Friday, September 06, 2013

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 1, 2013): One Name Celebrities

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 1, 2013): One Name Celebrities:
Q: Think of a well-known celebrity who goes by a single name — the last two letters of which are alphabetically separated by only one letter (like A and C, or B and D). Replace this pair of letters with the one that separates them, and you'll have a common, everyday word. What is it?
I wonder if this was inspired by the puzzle of two weeks ago? Anyone know?

Edit: The puzzle from two weeks ago was about the Roman numeral XXXVIII; Beyoncé sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXXVIII. And the word "know" at the end of my comment was a hint to her last name of Knowles.
A: Beyoncé --> Beyond

142 comments:

  1. Here's my standard reminder... don't post the answer or any hints that could lead directly to the answer (e.g. via a chain of thought, or an internet search) before the deadline of Thursday at 3pm ET. If you know the answer, click the link and submit it to NPR, but don't give it away here.

    You may provide indirect hints to the answer to show you know it, but make sure they don't give the answer away. You can openly discuss your hints and the answer after the Thursday deadline. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Blaine, you wrote XLVIII and I wrote XLVI for the 2013 SuperBowl. It was actually neither, as Super Bowl XLVII.

      Still looking forward to what the NFL will do with Super Bowl L. I'm thinking they will switch to Super Bowl 50.

      Delete
    2. Never mind...You were talking about her singing the National Anthem at 38.. I was talking about her 1/2 time performance at 47.

      I'm quite sure part of the fall of the Roman Empire had to do with people spending too much time figuring out Roman Numerals.

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    3. Actually the Roman Empire fell due to their aqua ducts being sabotaged. It only took a tiny break in the flow to completely stop all the water. Had they only had duct tape back then things might be different today.

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    4. Classic duct tape joke, SDB. I'd give it an LXXXVII out of C.

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    5. You hurt my feelings WW. I'm going back to my IV.

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    6. I wasn't there for the original taping, but thanks to Nero all the tapes were burned.

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    7. C, I was going to give you a 97 but an 87 was easier. ;-)

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    8. I'm much more familiar with 86.

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    9. ...and after today it may happen again here.

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  2. I don’t know too much about celebrities but this only took me about 10 minutes.

    Chuck

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  3. From last night:

    "skydiveboy Sun Sep 01, 03:26:00 AM PDT
    New puzzle just came up and I already passed the test and submitted my answer."

    ReplyDelete
  4. I always thought Il Duce was a dud. But back then I didn't know beans about Italian politics.

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. Liberad sounds like a word in Spanish but it's not.
      and I am not above giving a hint this week...

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    2. I guess I was wrong about that; there is a word in Spanish and a movie called "Liberad a Willi" !!!

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    3. Yeh, it was easy. My first guess was that guy who changed his single name to some kind of a silly hieroglyph.

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    4. Oui, Uncle John, we could all also have characters, like the Japanese and Chinese, as our emblems.

      One of the first questions our Japanese students asked was "What is your blood type?" I always tried to be positive. It was similar to asking "What's your sign?" My reply to that one? "Speed limit 75."

      Delete
  6. Hmmm, "well known celebrity" is redundant. We done dat already. Sigh.

    Cooler day for a hike. I wonder how far we'll see.

    I liked Magdalen's header on the other blog~~Mozas?

    Hey, if the player today can mention a Mensa site, surely we can mention Blaine's blog, Englishman solves crosswords blog...blog blog blog. But, I hope it's not me this week. I would feel the need to use the word lame, and not in a nice way. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WW So that means I can tell everyone I was here on this blog if I am chosen?

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    2. Yes, RoRo, and we will cheer you on and say "We knew her when!"

      Delete
    3. We all covet the lapel pin. Sometimes I think the people who get picked are just TOO lucky, as in: undeserving cuz this was the first time they entered; and sometimes I'm like, well: "That person was perfect cuz they had just the right knowledge for Will's category." This guy was an example of the latter, Hell!

      Will exclaimed: "You're a genius!" Man, wouldn't you LOVE to get a lapel pin AND THAT!!!?

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    4. Only because it was verified that he was a genius...Maybe they need a new box on the NPR puzzle submittal form: IQ. Then Will could say genius!, average, or more on than not. There should also be a degree of humor box, a degree of nervousness box, etc.

      Ha! Degree of humor index~~we'd all be geniuses! In print anyway. :-)
      Er, I mean, prind.

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    5. Regarding the lapel pin: I believe I have posted before that I do not want one. I don't even know what one looks like and I bet none of you do either unless you have one. I don't understand why they don't post a picture of one on their web site. What good is having a pin no one would recognize? All that glitters is not glod. (sic)

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Is the cover of a pink grapefruit a prind?

