Sunday, February 20, 2022

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 20, 2022): Head and Shoulders Above the Rest

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 20, 2022): Head and Shoulders Above the Rest
Q: Name a part of the human body. Insert the name of another part of the human body. You'll get a brand name found at the supermarket. What is it?
Savage commercials for this product.

Edit: Adam Savage (of Mythbusters fame) played Mr. Whipple's stockboy, Jimmy, in a Charmin commercial
A: CH(ARM)IN

223 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. Didn't have to fiddle with this for too long.

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    1. OOh, I totally 'get' your hint, and normally, I never get anybody's hint!

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    2. Sometimes these puzzles can be a real pain, but luckily it took me a lot less time than if I'm actually using the product.
      pjbSaysMakeOfThisPostWhatYouWill

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  3. I can think of a funny one that doesn't quite meet the puzzle's criteria.

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    1. I think I had the same idea, considered posting it, but dropped it.

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    2. SuperZee: I’m a bit late getting back to the party; it’s been busy day. I was almost at my wit’s end, but I think now we may very well have been thinking of the same product. And you’re right, posting it, even as a joke, probably would’ve drawn the attention of our venerable blog administrator.

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  4. This one came to me quickly...

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  5. Add one letter to the end of this stupid puzzle to get something it isn't.

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  6. you mean it's not arm&hammer

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    Replies
    1. There is a bone in the ear called the hammer.

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    2. I know, but now having seen the correct answer I'm surprised my joke didn't get pulled

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  7. OK, got it...but only after I spent an embarrassingly long time trying to make "Haribo" work!

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    1. It's not the height of sophistication, I know, but I couldn't resist the "bare ass" / "bear ass" hidden within "embarrassingly."

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  8. By George! I think I got it!

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  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. Sorry about that.

      Trying again….”Sports Slang.”

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  10. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  11. The inserted body part was one of the first parts that came to mind. For the first body part, I know some people that have only one, some that have two, and some where I am not sure how many they have.

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  13. Joe Isuzu and Flo would have killed for that gig.

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  14. You could almost luck into this solution.

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  15. I consulted lists to no avail. But I could barely contain my contentment when I came up with the answer during my run with my dog; that hasn't happened in months.

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  16. Music Clues: Led Zeppelin and Bob Seger.

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  17. Forget lists of body parts and brand names. Think of memorable characters and slogans.

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  18. It could be said some people worked on the puzzle while using this brand.

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  19. True story:
    After my girlfriend's parked van was totaled by a drunk driver, we were searching for a replacement. Visiting several used car lots, we failed to find anything large enough, as she needs to haul people and large things on occasion. Becoming more and more frustrated, all of a sudden she said, "We need us a _______." -at least that was how my ears heard it. This surprised me, because I knew she didn't like to drink; not to mention it was midday!
    Then (laughing at myself) I realized she was talking about a vehicle, "We need a ________."
    What did I "hear"? And what is the name of the vehicle? (PLEASE... If you know the answers, just give hints that you do)

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  20. Three thou this week, four next?

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  21. Question: where can I submit a puzzle suggestion to WS? Is it the same link used to submit an answer?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, but choose the different drop-down box for "Submit a Puzzle Answer."

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  22. This puzzle might have been better if Will had waited a little and given it to us...

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    1. I actually thought Blaine was on the same track as Crito with his original comment, "I haven't a clue...yet." Apparently, he wasn't hinting at the time.

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    2. Yeah I wondered that too!
      (To be explicit: if he waited a little, he could have given it IN MARCH, an anagram of 'Charmin'.)

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  23. Ha ha! I'm stumped as well and I spend a lot of time at the markets.

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  24. Replies
    1. Prince Charming is the prince in Cinderella. He has Charmin in his name.

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  25. The New Orleans in-air player was not me.

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  26. My computer's parental control feature limits discussions about body parts being inserted into other body parts.

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    Replies
    1. Foot in the mouth disease. It is endemic.

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    2. My comment was made before I fingered out the solution. Plantsmith did the finest job of hugging the TMI line by saying "foot" instead of "hoof." Triple entendres do exist! Huzzah!

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  27. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    2. My four letter word-did not compute. then i tried Belch- it did not work either?

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    4. I'll be heading your way in May.

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  28. I got this one before the sign-off. I never came up with last week's answer because I pronounce Aaron like arrow and Erin like Erin go bragh. 3000 correct submissions shows that I am in a minority. My grandparents were born in Ireland so I came about the pronunciation honestly. :>

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  29. I know it won't make one bit of difference if I answer right or wrong, but is it necessary to the grand scheme of things for me to work so hard, only to come up with zero?

