The 9-letter words I'm getting are RUINATION, URINATING and RATIONING. Other words are IGNORANT, RAINING, RANTING, RIOTING and ANGINA.Q: The word INAUGURATION contains the letters of GNU, GOAT, IGUANA, and AGOUTI, which are all animals. The name of what 9-letter animal can be spelled from the letters of INAUGURATION?
A: ORANGUTAN
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.
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.
Getting the numbers up this week, eh, Will. 4,500?
ReplyDeleteUNITARIAN?
ReplyDeleteAn interesting animal indeed
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteA Vigenere cipher is rather easy to break these days especially when you can figure out that the plaintext appears to include https and .com. From that you can get the key and... I'm going to have to delete this comment for now.
DeleteDang, I didn't know that. Then how about: if you Google the animal's name under news you get an awfully cute video (sorry WW, doesn't work with duckduckgo).
DeleteAnd this puzzle appears to have been posted a little too early.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI think this provides a few too many hints
DeleteThis week's puzzle/challenge is pathetically easy!
ReplyDeleteOther 8-letter words: iguanian, argonaut, rigatoni, training, untiring...
Solved in 819 milliseconds.
DeleteChange one letter in the answer, and split the result into two words, and you get a description of you-know-who.
ReplyDeleteAh yes....most amusing!
DeleteFunny - I was thinking I didnt have to do any letter changing to get a description of you-know-who
DeleteRalph, I was thinking the same thing!
DeleteYes the political implication of this puzzle is delicious!
DeleteIt's the new black.
DeleteIn case you missed it, here's a link to the 8/1/17 NYT article about the puzzlemaster.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. Sounded like a good read hearing Lulu talk about it.
DeleteTodays puzzle is a repeat from one on NPR about 16 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI gaped at the puzzle clue for a few moments and the answer came to me just like that. No looking over lists this week :)
ReplyDeleteCensus day!
ReplyDeleteThis puzzle is su-prima easy. I'm walken on sunshine.
ReplyDeleteSolved in under 200 seconds, sad!
ReplyDeleteeighdreeuhn, what took you so long?
DeleteProblems of the Usual Sort...
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteReally! I solved it the instant I finished reading the question hours ago only half awake answering a call of nature. Sad indeed!
DeleteDoes anyone else feel that Berf's clue left at 4:57:00 AM PDT under last weeks blog is too revealing? I think it is too easy a synonym for the animal in question.
ReplyDeleteIn the Congo WS's favorite sport should have a different name.
ReplyDeleteSolve this one any which way you can.
ReplyDeleteI like knowing what Will's favorite type of music is. He gave a nice little shoutout to Little Steven and his program. My favorite classic rock show is Time Warp with Bill St. James. If you listen to Z106.7 out of Jackson, MS you can hear both shows, one after the other.
ReplyDeleteMichael Caine
ReplyDeleteThen there's this: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/nov/25/tom-hanks-clint-eastwood-treats-actors-like-horses
ReplyDeleteHelp! I am hoping someone here can help me understand why it is NPR is always touting The National Endowment for the Manatees.
ReplyDeletehttp://imgur.com/r/funny/Ss2qt
DeleteThanks, Paul. Now I see that it has to do with inflation.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAh, Lego, I never would have gotten that particular answer for P!'s Dessert, without your giving this hint! NEVER heard of said word.
DeleteWill's puzzle this week smacks a bit of the Dessert that appears in this week's Puzzleria!, in which I challenge you to name a human body part (in more than six but much less than twelve letters) and then use those letters to spell out nine other words that are either body parts or words that are related to the human body. One of the nine words consists of consecutive letters in Will's 9-letter animal answer this week.
DeleteLegoSaysTheRedHerringIsAnAnimalToo
The eyes have it....NOT!
ReplyDeleteHere's my hint for this week's puzzle. I think it's amusing and not too revealing.
ReplyDeleteAddams Family 2 has great camp value! Christina Ricci shines as Wednesday whose sadistic shenanigans are just shy of criminal. The reviews are in -4/5 (stars)! -Great (movie)!! -A pleasant experience (for the whole family!)
Anybody else notice in the on-air puzzle Will snuck in Eugene, Oregon again? What is it about that place?
ReplyDeleteI think I remember a very similar puzzle some years ago, maybe only because it was too easy then as well..
ReplyDeleteIf somebody has the date of that one, it will be interesting to compare the number of (claimed) correct responses.
