Sorry about the delay in posting; I'm still recovering from the puzzle a couple weeks back.Q: Name something in three syllables that an auto mechanic might have. Move the second and third syllables to the front. The result, with some respacing, will name a group of auto mechanics. What is it?
The answer from a couple weeks ago was bartender who might serve you a screwdriver.
A: SCREWDRIVER --> DRIVER'S CREW
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.
ReplyDeleteYou 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.
And thank you again, to Ken, for mentioning Blaine's puzzle blog on the air this week!
DeleteYes, great shout-out, Ken, and affirmation from Will that he still checks in on our clutch of puzzlers.
DeleteEnjoyed the "tiny, shiny hiney."
I'm envious. A hardware store with creaky floors and stuff piled to the ceiling sounds like heaven to me. And I bet Ken knows exactly where everything is in that store. And by 'everything' I mean 'anything you could ever possibly need, hardware-wise'.
DeleteI also enjoyed the on-air puzzles. They were fun, fun, fun. This is why I'm not a PuzzleMaster.
If Will understands the hints here half the time, he's got a better batting average than me. If Will understands my hints here half the time, he's got a better batting average than me.
Oh, wait a minute:
DeleteH, P, F Attila's wordplay
?
Hun pun fun, of course. :-)
DeleteDid I fail to mention that it is the responsibility of the solver to construct the next one?
DeleteSilly me!
Ok then. Here goes:
DeleteF, T, H
A race for prolific reptiles.
A fertile turtle hurdle.
DeleteYes, ron, and. . .?
DeletePaul's rules.
S, M, P
DeleteCrafty confused waters.
Subtle, muddled puddles? I like it!
DeleteGive me a minute or two.
American author collects American newsman.
DeleteJump in at any time. . .
And your 3 letters are?
DeleteIt was subtle, muddle,puddle.
DeleteCather gathers Rather.
E, Q, C
simple, ill at ease, & shoddy.
Cather gathers Rather.
DeleteEasy, queasy, cheesy.
DeleteMPR: TV scan of the Pope?
Yes, ron and jan.
DeleteEasy, queasy, cheesy.
jan, you are up (and up early for that brunch with David)!
WCF: Loser swore at winner.
DeleteWTF: Question a specialized chicken dinner.
Deleteworst cursed first
Deletewhy thigh fry ?
worst cursed first
Deletecritter with the fewest wrinkles? LCB
Least creased beast.
DeleteStill waiting for answers for MPR.
Least creased beast.
DeleteWDS
Indication of a banquet?
Yeah, I know, jan; I was rudely interrupted.
DeleteSome of us are still waiting for Tim O. to enlighten us.
All I can come with, jan, is Maple Papal Raple (a surprise hug), but it's not quite right.
DeleteMaybe the answer to Tim O.'s puzzle will make everything fall into sequence. . .
And Fear Near Here for FNH below, Paul. Well, it's pretty close (proximally).
No, its a master pastor raster.
DeleteGotcha. Growing up, Catholics had priests and Protestants had pastors, though I think pastor covers both, in fact.
DeleteNow if we had Tim O.'s answer. . .
Edge, Mr. O., Mr. O. (R,T,T)
You mean, like, Haile Selassie?
DeleteBien, Paul! And, speaking of Amharic, Obama is in Addis Ababa right now.
DeleteStill waiting for an answer to WDS.
Delete@ron - Wine & Dine Sign?
DeleteRTH - Vatican library?
We seem to have abandoned the rule that each word has two syllables.
DeleteYou are correct Bob.
DeleteRome tome home?
@ron - Bingo!
Delete@jan, we did. How about three syllable phrases then?
DeleteOverseer of Lecter's Debtee's Publication. P, C, E
Tim O., you could take this blog in a whole new direction, you know. . .
@WW - Predator Creditor Editor
DeleteSun Jul 26, 06:22:00 AM PDT
ReplyDeleteGot it while still in bed. Think NASCAR...
Chuck
A brain implant could help a scarecrow treat his Parkinson's disease and restore his memory.
ReplyDeleteI posted the following at the end of last week's blog:
ReplyDeleteskydiveboy Sun Jul 26, 07:48:00 AM PDT
I don't know why I keep thinking of a crankshaft when the answer has to be a BROKE PISTON.