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    2. zeke, please be a prind and don't start again with more pink controversy. :)

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    3. You msy call me; *q, the prind formerly known as zeke creek. :-)

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    4. Okay for now, but I expect you will change it back before too long. Capid?

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    5. I see Zeke also thought of that androgynous creature with the squeaky voice.

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    6. Uncle John, don't you mean a squeaky void?

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    7. U b smaser that the avg bar, sdb.
      Your prind, Yoh.

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    8. Ha, SDB, you made me make a small expiration, which, on FB, would pass for LOL.

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    9. “OBSCENELY” anagrams to BEYONCÉ + S L = “Single Ladies” (2008), which became a number one hit.

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  8. These puzzles leave me breathless at times.

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  9. Blaine,

    I doubt that your speculation is reasonable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I agree, Leo. Blaine, one would need intravenous fluids to liven up this puzzle, for any reason.

      Delete
    2. It's another Henry Hook puzzle. Need I say more?

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    3. Where I live this evaluation is sufficient.

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    4. Indeed, skydiveboy. Though I am more familiar with the Ws.

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    5. Don't you think 8 long years of W was enough? I thought 8 minutes was an hour too much.

      Delete
  10. I posted on Sun Sep 01, at 07:07:00 AM PDT on last week's thread:

    Some of the entertainment shows might mention the celebrity's name just in time for many to beat the deadline!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any Canadian could correctly give the answer to this one without even thinking.

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  12. Isn't the slogan at Will's paper "all the news that's fit to prind"?

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  13. I'm sure not the intended answer, but there is a Finnish singer-songwriter whose name works too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Finns always come in last. I think they even named a line after them.

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    2. And now Nokia has finished being Finnish. Maybe they should have drawn a line in the snow, but of course that too would have been a Finnish line. It serves them right for the design error they foisted on the tail ends of 1960's cars. Will there be no end to this?
      FIN

      Delete
  14. pretty simple, though I know less about this celebrity than the media wants.

    Another celebrity name, which isn't strictly a single name, works well with a certain irony in the result.

    There's another single-name celebrity this works for if we got eliminate the letter "q". The puzzle also works for a well-known comic character; strictly speaking s/he does have a full name. But there is a celebrity (for some) with the same name, who often is referred to by the single name.

    Finally, using the same puzzle, can you change a well-known landmark to a common man's name?

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have hardly any knowledge of this person, but fortunately my daughter was visiting when the puzzle came on and got the answer within seconds.

    ReplyDelete
  16. If you start with Enya and allow a Z between the Y and A, you get Enz, which, when in all caps (ENZ), is a registered trademark of the same people who bring you Trojan (also a registered trademark) condoms.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So, David, I am not sure it would be correct for me to say you have too much time on your hands

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    2. I thought it was a bit of a stretch, so to speak.

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    3. Check out the Philadelphia Naked Bike Ride where the trademark Where's Waldo red and white covering can be found, uh, covering...

      I do like their slogan of " More ass, less gas" to promote bicycling over cars or buses. 3000 people rode this year.

      XLII.

      Delete
    4. We would NEVER allow a thing like that here in Seattle!

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    5. That too, but more important, what about the Mormon children?

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    6. Sdb,
      Nothing is more of a stretch than the picture Blaine posted.

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    7. No helmets? And how do you jam your toes into the pedal clips?

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    8. Allowances are made. Too bad for those with a foot fetish though.

      Delete
    9. zeke:
      Re: the photo above, isn't it Israel where they say, "Cher and Sharon alike?"

      Delete
    10. Most people wore shoes, some clothing or paint...but very few helmets, good catch, Jan. Hats and masks were in abundance. It looked like a fun ride. The cowboy in boots and ten gallon hat was an especially happy chap.

      Delete
    11. Sdb.
      We can stretch a penny but that's ridiculous

      Delete
    12. As to the photo, zeke, I kinda like it now that has lost her Sonny disposition.

      And at least you could give me a break for not saying anything about a naked cowgirl with chapped lips.

      Delete
    13. I play a lot of volleyball. . .

      Delete
    14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    15. I was so pleased with myself or coming up with that one I continued it.

      Did you hear about the naked cowgirl with chapped lips? She could be herd for miles exclaiming her unbridled delight. Yes, Brandy was indeed a fine girl, but it wasn’t just a cowpoke she was after like the cowboys. She not only wanted a home on the range, but a range in her home and some thought she was masochistic when she met her Larry at the bunkhouse.

