Sunday, November 24, 2019

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 24, 2019): Who Got a View of the Blue Gnu at the Zoo?

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 24, 2019): Who Got a View of the Blue Gnu at the Zoo?:
Q: The words WON and SUN rhyme, even though their vowels are different. Can you name four common, uncapitalized 4-letter words, each of which has exactly one vowel, and all of which rhyme, even though all four vowels are different?
After a false start (faux go?), I continued steadfast in the notion I could figure this out.
Edit: You could say I was undeterred which rhymes with...
A: BIRD, CURD, HERD (or NERD) and WORD. There are other answers possible depending on your definition of "common" such as KIRK, JERK (or PERK), LURK (or MURK) and WORK

175 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 Wednesday 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 Wednesday deadline. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. At first, I thought this puzzle would be hard, but my better half and I solved it on the way to feed the horses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. It's not that hard...

      Delete
    2. There are multiple answers...

      Delete
    3. I have three distinct (each a different rhyme) solutions...

      Delete
  3. Qk seawcied uv ko pihph xg jkei.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yeah, I hear what y’all are saying.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I finally came up with four words. The least-used of them has a link with a famous porn star.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This puzzle is “way” too easy. Now it’s time to prepare for thanksgiving!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The question contains a hint.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The question has "words" in it. One of the words is "word".

      Delete
  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Wordsmythe: Read the blog rules plz.

      Delete
  9. It's almost hard to write a hint that won't give this one away.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have two rhyme schemes that work, each leading to 12 possible 4-letter word lists. None involve schwas, thank goodness.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Makes me want to listen to a certain band and their most famous song.

    I have 2 that work very well, and 4 others that use less known words, including one that has 5 different vowels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If it's the same band I'm thinking of, they are actually known for two signature songs. But then that depends on what part of the country you're from, I guess.

      Delete
  12. I have two lists of four words each. For both lists, the third letter is the same. The last letter of one list is seven letters after the last letter of the other.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After this comment, I now have three rhyme schemes that work, each with multiple word lists possible, and all dependent on the same abnormal pronunciation.

      Delete
  13. At least #6 in a series of unchallenging challenges.
    It will be interesting to see how he deals with the multitude of correct answers.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Check out the statement of the puzzle very carefully.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Replies
    1. Yes that was the temp required for my grandma's candied yam recipe.And we know what yams rhymes with. Finally I get one of your clues.

      Delete
    2. Plantsmith, you have found an alternate interpretation!

      Delete
    3. I am not sure yams will work.

      Delete
    4. A lot of yammering going on this week.

      Delete
    5. Finished the Doomsday book now I can rest in peace- not.

      Delete
    6. Isn't that a great read!? Who needs to Mary Shelley or Edgar Allan Poe when we have Daniel Ellsberg?

      Delete
    7. Now, Plantsmith, I must recommend another book for you to read. Don't worry, it is shorter this time; six pages shorter at only 344. I came across it quite by accident, but of course I don't believe this, because there are no accidents. It is "My Queer War" by James Lord and published in 2010, the year after his death.

      I still have 93 pages to go, but after just now reading two uncomfortable chapters I knew I had to inform you of this serious memoir which will present you with many insights into the diabolical workings of he human mind and the manner in which we mistreat each other. I hope you will seek it out.

      Delete
    8. I will put it on my list. I am actually reading a Grisham book "The Reckoning" supposedly based on a true story about a WW@ vet who comes home and shoots the local Baptist pastor. It has a couple of chapters on the Bataan Death march which if half true are horrifying. 20,000 Phillipinos died on the march along with 600 Americans out of 10,000. But you probably would not read a Grisham I imagine.
      And we must get rid of the land based missles and let the Tridents duke it out.

      Delete
    9. All I know about Grisham is his name. I have only recently got back into reading novels again. My HS math teacher was on that march. R U being facetious about the subs?

