Sunday, May 27, 2018

NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 27, 2018): There's Something Worrisome About My Body?

NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 27, 2018): There's Something Worrisome About My Body?:
Q: Name part of the human body. Switch the first two letters to get a two-word phrase for something that is worrisome. What is it?
In reverse it's a fish dance move.

Edit: Backwards it's NEMO DAB
A: ABDOMEN --> BAD OMEN

177 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.

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  2. I found myself thinking about a fish, also.

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  3. A PUNCH to the chest is just as worrisome as being helplessly thrown into a RAM PIT.

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  4. Four unused clues for the on air challenge this week.

    On-air challenge: This week's puzzle is titled "Yo!" Every answer is a familiar two-word phrase or name in which the first word ends in Y and the second word starts with O.

    Ex. Colonel or major general —-> ARMY OFFICER

    4. The nose, as a senser of smell →
    9. Ruling by five or more justices on the Supreme Court →
    10. When sending payment, alternative to cash or check →
    13. Anton Chekhov play, with "The" →

    As usual leave off posting the answers till Thursday so everyone has a chance to solve.

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    1. This week's puzzle reminds me of a 19th Century author with an inappropriate name.

      But since the puzzle was so easy, here are some other on-air challenges Mort didn't include (first word ends in Y and the second word starts with O):
      16. Lately popular luggage type.
      17. Oven cleaning product.
      18. President's alternate name (note, it's not "creepy ogre").
      19. Superman's friend.
      20. Arboreal symbol.
      21. Act up, for example.
      22. Expedition beginning.
      23. Leader of family musical group.
      24. Loverboy singer
      25. With "You", a heart-sung song.
      26. What Stormy Daniels got (and no, it still isn't "creepy ogre").
      27. Famous California road.

      Delete
    2. Some more clues tailored to the On Air Challenge. (first word ends in Y and the second word starts with O)

      28. Laugh-In announcer →
      29. One of the twins who played on “Full House →
      30. Petroleum company founded by Jean Paul →
      31. Actor who played Dracula in the 90s →
      32. Author of “A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories” →
      33. Celebrity mother of Caroline and John Jr. →
      34. Dirty Dancing actor →
      35. Singer famous for the song “Iron Man” →
      36. Daughter of # 35 →
      37. Singer whose hits include "Candida" →
      38. Arctic dwelling raptor →

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    3. A few more to honor Gina Haspell:
      39. Dummy who's a real doll.
      40. Act One, Scene One, for example.
      41. Juice brand.
      42. What this torture is.
      43. Part of "Farmer in the Dell" refrain.
      44. What this torture is now.

      Delete
    4. 16. Lately popular luggage type.-->carry on
      17. Oven cleaning product.-->Easy Off
      18. President's alternate name (note, it's not "creepy ogre").-->Barry Obama
      19. Superman's friend.-->Jimmy Olsen
      20. Arboreal symbol.-->mighty oak, in 2004 designated the U.S. National Tree. Who knew?
      21. Act up, for example.-->gay organization
      22. Expedition beginning.-->day one
      23. Leader of family musical group.-->Donny Osmond
      24. Loverboy singer-->Billy Ocean
      25. With "You", a heart-sung song.-->Crazy On (You)
      26. What Stormy Daniels got (and no, it still isn't "creepy ogre").-->pay off
      27. Famous California road.-->Highway One

      39. Dummy who's a real doll.-->Danny O'Day
      40. Act One, Scene One, for example.-->play opening
      41. Juice brand.-->Simply Orange
      42. What this torture is.-->nearly over
      43. Part of "Farmer in the Dell" refrain.-->derry-o
      44. What this torture is now.-->finally over

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    5. Answers to the unused clues and to my clues.

      4. The nose, as a senser of smell → olafactory organ
      9. Ruling by five or more justices on the Supreme Court → majority opinion
      10. When sending payment, alternative to cash or check → money order
      13. Anton Chekhov play, with "The" → Cherry Orchard

      28. Laugh-In announcer → Gary Owens
      29. One of the twins who played on “Full House → Ashley Olsen
      30. Petroleum company founded by Jean Paul → Getty Oil
      31. Actor who played Dracula in the 90s → Gary Oldman
      32. Author of “A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories” → Flannery O'Connor
      33. Celebrity mother of Caroline and John Jr. → Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
      34. Dirty Dancing actor → Jerry Orbach
      35. Singer famous for the song “Iron Man” → Ozzy Osbourne
      36. Daughter of # 35 → Kelly Osbourne
      37. Singer whose hits include "Candida" → Tony Orlando
      38. Arctic dwelling raptor → Snowy Owl

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  6. Within the name of the body part is a word that anatomists sometime use to describe the upper bound of the body part.