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  30. For anyone having trouble solving this one, try working it backwards.

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  31. I am surprised no one seems to have noticed the strong connection to a puzzle we had earlier this year.

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  32. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  33. From the sound of it, the answer came to me right away when I changed my approach to the "opposite" one. Without the puzzle, I might've spelled that brand name just a little incorrectly.

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  34. The former president always talked about something related to this product in his speeches.

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  35. A certain Greek statue comes to mind.

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    1. Here's the start of a chain that goes through a different statue on the way to the solution: e

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    1. Earlier I eluded to a word that's worth 25 Scrabble points. Your hint makes me think of another word that's only worth 3 Scrabble points.

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  37. The answer alluded me for most of the day. Now that I've finally found it, I feel like one of the beautiful people.

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    1. I see what you did there, Paul.

      LegoWhoWondersIfBillCosbyEverSlippedSome"DiscoBiscuits"ToHis(Lego's)Mother(WhichMightExplainALotAboutTheWayLegoTurnedOut)

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  38. #1: Richard Nixon
    #2: Billy Graham
    #3: ???

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  39. At first, I tried to solve this one backwards, There were way too many brands. Once I could think of one of the body parts, the answer came quickly.

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  40. My wife, in fact, has a Patent!

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  41. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  43. I hate to continue with last week's problem, but my wife and I pronounce the brand name differently!

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    1. Could that have to do with a spelling detail—how you might think it's spelled vs. how it's actually spelled, regarding that detail?

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  44. Fun puzzle!
    SDB - i think your clue refers to how the brand got its name.
    Al - i can think of another name with an exclamation like your clue!
    Does anyone else see a resemblance between one of our fellow bloggers and….

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  45. Now, there's a whole new meaning when I hear "My Precious!".

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  46. Talking about cutting open body parts and attaching others reminds me of a certain medical procedure!

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  47. Brand Name spinoff the puzzle time: Think of a well-known brand you'll find in the Supermarket. Remove one letter. The remaining letters in order spell two words that refer to the same thing. What are they?

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  48. Replies
    1. Sparrow or Billy Joel?
      pjbDoesn'tNeedJustALittlePushToBeSmilin'

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    2. Neither - ans that was intentional

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    3. Captain Jack or Kintpuash has the distinction of being the only Native American chief to be convicted of war crimes. My hint was directed at his house “TP” or teepee

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  49. Probably stomping all over copyrights etc. but here is the new CarTalk Puzzle.
    I have not tried it yet, so everyone can deal with it as they like.

    Rearrange the following 11 letters to make just one word:
    U S T O O D W E R N J

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Yeah, it took me all of 5 seconds to solve it.

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    4. This does seem like a typical Car Talk puzzle.

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    5. Reminds me of making ONE WORD out of NEW DOOR.
      pjbNeverEvenReallyListenedToCarTalkForThatOne

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  50. It took me an embarrassingly long time to solve this. Especially considering it is a totally familiar brand to me and my household.

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  51. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. Thank you! I finally got the answer after your response. WOO WOO I got back into the answer group.

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  52. With war looming in Europe, a Phil Ochs protest song comes to mind.

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    Replies
    1. (It's not "White Boots Marching in a [Blue and] Yellow Land".)

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  53. I looked at body diagrams and couldn't find the chock full o'....back to square one.

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  54. He's on a roll again.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3z841UJiVk

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  55. Try clicking on Yahoo News and see if you can anything about Putin invasion. Good luck with that.

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  56. This barely qualifies as a puzzle

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    Replies
    1. My attempt at a pun, referring to the bears in the Charmin ads

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  57. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  58. Pronounce the first two letters of the “outer” body part the same way that you would pronounce them in the brand name.

    You will get (phonetically) the name of yet a third body part. What body part is this?

    Ex: Ou(inner)ter

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  60. Americans aren't much for geography, but if you know your national silhouettes, you might want to consider Worldle.

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    1. #Worldle #32 1/6 (100%)
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🎉
      https://worldle.teuteuf.fr

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    2. So I tried one, but could not figure out how to move to another.

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  61. The brand name history interesting.

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    1. Yes, I was surprised it's been around as long as it has.

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  62. Everyone surviving palindromic TWOSday, 2/22/22?

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    1. Typo police. I misspelled Washington. Only those of us of an age remember when Abe Lincoln's birthday (2/12) and Washington's birthday (2/22) were two holidays.

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    2. The national holiday is NOT president's day, but George Washington's Birthday. I do not recall there ever having been a holiday for Abe Lincoln.

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    3. In Europe especially, today is often written as 22-02-2022, also palindromic.