I keep thinking of Mini Coopers for some reason.
ReplyDeleteThe major problem with Mini Coopers is that they have tiny cup holders.
DeleteI got this one at brunch.
ReplyDeleteClick and Clack's automotive puzzlers always include Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil among the tools in the trunk, but I don't think that's going to help us with this one.
ReplyDeleteNo, it won't, but if you read and solve the CarTalk online puzzle they are offering as of yesterday you will notice a similarity it has with this puzzle.
DeleteCute. I'd guess he ate the candy bar and used the wrapper to wrap the slit heater hose.
DeleteI once used chewing gum to temporarily plug a hole in a gas tank, after someone backed our ambulance into a metal signpost.
jan,
DeleteDid you have to Wrigle it in?
The CarTalk puzzle should be easy for you to solve if you know your surgery.
When was the last time anyone saw a 5 cent candy bar?
DeleteBryan,
DeleteI grew up with 5 cent candy bars, and since Tom was born eight years before me in 1937, he did too and was driving during the 1950's. I suspect the puzzle/story is true. I love this puzzle as it is pristine. It is stated perfectly and the nickle candy bar is not only an obfuscation, but also a necessary clue to solving this puzzle.
Caitlin's wooden plane
ReplyDeleteB S G
Bruce spruce goose. My "contributions" above.
DeleteF N H
DeleteTrepidātiōn in this vicinity.
fear near here
Deletebwn
superior Californian home
Best West Nest
Deleteicu
ReplyDeletezcp
zeke creek peek
DeleteBack to Tim O.'s 7, 10, 12, 42 puzzle from last week. Mmm, maybe 101, 109, and there is no third number? It's late here in Avignon, and I don't have time to check as carefully as I would like. My solution is based on a list that changes periodically, and I'm not sure I'm using the latest one. Tim O.?
ReplyDeleteTim O. wrote on Sun Jul 19, 12:18:00 PM PDT: Along somewhat similar lines, I'll put this one on the table: What three numbers come next? 7, 10, 12, 42 ...
DeleteThe numbers 7, 10, 12, and 42 are the atomic numbers of the elements nitrogen, neon, magnesium, and molybdenum. The first letter in the name of each of these elements (in English) is the same as the last letter. This is in keeping with the theme of the NPR puzzle the week Tim O. posted this puzzle.
I think there are only two more elements, as of July 27, 2015, whose names have the same first and last letter. These are mendelevium with atomic number 101 and meitnerium with atomic number 109.
So, the answer to Tim O.'s question is, ``no three numbers come next.''
WW had asked, ``Tim O., thy answer s'il vous plait.'' In a nod to her, I am posting this solution from France!
Merci, Monsieur FloridaGuy! Have a great time in France.
DeleteWe danced around this answer over at Partial Ellipsis of the Sun: From Beryllium to Bismuth Beautifully starting with the July 24, 2015 2:05 p.m. comment.
Berylliant!
DeleteWhat I know about this week's puzzle: OJ did it.
ReplyDeleteSo did General Eisenhower.
DeleteMusical clue: Wilson Phillips
ReplyDeleteC H D An insane, spaced-out flower.
ReplyDeleteP T C Evening TV offense.
ReplyDeletecrazy hazy daisy.
Deleteprime time crime.
Also, I would be remiss if I didn't mention it's my younger brother Bryan's birthday today! He's celebrating his 43rd in Florida for a few days, and we will have to look after my two young nieces until Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteJ C F Happy canine foolishness.
ReplyDeleteJolly Collie Folly
DeleteB L C The body of an impudent young girl from Glasgow, perhaps.
ReplyDeleteBrassy Lassie's Chassis
DeleteH D T Confusion involving a replica of a famous telescope.
ReplyDeleteHubble Double Trouble
DeleteS N I Bellybutton belonging to a dangerously thin fool.
ReplyDeleteSkinny Ninny Innie
DeleteS D S Take money belonging to Rachel.
ReplyDeletesnatch Dratch scratch
DeleteP R B Promotion of a French novelist's sleeping quarters.
ReplyDeleteProust roost boost
DeleteM L B Bullwinkle escaped, "Boss".
ReplyDeleteMoose Loose Bruce
DeleteSuperZee, thanks for helping me out. You and Brisco(and for that matter anyone else on this blog)would love the others I've posted here. Come one, come all! They're fairly easy!