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  7. There were 500 correct entries for last week's Heaven's Gate/The Avengers puzzle. I predict closer to 3,000 correct enties for this week's NPR puzzle... which does, however, have a far-fetched but kinda fun alternative answer that could be more "dangerous" than "worrisome."
    If, after you send NPR your answer in today, you are hankering for more puzzles to fill your Memorial Day Weekend, mosey on over to this week's Joseph Young's Puzzleria. You can probably ignore the three Heaven's Gate Riff-Off puzzles... been there, done that.
    But there are four other relatively challenging posers involving:
    1. A world leader and notable person who were contemporaries,
    2. “Another fine mesh you’ve gotten us into,”
    3. Michael Jordan jumping on Pluto and an average Joe jumping on the moon, and
    4. Four words associated with the cold and flu sneezin'.
    Blaine has generously provided a Puzzleria!link in his "PUZZLE LINKS."

    LegoSings"O'erTheBighornBovineTrenchesWeWatched..."

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  8. Thought I'd never solve it. Then I looked at a list. One minute later? Bam! Done!

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  9. That didn't take long! Now, when is the  Indy 500 race, I usually watch the first 1/2 hour of it. 

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    1. If you only watched the first half hour you missed most of the best bits. Looks like a 7 lap shoot out!!!!!

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    3. I actually did end up watching most of it! There wasn't that much on TV so I recorded it & I did keep going back to it. My only knock against the coverage was all the commercials. There were just way too many for me, and they sure seemed to last a long time. Thank goodness for DVR's.
      It was a nice finish and I worried it might end on a yellow flag.
      Glad there weren't any big wrecks, although they are amazing & horrifying, I still gotta watch for them!
      I thought it was amazing how fast they change tires. Plus,the pit crew guys handle those tires like they were nothing!!
      Oh yeah, I'll take one of those Corvette pace cars!

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    4. I am anything but a Penske fan but Will earned the win. So congrats!

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  10. I wish it were the first body part that came to my mind: elbow. There is something worrisome about Le Bow. This week's puzzle has a strong connection to a movie with sequels.

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  11. I thought that the answer was redundant, until I read that it doesn’t have to be.

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  12. If a Norse god was coming at you with a hatchet, that would be worrisome, too.

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    Replies
    1. If I saw a Norse god do anything, I’d find it worrisome. If you’re in the mood for Norse gods, though, Douglas Adam’s The Long, Dark Tea-Time of the Soul is a fun read about how the Norse gods are still around in the material world, ignored and forgotten.

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  13. Bonus Puzzle: Name another body part that is an acronym for a futile expression to avoid that worrisome thing.

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    1. TOE = THEORY OF EVERYTHING.

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    2. NOSE = NO SIGNIFICANT EFFECT.

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    3. Or is it HAND = HAVE A NICE DAY?

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    4. Or maybe JAW = JUST ADD WATER.

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    5. Or could it be LAP = LEARNING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM?

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    6. For Inevitable Nonsense, Get Everything Ready?

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    7. "No use crying over spilt milk"---is there a body part called a NUCOSM?

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    8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    9. The Hardest Routine Only Adds Tension?

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    10. Forget About That
      -or-
      Forget All That

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    11. All of my acronyms are real acronyms; none of them are made up.
      TOE, NOSE, HAND, JAW, LAP.

      Delete
    12. Glad I was able to keep you busy. One of you has my intended answer, place your bets on which.

      Delete
  14. The song this puzzle brings to mind was a Top Ten hit in the late 60s.

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  15. Are we sure this isn’t another lousy country puzzle?

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    Replies
    1. Snipper,
      There are no "lousy" countries; only shithole countries.

      Delete
    2. Snipper, I checked my æncyclopedia for that one.

      Delete
  16. Mr Williams wrote a poem about some of them there body parts. Contained no worrisome or inauspicious verse.

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  17. Musical clue: The Hues Corporation

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  18. When I was in college, I often found my answer worrisome.

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  20. The other day, in time for Memorial weekend, I was able to see this Boeing B-17 that was on display at Kansas City's Downtown Airport. A little too pricey for me to take a ride in ($450), but it was still interesting to see up close and be able to walk through it. 
    I am amazed at how little maneuvering room there is in the inside of it. In an emergency, it is a wonder anyone could successfully get into position to bail out of one, while it is in a dive, or anything that is not level flight.