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    4. This is all just too too much.

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    5. And, American style, the puzzle was published on 2-20-22 or 2-20-2022, the two of which are palindromic too.

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    6. Parasailin' is a Spoonerism of Sarah Palin, but that is not a palindrome is it?

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    7. No. Usually one is not the other, in my experience. Interesting coincidence about her name, though.
      pjbAlsoLikedWhenLegoCameUpWith"CusterBeaten"ForBusterKeaton

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    8. Lego did not come up with "CusterBeaten"ForBusterKeaton. It was a Will Shortz puzzle from several decades ago. I remember it clearly, as it is one of my favorites. It is before the NPR puzzles were archived.

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  63. jan,
    When a pig's heart is transplanted into a human is the patient then considered to be linked in?

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  64. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  65. Natasha,
    Do you agree that ballet is tutu much of a good thing?

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. Sorry, Facebook would not allow me to view your link as I am not a member, and I will not be either. Mark Sugarhill is as bad as Putin.

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  66. Zeno Cosini will happily give you his last cigarette.

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  67. Some controversy was avoided this week by the fact that molasses, while found in the supermarket, is not a brand name.

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  68. SDB: My school celebrated Feb. 12 and Feb. 22 as holidays. Some states still celebrate Lincolns birthday. Research revealed a lot of interesting information regarding this topic.

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  69. Will Putin give weapons to an array of hedgehogs, and send them into Ukraine?

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  70. I heard on the news this morning there was a vat for cooking potato chips and corn chips that exploded somewhere in Oregon. Now profits have taken a double dip.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Be on the lookout because there are bound to be other potato chip factories in Oregon and I'll bet you can't Heat just one!

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    3. Once they pop, they just can't stop!
      pjbCanHearY'allGroaningAtHome...AndHeLovesIt!

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    4. SDB,

      Another pun...Just Lay(S) me down!

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    5. Yes, and Santa will slay you.

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  71. It is now being reported that Putin has begun invasion.

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  72. Putin is another rendition of a Moscow mull...but with no "Nostro via" or morality.

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  73. There are significant differences, but Putin's invasion of Ukraine is reminding me of George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq. It is also very similar to Hitler's false flag invasion of Poland. I do not envision Putin stopping here, and Xi Jinping will see this as a green light for invading Taiwan.

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  74. Procter & Gamble's toilet paper: CHARMINCHIN + ARM

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  75. CHIN, ARM, CHARMIN

    I had commented that I know people with one, two or unknown of the first body part. I know a lot of people with one chin. I know a few people that have double chins. For the unknown, I know some people with big beards, so there is no way to know how many chins they have!

    Later in the week, I wondered if Putin would put weapons on an array of hedgehogs, and send them into Ukraine. Hedgehogs were known as urchins many years ago, so that would be an urCHIN ARMy.

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  76. CHARMIN from ARM & CHIN

    My Hints:

    “Add one letter to the end of this stupid puzzle to get something it isn't.” CHARMINg

    “I am surprised no one seems to have noticed the strong connection to a puzzle we had earlier this year.” Although I have never used this brand, I assume it is effective against KLINGONS.

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    Replies
    1. Only when they're around Uranus.

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    2. Anyway, I hope President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his country can klingon to their democracy.

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    3. Anyone who thinks Putin has not been deterred obviously has no appreciation for puns.

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    4. Yes, but he still remains a fecesist.

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  77. Chin; insert arm --> Charmin

    Last Sunday I said, “You could almost luck into this solution.” I was thinking of Lucky Charms cereal.

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  78. Since everyone came up with "Charmin" very quickly, I anagrammed it to get "Rich man," then played around with the lyrics of "If I were a rich man" ("I know it won't make one bit of difference if I answer right or wrong"), most famously sung by Zero Mostel. You can see a clip of him performing it at the Tony Awards in 1965 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbJEpcteKg4.

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    Replies
    1. I saw Theodore Bikel perform the same role on Broadway. Bikel and Alan Arkin, both native Russian speakers, spoke Russian natively in the apropos "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming".

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    2. It feels great to be one of the beautiful people (and to know the difference between 'elude' and 'allude').

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  79. ARM + CHIN -> CHARMIN

    > #1: Richard Nixon
    #2: Billy Graham
    #3: ???

    A 1978 survey found that CHARMIN's Mr. Whipple was the third best-known American, behind the former President and the evangelist.

    > Talking about cutting open body parts and attaching others reminds me of a certain medical procedure!

    A Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) makes putting an arm into a chin seem simple by comparison.

    > With war looming in Europe, a Phil Ochs protest song comes to mind.