A string walks into a bar with a few friends and orders a beer. The bartender says, "I'm sorry, but we don't serve strings here."
ReplyDeleteThe string goes back to his table. He ties himself in a loop and messes up the top of his hair. He walks back up to the bar and orders a beer.
The bartender squints at him and says, "Hey, aren't you a string?"
The string says, "Nope, I'm a frayed knot."
Yes, but the real question is, was he strung out when he entered the bar, and if so, was he eventually strung up for being knotty?
DeleteNow, I have another question too. You indicate the string is male. I would be most interested in knowing how you determined this. Feel free to elaborate anatomically.
Oh, his name wasn't Stretch, by any chance?
Good yarn, though.
This tugs at my moral fiber and I was worried about being roped into this!
DeleteKnot to worry; just consider it a tie.
DeleteOK, I guess it's time to wind this down, reely.
ReplyDeleteA favorite, er, line after doing a hitch as a cattle rustler? "No noose is good noose."
DeleteYou could always ask for Larry at the bunkhouse.
DeleteNow, eco, I been thinkin' 'bout headin' down South a bit to watch that eeclipse they's all talkin' 'bout. I been hearin' Madras, Oreegon is one o' the best places to take it all in. Now, I know you was thinkin' o' doin' the same in Idyhoe, but I hear tell the campin' is in tents in Oreegon. Not to mention it bein' one o' the best places to witness it. So, I thought you might want to consider seein' it there too. I know it might be a tad farther, but hell we's drivin' all that way fur only two minutes anyway. So, you know, I jus' thought I'd mention it.
ReplyDeleteActually Madras is about 220 miles and 4 hours closer to me, though it does require going 'round the Bend. And it's not far from the famous Mount Angel Library (but you knew that, of course).
DeleteBut I figure Oregon's going to be packed solid with people, and I'm thinking the rugged beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains is the right aesthetic to see the eclipse of our nation. So even though it's a long row to hoe, Idaho there anyways.
Plans change whether the weather is wetter. Speaking of w's: WW which way watching will wend ye?
No, never heard of that library. We here in Seattle know nuthin' about books. I broke a colored pencil fillin' in my last one.
DeleteYou might be right about the crowds in Oregon, but I suspect they will be in the Salem area, witch is not in the best part of Oregon to see it, but is on I-5 and closer to the high population areas, and I think that will keep the Madras area relatively calm. It is also open, not obstructed by forests, and easy to camp in. Also It is not all that far from the Dalles, on the Columbia River where they have good dining. The weather should be optimal there too. Think about it, eco, I just finished fixin' some major things on my Mercury Grand Marquis that have kept me from a road trip I had planned, and am now considering doing this. It was hard work too, and I could use the relaxation. I was hopin' to ask someone with a sense of humor, but you are all that's left.
eco, I am thinking Nebraska.
DeleteYou know, "Nebraska on my Mind."
SDB: all the (damn) Californians I know are heading to eastern Oregon, they know the fog risks west of the coastal ranges. I know Madras is really in the middle of the state, not eastern, but it's kind of like New Yorkers calling Tarrytown "upstate". I suspect it will be more crowded than you think.
DeleteThe Columbia gorge is, well, gorgeous, and tempting, but I'm still leaning towards Idaho. I'm not worried about the trees; at high elevations there are plenty of wide open spaces, nice lakes, jagged peaks, killer bears, etc.
The Mount Angel Abbey Library was designed by one of the greatest architects of the last century, it will endure much longer than your overblown Seattle Main.
WW: I was tempted to go to Nebraska, particularly Arthur, the home of the first strawbale buildings in the country (world?). But the possibility of cloud cover makes me nervous, and it is a pretty long haul from the west coast, not too bad from Colorado.
I'm most likely going to try Madras. They might have some good Indian food too. Probably not enough time for Trump to build a wall to keep the Californians out, and it might be difficult getting Mexico to pay for it anyway.
DeleteThe library is indeed unique in design and philosophy.
DeleteThe maternal side of my family is from Scotts Miils, about two miles down the road. They were there to greet the Benedictines.
Does that library have books by Alexander Pushkin? I think he lives in Eugene.
DeleteThey do, but it's an Onegin, off again thing.
DeleteAt least they're not reneging.