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  21. Even after all the amazing food and drinks I'm enjoying while visiting Portland, Oregon, this was pretty easy to solve. I only hope that it is not an indication of the reviews of my next show, Nightmares and Nightcaps. Looking forward to playing Mr. Scratch, but actors do get superstitious.

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  22. You've heard about a Fish called Wanda? What about a Bird called Opposite?

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    Replies
    1. WW,
      Interesting read! Thanks for the link.

      MC

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    2. Thanks, Mort.

      I figured we were talking about both fish and birds here this week.

      "Fish and Fowl" >>> the new Surf and Turf?



      Delete
  23. Did anyone else not get a confirmation email after sending the answer? Usually I get that right away

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    Replies
    1. Dear Unknown, You have to check the "I am not a robot" box
      before you hit send. If you do not, your entry does not get sent,
      and therefore you get no confirmation e-mail. Try again !

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    2. But EKW, if Unknown is a robot, and therefore cannot click that button, what then?

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    3. SDB,
      Then he would have to lie!

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    4. Do robots have any moral compunction against lying???

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    5. In no way has any of the precision or systematic regulation of a robot!!!

      Delete
  24. I should have posted this at the end of the previous quiz entry, but the question still bothers me: what language was that contestant singing in? Better yet, what was he singing?

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    Replies
    1. Great question, Henry W. My first thought was Hebrew. Do you have a guess?

      Delete
    2. It sounded Italian to me, with the first few words "Santi a Dio..." (Saints to God), which fits with the religious tone of his singing. But my Italian is weak; good enough to ask directions but not understand them, and to occasionally get what I wanted at a restaurant or farmer's market. Basta! Basta!

      Dov'è Lorenzo?

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    3. {Italian was my other guess.}

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    4. At various times it sounded Italian, then French, then Maori. But none of those guesses sound right. I wouldn't bet on any of them, however.

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    5. Greetings from Ireland where we are completing a two week driving trip. As for the language of the song, it is probably not Italian unless the singer has a terrible accent. Could it be Latin?.

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    6. I can give you a definitive answer, because the singer/contestant was me! It was indeed French, from the aira "Scintille Diamant" (from the opera "Les contes d'Hoffmann") by Jaques Offenbach

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    7. I knew it sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it. I did enjoy it though, and it made me think of Chants d'Auvergne, which is a collection of folk songs from the Auvergne region of France arranged for soprano voice and orchestra or piano by Joseph Canteloube. The songs are in the local language, Occitan. My favorite rendition is by Kiri Te Kanawa.

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    8. Thanks for the clarification--I guess I'll have to wait for the Maori version of Tales of Hoffman, in which the barcarolle becomes a wakarolle.

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    9. And while we're brining Kiri Te Kanawa into this discussion, as gorgeous as her version is, go look for Natania Davrath's version, which brought the Songs of the Auvergne back from obscurity.

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    10. I agree. Her rendition is is also amazing.

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  25. Is it considered solving by ill means if I used a list to figure this one out?

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  26. Did the intended answer, and its letter-play, remind anyone else of a scene in Young Frankenstein?

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  27. Name part of the human body. Reverse the first 2 letters and get two words meaning a plan or strategy.

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  28. Ah, nothing like going through lists of body parts and realizing it's been a complete waste of time.(Sorry, Peggy.)

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  29. Bonus Puzzle #3 (Peggy gets #2): Name a well-known disease, remove the first 2 letters to get a word that describes both symptoms for that disease and an often used term for another disease.

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  30. ABC just cancelled Roseanne Barr's show because her, "Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values..."

    If only we could as easily cancel the "show" of another racist Twitter user...

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    Replies
    1. NPR reported that about an hour ago and they did not say what the racist bit was. I would like to know.

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    2. Roseanne was apparently in full hate mode and there were several racist tweets. The most offensive seems to be one aimed at Obama staffer Valerie Jarret (who is African American) that went "muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj."

      I feel bad for the other actors and crew on the show, they lose their jobs over that pig-head. How about a reality show featuring Roseanne and DJT from Gitmo? Is there anyone or thing that isn't ruined by his touch?

      And speaking which, I have a theory about Melania: something got confused in translation, and she's in the other Washington looking for Bighand.

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    3. eco, I share your concerns for the other cast members. I have never watched the reboot but liked the original show. Maybe they can kill off Roseanne offscreen and rename it "Roseanne: Not."

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    4. Roseanne reminds me a little of the Japanese puffer fish. Its poison can kill you, but fans enjoy just enough left in to give you a buzz and cause your pupils to constrict.

