Sunday, November 26, 2023

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 26, 2023): We Don't Need Roads

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 26, 2023): We Don't Need Roads
Q: Think of a common sign seen along a highway. Rearrange the letters to name something inside a car.
Change the last letter of the sign to an "I", rearrange to name part of the body. Change the last letter of thing inside the car to an "F", rearrange to name something found on the water.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 19, 2023): Let's Start a Band

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 19, 2023): Let's Start a Band
Q: Here's a harder challenge. Name a musical instrument plus part of that instrument. Drop the last letter of the instrument then rearrange all the remaining letters to name another musical instrument. What is it?
The deadline is Wed. Nov 22 at 3PM ET because of Thanksgiving.

The 1st and 3rd letters of the final musical instrument are the initials of someone famously associated with that instrument.

Edit: Christopher Walken is (in)famous for the "More Cowbell" skit on SNL.
A: CELLO (-O) + BOW --> COWBELL

Sunday, November 12, 2023

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 12, 2023): Creative Places (continued...)

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 12, 2023): Creative Places (continued...)
Q: This is a two-week creative challenge. Name a geographical place. Then describe it acrostically using the letters in its name. For example, ALBANY could be described acrostically as "Administering Legislative Business At New York." The place can be anywhere in the world — the U.S. or abroad. Entries will be judged on originality, sense, naturalness of wording, elegance, and overall effect. You may submit up to three entries.
The deadline is this Wednesday, November 15th at 3PM ET.

Edit: Listeners sent more than a thousand entries. Out of them all, Will's favorite was the following — selected for its length and beauty:
A: STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Shakespeare transformed rhetorical art, to fashion outstanding rhythmic drama — using poetry, oratory, nuance, and vividly original narrative.
Stephen Portnoy, Hillsboro, OR

So many other ingenious entries were submitted that Will wanted to share as many as possible. Here are some of his other favorite geographical acrostic submissions.

ALASKA
America Laughed At Seward’s Keen Acquisition
Christy St. John, Doylestown, PA

AMSTERDAM
A marvelous space to enjoy real Dutch art museums
Don Brown, East Greenbush, NY

ANNAPOLIS
America’s notable Naval Academy protects our lives in service
Benita Rice, Salem, OH

ANTARCTICA
Almost Nobody There, And Really Cold, Thick Ice Covers All
Jim Meyer, Edmonds, WA

ASPEN
A skier's paradise equalled nowhere
Michelle Nelson, South Windsor, BC, Canada

ATLANTA
Attorneys Take Legal Action Negating Trump’s Activities
Rene Esler, Atlanta, GA

ATLANTIS
Area Termed Lost. Alas, Never Tells Its Secrets
Roxane Rix, Alexandria, PA

BARCELONA
Behind a resurgent Catalan environment leading our national aspirations
Henry Willis, Los Angeles, CA

BERMUDA
Beachfront Escape Reputedly Masking Unexplained Disappearing Airplanes
Christy St. John, Doylestown, PA

CALGARY
Canada’s Alberta location — greatest annual rodeo. Yee-haw!
BethAnn Hullinger, La Quinta, CA

CANADA
Considerate And Nice And Dependable Ally
Steve Lindsay, Victoria, BC

CAPRI
Captivating And Picturesque Roman Island
Liz Tentarelli, Newbury, NH

CARTHAGE
Considerably aggrieved, Rome triumphed here after great enmity
Max Lykins, Charlottesville, VA

CHICAGO
Cub’s Home Is Certainly A Good One
Dave Johnson, San Antonio, TX

CHICAGO
Capone Had It Cornered Against Gang Opposition
Ted Levin, Seattle, WA

CLEVELAND
Cleaner Lake Erie vistas enhance life and new downtown
Michael Tripka, Loretto, PA

CONSTANTINOPLE
Conquering Ottomans Never Stopped Their Attack. Now Titled Istanbul, Nestled On Peninsula Linking Eurasia
Alex Storrs, Marlborough, BC, Canada

DEATH VALLEY
Desert Environment Abides Torturous Heat Visiting America's Lowest Land Elevation Yearly
John Sanderson, Minneapolis, MN

DENALI (haiku)
Dazzling escarpment / Nivean alpine landscape / Illuminated.
Julia Lewis, Fort Collins. CO

DUBAI
Desert Urbanization For Bigwig Arab Industrialists
David Russell, Rockville, MD

DURHAM
Duke University Remains High And Mighty
Philip Spiro, Durham, NC

ELLIS ISLAND
Emma Lazarus's Lyrically Inscribed Statue Invited Strangers Loving A New Democracy
Ryan Haynes, Austin, TX

