters "r" and "n" together, they look like an "m." Think of a word that ends in the consecutive letters "r-n." Squish them together to get a homophone of a synonym of the first word. What words are these?</blockquote>Clearly "porn" and "pom" don't work, and I'd never expect to hear that as the answer on NPR either.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Nor did I expect this pair of words as the answer.<blockquote><b>A: </b>DARN --> DAM (DAMN)</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com138tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-29396352667104627482022-08-21T05:43:00.002-07:002022-08-25T15:01:51.842-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 21, 2022): A Pair of Girls Names<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/08/21/1118632912/sunday-puzzle-double-down">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 21, 2022): A Pair of Girls Names</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgW9T3TanqyUM4Gdjjubl8CjAEo3OivI3EfJHrSB9LHhG6xsgwibHKdSeSNdk8j1iCRt041Iz7f5W3z52AWwNxAu3qsruTw59EOrUvGa2YMi1Xela3ijThAhzYA8Yc1Es1U0yg5mmK0ajPCJBHzOhxbBEuZleHTYSPRa2ZdjgoEhYQ5laog/s2283/two-baby-girls.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="2283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgW9T3TanqyUM4Gdjjubl8CjAEo3OivI3EfJHrSB9LHhG6xsgwibHKdSeSNdk8j1iCRt041Iz7f5W3z52AWwNxAu3qsruTw59EOrUvGa2YMi1Xela3ijThAhzYA8Yc1Es1U0yg5mmK0ajPCJBHzOhxbBEuZleHTYSPRa2ZdjgoEhYQ5laog/s200/two-baby-girls.png"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Think of an eight-letter noun composed phonetically of two consecutive names traditionally given to girls. Remove the sixth letter and rearrange the result. You'll get an event where you might hear the thing named by the original noun. What words are these?</blockquote>If you remove the <i>first</i> letter and rearrange, you get a place you probably wouldn't want to hear the original noun.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Removing the first letter and rearranging you get LATRINE.<blockquote><b>A: </b>CLARINET (CLAIRE, ANNETTE) --> RECITAL</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com159tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-77109508947079161782022-07-24T05:30:00.004-07:002022-07-28T12:50:15.928-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (July 24, 2022): 1989 and 1992<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/07/24/1113191809/sunday-puzzle-postmarked-t-n">NPR Sunday Puzzle (July 24, 2022): 1989 and 1992</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L6yhjdbfsR-Y4lLnKKc-PZaU27HGbZZfhTTn7ZDNnRlPZ3AgdPTvJBlS_dgNZEPFiFH3ONxJauT2TKX6YL9qOtUCsL9o3I7JVrpoA4Ic-O8Ub7z_pYCQJanH6nUmAe_AacZTHnCes8E5xDWqwvBoQjmV1asQeQQM1lBXLYMPRLlMRr5k4A/s738/squares.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6L6yhjdbfsR-Y4lLnKKc-PZaU27HGbZZfhTTn7ZDNnRlPZ3AgdPTvJBlS_dgNZEPFiFH3ONxJauT2TKX6YL9qOtUCsL9o3I7JVrpoA4Ic-O8Ub7z_pYCQJanH6nUmAe_AacZTHnCes8E5xDWqwvBoQjmV1asQeQQM1lBXLYMPRLlMRr5k4A/s200/squares.png"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>This week's challenge will require a little research. The 1989 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the 1992 Olympic gold medal in giant slalom both suggest, phonetically, a certain square number. What is it?</blockquote>Research and read carefully. You can't say this about <i>Where I'm Calling From</i> or Luxembourg.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>They didn't get second place...<blockquote><b>A: </b>Anne Tyler (A.T.) and Alberto Tomba (A.T.) won --> "A.T. won" --> 81</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com169tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-13070719149960463562022-06-26T05:25:00.002-07:002022-06-30T12:03:20.314-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 26, 2022): The Lord is a Shoving Leopard<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/06/26/1107653507/sunday-puzzle-sounds-like-a-tv-show">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 26, 2022): The Lord is a Shoving Leopard</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDXeQn-Xn0iFGoXTGT9P8uRDrrpx9JEPOBxXYXh0AyKAxvPOfQ-CpbrehyKg1wDOeu_6bo3YC_O4DnMjtTH6OtVsazhnt38g1qXXaEBjVEBwNLnRgxu93z4nO8odIm9dW3GIEhuf_4D-zhg7n-_EjBm3pU7lPhXhaivfDn9ZfqKxGi_DndQ/s5078/Rev._Dr._W.A._Spooner_LCCN2014717746.