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    5. If I understand you correctly, you are saying she is the personification of a puff piece?

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    6. She's more of a blowhard. WW: I never cared for the original show; her voice made me understand the chalkboard scratching phenomenon.

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    7. eco, I'd agree; her voice was/is awful but she spent time in Denver and Silver Plume so the hometown support thing came into play.

      Also, I really liked some of the other characters portrayed by Laurie Metcalf, Johnny Galecki, and Sara Gilbert.

      Delete
    8. If I believe her supporters on conservative social media, Ms. Obama’s should be flattered. The “libtards” area always saying we come from apes so that should be a good thing. I think a couple hundred canisters of VX upwind of Amerika would be a good thing....

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    9. Don't count her out just yet. ABC doesn't own the show or the production company. Now that ABC has cancelled it anyone else could swoop in and pick up a show that has an audience had now has plenty of publicity. The cast would be split as a lot of them wouldn't want to be associated with the show, but Ms. Barr could still have a show.

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    10. Buck Bard, could you please clarify your above post? Thanks.

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    11. BB,
      Whose voice are you speaking with.

      Are you promoting the idea of attacking human beings with VX nerve gas???

      Are YOU calling people "libtards"??

      Delete
    12. BB,
      We really would like to understand where you are coming from with your post. We cannot tell which side of the political fence you are on.

      Delete
    13. I'm cautiously optimistic that BB:
      1) was intentionally being outrageously cynical,
      2) accidentally omitted an important word (Ms. Obama's _____); though the phrasing is odd, as Michelle Obama has not referred to herself as Ms. But I believe the word would be staffer/ adviser, referring to Valerie Jarrett.
      3) meant the "her" in "her supporters" to be Roseanne, though as written the "her" could be Ms. [sic] Obama
      4) meant "the "libtards" area" [extraneous a?] as a joking reference to how the right wingnuts perceive things.
      5) intended the VX solution as a snide, albeit horrifying, reference to the views of extremists. Since I live about 30 miles north of BB (and the wind sometimes blows that direction) I really hope this is the case.

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    14. I said something similar last night in private email, but a clarification is still in order.

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    15. Thanks, fellow bloggers, for articulating the larger questions, as well as some of the specific nitty gritty ones (eco, especially). BB, I found your original post very confusing.

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    16. Apologies for the delay. I was indeed being outrageously cynical and sarcastic. I was trying to imply that with level of stupid we’re experiencing in this country the planet might be better off without us. Clean slate, so to speak.

      I use the phrase “Libtard” because it seems to be the preferred term for the aforementioned stupid. No missing word, but an errant apostrophe s. I have have been drinking...

      Sorry for the confusion. And no cause for concern eco - we can pop ‘em in Fresno.
      😀

      Delete
    17. That should have been “may have been drinking.” You guys are east of Fresno?

      Delete
    18. BB,
      Are you incapable of explaining your post? Several of us would like to know what you mean, but all we get is more unclear posts from you.

      For example:
      Are you saying liberals are retards?
      Are you saying liberals are stupid?
      Are you a Rush Limbaugh fan?

      Delete
    19. I'm sorry, I couldn't imagine I had to go further. I'm saying very much the opposite of your questions. I was commenting on the growing wave of what I refer to as "the stupid" in America. These are individuals who are often described as Trump's base. They are largely uneducated and unskilled, older and white (although as we see white nationalists know no age restrictions). They did nothing throughout their lives to address education and skills, and now find themselves in a world that doesn't value unskilled labor. But instead of constructively trying to address those problems, they choose to try to claw back the past (impossible) using ignorant, racist, and just plain mean tactics. For me, this is "the stupid."

      They use the phrase "Libtard" to imply that people not of their ilk are both Liberals and Retarded. They will argue one implies the other. They feel this is both clever and hilarious, neither of which is true but still will elicit howls of laughter and phrases like, "You git 'em."

      These fine individuals used to be relegated to the dive bars and trailer parks of our fine land, until, through the interwebs, they discovered each other and just how many of them there were. Moreover, we discovered that, as beings who use anecdote as fact (my buddy seen someone who ......), you can pretty much tell them anything and they will swear to its authenticity to their grave. Hence, the place we find ourselves in the world today.

      My original point was, that if we are to believe them based on their social media posts, calling the former first lady an ape is a compliment. They come to this conclusion through a twisting of evolution theory. That is, if we are descendants of apes then comparing a woman to an ape should be flattering if you’re a “Libtard.” Again, the logic falls short until you consider the level of education and the pride taken in not having exceeded a certain level (somewhere in the neighborhood of ninth grade).