DeleteSDB: Sari I won't see you in Madras; be sure to curry favor with the locals. And have a saffron in your Marquis. Wish I could chaat all day, but I don't kheer to.
DeleteIf I do go, I hope I can find a cheap spot to pitch my tent and don't get a shady deal.
DeleteIf you're looking for a "real" campground you're very likely out of luck - the ones that take reservations have been booked for months.
DeletePart of the advantage of a National Forest is you can basically camp anywhere for free. There are a couple of NF's near Madras, don't expect any facilities.
But you'll be in nature when nature calls. Just a stream of consciousness here.
I don't like most regular campgrounds. I prefer something out of the way. I'm an old climber and can and have camped in some very odd places. There may be next to nothing if hoards of people are going to be looking too.
Deletesdb, just be sure to keep your hoards away from the hordes. . .
DeleteGood point.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
Delete(And it was '74.)
Correction (and thanx WW)
ReplyDeleteOn this date, 43 years ago, (August 8, 1974), Richard Nixon resigned.
It is said that those who don't study history are condemned to repeat it.
We can only hope. We can only hope.
That's for sure!
DeletePoor Glen Campbell...
ReplyDeleteI would say congratulations to Glen Campbell now he is free of that disease.
DeleteI agree, one of my relatives has that. Kind of like a thief in the night.
DeleteAlice Cooper on Glen Campbell
Delete'Cause I'll prob'ly lose it.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAgouti just appeared in the syndicated version of the Sunday NYT puzzle. That is like, a new word, twice in one day.
ReplyDeletePresident Roy D. Mercer.
ReplyDeleteLook him up.
Well, that was a lead balloon!
DeleteAw, cheer up, MJ :)
Delete[Is this a Mercerized thread?]
Shiny threads at Blaine's are de rigueur. Pearly Perle.
DeleteSonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
DeleteI haven't the foggiest idea what's going on with MJ's thread on Roy Mercer, but here's a sad story for an American institution.
ReplyDeleteFried clams and democracy, good while we had them.
HoJo's!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI'm having cataract surgery on my other eye today so I'm pretty sure I won't be joining you a 2PM Central today. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a speedy recovery
DeleteRoy D. Mercer was a concoction of two Tulsa DJ's in the '90s. The character made very funny prank phone calls to various people (victims?).
ReplyDeleteTrump's current stupidity brought to mind Mercer's signature threats.
Several recordings are on youtube and other places. The best ones are LOL material.
ORANGUTAN
ReplyDeleteorangutan
ReplyDeleteAnimal: Orangutan.
ReplyDeleteMy comment about hanging around at the zoo was a reference to orangutans being arboreal. (But I thought Rob’s orange tan comment was far better.)
ORANGUTAN
ReplyDelete"2 meters" is the average arm span of an orangutan
"Getting the numbers up this week, eh, Will. 4,500?" >>> 4,500 >>> 45 >>> the orange ORANGUTAN
I wrote, "Change one letter in the answer, and split the result into two words, and you get a description of you-know-who.' The letter change and split produce ORANGE TAN, and you know who is you-know-who.
ReplyDeleteOrangutan
ReplyDeleteI had originally posted a link (with Vigenere Code) to this site. Blaine said the answer could be too easily deciphered; I guess the Vigenere Code is all it's cracked up to be. How would he look with a red #MAGA hat (the orang, not Blaine)?
I also noted the puzzle was posted early; August 19th is International Orangutan Day.
Sadly, Chantek died this week. He was one of the first apes to learn sign language. I guess a moment of silence is appropriate.
ORANGUTAN
ReplyDeleteLouis Prima and Christopher Walken both voiced the orangutan King Louie, in the Jungle Book. I said this puzzle is "su-Prima easy...I'm Walken on sunshine."
My hint was somewhat of a giveaway. "Ratiocination" is a word seldom used these days. If you sought insight from your favorite search engine, you might easily have been led to an encounter with an Ourang-Outang in the Rue Morgue.
ReplyDeleteOrangutan
ReplyDeleteLast Sunday I said, “I gaped at the puzzle clue for a few moments and the answer came to me just like that. Gaped as in Great Ape.
After cataract surgery today, you guys are looking a little fuzzy right now :)
Hope the surgery went well. Maybe it's a good sign that you are trying to follow this blog!
DeleteChuck:
DeleteObviously your cataract surgery today was a great success! The proof is we "are looking a little fuzzy right now."
Now should you decide to quit this blog you might as well dismiss your shrink too.
