Q: This is a two-week creative challenge. Name a geographical place. Then describe it acrostically using the letters in its name. For example, ALBANY could be described acrostically as "Administering Legislative Business At New York." The place can be anywhere in the world — the U.S. or abroad. Entries will be judged on originality, sense, naturalness of wording, elegance, and overall effect. You may submit up to three entries.The deadline is this Wednesday, November 15th at 3PM ET.
Edit: Listeners sent more than a thousand entries. Out of them all, Will's favorite was the following — selected for its length and beauty:
A: STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Shakespeare transformed rhetorical art, to fashion outstanding rhythmic drama — using poetry, oratory, nuance, and vividly original narrative.
Stephen Portnoy, Hillsboro, OR
So many other ingenious entries were submitted that Will wanted to share as many as possible. Here are some of his other favorite geographical acrostic submissions.
ALASKA
America Laughed At Seward’s Keen Acquisition
Christy St. John, Doylestown, PA
AMSTERDAM
A marvelous space to enjoy real Dutch art museums
Don Brown, East Greenbush, NY
ANNAPOLIS
America’s notable Naval Academy protects our lives in service
Benita Rice, Salem, OH
ANTARCTICA
Almost Nobody There, And Really Cold, Thick Ice Covers All
Jim Meyer, Edmonds, WA
ASPEN
A skier's paradise equalled nowhere
Michelle Nelson, South Windsor, BC, Canada
ATLANTA
Attorneys Take Legal Action Negating Trump’s Activities
Rene Esler, Atlanta, GA
ATLANTIS
Area Termed Lost. Alas, Never Tells Its Secrets
Roxane Rix, Alexandria, PA
BARCELONA
Behind a resurgent Catalan environment leading our national aspirations
Henry Willis, Los Angeles, CA
BERMUDA
Beachfront Escape Reputedly Masking Unexplained Disappearing Airplanes
Christy St. John, Doylestown, PA
CALGARY
Canada’s Alberta location — greatest annual rodeo. Yee-haw!
BethAnn Hullinger, La Quinta, CA
CANADA
Considerate And Nice And Dependable Ally
Steve Lindsay, Victoria, BC
CAPRI
Captivating And Picturesque Roman Island
Liz Tentarelli, Newbury, NH
CARTHAGE
Considerably aggrieved, Rome triumphed here after great enmity
Max Lykins, Charlottesville, VA
CHICAGO
Cub’s Home Is Certainly A Good One
Dave Johnson, San Antonio, TX
CHICAGO
Capone Had It Cornered Against Gang Opposition
Ted Levin, Seattle, WA
CLEVELAND
Cleaner Lake Erie vistas enhance life and new downtown
Michael Tripka, Loretto, PA
CONSTANTINOPLE
Conquering Ottomans Never Stopped Their Attack. Now Titled Istanbul, Nestled On Peninsula Linking Eurasia
Alex Storrs, Marlborough, BC, Canada
DEATH VALLEY
Desert Environment Abides Torturous Heat Visiting America's Lowest Land Elevation Yearly
John Sanderson, Minneapolis, MN
DENALI (haiku)
Dazzling escarpment / Nivean alpine landscape / Illuminated.