      Delete
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    ReplyDelete
  18. Sorry, I had to pull that one down. Anyway, at this point in your puzzle-solving, most of you should be done by now.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The Clatman is an Elves impersonator.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jets. Too bad it is not the last two letters, but ones in the middle. JETS SAVES!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure this isn't the intended answer but arguably fits the clue as a person of celebrity status.

      Delete
    2. Another non-answer is what's obviously a trend to have children.

      Delete
  21. My husband (a non-wordie, non-puzzler if there ever was one) got the answer to this in a nanosecond even before I finished reading it to him. "Oh you mean like _______ ?" And he was right. Then he started singing. Way past the norm for Norm.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I guess the rapper Boac isn't famous enough?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Might be though, as I know nothing of either one and hope to keep it that way.

      Delete
  23. Wahoo for Diana Nyad and her 110 mile swim!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought it was Diana Nybc. Anyway I heard she had a stroke and when I called to find out I was told she actually had thousands of them.

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    2. My longest swim so far was 10 miles. Only 100 miles to go. Remarkable swim, Diana! Ocean swimming is unpredictable and quite freeing.

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    3. Yes it is, especially if you are Cuban.

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    4. Wahoo? I think she's had quite enough of tropical mackerel by now.

      Delete
  24. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't deforestation where tourists get off the train in Yosemite?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No bones about it. It was (deforest) kelly green, before the fire. [Rim shot]

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  25. The Schumer (is he a one name celeb yet?) pic stayed with me.

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  26. Not what Will is looking for, but I first thought about Mr. T, which would humorously become Ms...

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  27. Why there was no love between Gollum and Frodo..

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  28. Jan, has your niece crossed paths with Missy Franklin at Cal yet? It's been a good week in swimming news.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Someone pointed her out in the dining hall, it seems. Same unit, different building, if that means anything to you.

      Delete
    2. Don't know the campus all that well. CO press noted she sobbed when she said good bye to her folks, especially her mom...and that she is excited to swim as part of a college team. When she says "I want to swim with my future bridesmaids" she really means it. This young lady is so grounded and so real. Good luck to your niece!

      Delete
  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  30. Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter > BEYOND

    Not exactly one name is it? But Juan can quibble if Juan wants; and talk about pretentious! Be Why Once. I assume she is a singer, but beyond that I know nothing at all about her. Will Shortz is such an intellectual—NOT!

    My hint:

    "New puzzle just came up and I already passed the test and submitted my answer."

    PASS and BEYOND are synonyms. Rather poor usage, I admit, but if Will Shortz can get away with it, why not me too?

    ReplyDelete
  31. Beyonce, beyond

    Last Sunday I said, “I don’t know too much about celebrities but this only took me about 10 minutes.” Know as in Beyonce Knowles.

    Chuck

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  32. BEYONCE -> beyond

    > Now think of a celebrity whose name sounds like two letters alphabetically separated by 15 letters.

    Jay-Z, her husband.

    > It's sad and creepy how easy these "puzzles" have become.

    Like Blue Ivy, their daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Bed, Bath and Beyonce.

    XLVI = Super Bowl where Beyonce performed.

    IV = Blue Ivy, her daughter.

    Together it adds up to L, which will be a lame-named Super Bowl.

    Lame referred not only to the eady puzzle but also to lame' (as in her flashy, sparkly outfits).

    ReplyDelete
  34. If you google "one name celebrities", the first result is:
    http://www.imdb.com/list/aCPKaWRksTk/

    This list is of 77 "celebrities", none of whom are Beyonce. However, the most recent comment, is:

    Beyonce?
    September 1 at 9:49am

    ReplyDelete
  35. "Santa" referred to Noel, which sounds like "knowles".

    ReplyDelete
  36. Breathless and sufficient referred back to an album by Captain Beyond.
    Referring to how the New York Times fabricates stories parallels the excessive makeup of said celebrity.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Beyoncé ==> Beyond

    I posted both on Sun Sep 01, at 07:07:00 AM PDT on last week's thread, and then again on Sun Sep 01, at 12:23:00 PM PDT on this thread:

    Some of the entertainment shows might mention the celebrity's name just in time for many to beat the deadline!

    I was thinking specifically about the show "Entertainment Tonight", which reports celebrity birthdays; -- and with Beyoncé about to turn 32 on Wednesday, the 4th!!

    Sure enough, last night ET DID INDEED announce her birthday. In fact, she was the answer to the TRIVIA QUESTION and NOBODY ELSE'S BIRTHDAY was announced!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. My clue: "think patriotism," Beyonce singing the "Star Spangled Banner."