      Delete
    10. "My queer Way". Well...
      Heres one foryou "Tears in the Darkness" Michael Norman. True story of Bataan Death march and America's biggest-greatest? most famous? military
      defeat. 76,000 pow's.

      Delete
    11. I will pick it up tomorrow at a nearby library branch. I may not read all of it though because I have already read a great deal about it.

      I am recommending My Queer War because it has so much to say about things not known about during the war, but also how much of it is relevant to what is happening today in the world. I am speaking of human behavior and that kind of thing.

      If you are into untold stories of WWII then I highly recommend:

      "A Summer Bright and Terrible"
      Winston Churchill, Lord Dowding, Radar, and the Impossible Triumph of the Battle of Britain
      by Fisher, David E.

      Delete
  16. I’ve got seven words with a single rhyme that can be assembled into eight possible solutions. Packaging my submittal will be more challenging than the puzzle was.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I was at church today singing a classic hymn when the answer just popped into my mind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you in need of saving? I know I am.
      Hey it all goes back to Kellyanne who started this whole thing right.

      Delete
    2. There's a right way and the Conway.

      Delete
    3. The hymn was "Come thou incarnate word."
      Word, nerd, curd and bird.

      Delete
    4. And I also have other clients.

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

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  19. Long-time reader, first-time commenter here. In light of Turkey Day on Thursday I just wanted to let you all know how thankful I am for this group!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome, Unknown! Might we know you by another name?

      Delete
  20. Reminds me of that Pete Seeger song:

    To everything (turn, tirn, tern)
    There is a season (tirn, tern, turn)...



    (I know. I know. Tirn isn't a word. Don't @ me.)

    ReplyDelete
  21. THIS WEEK'S CARTOONS: Impeachment of the Cult of Trump... (kilt, Celt, colt, cult, salt)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Same here, but it was the cheap wine not the hymn, or even the church, that brought in the sheaves for me.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hey folks, I'm retired...Was curious what you do for a living. I used to be a psychiatrist. Please don't hold that against me...I have always put my pants on one leg at a time and continue to do so even if I don't have employment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh! I am a psychiatrist, too, practicing now two days a week.

      Delete
    2. Retired family practice physician assistant, former Bell Labs member of technical staff doing system design stuff, former neurobiology and behavior grad student, former long-time volunteer emergency medical technician.

      Delete
    3. Clark, Here is how I have always put on my pants.

      LegoWhoSaysToRob:InOrderToPutOnYourPantsInThisFashionItIsNecessaryToPracticeMoreThanTwoDaysPerWeek

      Delete
    4. I usually put on pants two legs simultaneously while sitting on the bed. This avoids stepping into one leg and tripping over when the foot gets stuck.

      Delete
    5. Well it's about time someone began a serious conversation on this blog.

      My neighbor's dog pants 4 legs at a time.

      Some of the teenagers, and a bit older, here seem to be having problems getting their pants fully on, but I have no insight as to what their methods may be.

      I too sometimes sit on my bed and put them on both legs at a time thinking it makes me much smarter than the hoi polloi.

      Clark, I hope you are still getting your left leg into the left pant leg. This, too is important in my opinion.

      Delete
    6. Women (and I suppose some men) have the advantage that they can skirt the issue, and address it differently. Suits them well.

      Delete
    7. Retired, as of yesterday, secretary of the Navy.


      (Just kidding)

      Delete
    8. 68Charger:
      Why, wasn't her typing speed up to par?

      Delete
    9. Well, she seemed well anchored & I didn't harbor any I'll feelings.

      Delete
    10. I got the impression she probably cooks with Gold Medal Flour.

      Delete
    11. What do I do for a living? Well, "Ben" is an alias. "Ben" claims to run a marketing firm focusing on STEM projects.

      In my actual life, I am Svetlana Parnas, trying to raise five Ukrainian children in humble Boca Raton, Florida, keeping my hubby out of prison, and always looking good for the cameras. It's tough out there.