DeleteD P T Get rid of fat loser(hopefully)in 2016.
ReplyDeleteDump Plump Trump
DeleteH P S Act of a famous madman throwing dishes around
ReplyDeleteHatter Platter Scatter
DeleteP M B: Working on keeping Peyton out
ReplyDeletePlanning Manning Banning; Brisco, you totally get my ideas. Once I started thinking of variations on the on-air puzzle, they just started flowing.
DeleteBrisco, Don't be afraid to try the others. You'll be pleasantly surprised. They're good enough to be published in GAMES.
DeleteS B K Lovesick feline from the UK.
ReplyDeleteSmitten Britain kitten.
DeleteM N B Name a Nabisco cookie under one's breath?
ReplyDeleteMutter Nutter Butter
DeleteS C B Livestock feud in upper Washington.
ReplyDeleteSeattle Cattle Battle
DeleteT F B Caitlyn's car accident.
ReplyDeleteTransgender fender bender.
DeleteS S C Induce vomiting in a bird that's come down with something.
ReplyDeleteSicken Stricken Chicken
DeleteB P P Rather thin fellow pretending to be a horse .
ReplyDeleteBoney Phoney Pony
DeleteI actually meant Bony Pony Phony.
DeleteM C O Wed a former SNL star.
ReplyDeleteMarry Cherie Oteri
DeleteOnly one E in her first name, but right.
DeleteH S F Hirsute, but frightening sprite.
ReplyDeleteHairy Scary Fairy
DeletePPP
ReplyDeleteUse a knife on two pieces of fruit.
Pare a pair of pears
DeleteBBB
ReplyDeleteAnalgesic for naked mammal.
Give Bayer to a bare bear?
DeleteHHH
ReplyDeleteperson who greets new executice
Higher hire hier?
DeleteBBB
ReplyDeletelumber advisory group with nothing to do
Bored boards board
DeleteAIE.
ReplyDeleteWhat the sailor said when asked if he was a spy.
Aye, I Espy
DeleteI was thinking "Aye, I eye", and for the above several "Board board bored", "Higher hire hier" (as answered), "Bare bear Bayer" and "Pare pear pair". My goal was homonyms only.
DeleteH T P - A quick but delicious dessert
ReplyDeletehasty tasty pudding?
DeleteHasty tasty pastry, perhaps?
DeleteHi, Ruth!
Pastry was my intended answer, unless you are from Cornwall, then it might be a Hasty Tasty Pastie
DeleteLiterary clue: it takes a village
ReplyDeleteM P L Dromedary Parents
ReplyDeleteMama and Pama Llama?
DeleteWill Shortz kindled a flame with his challenge on-air
ReplyDeleteTo "name three rhyming words..." It was met with fanfare
At Blaineville where Paul ("Hun pun fun") fanned the flame,
What began as Will's spark soon a wildfire became!
If running a puzzle blog is your desire
It behooves you to grok just what spark might catch fire.
Lego:PRH=FirstFamily'sDecisionToShunTheWhiteHouseAndLiveInAMotel6
President's Residence Hesitance
DeleteIt's a fun added challenge for those of us who are driven to find more of a challenge when the weekly puzzle comes up a bit short.
Delete@ Bob Kerfuffle, Predator Creditor Editor is correct! (We are getting closer to the magical 200 so I am consolidating comments).
Edge, Tim O, Tim O (RTT) was Rim Tim Tim. Glad Florida Guy illuminated the periodic table sequence.
Off to search for 119. . .
That's all for now ;-).
Bob Kerfuffle is, as usual, correct.
DeleteI too am consolidating 10 pounds of lightweight comments into one 5-pound comment bag. We may want to heed Word Woman's gentle admonition about how we are approaching the mystical 200-comment limit, when all of Blainesville turns into a giant pumpkin!
(Seriously, this concern has arisen before. Perhaps Blaine might weigh in to let us know if we have to cool it, or if he can somehow finagle additional comment slots.)
Here is my answer this week. Feel free to submit it, (especially if you don't care about getting a lapel pin):
The humid tropical climate of Jamaica often causes car keys to rust, and even occasionally get stuck in the car's ignition. That is why many of Jamaica's top auto mechanics keep in stock a copious supply of keys grease, mon.
