Q: This is a two-week creative challenge, and it's a tough one. Most people are familiar with palindromes, which read backward and forward the same. For example:
Rise to vote, sir. Lid off a daffodil.
The object is to write a palindrome that contains the letter Q. Entries will be judged on sense, naturalness of syntax, and overall elegance. The person who submits what Will considers to be the best palindrome containing the letter Q will play the puzzle on the air with him next week.
Blaine's Puzzle Blog
Weekly discussion on the NPR puzzler, brain teasers, math problems and more.
Sunday, July 27, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 27, 2025): Spot's IQ is Tops! (continued)
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 27, 2025): Spot's IQ is Tops! (continued)
Sunday, July 20, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 20, 2025): An Oz, Iraq, Arizona
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 20, 2025): An Oz, Iraq, Arizona
Q: This is a two-week creative challenge, and it's a tough one. Most people are familiar with palindromes, which read backward and forward the same. For example:
Madam, I'm Adam. Do geese see God? Sit on a potato pan, Otis.
The object is to write a palindrome that contains the letter Q. Entries will be judged on sense, naturalness of syntax, and overall elegance. The person who submits what Will considers to be the best palindrome containing the letter Q will play the puzzle on the air with him in two weeks.
Sunday, July 13, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 13, 2025): Take Me Out to the Ballgame
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 13, 2025): Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Edit: The shortstop plays between 2nd and 3rd base.
Q: Take two different articles of clothing and place them one after the other. The result will spell something seen at a baseball game. What is it?At first I thought the answer would literally spell out something like B-A-T. My second thought was that it must be a Team Mascot with the second piece of clothing being an ascot. But before I could think of a third incorrect answer, it hit me.
Edit: The shortstop plays between 2nd and 3rd base.
A: SHORTS + TOP = STORTSTOP
Sunday, July 06, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 6, 2025): Nice Place in the U.S. to Vacation
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 6, 2025): Nice Place in the U.S. to Vacation
Edit: As part of a two-week challenge, Tim Pearce of Pittsburg, PA sent in HAWAII = "Honolulu and Waikiki — awesome, I imagine".
Q: This is a phonetic challenge in four parts. First, say a letter of the alphabet out loud -- like B, C, or L. Then name something you might carry around in your pocket. Say it twice. Finally, name a variety of tree. Say these four things in order, and phonetically they'll name a nice place in the United States to vacation. What is it?This place was mentioned on this blog in the last couple years by someone from a city and state that started with the same letter.
Edit: As part of a two-week challenge, Tim Pearce of Pittsburg, PA sent in HAWAII = "Honolulu and Waikiki — awesome, I imagine".
A: WAIKIKI BEACH (Y + KEY + KEY + BEECH)
Sunday, June 29, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 29, 2025): Famous Movie Actor and Brand
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 29, 2025): Famous Movie Actor and Brand
Edit: A barrel maker is a cooper which is also a model of the Mini car brand.
Q: Think of a famous movie star (6 letters, 6 letters). The first name, when said out loud, sounds like a brand of a certain object. The last name is someone who uses this object. What movie star is this?Has this puzzle got you over a barrel?
Edit: A barrel maker is a cooper which is also a model of the Mini car brand.
A: MINNIE DRIVER --> MINI, DRIVER
Sunday, June 22, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 22, 2025): Film Award
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 22, 2025): Film Award
Edit: Wikipedia adds his maternal surname (Caballero). Also, I probably shouldn't have used the graphic that I did.
Q: Take the first and last names of a major film director. Drop the last six letters of his name, and rearrange what remains. You'll get the name of a major film award -- for which this director has been nominated six times. Who is he and what is the award?Technically, the director has one more name.
Edit: Wikipedia adds his maternal surname (Caballero). Also, I probably shouldn't have used the graphic that I did.
A: PEDRO ALMODÓVAR, PALME D'OR
Sunday, June 15, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 15, 2025): Child's Play
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 15, 2025): Child's Play
The first time I played this game, I was on the receiving end and don't remember playing. But I do remember later when I was on the giving end.
Q: Take a child's game, in eight letters. Change the sixth letter to 'ch' and, phonetically, you'll have a popular animated children's character. What are the game and the character?How manu of us remember the first time we played this?
The first time I played this game, I was on the receiving end and don't remember playing. But I do remember later when I was on the giving end.
A: PEEK-A-BOO, PIKACHU
Sunday, June 08, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 8, 2025): Female Animals and Their Offspring
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 8, 2025): Female Animals and Their Offspring
Edit: Did I overdo it with my "fawning" over Lego?
Q: Name certain female animals. Insert a T somewhere inside the word, and you'll get a synonym for this animal's offspring. What animals are these?Of course I appreciate this puzzle along with all the puzzles created by our esteemed LegoLambda.
Edit: Did I overdo it with my "fawning" over Lego?
A: DOES --> DOTES, FAWNS
Sunday, June 01, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 1, 2025): Famous Movie Characters
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 1, 2025): Famous Movie Characters
Edit: "add" = "ad" --> Recent State Farm commercials have made fun of asking for "Bateman" when you really want "Batman". The only Friday the 13th this year will occur this month; a hint toward "Jason Voorhees".
Q: Think of a famous current actor. His first name is also the name of a famous movie character. Drop the middle letter of his last name and you'll name another famous movie character. Each character is a central figure in a dozen or more films. What actor is this?Let me add that I've already heard part of this wordplay. The puzzle might have been more relevant in a couple weeks, give or take.
Edit: "add" = "ad" --> Recent State Farm commercials have made fun of asking for "Bateman" when you really want "Batman". The only Friday the 13th this year will occur this month; a hint toward "Jason Voorhees".
A: JASON BATEMAN --> JASON and BATMAN.
Sunday, May 25, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 25, 2025): Unusual Wordplay
NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 25, 2025): Unusual Wordplay
Edit: The phrase NARNIA SERIES is another example of a "pair isogram".
Q: The onetime country duo "Montgomery Gentry" and the classic song "Go on With the Wedding" have a very unusual wordplay property in common. What is it?Those that have read the Narnia series will have an advantage.
Edit: The phrase NARNIA SERIES is another example of a "pair isogram".
A: Each phrase can be considered a pair isogram where each different letter appears exactly twice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)