FLORIDA
For Lots Of Retirees, It's Downright Appealing
Neal Kern, Salem, OR

HAWAII
Honolulu and Waikiki — awesome, I imagine
Tim Pearce, Pittsburgh, PA

HIMALAYAS
Hiking In Mountains At Ludicrous Altitudes Yields Astonishing Sights
Erin Zamora, San Diego, CA

INDIANA
Its name derivation is acknowledging Native ancestors
Karel Tracy, Portland, OR

INDONESIA
Island Nation, Domain Of Numerous Endangered Species In Asia
Donn Dimichele, Redlands, CA

LAHAINA
Land and history are incinerated now; aloha
Daniel Bertram, Princeton Junction, NJ

LAOS
Lacks an ocean, sadly
Mark Halpin, Newport, KY

LAS VEGAS
Lavish Absolutely Shimmering Venue Entertaining Gamblers And Sightseers
James Gocella, Mercersburg, PA

LAS VEGAS
Losers And Suckers Very Eagerly Gamble Away Savings
Barbara Gossett, Garden Grove, CA

LOS ALAMOS
Lonely outpost sees atomic laboratory achieve Mr. Oppenheimer's success
Jeffrey Bateman, White Rock, NM

LOS ANGELES
Lots of Subarus, Accords, Nissans, GMCs, Elantras leave everyone stuck
Toby Gottfried, Santa Ana, CA

MAINE
My abode in New England
Doris Luther, Hollis Center, ME

MEMPHIS
Made Elvis's Mansion Popular Historic Interest Site
Susan Martin, Nashville, TN

MESOPOTAMIA
Many Early Sapiens Occupied Parts Of The Asian Mainland, Including Assyria
Neal Kern, Salem, OR

MEXICO
Marimbas emulate xylophones in colorful Oaxaca
Harvey Stern, New Orleans, LA

MOSCOW
Mother Of Slavs, Curse Of Westerners
Ted Levin, Seattle, WA

NAPLES
Nearby At Pompeii Lava Eradicated Society
David Silber, Pleasanton, CA

NEW JERSEY
Nonresidents Expect We're Just Express Routes Smelling Extremely Yucky
Jim Woodman, Trenton, NJ

PANAMA
Positioned At Narrows Along Middle America
Rick Peterson, Hightstown, NJ

PEORIA
Perpetual example of routine in America
Maia Eisen, Poulsbo, WA

PHILADELPHIA
Patriots Heralding Independence Lettered A Declaration Establishing Life Pursuing Happiness In America
Connie Mohr, Tetonia, ID

PHOENIX
Painfully hot, often, except nearing into Xmas
Geoffrey Mayne, Dan Diego, CA

PISA
Precarious Icon Stands Aslant
David Corriveau, Lebanon, NH

ROME
Remains of mighty empire
Amy Adler, Toledo, OH

ROME
Really Old Monuments Everywhere
Liz Tentarelli, Newbury, NH

RUSSIA
Remains under substantial Soviet influence, alas
Donn Dimichele, Redlands, CA

SAHARA
Sand And Heat And Relentless Aridity
Anthony Baio, San Diego, CA

SAINT HELENA
South Atlantic Island: Napoleon's Tyranny Halted, Exile Left Emperor No Authority
Greg VanMechelen, Berkeley, CA

SAN FRANCISCO
Sunsets Are Nice. Foggy Rental Apartments Not Cheap. Indebted Startups Continuously Overpromise
Vera Mucaj, Philadelphia, PA

SANIBEL ISLAND
Snowbirds Annually Nest In Beach Enhanced Location. Iridescent Shells Lie Abundantly 'Neath Dunes
Scott Hodnefield, Maryland Heights, MO

SEATTLE
Starbucks Everywhere — Adding Tremendously To Local Energy
Patrick McIntyre, Seattle, WA

STEAMBOAT (Colo.)
Scenic Thriving Environment Among Mountains Boasting Outstanding Alpine Thrills!
Matt Reilein, Chicago, IL

STONEHENGE
Salisbury's Talismanic Observatory Notes Earth's Horology, Evidencing Neolithic Geometer's Engineering
Iris Snowfire, Harmony, ME

TAIWAN, CHINA
Technology And Independence Western Allies Normalize, Communist Homeland Is Not Amused
Brian Tell, Ypsilanti, MI

TALLAHASSEE
This Avowedly Liberal Locale Also Has A Staid Southern Establishment Element
Paul Arons, Tallahassee, FL

THE BAHAMAS
Travel Here, Explore Beaches, And Have A Margarita! (Apply Sunscreen.)
Jared Goudsmit, Chicago, IL