Lego"JamaicaDupeOfThatKeyJustInCase?"
Further Proof of Lego Lambda's Clairvoyance:
"SMS: Portrait of a placid gal pal of Jesus"
I wrote that puzzle today. But I wrote the answer to it last Thursday. The answer is the title of one of this week's Puzzleria! puzzle slices. The title consists of three rhyming words totalling six syllables, just as in the answers to Will Shortz's on-air NPR challenge with host Rachel Martin and contestant Ken Roberts.
I uploaded my Puzzleria! blog early Friday morning, about six hours before Will, Rachel and Ken taped Sunday's NPR puzzle segment that was aired on Sunday.
Am I a swami, or what?
LegoOrMaybeItWasJustCoincidence
Lego, given your love of language and word sounds, I believe the word you are looking for is schwa-mi.
DeleteSTC something used in Vermont when changing buckets?
ReplyDeleteSap Tap Cap
DeleteAt the risk of being the 200th post, I'll just say that I'm pretty sure it's not a "belting Tim" that we're looking for. And when I got what I think is the answer, I realized that I didn't originally understand the order of syllables. So... it's not "Ingbelt Tim" either. Flattening my head against the wall --Margaret G
ReplyDeleteTSB
ReplyDeletecontortionist nun's vesicle
It's been awhile, jsulbyrne.
DeleteTwister Sister Blister?
Correctamundo.
DeleteB H C Dispose of a late sportscaster's body.
ReplyDeleteBury Harry Caray
DeleteVery Wary Larry (below)
V W L Quite cautious stooge.
ReplyDeletevery wary Larry
DeleteD S W Neat fish cover.
ReplyDeleteDapper snapper wrapper
DeleteA G C Place of worship allowing wrestling with fruit?
ReplyDeleteApple Grapple Chapel
DeleteF P C Dakota harshly criticizing Tatum.
ReplyDeleteFanning Panning Channing
DeleteS L E Being able to tolerate touchdown getting bigger?
ReplyDeleteStanding Landing Expanding
Delete(Sorry, that 200 comment limit is doomed.)
Probably so, Bob K. Ah well. . .We can actually go beyond 200 but it takes a bit of contorting to see them.
DeleteBut how does a touchdown get bigger? It's six points or nada, right?
S G S Con man involved in prison elegance.
ReplyDeleteslammer glamour scammer
DeleteA T R Meeting concerning the bowling score.
ReplyDeletealley tally rally
DeleteB B J Gag about a penniless chap.
ReplyDeleteBroke Bloke Joke
DeleteMaybe a new model aircraft requires a longer runway to make a successful touchdown/landing?
ReplyDeleteOk, maybe, Bob K. But it's a bit of a stretch.
DeleteHere's my final offering for the week:
P H F: Material for a triple-scoring Irishman.
peat heat feat?
DeleteThe Irishman is playing hockey. And I went with 2 syllables per word.
DeletePatrick hat trick fabric
DeleteYes, that's the ticket, ron! Though I went with the hat-trick version to make it one word.
Deletehat-trick is from CRICKET, not HOCKEY.
DeleteEven better. The triple-scoring Irishman is playing cricket, not hockey. ;-)
DeleteGood. Here's my final offering:
DeleteTBF: complete jackass rut
So, you know the female lead in the Iron Man movies? Well, suppose her mom and the guy who played Sgt. Schultz on Hogans Heroes had starred in a remake of Cleopatra. And one of the slaves who are supposed to be keeping them cool with their palm fronds -- no, not that slave, the darker one -- was doing a crappy job, and one of the production assistants was told to get rid of him? And he did it by throwing a wrench at him? What would you call that tool? DBTFCS.
DeleteDanner Banner Tanner Fanner Canner Spanner.
DeleteAnd to all a Good Night!
Bravo jan and Bob K!
DeleteI got only the first two words. And that took some searching.
@ron - Thorough Burro Furrow
DeleteExcellent, Bob! Now, if you've got a camel with one hump but an extra teat, where do you go to find a potion to fix that? DSMA.
DeleteDromedary Solitary Mammary Apothecary?
Deleteor Supplementary?
DeleteSupernumerary.