      Delete
    12. I’m a retired engineer who spent 23 years building nuclear fuel for the Navy, followed by three years as a consultant, and 20 years at Department of Energy Headquarters.

      My wife and I love traveling. TrIps this year have included Maui, San Francisco, the Poconos, Vermont and Maine. Next week, we head to Kauai. When we’re home, we enjoy longer rides on our motorcycles, and short outings on our motor scooters.

      Delete
    13. I know this will come as a surprise to you, but I work in Central Bank of Nigeria, packaging and courier department.

      I found your information on the internet, and I was inspired to seek your co-operation, I want you to help me clear this consignment that is already in theEurope which I shipped through our CBN accredited courier agent.

      Delete
    14. I'm in, eco! Please tell me where to leave the bag of gold bullion.

      Delete
    15. My Nigerian students would likely bristle at these words. They'd rather talk about their favorite Nigerian authors.

      Delete
    16. I suppose it is time I too confessed to my actual identity. I am Sister Procreation and I both live and work in the Vaticano, where I manage the Human Resources Department for His Holiness.

      Delete
    17. My name is Jack and I live in the back of the Greta Garbo home. Also, I am the Walrus, but I did not shoot the deputy. Everyone knew me as Nancy.

      Delete
    18. WW: Sorry to insult your Nigerian students, I suspect these emails actually come from other parts of the world or some parent's basement.

      Funny thing, this morning I got this "URBENT" email:
      "Dear Friend,

      My names are Prince Egobia, I work as the Regional Manager of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. With operational office at Falomo. I have packaged a transaction that will be of mutual benefit to both of us. I want you to help my family received and invest the sum of USD$10.5Million dollars my late father deposited in a bank here before his sudden death.

      My mother and I want this funds to be transferred and invested in your country through your assistance and directive, 30% of this funds is your percentage for assisting us.

      This funds transaction is 100% genuine and free risk. There is nothing to be afraid of.

      Please get back to me through this email address:
      chumaprince116@gmail.com , for more details

      Regards,
      Prince Egobia Okons,"


      Does it seem like there's been a resurgence in these after about 15 years of dormancy?

      Delete
    19. I already replied to this and am sitting here waiting for my big bucks. Aren't you happy for me?

      Delete
    20. And you are also on the Seattle city council with mayor Durham-right?

      Delete
  24. Lurk, work, jerk and smirk ;p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wrong in two ways: it is against the rules to give away an answer here, and one of your words has five letters. Please remove.

      Delete
    2. Since one of the words has five letters, no answer was actually given away. NO QUID PRO QUO!

      Delete
    3. That was a perfect comment! Nothing wrong with it at all! PERFECT! WITCH HUNT!

      Delete
    4. This was our second answer, we ended up going with an answer that Elaine did not need to go to a hair specialist for.

      Delete
    5. Hmm the continued presence of this comment is making me seriously rethink my answer.

      Delete
    6. Blaine may just be otherwise engaged. Anyway, there are multiple correct answers this week.

      Delete
    7. Can't speak for Blaine, but it is not a correct answer as it includes a 5 letter word. And as far as I've been able to tell there is no 4 letter substitute.

      It had made it to my short(z) list, ultimately rejected.

      Delete
    8. I disagree. The word I found may not be common, but I have known it from high school, so it can't be that obscure.

      Delete
    9. TomR's post is not a correct answer in itself, but it leads too directly to one.

      Delete
    10. I pray Blaine shall remove TomR's post.

      Delete
    11. Or, even better, TomR will remove it!

      Delete
  25. Bonus Puzzle #1: (I know you're all praying there will be no #2, it may or may not pass)
    Take the name of a well-known news publication which includes the word "the". Remove the "the", and add something irrational after the first letter to name a section found in most news publications.

    What is the publication, what's added, and what's the section?

    No answers please until Wednesday 3 pm EST, I know some of you will answer this before the question is asked.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right, and I am one of those.

      Delete
    2. I have an answer but do not know whether I would call it a news publication.