    "I Ain't Marchin' [anagram of CHARMIN] Any More".


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    1. Decades ago my youngest brother used to talk about a quack doctor at a local hospital who performed Whipple operations. Of those you mentioned above, including Mr. Whipple, which one is the biggest AH? I cannot tell.

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    2. I find it surprising that anyone survives a Whipple procedure long-term.

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    3. It could leave one feeling rather hollow.

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  80. I wrote, “But I could barely contain my contentment...” That “barely” referred to a state of uncoveredness when using the product, but more to the stupid bears that are used in its advertising.

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    1. Dr. Awkward one-upped you there. I'll let the good doctor explain in more detail.

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    2. Haha, yep, I've explained above re "embarrassingly"!

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  81. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  82. CHARMIN<—CHIN, ARM

    “almost at my wit’s end”—For this I offer no comment.

    The “funny one that doesn't quite meet the puzzle's criteria” and that, posted, “would’ve drawn the attention of our venerable blog administrator” was BUTTERFINGER.

    Well played, SuperZee (who considered posting Butterfinger but “dropped it”). ;-)

    And, much to my surprise (unless I missed them), no “fundamental” comments.

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  83. We at Puzzleria! are pleased to present this week a quintet of truly Econfusing puzzles created by Ecoarchitect. They appear in his "Econfusions" puzzle package.
    Don't miss them!
    We upload Puzzleria in the wee hours of Friday morn, just after Midnight PST.
    Also on our menus this week:
    * a Schpuzzle of the Week about an American woman who is not odd,
    * a Puzzle-Slice about “Making the mathematical mechanical,”
    * a Vehicular “TV-Guide-o-cide!” Dessert, and
    * ten riff-offs of this week's NPR puzzle titled “Please don’t squeeze the arm, chin!” (which includes one "beverage & body-part" gem by our friend Plantsmith).
    Come visit us!

    LegoWhoWondersIfHisSoleIsAPartOfHisBody

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  84. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  85. I posted "Tropicana". I was thinking of their ad from the '80s "Squeeze me a glass of Tropicana" (Don't squeeze the Charmin.)

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    Replies
    1. Ahh, yes indeed! George the Grocer. Those were the good ole days

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  86. CHIN — ARM — CHARMIN

    My clues:
    From the sound of it, the answer came to me right away when I changed my approach to the "opposite" one.
    I had browsed brands of all kinds of foods initially, until it crossed my mind to try another category. The moment I tried "Charmin," "arm" came to me instantly ("from the sound of it"), and "chin" was easy from there. Oh and bathroom tissue is sort of the "opposite" of food. 😉

    Without the puzzle, I might've spelled that brand name just a little incorrectly.
    I made it a point to use an apostrophe there, hinting I might have spelled "Charmin" with an apostrophe at the end.

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  87. There are too many posts on here to be sure it hasn't been mentioned, but:
    The instructions say "name" the body parts etc., not write or spell them to "get" the product.
    I think Charmin sounds more like Sharmin, "shin" and "arm."
    If I sent in answers, those would have been included.
    Or maybe, as Cap said last week, it's regional.

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  88. My, “Sports slang,” post referred to the term, “Chin Music,” a descriptor for a high inside/or brush back pitch in baseball.

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  89. CHIN ARM CHARMIN

    I clued that my wife has a Patent. It's true!

    I was reminded of this famous patent drawing that PROVES that the intended placement of a toilet paper roll is over the top, not from the bottom. Everyone who rolls from the back is a savage.

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Toilet-Paper-Roll-Official-Patent-Diagram-Art-Print-Stand-or-Hang-Wood-Frame-Display-Poster-Print-9x13/558188341

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    1. https://youtu.be/85WjObNXT7I

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    2. So now we know the real reason for the TP shortage, and it's not the pandemic. I had a feline there might be another explanation.

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  90. My fiddle comment was a reference to "If I Were a 'R I C H M A N'".

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    1. I thought you were referring to using your chin and arms to play a fiddle.

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  91. I got Charmin (arm/chin) and can't believe it took me so long, as it had long been the brand my household buys.

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  92. My blog and references

    SDB - i think your clue refers to how the brand got its name. - it was named after Charming and the l got dropped.
    Al - i can think of another name with an exclamation like your clue! - How about Great Scott! (For Scotts toilet paper)
    Does anyone else see a resemblance between one of our fellow bloggers and….- from a distance with my eyesight, I thought Jan’s pic reminded me of Mr Whipple.

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  93. CHIN, ARM => CHARMIN. My musical clue was "Mame." According to the song of that name, Auntie Mame could "charm the husk right off of the corn."

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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.