    ReplyDelete
  39. My clue was one of her songs which it seems most people don't seem to care about (except maybe "if u want it then you'd better put a ring on it-oh oh oh") "I was here" which my sign language group performed to in Pittsburgh as a sign the song flash mob. You should try it some time!

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  40. I was in a movie theater (what's that, Mommy?) watching "dream Girls" and Jennifer Hudson got wild applause after her song. One person tried to clap after Beyoncé's song and the audience shut him down - not even close!

    ReplyDelete
  41. New puzzle just came up, and rather early for a change too, plus I think it is going to be rather difficult to solve:

    “Next week's challenge from Ike Yeulow of Darwin, Kansas: Think of a well known movie in two words that begin with the same letter. Remove that letter and replace it with another letter and you will name something Will Shortz enjoys. What is the movie? And what is the thing?”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hopefully your cheek doesn't hurt too much.

      I have ties to this movie and so does last (this??) week's puzzle.

      Delete
    2. My rule is verify first before submittal.

      Delete
    3. and change the first letter again to get another movie

      Delete
    4. You’re right! I didn't understand your above post at first, but I just now went and looked and it is no longer up. I am now wondering if they hired a new minion and he got a little carried away with himself and posted early, only to be reprimanded and then having his posting removed until later. Very interesting, don’t you think?

      Delete
    5. Tongan chic is in this year. You likely knew that though, SDB.

      Delete
    6. Oh, you really don't want to know about my trip to Tonga. Or do you?

      Delete
    7. Only if you can keep it in chic. ;-)

      Delete
    8. WW:
      The puzzles may suck, but we cannot live in a vacuum.

      Delete
    9. Re: Chicanery~~Would be great to see the trendy, renovated chairs!

      Delete
    10. Actually I do have a ladder back chair I got years ago at a garage sale for almost nothing and it was in bad need of a recaning, which I taught myself how to do and it is in my living room and I love to look at it. So, that is the extent of my descent into the depts. of S&M. Not all that interesting, I'm afraid, but there you have it. (He said with a sly smirk.)

      Delete
    11. Sorry about the typo above. It should read: depths. I don't know what happened, but my keyboard is having its' period, I'm afraid.

      Delete
    12. Favorite autocorrect of the week: Wrote about prospecting for aquamarines on Mt. Antero. It was "corrected" to prospecting for submarines on Mt. Antero!

      Delete
    13. Good call, because they could cause earthquakes, you know.

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    14. Charles - Did you actually remember this other movie, or just go door-to-door until you found it?

      Delete
  42. Yes, SDB, when will we have time for all the back and forth so well revered on Blaine's Blog?

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  43. The answer is threatening to make my skull explode!

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  44. P.S. - At the end of last week's blog, when I said, "this is way too hard for me" I was hinting at BEYOND.

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  45. How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if Chuck would none chuck could?

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  46. Name a famous person in history with four letters in the first name and six letters in the last. Move the first letter of all this to the end. The result will be a two-word phrase that might be defined as "the opposite of a curve." Who's the famous person, and what's the phrase?

    THIS WEEKS PUZZLE: Not a crooked line!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hey, comrades, fellow citizens of this blog, can I borrow your attention? I noticed that benmar12001 failed to mention the fact that the NPR webpage for the puzzle does NOT YET have THE SUBMIT BUTTON!!

    Man!!! Making us wait till the show airs before we can submit our answers? Well, I want to put that idea in its grave right now, not say anything good about it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You want a button? Here's a button:

      http://help.npr.org/npr/includes/customer/npr/custforms/contactus.aspx?pz=t

      Guess what bugged me most about John Oliver's coverage of the NYC mayoral race?

      Delete
  48. Thanks for the phony puzzle, sdb.

    As for the real puzzle, it may be no picnic to solve, but we could pretend that it is. Would you please pass me another piece of corn?

    (And how is it that today's on-air contestant was a two-timer? I thought it had been determined that that practice was strongly discouraged.)

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  49. Am I the only one who got: Jesus ---> Jest ?

    ReplyDelete
  50. No, Eddie Shea, look above where I posted:

    Jets. Too bad it is not the last two letters, but ones in the middle. JETS SAVES!

    I don't think Jest really works.

    ReplyDelete

For NPR puzzle posts, don't post the answer or any hints that could lead to the answer before the deadline (usually Thursday at 3pm ET). If you know the answer, submit it to NPR, but don't give it away here.

You may provide indirect hints to the answer to show you know it, but make sure they don't assist with solving. You can openly discuss your hints and the answer after the deadline. Thank you.