      We used to be insulated from them by the very nature of their distribution and disorganization. But we should have seen it coming. Hell, the founding fathers, over 200 years ago, saw this threat knew that the average trash would eventually band together and elect someone to the highest office so they created a LOT of checks and balances. Of most prominence, the Senate and Supreme Court (and courts system), who tended toward a more educated membership.
      So my final speculation was that, seeing their numbers, the world would be better off without them. However, they are well infiltrated and unfortunately that might we mean we would all have to go. You can’t cut out a cancer without taking some healthy tissue, as the saying goes.

      This isn't academic. I grew up amid these people. I have them in my extended family. I moved my own family thousands of miles to insulate my descendants as much as I could. These individuals are abhorrent. They have no moral compass. When the country was shocked that Trump made fun of hero veterans the entire country thought the conservative hawks would rebel. Not me. I knew they wouldn’t. That’s what they do. They’ll eat their own if it has some benefit. People like Limbaugh and Hannity make their fortunes off of “the stupid.” I wish they had no audience.

      Delete
    20. BB,
      Thank you for explaining your post. It appears that you were speaking in the voice of people you wished to satirize and lampoon.

      "Outrageously cynical and sarcastic" may not be the way to go with postings in this particular forum. Most BBS I know of have banned political discussions IF the posting get too "Outrageous". I would prefer that Blaine not have to start deleting posts for overly political content in addition to posts that gave away the weekly puzzles answers.

      Thank You and be well!!! Mort

      BTW, I do live a lot closer to the Mississippi River than I do to Fresno, but I am in no way a Trump supporter.

      ..or a Hannity or Limbaugh supporter for that matter.

      Delete
    21. I had figured BB was being "outrageously cynical and sarcastic" mostly because I knew he lives in Palo Alto (aka "The Berkeley of the Peninsula" - Go Bears!*) and they would string him up for those caustic views.

      But it does point out the necessity for some clarification about intent in postings; traditionally we had vocal inflection to connote sarcasm, I suppose we have emojis now, though I refuse to use them. I notice in the WaPo people are ending their comments with "/s" to signify sarcasm.

      Though to your post I have a couple of areas of disagreement (heck, it's what libtards do!):

      While it's true that poor and poorly educated folk were largely responsible for the odor in DC, I can't entirely blame them for their unfortunate situation. For most of the history of this country and the world, there has been a place where less educated folk could make a good and comfortable living by the sweat off their back. It's only been since about the 1970's that this has been disintegrating, and the reasons are many: trade, automation, evisceration of unions to name a few.** I can't blame the mass of people for those things. They misplace blame on the other - immigrants, liberals, women - for their economic struggles, and this is factually and morally wrong, but not surprising.

      The Democratic response for the last 25 years has been "get yourself an education and all will be good", but we're seeing a new wave of larger economic forces that put the lie to that, college grads working in Starbucks. In short, I think we are in the early stages of an economic earthquake, and it will take some time to sort this out, probably after WW III.

      So I can't blame the folks at the bottom for their plight, and it really comes as no surprise that they vote with their anger, even though that works against their interests. Trump is a slick salesman, as are all grifters (and a lot of preachers at mega-churches).

      There will always be uneducated folks in this country; a large portion of this nation has always been suspicious of and disdainful towards "the elites". I don't think hating and dismissing them is a good path, though I understand BB's frustration. I wish I knew what the right answer is, unfortunately the grifters get to them first, and spewing sweet lies is a lot easier (and more seductive) than telling hard truths. Hence Limbaugh, Hannity and the mega churches.

      The biggest check and balance that the founders had was not the Supreme Court (which I just yesterday learned was not seen as that important in the Founders' minds) but the Electoral College, which was supposed to be a hedge against an election by the mobs. How'd that work out?

      * BB - my "Go Bears!" was purely extraneous and inciting, I could not care less about either school's sports teams.

      ** Woody Allen's "Sleeper" envisioned a world without work, where robots would do the daily tasks, and people (at least the elites that Miles Monroe met) would have time for art, music, and the orgasmotron. If there were an equitable distribution of the technological gains of the past 50 years or so some economists estimate that we could have a good lifestyle working just 15-20 hours per week.