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="5078" data-original-width="3728" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDXeQn-Xn0iFGoXTGT9P8uRDrrpx9JEPOBxXYXh0AyKAxvPOfQ-CpbrehyKg1wDOeu_6bo3YC_O4DnMjtTH6OtVsazhnt38g1qXXaEBjVEBwNLnRgxu93z4nO8odIm9dW3GIEhuf_4D-zhg7n-_EjBm3pU7lPhXhaivfDn9ZfqKxGi_DndQ/s200/Rev._Dr._W.A._Spooner_LCCN2014717746.jpg"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>How old was Reverend Spooner when he found happiness?</blockquote>I started counting cobblestones and got the answer.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) by Simon and Garfunkel mentions cobblestones.<blockquote><b>A: </b>FIFTY NINE --> NIFTY, FINE</blockquote>
Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-52893761807583196432022-05-29T05:35:00.002-07:002022-06-02T11:59:38.152-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 29, 2022): Be Right Back<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/05/29/1101929026/sunday-puzzle-no-not-that-f-word">NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 29, 2022): Be Right Back</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSRXe9omMG22YqAcZz_86dwmmxFRTwkxzOAO_snVXyp4k3dkSTpv3NyPf3eUlZ7IJzhx6bH7RykqRY78MI4bDjd8LhEkV5XD121QtcBWIGqoam_2GZpK9AEbI0hkDDV6BGDQMxAqq4R4rZJFJ5DrvsqMQ_3G4dxXJ8Vf2ZfDvmEHKGyXSEA/s806/texting.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="806" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSRXe9omMG22YqAcZz_86dwmmxFRTwkxzOAO_snVXyp4k3dkSTpv3NyPf3eUlZ7IJzhx6bH7RykqRY78MI4bDjd8LhEkV5XD121QtcBWIGqoam_2GZpK9AEbI0hkDDV6BGDQMxAqq4R4rZJFJ5DrvsqMQ_3G4dxXJ8Vf2ZfDvmEHKGyXSEA/s200/texting.png"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Take an abbreviation found in text messages. Reverse the first two letters, and the result sounds like something else often found in text messages. What are these things?</blockquote>I might say something else <i>used</i> in text messages. And again, I question the pronunciation.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Apart from variations in the first vowel sound (EE, IH, UH?), I've always seen the M sound included as part of the second syllable, instead of the first. Oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯<blockquote><b>A: </b>OMG --> MOG --> EMOJI</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com119tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-80201646714434426372022-04-17T05:33:00.001-07:002022-04-24T05:09:05.500-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 17, 2022): Name That Vehicle<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/04/17/1093198273/sunday-puzzle-things-in-common">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 17, 2022): Name That Vehicle</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZeaddrg9OCp35tnWjtp0CXFmRjxlYjHfCtY_pE84ybsNXdJz3LZyRAVTYcHRUdbtqDV6ptV9Omqt-u2GtJvn2PX-VIusUs9GaqJhZpthQwxoKecqcMnzYo-IGAKVtPEbBASL5VOYmpXlWwlWM8UX2tgdvJLRbnCBthLR0D71iZU09lWjHQ/s611/vehicles2.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZeaddrg9OCp35tnWjtp0CXFmRjxlYjHfCtY_pE84ybsNXdJz3LZyRAVTYcHRUdbtqDV6ptV9Omqt-u2GtJvn2PX-VIusUs9GaqJhZpthQwxoKecqcMnzYo-IGAKVtPEbBASL5VOYmpXlWwlWM8UX2tgdvJLRbnCBthLR0D71iZU09lWjHQ/s200/vehicles2.png"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Name a vehicle in two words — 4 letters in the first, 5 letters in the last. Move the second letter of the last word into the second position of the first word. The result phonetically will name a popular figure from legend. Who is it?</blockquote>Is it the Skipper from Gilligan's Island?<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>In 1938's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Robin_Hood">The Adventures of Robin Hood</a>, another character (Little John) was played by Alan Hale, Sr., the father of Alan Hale, Jr. who played the Skipper.