      Delete
    3. They call themselves a news source, and since they publish.... But I know what you mean.

      I didn't spend much time phrasing the puzzle, as no one here EVER scrutinizes or criticizes that.

      Delete
    4. Take the same publication, less the “The,” add two irrational things and find something that might be seen in another section of a news publication.

      Delete
    5. Bonus Puzzle #2: (it had to happen, every day would be better)

      There are 2 words, 6 letters each, and other than the first letter, each word has identical letters. But the words do not rhyme.

      Spoonerize the words, and the result will be a 2 word phrase that is a guiding principle of the tRump mis-administration.

      What are the words?

      Delete
  26. Folks , thank you for all of your responses.Rob, I'd love to share stories with you; Legolamda,the video was amazing; Jan, thanks for sharing;SBD,
    This didn't feel like a serious discussion, but thanks for the compliment. You helped me to put a clue which I hope wasn't too obvious into the mix.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a serious discussion, you say? It left me panting all day.

      Delete
    2. K and p, that's sdb.

      Geologist and teacher here. Currently in the path of a monster snowstorm in CO. Hoping we can travel easily in the morrow.

      C a p and Rob, nice to know we have at least two psychiatrists on board at Blaine's.

      Delete
    3. Thanks WW...but that was a previous life. Since retirement is all about reinvention, I've become a potter with my work in 5 galleries up and down the Oregon Coast. My motto: may all your crackpots be made of clay only.
      I have sons in CO. I hope you all stay safe.

      Delete
    4. Well don't that just Beatrix all?

      Delete
    5. Thanks, C a p. Glad to hear about your pot throwing work. We do that here, too :-).

      Delete
  27. I do pit fired ceramics...what do you do?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think rolling is more popular in Colorado. California and Washington too.

      Delete
    2. Yes, C a p, I was being snarky about the other CO pot.

      I made a couple of kiln-fired pots with my daughter's pottery class. I have several of her pots and enjoy her high school artistry. My favorite tiny pot holds kosher salt. But, no pot. ;-)

      Delete
    3. Sometimes snarkiness in print goes right by my head. Missing in these missives are eye rolls and tones of voice. The storm has hit here in OR...the only positive is that you don't shovel rain. BTW pot is legal here too.

      Delete
    4. I agree.

      Do you make pot pots? Pot shots? Potted pot plants?

      Eyes a rollin' here. . .

      Delete
    5. Is the difference between a toddler and an adult that a toddler is happy after having a brown potty, an adult is happy after having a pot brownie?

      Delete
    6. WW, if you're interested in what I do, here's my website: mudmusicstudio.com.

      Ecoarchitect, unfortunately, I can't do pot without getting severe vertigo. However, I never tried edibles.

      Delete
    7. psychoceramics: The study of crackpots.

      Delete
    8. C a p, thanks, great to learn about your work with pit fired ceramics. I am intrigued by the chemicals you use to make the colors. Did you say you have tried dung to line the pit? No (yes) bs there!

      Delete
    9. Using dung to line a pit could take a very long time to cure and then you would have a dungeon.

      Delete
    10. I use copper carbonate, etchant ( a solution of ferric chloride in hydrochloric acid, sometimes separately and sometimes combined as a "mud". I'd like it if you took a look at my website...I promise you I work hard to avoid artist's ego!

      Delete
    11. C a p, I did look at your website. I like the color variations. Beautiful pieces. I did not know of the significant breakage in pit fired ceramics.

      Do you consider the type of clay as well as the etchant? I am curious about the varieties of clay you use.

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

    ReplyDelete
  29. WW, I use a white high fire clay but it's not fired to the point of the pores closing. When you pit fire, the fumes have to be able to enter the clay to be permanent. If the clay wasn't pores the color effects would just wash away. There's a video on the website with explains in more detail...on it see if you can spot why my pseudonymic name (Which I guess is now blown). I'm glad you liked what you saw...thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do see.