TUCSON
The Undisputed Cactus Showroom Of Nature
Robert Rees, Los Angeles, CA

VESUVIUS
Volcano Erupted Suddenly; Uncovered Valley Is UNESCO Site
Greg VanMechelen, Berkeley, CA

WACO (double)
Where a Cult Operated, What a Catastrophic Outcome!
Roger Christman, State College, PA

WASHINGTON D.C.
What a shambles here! It's not governance. That's our nation's democracy collapsing.
Ward Hartenstein, Rochester, NY

WASHINGTON D.C.
Where A Small Handful In National Government Try Our Nation's Dwindling Confidence
David Kvam, Delmar, NY

WASHINGTON D.C.
Where Americans Serve Honorably In National Government — Together One Nation, Despite Conflicts
Mike Strong, Mechanicsburg, PA

Sunday, November 05, 2023

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 5, 2023): Creative Places

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 5, 2023): Creative Places
Q: This is a two-week creative challenge. Name a geographical place. Then describe it acrostically using the letters in its name. For example, ALBANY could be described acrostically as "Administering Legislative Business At New York." The place can be anywhere in the world — the U.S. or abroad. Entries will be judged on originality, sense, naturalness of wording, elegance, and overall effect. You may submit up to three entries.
Just remember the deadline is in two weeks, but on Wed. Nov. 15th.

Sunday, October 29, 2023

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 29, 2023): My Alarm Didn't Go Off...

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 29, 2023): My Alarm Didn't Go Off...
Q: The time 6:29 on a digital clock, ignoring the colon, also reads 6:29 upside down. How many times in a day can a digital clock, ignoring the colon, read the same right side up as upside down? We are not accepting military time.
I'd much rather spend my time on an African safari.

Edit: My initial clue was about a Rubik's cube which has 6 sides each with 9 "stickers" but that was clearly TMI, so I switched to Africa which has 54 countries.
A: 54 times (12:21, 1:01, 1:11, 1:21, 1:51, 2:02, 2:12, 2:22, 2:52, 5:05, 5:15, 5:25, 5:55, 6:09, 6:19, 6:29, 6:59, 8:08, 8:18, 8:28, 8:58, 9:06, 9:16, 9:26, 9:56, 10:01, 11:11 = 27 times, but then repeated for both AM and PM).
Update: Will went for the Daylight Saving Time answer of 58, when you can see 1:01, 1:11, 1:21 and 1:51 twice when the clocks go back 1 hour at 2 AM.

Sunday, October 22, 2023

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 22, 2023): The Cat's Away...

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 22, 2023): The Cat's Away...

I'm unable to post the puzzle this week, but I didn't want to leave you without a place to post comments on the puzzle. Somebody help me out by posting a copy here. Then feel free to add your hints as long as they don't give away the answer.
Q: Name a country. The first syllable spells something that people do. The rest of the name is an anagram of where some people do that. What country is it?
A: SINGAPORE --> SING, OPERA

Sunday, October 15, 2023

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 15, 2023): If Life Gives You Fruit...

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 15, 2023): If Life Gives You Fruit...
Q: Name a famous athlete, first and last names. Interchange the initials of those names. Then add an appliance. The result, reading left to right, will name a fruit. What is it?
Take the athlete's middle name. Keep the first letter and the last four letters. Insert a fruit and phonetically you have another fruit.

Edit: Constantine --> C + LEMON + TINE --> Clementine
A: DAN MARINO --> MAN DARINO + RANGE --> MANDARIN ORANGE

Sunday, October 08, 2023

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 8, 2023): Mammal, Insect, Bird

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 8, 2023): Mammal, Insect, Bird
Q: 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?
You have a couple choices for the bird.
A: JACK-O'-LANTERN from JACKAL, ANT and TERN (or ERNE)

Sunday, October 01, 2023

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 1, 2023): City Animal

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 1, 2023): City Animal
Q: Name a well-known U.S. city in four syllables. The first two syllables, with a letter inserted, will name an animal — that might be found in the place named by the last syllable. What city is it?
The third syllable is also the sixth.

Edit: MA (Massachusetts) was the sixth state to join the Union.
A: KALAMAZOO --> KOALA, ZOO

Sunday, September 24, 2023

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 24, 2023): U.S. City Demonyms

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 24, 2023): U.S. City Demonyms
Q: Name a major U.S. city in two words. Change the first letter of the first word and the next-to-last letter of the second word. Then rearrange all the letters to name the people who live in this city. What city is it?
The difference is 18.

Edit: The letters you remove are Sc (Scandium, element 21) and you replace them with Li (Lithium, element 3). The difference is 18.
A: SAN FRANCISCO --> CALIFORNIANS