<blockquote><b>A: </b>FIRE TRUCK --> FRIAR TUCK</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com133tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-76754889718390763422022-04-10T05:50:00.003-07:002022-04-14T12:36:58.886-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 10, 2022): Silent L Puzzle<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/04/10/1091879977/sunday-puzzle-w-first-and-last-its-the-law">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 10, 2022): Silent L Puzzle</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoJdo0zrOO73Vgpt6FLYMQ6K2wQGMzeb2LtqB1ViK2KZalR43CJ1q1H7XP2QEQ22yZ1-QND5k0gzLzlgaaN7L63g7A1Q23AF_j9r4rhxu-cwzjOWnfdwkZwiVNpzgQPIx0AnVoBfrtUbZyi2HoYFQMFUEe_pgaikfgtbSXR0E4xLyUaRlLQ/s1074/salmon.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoJdo0zrOO73Vgpt6FLYMQ6K2wQGMzeb2LtqB1ViK2KZalR43CJ1q1H7XP2QEQ22yZ1-QND5k0gzLzlgaaN7L63g7A1Q23AF_j9r4rhxu-cwzjOWnfdwkZwiVNpzgQPIx0AnVoBfrtUbZyi2HoYFQMFUEe_pgaikfgtbSXR0E4xLyUaRlLQ/s200/salmon.png"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Think of a 5-letter word with an "L" that is pronounced. Add a letter at the start to get a 6-letter word in which the "L" is silent. Then add a new letter in the fifth position to get a 7-letter word in which the "L" is pronounced again. What words are these?</blockquote>Are we back to the ARSON --> ASH puzzle?<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Johnny Carson was older than Johnny Cash. Also, if you want to get to the prior puzzle on the desktop version of this blog, you click on "Older Post"<blockquote><b>A: </b>OLDER --> SOLDER --> SOLDIER</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com157tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-67178473251664654862022-03-06T06:18:00.002-08:002022-03-10T12:00:05.762-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Mar 6, 2022): An Awkward Quack<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/03/06/1084744124/sunday-puzzle-may-the-odds-be-in-your-favor">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Mar 6, 2022): An Awkward Quack</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpp4fcFpf_hJe3sOBJAOjkTVmR-r_1QsSQyFZ4o0oGJiSkiH6cw5BoAR-g9mh60NOIAc1EubrNtGpwW_E-2H36CICuMzmK3RSB1titZ0lnsP9a0oGqca50ze9908eiJE5QwOXvo_rSBw-D5ad_UymOiBwhj941gMJxdCfsg_d28qJWOLaVWA=s800" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpp4fcFpf_hJe3sOBJAOjkTVmR-r_1QsSQyFZ4o0oGJiSkiH6cw5BoAR-g9mh60NOIAc1EubrNtGpwW_E-2H36CICuMzmK3RSB1titZ0lnsP9a0oGqca50ze9908eiJE5QwOXvo_rSBw-D5ad_UymOiBwhj941gMJxdCfsg_d28qJWOLaVWA=s200"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Words starting with a "kw-" sound usually start with the letters QU-, as in question, or "KW-," as in Kwanzaa. What common, uncapitalized English word starting with a "kw-" sound contains none of the letters Q, U, K, or W?</blockquote>I fell down and broke my wrist last week so I'm a little slower typing this morning. You don't have to tell me to be more careful on ladders. As for the puzzle, I have 3 potential answers. Native speakers of a certain language would knock out two of the words leaving only one intended answer with the right sound.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Telling me to be careful on a ladder would be preaching to the choir. BTW, I learned this week that I do <b>NOT</b> have a fracture in my wrist, just a sprain so that was welcome news.<blockquote><b>A: </b>CHOIR with possible alternates of COIF and CROISSSANT. Some might argue that COOPERATE could work if you slur the sounds together.</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com224tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-55969342490583062462022-02-13T05:42:00.007-08:002022-02-17T15:02:28.420-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 13, 2022): What to Name the Babies?<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/02/13/1079986895/sunday-puzzle-take-a-deep-breath">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 13, 2022): What to Name the Babies?