      And I found this link to link the geology with the ceramic aspect--geologic minds want to know:

      https://sites.google.com/site/meeneecat/educational-materials/clay-types-geological-origins-working-properties-gccceramics

      Delete
  30. Replies
    1. I think you get the burm's rush for that.

      Delete
    2. Burm is a word I frequently see and hear. I came up with my answer while still in bed and considered all these words to be common. Anyway I am long ago disinterested in Will Shortz's puzzle expertise, which I find sorely lacking.

      Delete
    3. Since only urbandictionary offers a definition (other than the formal name for a plant), what is your definition? Besides a misspelling of berm.

      Delete
    4. I think you are right now that I googled it, but burm seems to come up too with indications that it is frequently misspelled. My mistake.

      Delete
    5. Your link didn't work, is that a turminal issue?

      Delete
  31. BIRD, CURD, NERD, WORD

    "B4 315°" refers to BC (refers to Before Christ) and NW refers to NorthWest or 315 degrees on a compass.

    Or

    JERK, KIRK, WORK, LURK

    "I pray Blaine shall remove TomR's post." refers to KIRK (church).

    ReplyDelete
  32. BIRD, CURD, HERD, WORD

    "At first, I thought this puzzle would be hard, but my better half and I solved it on the way to feed the horses."

    A few hints:
    way-->whey--curd(s)
    horses-->herd (and "hard"~herd)

    By the way, it actually did happen that way.

    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Eight different solutions can be created by mixing and matching WORD with:
    BIRD or GIRD; HERD or NERD; and CURD or TURD.

    Eco’s bonus puzzle refers to The Onion. Add the irrational number Pi to get an opinion, which might be seen on an Editorial Page. My variant, adds two irrational numbers, Pi and e, to get Onion Pie, which might be seen, especially at this time of year, in the Food Section.

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. 1. HERD (hûrd), NERD.
    BIRD (bûrd), GIRD.
    WORD (wûrd).
    CURD (kûrd), TURD.
    WARD (wôrd), doesn't rhyme.

    2. JERK (jûrk), PERK.
    DIRK (dûrk), KIRK.
    WORK (wûrk).
    LURK (lûrk).

    3. PERT (pûrt).
    DIRT (dûrt).
    WORT (wûrt).
    HURT (hûrt), CURT.
    WART (wôrt), doesn't rhyme.

    My hint: “hard” (härd), the only “vowel-rd word” that doesn't work with the -rd ending. As indicated above, WARD (wôrd) doesn't work.

    Eco's Bonus Puzzle: a “news publication,” THE ONION, remove the “THE” & add PI (an irrational number) after the first O to yield OPINION, a section found in most news publications.

    #2 HEIGHT WEIGHT / WHITE HATE

    ReplyDelete

  35. HERD (or NERD), BIRD (or GIRD), WORD, CURD (or TURD)
    or
    JERK (or PERK), DIRK, WORK, LURK (or MURK)


    Too many correct answers for a legitimate puzzle.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I went HERD, BIRD, WORD, CURD. Thought they were the most conventional words, as it were.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I submitted PERK, DIRK, WORK, and LURK.

    My clue above answered Rob's comment about a PORN STAR. I said that "it was a prosthesis," referring to Marky Mark's role in BOOGIE NIGHTS as porn star DIRK Diggler.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I asked about what people did for employment partially for fun and curiousity, but also because it was a clue to my answer using the word WORK in my answer.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Looks like the "winners" in the WORD category are WORD, BIRD, HERD and CURD:

    https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=HERD+%2CNERD%2C+BIRD%2C+GIRD%2CWORD%2CCURD%2CTURD&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CHERD%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CNERD%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CBIRD%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CGIRD%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CWORD%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CCURD%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CTURD%3B%2Cc0

    That WORD spike in the 80's, though. . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And in the WORK group, WORK, PERK, KIRK, and LURK are the most used:

      https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=JERK%2C+PERK%2C+DIRK%2C+KIRK%2C+WORK%2C+LURK+&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CJERK%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CPERK%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CDIRK%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CKIRK%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CWORK%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CLURK%3B%2Cc0

      Glad to see PERK won over JERK in popularity.