DeleteSouth American country's Enhanced Radiation Weapon, developed by 'Grease' star who married distinguished British thespian, divorced him, married 'Mr. Las Vegas', divorced him, and married a Rocket Man
DeleteONJONJBNB
Paul, I believe I see your reason but I don't see your rhyme.
DeleteNear rhyme
Deletequestionable reason
no excuse.
Is it phrase rhyming rather than individual word rhyming?
DeleteClearly the 200th comment is in sight. Who knows? Maybe it will be like Y2K, our own C200 which blithely rolls on to C201 this time.
Olivia Newton John-Olivier-Newton-John Bolivia Neutron Bomb
DeleteHey, Ruth. It's the 200+ issue. If you view on a newer desktop or laptop, scroll to the bottom and click "Load more. . ." If you are on a mobile phone or tablet, switch to the desktop/laptop version and follow the same steps. . .
DeleteBlaine, any chance you could remove the uncommanded postings to make room for comments on this NPR puzzle?
I did see the new space for rhyming puzzles--thanks for that and for hosting us Blainesvillians weekly.
Correct, Bob. But WW is also correct -- it has some flaws. By the way, credit for the Sir Laurence/Sir Elton trick goes to Jo Anne Worley and/or the Laugh-in writers, and some local DJ whose name I can't recall, tossed out the Olivia Neutron Bomb at least once that I remember.
DeleteWe may have to stop doing this if there's a comment limit. I just got carried away. I love this three-word rhyme thing.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody following this thread remember this week's challenge? Or am I just nuts?
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, SuperZee, on a week when Blaine's Blog is mentioned on NPR, perhaps we ought to drop an actual clue or two to the Sunday Puzzle. That's the long and short of it.
DeleteMy solution to Will's puzzle included something that was not mentioned in the instructions.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Natasha.
DeleteThanks for confirming, Word Woman.
DeleteYou're welcome, Natasha.
DeleteIf it's the same "something" I included, is it part of a popular tattoo?
DeleteOui, Ruth. If you look closely at my two responses to Natasha above that should help.
DeleteYou're on top of things, as usual, WW.
DeleteI didn't include it in my answer as it was not specified in the question. I'll bet my answer was deselected.
DeleteSorry if I threw the whole blog off doing these three-word rhymes. I guess I threw a particular tool in the works, but it isn't the answer...or is it?
ReplyDeleteThe tool you're hinting at affects one thing, the tool asked for in the answer affects the other.
DeleteMusical clue: Archie Bell and the Drells
ReplyDeleteNOT A CLUE: as Click and Clack would mention, the obvious answer for the name of the group of mechanics would therefore have to be "Pay Men tsb Oat".
ReplyDeleteSCREWDRIVERS > DRIVER’S CREW
ReplyDeleteMy hint:
“I don't know why I keep thinking of a crankshaft when the answer has to be a BROKE PISTON.”
A screwdriver is also a crankshaft. Pissed ‘n’ broke also works if you permit the answer being a homophone.
Pardon my typo. That should read:
DeleteSCREWDRIVER > DRIVER’S CREW
My hint:
“I don't know why I keep thinking of a crankshaft when the answer has to be a BROKE PISTON.”
A screwdriver is also a crankshaft. Pissed ‘n’ broke also works if you permit the answer being a homophone.
SCREWDRIVER - DRIVER'S CREW. It takes a (crew) to raise a (racecar driver's chances of winning)...or something like that. The missing thing not mentioned in the clue was an apostrophe, which is the bottom half of the very popular semi-colon tat.
ReplyDeleteSCREWDRIVER >>> DRIVER'S CREW
Delete"I keep thinking of Mini Coopers for some reason." as in Minnie Driver >>> DRIVER'S crew.
"Ha! Yes, SuperZee, on a week when Blaine's Blog is mentioned on NPR, perhaps we ought to drop an actual clue or two to the Sunday Puzzle. That's the long and short of it." As in long and short SCREWDRIVERS. If your mechanic doesn't have at least one screwdriver, I'd get a new mechanic.
Ruth, and, as you knew, the apostrophe was bolded in You're.
SCREWDRIVER
ReplyDeleteDRIVERS, (DRIVER'S, or best, DRIVERS') CREW
My hint: “Scarecrow” anagrams to “o! cars crew.”