Chuck, here's hoping we are fuzzy as peaches but not as fuzzy as long-term fridge science experiments.
DeleteGlad things went well.
INAUGURATION >>> ORANGUTAN
ReplyDeleteTry THIS LINK and type in “inauguration” to see all the words that can be made from the letters in “inauguration.”
My clue: 819 = August 19th or International Orangutan Day. WS should have used this puzzle then, just before the eclipse. As ECO said, “the puzzle appears to have been posted a little too early.”
ORANGUTAN
ReplyDeleteIn the films "Any Which Way But Loose" and "Any Which Way You Can", Clint Eastwood starred alongside an orangutan, which I believe was named Clyde.
That's exactly where my clue was going...
Deleteeco, are you bidding on The Chartwell Estate?
ReplyDeleteI'm saving up to buy the other Clampett Mansion.
DeleteHow many rooms? Pool? Floor?
DeleteAfter it rains a spell the floor becomes a pool. That's right convenient.
DeleteI bet it is, eco. Hey, let me ask you this. When the swimmin' is good after a big rain, and you're doing the crawl stroke, do you spit out the bugs, or swallow?
DeleteI imagine Mark Spitz while trying the butterfly.
DeleteTrump's second favorite is the breaststroke ... but for now he's very worried about a Weissmuller.
And I imagine there are few, if any, Esther Williams, or Greg Louganis moments, not to mention all the pool toys are the same color and say Dunlop on them.
DeleteHey, are you all CHOKING IN SEATTLE ?
ReplyDeleteWell it certainly has been covered in smoke that smells of British Columbian wildfires. It's almost back to normal today due to a wind shift. I have not noticed any physical problems, but several others have told me they have. Even healthy people have been warned not to exercise outside, but I have not had any problem doing so. We liked having the thick haze as it has kept all North Korean missiles from taking out the Space Needle. We are hoping Trump will demand Mexico pay for a huge wall along the Canadian border to keep the smoke and geese, with their little green lawn bombs, out!
DeleteI have not grown completely comfortable with orangutan instead of orangutang.
ReplyDeleteI can't find if the difference is regional or temporal.
Clyde in Every Which Way But Loose, but not the sequel, was played by an orang named Manis.
Keep sleuthing. MJ!
DeleteMJ: are you comfortable with an orange-tan or an orange-Tang?
DeleteIn my Monday comment, I mentioned the Dessert puzzle that appeared in last week's Puzzleria!, in which I challenged you use the seven letters in a human body part (FOREARM) to spell out nine other words that are either body parts or words that are related to the human body. The word that consisted of consecutive letters in Will's 9-letter animal (ORAngutan) was "ORA," plural of "OS" which means "mouth."
ReplyDeleteIn this week's Puzzleria!, just uploaded this morning, my two Shortz Rip-Off puzzles ask you to find words that can be formed, not from INAUGURATION but from the words IMPEACHMENT and RESIGNATION.
LegoObservesThatIceFishingRequiresInaugeration
MICHAEL CAINE
ReplyDeleteMichael Caine's real first name is Maurice, as in Maurice Evans, who played Dr. Zaius (an ORANGUTAN) in "Planet of the Apes".
Another Orange Man of note!
ReplyDeleteCar Talk is going to the crusher.
ReplyDeleteThey do like to wine, especially about the Frod Pinot. Can't get merlot than that.
DeleteWhen Porsche comes to Chev, it's all lubrication. You can take to the Maybach.
DeleteJust received an e-mail from Amazon.com saying that the eclipse glasses I bought from them a month ago, were not from an approved source. They are crediting my account and that I am not supposed to use them.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, I bought some others a couple of weeks ago from a more legit supplier.
I should say that I bought the 2nd set from a more legit manufacturer.
DeleteThe NPR staff is slow updating their web site, but here's next week's puzzle, as I recall from on air:
ReplyDeleteName a popular TV show, in 2 words, add a C and rearrange to get another popular TV show, also in 2 words. Both shows are still on the air, but the second one was more popular in the past.
Over 2,000 correct entries last week.
That was fun. Going to phone this one in.
DeleteYeah, the site shows today's player and dates but last week's puzzles.
Phone?
DeleteAha! Must be "Gem Tracts".
At least Cranberry should get it quickly this week.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Will is using one of Cranberry's puzzles gives me hope for Guam.
Delete