      Happy Thanksgiving to all you wonderful "perks" of life at Blaine's.

      Delete
    2. At least you didn't call us tirkeys.

      Isn't it nice that Thanksgiving is the only holiday that hasn't been fowled up with crass consumerism? Day after? Well....

      Delete
  40. I think WS inteded herd/ nerd, bird/ gird, word, curd/ turd; as birk/ dirk/ kirk are fairly obscure words.

    My musical hint referred to Lynyrd Skynyrd's Freebird. Cranberry may think Sweet Home Alabama is their biggest hit, but 49 other states disagree.

    And since I was late getting back from submitting a project, Ron and others correctly answered the Bonus Puzzles.

    Hence an additional Bonus Puzzle #3 (the body isn't built for that)

    Same rules, except can you name (4) words with 5 letters that solve the criteria? I have 2 answers, one of the words in each is not common.

    Let's try to save the reveal until Friday.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I wrote, “I finally came up with four words. The least-used of them has a link with a famous porn star.” DIRK is a reference to the fictional Dirk Diggler, the porn name of Mark Wahlberg’s character in _Boogie Nights_, modeled on John Holmes. The other words are WORK, JERK, and LURK. The second solution I came up with was NERD, BIRD, WORD, and SURD.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Kirk and dirk are not common words. My post of lurk, work, jerk and smirk was meant as a lighthearted non-clue. ;p)
    The fact that Blaine did not delete it should have been a tip off to those wanting the dirk, kirk angle. I went with bird, herd, curd and word.

    ReplyDelete
  43. bird (or gird)
    curd
    herd (or nerd)
    word

    Last Sunday I said, “Check out the statement of the puzzle very carefully.” It contains the word, “word.”

    Happy Thanksgiving all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chuck: That was a great clue. Wonder why the blogmaster did not remove it though.

      Delete
  44. I always put a title on my weekly collection of "Riffing Off Shortz" puzzle menu on Joseph Young's Puzzleria! This Friday's title is:
    “My word, how absurd! A roller-skating bird in a buffalo herd!”
    Can any of you creative types out there suggest how I could have fit "curd" in the title in place of "absurd"?

    LegoWhoObservesThatFriedCheeseCurdsArePlentyPopularUpHereInCheeseheadLand

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My word turns your brain into curd (or curdles your brain). A roller-skating bird in a buffalo herd.
      FWIW, turd also works.

      Delete
    2. I like it, geofan. I shall incorporate it (with your blessings, of course).
      Probably something like:
      "My word! How brain-curdlingly absurd! A roller-skating bird in a buffalo herd"
      Thanks.

      Lego(TomorrowDuringMealTime):"NoThanksI'llPassOnTheTurducken"

      Delete
  45. My clue: 100.1 is the frequency on which the radio station WBCH broadcasts. (Word, Bird, Curd Herd)

    ReplyDelete
  46. For days, I couldn't get that inane song from the surfer band The Trashmen out of my head!

    ReplyDelete
  47. -RD: HERD, BIRD, WORD, CURD/TURD, rare word FYRD

    -RK: JERK/PERK, KIRK, WORK, LURK/MURK

    -RT: PERT, DIRT/GIRT, WORT (alternate pronunciation), CURT/HURT

    ReplyDelete
  48. NERD, BIRD, WORD, CURD
    I wouldn't dare have sent in TURD.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Didn't send it -- too easy a "puzzle" and alsotoo many valid alternate answers.