Julia Lewis, Fort Collins. CO
DUBAI
Desert Urbanization For Bigwig Arab Industrialists
David Russell, Rockville, MD
DURHAM
Duke University Remains High And Mighty
Philip Spiro, Durham, NC
ELLIS ISLAND
Emma Lazarus's Lyrically Inscribed Statue Invited Strangers Loving A New Democracy
Ryan Haynes, Austin, TX
FLORIDA
For Lots Of Retirees, It's Downright Appealing
Neal Kern, Salem, OR
HAWAII
Honolulu and Waikiki — awesome, I imagine
Tim Pearce, Pittsburgh, PA
HIMALAYAS
Hiking In Mountains At Ludicrous Altitudes Yields Astonishing Sights
Erin Zamora, San Diego, CA
INDIANA
Its name derivation is acknowledging Native ancestors
Karel Tracy, Portland, OR
INDONESIA
Island Nation, Domain Of Numerous Endangered Species In Asia
Donn Dimichele, Redlands, CA
LAHAINA
Land and history are incinerated now; aloha
Daniel Bertram, Princeton Junction, NJ
LAOS
Lacks an ocean, sadly
Mark Halpin, Newport, KY
LAS VEGAS
Lavish Absolutely Shimmering Venue Entertaining Gamblers And Sightseers
James Gocella, Mercersburg, PA
LAS VEGAS
Losers And Suckers Very Eagerly Gamble Away Savings
Barbara Gossett, Garden Grove, CA
LOS ALAMOS
Lonely outpost sees atomic laboratory achieve Mr. Oppenheimer's success
Jeffrey Bateman, White Rock, NM
LOS ANGELES
Lots of Subarus, Accords, Nissans, GMCs, Elantras leave everyone stuck
Toby Gottfried, Santa Ana, CA
MAINE
My abode in New England
Doris Luther, Hollis Center, ME
MEMPHIS
Made Elvis's Mansion Popular Historic Interest Site
Susan Martin, Nashville, TN
MESOPOTAMIA
Many Early Sapiens Occupied Parts Of The Asian Mainland, Including Assyria
Neal Kern, Salem, OR
MEXICO
Marimbas emulate xylophones in colorful Oaxaca
Harvey Stern, New Orleans, LA
MOSCOW
Mother Of Slavs, Curse Of Westerners
Ted Levin, Seattle, WA
NAPLES
Nearby At Pompeii Lava Eradicated Society
David Silber, Pleasanton, CA
NEW JERSEY
Nonresidents Expect We're Just Express Routes Smelling Extremely Yucky
Jim Woodman, Trenton, NJ
PANAMA
Positioned At Narrows Along Middle America
Rick Peterson, Hightstown, NJ
PEORIA
Perpetual example of routine in America
Maia Eisen, Poulsbo, WA
PHILADELPHIA
Patriots Heralding Independence Lettered A Declaration Establishing Life Pursuing Happiness In America
Connie Mohr, Tetonia, ID
PHOENIX
Painfully hot, often, except nearing into Xmas
Geoffrey Mayne, Dan Diego, CA
PISA
Precarious Icon Stands Aslant
David Corriveau, Lebanon, NH
ROME
Remains of mighty empire
Amy Adler, Toledo, OH
ROME
Really Old Monuments Everywhere
Liz Tentarelli, Newbury, NH
RUSSIA
Remains under substantial Soviet influence, alas
Donn Dimichele, Redlands, CA
SAHARA
Sand And Heat And Relentless Aridity
Anthony Baio, San Diego, CA
SAINT HELENA
South Atlantic Island: Napoleon's Tyranny Halted, Exile Left Emperor No Authority
Greg VanMechelen, Berkeley, CA
SAN FRANCISCO
Sunsets Are Nice. Foggy Rental Apartments Not Cheap. Indebted Startups Continuously Overpromise
Vera Mucaj, Philadelphia, PA
SANIBEL ISLAND
Snowbirds Annually Nest In Beach Enhanced Location. Iridescent Shells Lie Abundantly 'Neath Dunes
Scott Hodnefield, Maryland Heights, MO
SEATTLE
Starbucks Everywhere — Adding Tremendously To Local Energy
Patrick McIntyre, Seattle, WA
STEAMBOAT (Colo.)
Scenic Thriving Environment Among Mountains Boasting Outstanding Alpine Thrills!
Matt Reilein, Chicago, IL
STONEHENGE
Salisbury's Talismanic Observatory Notes Earth's Horology, Evidencing Neolithic Geometer's Engineering
Iris Snowfire, Harmony, ME
TAIWAN, CHINA
Technology And Independence Western Allies Normalize, Communist Homeland Is Not Amused
Brian Tell, Ypsilanti, MI
TALLAHASSEE
This Avowedly Liberal Locale Also Has A Staid Southern Establishment Element
Paul Arons, Tallahassee, FL
THE BAHAMAS
Travel Here, Explore Beaches, And Have A Margarita! (Apply Sunscreen.)