      Delete
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    23. A couple of thoughts. I believe the middle of the last century was an anomoly created by 2 world wars in which we were geographically protected. That is, we weren’t pretty well destroyed. Our factories were humming right along for many years during and after, but for recorded history before that most people managed a subsistence living. I wouldn’t call the way most people lived before that good and comfortable. Lots of elderly starved and even a basic “I can read” education was a luxury in too many places. And you’re spot on about the 1970’s. The writing on the wall was very clear, but everyone just ignored it. They all literally said “not gonna happen to me.”

      And education doesn’t have to be in the academic sense. We watch places like Germany where they have a broad variety of vocational programs and apprenticeships. But again, these folks look at Europe and spit out phrases like “Socialism blah blah.” There were alternatives. It’s like the parable of the guy that dies in the flood. A group comes by before the waters rose and the old man said “God will save me.” And a boat came by when the waters were high and he refused help, saying the same thing. As he sat on his roof with the water over the eaves a helicopter showed up. He waved them off. After he drown he asked God, “Why didn’t you save me?!?!” God said, “I sent rescuers, and boat and a helicopter. What more did you want!” People see what they want to see. And it’s a shame because it was so clear.

      To your point about Democrats (and I don’t believe the plight of these people is at all political), there used to be two strong Democratic wings, the “Liberal Elites” and the Union working men. The union working men disappeared because the wealthy convinced the public that unions were bad for jobs. People forgot why unions started in the first place. Now we have almost zero union shops and people are fighting over $12 careers that might or might not have a health benefit. But humans are nothing if not bad at history. The C-Level and other executives and the wealthy just shake their heads and grin. More for them. Hell, I’d add more for me but I don’t believe economies are zero sum.

      Education is the way out. And education can mean a lot of things. But we need to get rid of a lot of bad perceptions.

      Delete
  31. SDB - They are summarized here.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2018/05/29/roseanne-went-on-a-vitriolic-and-racially-charged-twitter-rampage-now-shes-apologizing/?utm_term=.2dc552301c5b

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    1. Thanks, I already found some of it. Washington post won't let me in due to ad blocker.

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    2. sdb: bring the article up in a Google search, then hit “cached”. You might then be able to read the article with your ad blocker in place. Do not drop your ad blocker!

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  32. Big newsday around here. Not only for Roseanne but just across the state line, the Missouri Governor just resigned, effective Friday. A lot of baggage there.

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    1. Well, it's about time. Sounds to me like Greitens is facing an uphill battle just to stay out of jail.

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    2. I agree, he's been fighting everybody, even his own party, since his inauguration.
      Nothing wrong with shaking things up some, but it must be done with some diplomacy & tact.

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    3. I’m kinda surprised he didn’t quote scripture to deflect.

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  33. The old show, the new show and all the BS about them are things I am delighted to ignore.

    BTW, if anyone read my "clue" about the challenge, I was 18, 5'8" and 150 when it posed a worriment.

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  34. Bonus Puzzle #4: Name a frequently seen symbol from the 2016 election campaign in 2 words. Move the second word to the front and the result will be one word that was also something frequently seen in the 2016 campaign. Both things are still around. What are the two things?

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  35. I think I'm glad tomorrow is Thursday, so all the bonus puzzle answers will be revealed. Tough ones.

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  36. ABDOMEN > BAD OMEN

    Not sure I can stomach another puzzle like this.

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  37. Intended answer: Body part: ABDOMEN. Worrisome item: BAD OMEN.

    The letter play reminded me of the scene in Young Frankenstein where Igor (Marty Feldman) tells Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) that he got the brain for their creation from Abby Normal. Seconds later, Frankenstein reacts with horror when he realizes Igor has brought him a brain that was abnormal.

    Alternate answer: Body part: SACRUM. Worrisome item: A SCRUM.

    I really liked using the secondary definition (drawn from rugby) of a scrum as an unruly or disorderly mob. I’ll have to wait until Sunday to see if it earns an on-air mention.

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  38. "I wrote, "Within the name of the body part is a word that anatomists sometime use to describe the upper bound of the body part." The DOME of the diaphragm separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

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  39. ABDOMENBAD OMEN

    My hint: A PUNCHPAUNCH = “belly or ABDOMEN,” or “gut” as others have suggested.

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  40. ABDOMEN -> BAD OMEN

    > If a Norse god was coming at you with a hatchet, that would be worrisome, too.

    But that would be a THOR AX, not an abdomen....

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  41. abdomen, bad omen

    Last Sunday I said, “The song this puzzle brings to mind was a Top Ten hit in the late 60s.” I was thinking of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” which got all the way up to #2 in May, 1969, in Billboard’s Hot 100.