      Delete
  49. Turns out I’m not really a LURKER. Nonetheless I hope we all enjoy our BIRD on Thursday and I am sincerely thankful for this WORD NERD HERD!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Very clever, Unknown. We truly are a WORD NERD HERD!
    Speaking of BIRD, The word BIRD was one-seventh of the seven-part answer to the "Shpuzzle of the Week" that I posted on last Friday's Joseph Young's Puzzleria! Clairvoyant!
    For those of you who are Cryptic Crossword aficionados, this Friday's Puzzleria! will feature a gem created by Patrick J. Berry (whose screen name is "cranberry"). cranberry has a true gift for creating these "cryptic cruciverbal conundrums!"

    Here is the answer to the "sneak peek" of the timely Puzzleria! puzzle that I posted on Blaine's blog last week. The puzzle read:
    Name In The News Slice:
    Arnold and Keith show up
    Take the name of a person lately in the news, first and last names. Remove the first and last letters from the first name. Rearrange the remaining letters to form a description of this person in two words: a possessive proper noun and a common noun.
    What is the name of this person?
    Hint: Were it not for this person in the news, Keith, Arnold and others may have been no-shows at an event chaired by Barrack.

    Answer:
    Gordon Sondland; Donald's donor
    (Tom Barrack, was Chairman of the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the January 19, 2017 “Make America Great Again!” concert during the inaugural celebration.
    Toby Keith was a headline performer at the concert.
    Brad Arnold is the frontman of the group "3 Doors Down," which performed at the event.)


    LegoWhoGivesThanksToBlaineAndAllBlainesvillians

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  51. My clues:
    This puzzle is “way” too easy - referred to curds of whey
    Now it’s time to prepare for thanksgiving!! - referred to preparing the bird (turkey).

    Happy Thanksgiving all!

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  52. Plantsmith, what was your yam comment all about (connected to 315°)?

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    1. This was a vain attempt to decipher your elegant clue. And perhaps elicit a directive- cold or hot- happy or not.

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  53. I’d like to cut back on the Thanksgiving leftovers, but I can’t quit cold turkey.

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  54. My Vigenere keyword this week was IRRATIONAL, which, coincidentally, figured prominently in eco's BP#1. I've always considered the designation of PI as "irrational" to be somewhat paradoxical since PI is a RATIO by definition. I prefer "transcendental".
    TREASON might make you think of Benedict Arnold, which might make you think of Dirk Benedict. Does that stand t'reason?
    If none of this makes sense to anyone, I don't find that discouraging, because, when the chips are down, I can be happy, 'cause I've a mind to.

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  55. I received this email this morning:

    This is zekecreek. I just wanted to drop a line to let you know that I got the call Wednesday to play the puzzle on air.
    My gmail account is all messed up due to my poor memory with passcodes and inactivity.
    I still touch base with the blogs, so if you would be so kind let our friends know that one of us will be on Sunday morning.
    I’ll try to represent us well.
    Your friend always,
    Zeke

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    Replies

    1. zekecreek, this is great news! So glad to hear from you.

      Thanks for being the messenger, sdb. We promise not to shoot you, with such good news.

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    2. Congrats! Best of luck, Zeke!

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    3. Ditto!
      zekecreek's contributions to this blog have invariably been insightful, entertaining and just plain fun. I am so pleased to hear you will be playing "The Puzzle" with Will this week, zeke.
      I know we'll all be listening and pulling for you.

      LegoWhoAlsoThanksskydiveboyForServingAsTheBearerOfTheseGoodTidings

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    4. zekecreek:
      Our friend
      Everywhichway

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    5. Congratulations, Zekecreek! Looking forward to hearing your online puzzling! --Margaret G.

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  56. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  57. This week's challenge comes from listener Joe Krozel of Creve Coeur, Mo. Name something you find in a grocery. Two words. Three letters in the first, six letters in the second. Switch the third and seventh letters, and read the result backward. The result will name that same grocery item again. What is it?

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  58. Challenge answer: Her, bird, word, curd. (Other answers are possible.)

    H E R D.
    Autocorrect

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  59. zekecreek, you sounded great and enthusiastic on the air this morning. Congrats!

    Loved the "Help" answer, too.

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  60. Actually pretty easy this week. I predict several music clues will be posted.

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