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.
Blaine's Puzzle Blog
Weekly discussion on the NPR puzzler, brain teasers, math problems and more.
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
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.
Sunday, May 18, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 18, 2025): You Read It Here First
NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 18, 2025): You Read It Here First
Edit: You can add X, I and V.
Q: Name a popular magazine. Rearrange its letters. Then add an O at the end and you'll name a prominent subject in this magazine's new issue. What magazine is it? Hint: You don't need to read this magazine in order to guess the answer.You can add a few more letters and the answer still works.
Edit: You can add X, I and V.
A: PEOPLE, POPE LEO
Sunday, May 11, 2025
NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 11, 2025): Famous Singer
NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 11, 2025): Famous Singer
Edit: My first guess was Lady Gaga
Q: Name a famous singer past or present. Remove the first and last letter from the first name and the result will be a potential partner of the last name. What singer is this?Little did I know that my first guess was close.
Edit: My first guess was Lady Gaga
A: GLADYS KNIGHT --> LADY, KNIGHT
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Happy Birthday Bob!
As part of a birthday celebration for Bob, we created a short crossword puzzle. The partygoers seemed to have a fun time with it. How many answers can you figure out?
Update: If the dynamic version of the crossword stops working (it has a limited number of sessions), you can download a printed copy of the puzzle
Update: If the dynamic version of the crossword stops working (it has a limited number of sessions), you can download a printed copy of the puzzle
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