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  42. abdomen --> bad omen
    This week's puzzle reminds me of a 19th Century author with an inappropriate name: George Eliot (nee Mary Anne Evans, hence the two male names are inappropriate) wrote Middlemarch; our abdomens are more or less in the middle (dropping every year) and Napoleon (or Frederick the Great) famously said "An army marches on its stomach."

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  43. Bonus Answer #1: Body part that is an acronym for futile expression -->HAND, Have a Nice Day. Ron got this, as he has done so often.
    Bonus Answer #3: Well-known disease, remove the first 2 letters for symptoms and another disease -->(pl)ague
    Bonus Answer #4: Symbols from the 2016 election red hat --> hatred. I guess I'm not the first person to come up with this, and there's even a clothing line.

    The much anticipated answers to the additional on air challenge are posted just below the questions.

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  44. As a slightly built college freshman, I joined the rugby team.
    The insane beginning of play, called a scrum, always made me worry about survival (and my sacrum).
    The beer party (with both teams) after a game mostly made up for it.

    Two of the bald eaglets on Santa Cruz Island soloed this morning; 7:47 and 9:10 if you want to watch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MJ: did you submit the sacrum/a scrum answer to NPR?

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    2. Nope. I very rarely send in answers and then only to cause trouble.

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    3. Trouble? I doubt it.

      I opted to send in two answers this week. The (presumably) intended one, and our alternate. I really want to see if WS acknowledges the second....

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  45. That was the Sauces Canyon brood.
    It looks like two from Fraser Point went a little after 12.
    Amazing to be the same day.

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  46. ABDOMEN >>> BAD OMEN

    Sorry to be late to the party today. A lovely birthday lunch was had by all.

    "This puzzle is for the birds." >>> Augury is the practice from ancient Roman religion of interpreting omens from the observed flight of birds.

    "Trivial Pursuit" was a riff off Blaine's NEMO DAB (very clever, by the way). >>> "Brylcream a little dab will do ya, Use more only if you dare; But watch out! The gals will all pursue ya, They'll love to run their fingers through your hair!"

    “Pa Jama” referred to this 1949 article published in the JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association:

    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/305130

    “ABsolutely not.” is a reference to ABdomen.

    And my very favorite clue:

    "Gullible fellows" refers to stupid or, from the French, Badeaux Men (BAD-O-MEN) ;-D

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    Replies
    1. My clue from Sunday was: "Mr Williams wrote a poem about some of them there body parts. Contained no worrisome or inauspicious verse."

      The Mason Williams poem is "Tummy Gummers" and goes like this".

      How about Them TUMMY Gummers,
      Ain't they dummies?
      Havin' they fun,
      Gummin' them TUMMIES.

      Gummin' them paunches,
      Outta they mind,
      Runnin' 'round shoutin',
      "It's TUMMY Gummin' time!"

      Look at Them TUMMY Gummers,
      Lurkin' in the yard,
      Waitin' for a JELLY-BELLY,
      Catch it off guard.

      Them hawn-yawkin' Tummy Gummers,
      Ain't they dumbox?
      Runnin' through the neighborhood
      Gummin' them STOMACHS.

      How to be a TUMMY Gummer?
      No way to shun it.
      Grab an ABDOMEN,
      Roar off and gum it!

      ...and that is a poem about THEM body parts!

      Performed by Mason on the Johnny Cash show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lx-6H49LIY

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    2. I always thought that augury involved reading omens in the entrails of birds. Turns out that's "haruspex". Makes sense: where else but the omentum would you expect to find omens?

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    3. Thanks, Mort Canard! Now I know where an old friend found the doggerel about moose goosers he used to regale me with:

      How about Them Moose Goosers,
      Ain't they recluse?
      Up in them boondocks,
      Goosin' Them Moose.
      Goosin' them huge moose,
      Goosin' them tiny,
      Goosin' them meadow-moose,
      In they hiney.
      Look at Them Moose Goosers,
      Ain't they dumb?
      Some use an umbrella,
      Some use a thumb.
      Them obtuse Moose Goosers,
      Sneakin' through the woods,
      Pokin' them snoozy moose,
      In they goods.
      How to be a Moose Gooser?
      It'll turn ye puce.
      Gitchy gooser loose and
      Rouse a drowsy moose!

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    4. jan, that’s fascinating >>> “The word omentum derives from the ancient Egyptians who, when embalming human bodies, used to assess their “omens” by looking at the variations in what we recognise today as the omentum.” Spell check wants that to be “omen yum” or “momentum.” And omentum translates to apron. “Omen from your tum?” >>> that’s too perfect.