</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhASy2wJUJ62lnb8fYwSZyv8plHwq5HVnS1ZeagUj7hei7SibebK6zM9PyrUNL4duiJlvr9ZMyqJzcLht5mfvjuB7V2UKdxCek3PAkiwOg_Emhr1bu6qRfjkwnz1eLruey8MSTjGp4hBWxYVwjRWFLabRrSEvLsaJnIj9vOtvMzMH3HbK4gBw=s695" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="695" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhASy2wJUJ62lnb8fYwSZyv8plHwq5HVnS1ZeagUj7hei7SibebK6zM9PyrUNL4duiJlvr9ZMyqJzcLht5mfvjuB7V2UKdxCek3PAkiwOg_Emhr1bu6qRfjkwnz1eLruey8MSTjGp4hBWxYVwjRWFLabRrSEvLsaJnIj9vOtvMzMH3HbK4gBw=s200"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Think of a common boy's name and a common girl's name that are pronounced the same even though they have only two letters in common. And if you reverse the boy's name, phonetically you'll get another common girl's name. What names are these?</blockquote>I'm not staying awake worrying if the pronunciation is exactly the same, nor am I going to question whether the reversed name meets the definition of phonetically sounding like a girl's name. I'm just going to see if NPR sends back an email response this week.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>I was hinting at "Sleepless in Seattle," "When Harry Met Sally" and "You've Got Mail" by Nora Ephron.<blockquote><b>A: </b>Aaron, Erin --> Nora</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com253tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-9037098996016975312022-01-02T05:37:00.002-08:002022-01-09T05:48:43.876-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jan 2, 2022): Chopped-up Vegetable<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/01/02/1069562198/sunday-puzzle-happy-new-ear">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jan 2, 2022): Chopped-up Vegetable</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtAlWzwJ5vvd9tiDMcv8PHVQpb22Ueh1Lr04fP0GI-0zLI80RXcKmU0gJuiXExb-KwYWeHV04FGZ1vT_VY_yPFXTfwmgm8TD3dIGhgfgFjrEGFk2Ne97FDtHMCn2ccAK_lsKtGZ-P7xZxfcABbDdYxmoTxns_ogQmbMxBZbxS1ibR8YphCKg=s1486" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtAlWzwJ5vvd9tiDMcv8PHVQpb22Ueh1Lr04fP0GI-0zLI80RXcKmU0gJuiXExb-KwYWeHV04FGZ1vT_VY_yPFXTfwmgm8TD3dIGhgfgFjrEGFk2Ne97FDtHMCn2ccAK_lsKtGZ-P7xZxfcABbDdYxmoTxns_ogQmbMxBZbxS1ibR8YphCKg=s200"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Take the name of a certain vegetable. Move the 7th, 5th, and 6th letters — in that order — to the front of the word. Phonetically you'll name another vegetable. What vegetables are these?</blockquote>Now take the 2nd, 3rd and 1st letters of the new vegetable and add them at the end and phonetically you name yet another vegetable.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Take 'BROCCOLI' and add the letters 'ROB' at the end and phonetically you have <a href="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-is-broccoli-rabe">BROCCOLI RABE</a><blockquote><b>A: </b>KOHLRABI --> "BRA-KOHL-I" --> BROCCOLI</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com183tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-11745974388042260032021-12-26T05:46:00.001-08:002022-01-02T05:40:34.027-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 26, 2021): Singer and Body Parts<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/12/26/1067980807/sunday-puzzle-end-of-year-quiz">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 26, 2021): Singer and Body Parts</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2UmFYRCvwu_IIT81WeIZQWcLVv7ncnaYXvBeHzVheQIWa4Bspe8lJsCEspu6r95NWbnTWo0NnfjTEopJvhdDM1iUORkA8Anp-8_eX4QZ3oMEeoOa273o-iEh1qMIRYzPfzmf10axXpQRjEUYovupFq5BmlPMaw2MTCu8SiMXUVfUMBZfWxQ=s735" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2UmFYRCvwu_IIT81WeIZQWcLVv7ncnaYXvBeHzVheQIWa4Bspe8lJsCEspu6r95NWbnTWo0NnfjTEopJvhdDM1iUORkA8Anp-8_eX4QZ3oMEeoOa273o-iEh1qMIRYzPfzmf10axXpQRjEUYovupFq5BmlPMaw2MTCu8SiMXUVfUMBZfWxQ=s200"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Name a famous singer — first and last names. Each name has two syllables. Change the first vowel sound in the first name and the last vowel sound in the last name. In each case, phonetically, you'll name part of the human body. Who's the singer?</blockquote>I harken back to the days of watching wholesome family shows like <i>The Waltons</i>.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>I was hinting at a similar puzzle from <a href="https://puzzles.blainesville.com/2020/02/npr-sunday-puzzle-feb-2-2020-forwards.html">Feb 2, 2020</a>.<blockquote><b>A: </b>BILLIE EILISH --> BELLY, EYELASH</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com222