Sunday, August 31, 2014

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 31, 2014): Before and After

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 31, 2014): Before and After:
Q: Think of a word that means "to come before." Replace its last letter with two new letters to get "someone who comes after you." These two words are unrelated etymologically. What words are they?
The anagram of one of the words makes me want to cry.
Edit: The anagram is TEARDROP.
A: PREDATE --> PREDATOR

Sunday, August 24, 2014

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 24, 2014): The 1960s vs. the 1990s

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 24, 2014): The 1960s vs. the 1990s:
Q: Name a world leader of the 1960s — two words. Change the last letter of the second word. Then switch the order of the words — that is, putting the second word in front. The result will name a hit song of the 1990s. Who is the leader, and what is the song?
For once I'm up early. Maybe it's a sign I should start my morning routine.

Edit: The hints were up early/morning (a.m. = Alanis Morisette), sign (Burma Shave roadside signs) and morning routine (shaving = Burma Shave)
A: U THANT (Secretary General of the U.N., from Burma) --> THANK U (by Alanis Morisette)

Sunday, August 17, 2014

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 17, 2014): Target Practice

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 17, 2014): Target Practice:
Q: You have a target with six rings, bearing the numbers 16, 17, 23, 24, 39, and 40. How can you score exactly 100 points, by shooting at the target.
Finally a math puzzle, but then it has to be one that isn't very challenging. If you are having trouble, just keep firing arrows; you'll hit it eventually.

Edit: You'll need the full complement of 6 arrows.
A: 16 + 16 + 17 + 17 + 17 + 17 = 100

Sunday, August 10, 2014

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 10, 2014): What Does the Fox Say?

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 10, 2014): What Does the Fox Say?:
Q: Name a well-known movie of the past — two words, seven letters in total. These seven letters can be rearranged to spell the name of an animal plus the sound it makes. What animal is it?


Edit: The hint is the arrow in the picture...
A: LA BAMBA --> LAMB, BAA

Thursday, August 07, 2014

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 3, 2014): People, Places and Things

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 3, 2014): People, Places and Things:
Q: Take the name of a modern-day country. Add an "A" and rearrange all the letters to name a group of people who used to live in the area of this country. Who are they?
Shall we debate whether the 4th letter of the country should be included?

A: NETHERLANDS + A --> NEANDERTHALS