      Delete
    5. Perhaps the ancient Egyptians sensed more about gut bacteria than we previously understood (calling them demons, of course).

      And to haruspex:

      The following incantations are quoted from John F. Nunn, Ancient Egyptian Medicine (2003) The British Museum Press:    

      "Flow out, poison. Come forth. Go forth on to the ground. Horus will exorcise you. He will punish you. He will spit you out.

      Repelled is the enemy that is in the wound. Cast out is the evil that is in the blood....I am under the protection of Isis; my rescue is the son of Osiris.

      I am Horus, the young child with his finger to his mouth; the sandal of Horus is what tramples the nekhi snake."

          I also learned that Egyptian physicians were called swnw. There must have been significant vowel movement.

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    6. Jan,
      You are more than welcome! Williams put out the album "Listening Matter" back in the 1970s. Mostly "Them" poems but also some other comedy gems.

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    7. I was also interested to learn that this is the same Mason Williams who composed and performed "Classical Gas". About 50 years ago, I took a video techniques class in high school (Ampex 3" videotape, huge black-and-white studio cameras with the CBS eye on them that we got when they went color). "Classical Gas" was the first (and only) music video I ever made.

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    8. (Make that Apex 2" videotape. I was younger then; everything seemed bigger?)

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    9. Jan,
      Also the same composer who wrote the theme song for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

      Delete
  47. ABDOMEN ----> BAD OMEN

    I wrote, "Is it considered solving by ill means if I used a list to figure this one out?"

    "Ill means" is an anagram of Sam Neill, who starred in the 1981 film THE FINAL CONFLICT, which was the second sequel to THE OMEN. It received terrible reviews upon release and is considered to be a BAD OMEN movie.

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    Replies
    1. Sometimes hard to tell general discussion from the hints provided! LOL

      Delete
  48. ABDOMEN, BAD OMEN
    My musical clue referencing the Hues Corporation had nothing to do with their one hit "Rock The Boat". The real connection with the answer was the word "corporation", which is a synonym for ABDOMEN. I could have also used Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter, but it might have been too obvious. "Corporation" seems a more obscure synonym, IMHO. My "no guts, no glory" comment involved another more common synonym, and it ain't "glory".

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  49. "Boring" > auger > augur = interpreter of good or bad omens.

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  50. Considering the legal cases in the news today, I have a small beef about the grammar used to describe guilty people's transgressions.
    Usually people report that 'so and so' "pleaded guilty". I have always preferred using "pled guilty" or even "plead guilty".
    After all, people don't say "I readed the book".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You’re not from the Midwest, are you?
      😂

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    2. It's an inconsistency with this language, and apparently pleaded is correct, though I only did 30 seconds of research. We do say "I dreaded the outcome" or "I headed off to the wilderness" or "The water beaded on my shiny '68 Charger".

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    3. I suppose you're right, and don't forget Harvey Weinstein saying, "I bedded the lot of 'em."

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    4. Good ones!!! I guess "plead as in pled" is old fashioned but some legal experts still use it. I must have watched too many old Perry Mason shows!

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    5. Maybe it's because my parents ate too many bread pork chops that they never bredded smarter kids.

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    6. Maybe they breaded shrimp instead.

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  51. My clue -“another lousy country puzzle”- was referencing “bad Oman” .

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  52. Donald Trump: "Mike, better turn the plane around again, the Korean Summit is back on!"
    Mike Pence: "In a minute, the gladiator movie is almost over."
    Donald Trump: "By the way, where is Indonesia? Is it close to Indiana??"
    Mike Pence: "Well, I don't think so, lets ask the kids.
    Donald Trump: "Pardon me kids, but...
    Barron: "Dad, let's save those pardons for later!!"

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    Replies
    1. Mike Pence: "Mein Kapitän, we are running low on fuel, if we refuel we could go to Singapore. How about having the summit there?"
      Donald Trump: "Sounds good, maybe I can build a new hotel there!"

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  53. Next week's (two-week) challenge: Television today can be so derivative — and so is this two-week creative challenge. The object is to pitch an idea to one of the networks, either broadcast or cable, in which your show's title is just one letter different from an existing show's title, past or present. Name your TV show and summarize it in 15 words or less.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Examples:
      N.Y.P.D. CLUE — Manhattan crime investigation in which each case hinges on a single, unexpected piece of evidence
      HAVE GUT, WILL TRAVEL — Portly host tours the best all-you-can-eat restaurants in America

      Delete

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