Jared Goudsmit, Chicago, IL
TUCSON
The Undisputed Cactus Showroom Of Nature
Robert Rees, Los Angeles, CA
VESUVIUS
Volcano Erupted Suddenly; Uncovered Valley Is UNESCO Site
Greg VanMechelen, Berkeley, CA
WACO (double)
Where a Cult Operated, What a Catastrophic Outcome!
Roger Christman, State College, PA
WASHINGTON D.C.
What a shambles here! It's not governance. That's our nation's democracy collapsing.
Ward Hartenstein, Rochester, NY
WASHINGTON D.C.
Where A Small Handful In National Government Try Our Nation's Dwindling Confidence
David Kvam, Delmar, NY
WASHINGTON D.C.
Where Americans Serve Honorably In National Government — Together One Nation, Despite Conflicts
Mike Strong, Mechanicsburg, PA
Stay tuned after the puzzle for an interview with Will from New York.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.npr.org/2023/11/12/1212534803/nprs-puzzle-master-will-shortz-puts-the-pieces-of-his-life-together-for-us
DeleteAs this is a fallow period for you all, and after hearing Will Shortz open up about his life, I thought to share with you the comment he shared with me about this blog, on the second time I played the puzzle. I made the comment the I was able to solve the puzzle due to this blog, and I added that it was a surprise as the clues are so opaque. He immediately chimed in to say, that yes, even he couldn't often understand the clues offered on this blog, even he though had written the puzzle. He was funny and charming and Ayesha was warm and helpful as I disgraced myself.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSorry I meant to say even though he wrote the puzzle.
DeleteWill told me the same, but I responded that he was not alone, that opacity seems to be our strong suit. Lulu Garcia-Navarro was then the host, and I found them both welcoming and reassuring. Someday I hope to say that, like you and some others on the blog, I’ve received the call a second time.
DeleteAh, well, there first time was easy, a soft ball as I was one of 1700, the second when I was one of less than an hundred was a bean ball. I could not listen then to how poorly I did, I still cannot. Yet, despite my poor performance I continue to submit answers. Just a glutton for punishment.
DeleteA tribute to my favorite place……Best Language Aficionados Initiate Novel Exchanges, Sparking Boundless Linguistic Opportunities Generously.
ReplyDeleteAnybody else notice how many proofreading errors there were in the printed version of today's on-air puzzle? "Silence" instead of "silent"? "Sewed" past tense instead of "sew" present? "GoOt"!? Even the example was screwed up, right at the end! Who's in charge of printing out the puzzles anyway?
ReplyDeletepjbDoesTendToNoticeTheseThingsMoreThanOthersMight(BTWTheToneOfHisPostIsMoreOfAn "InDisbelief"ReactionThanAn"Angry"One...SorryIfItReadsMoreLikeTheLatter!)
Two more errors: "My dog's paws go0t stuck under the cars break." Can you find them?
DeleteFord, Lincoln, Ion, not Toyota.
ReplyDeleteNice, Plantsmith!
DeleteLegoLovesIt
I did not notice Blaine had updated the blog until this morning.
ReplyDeleteCarTalk did not post the answer to their November 7 puzzle yesterday, but did today. It is: The Checkerboard. The puzzle is so easy I had already solved it before I finished reading the question. But now they have posted their answer, which is both right and wrong. See if you can find their HUGE error. I really am amazed they got this one so wrong.
Good catch! The squares that are diagonally opposite on a checkerboard are the same color.
DeleteExactly! How is it both these guys graduated from M.I.T. and not only did not realize this, but in all these years since they first aired this none of their staff caught it?
DeleteSAHARA
ReplyDeleteSand abundant; hope a river appears.
LONDON
Lots of nonstop discourse on nickers.
Anyone else working on Punxsutawney? The W for "woodchuck" is very tempting.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not a winner:
ReplyDelete-------------------------------
Phil urinates. Newly xanthic snow underfoot. There’s a woodchuck! Now everyone yawns.
-------------------------------
Originality: A
Sense: D -
Naturalness of wording: D - -
Elegance: F
Overall effect: Disturbing.
I dunno, DanAxtell... I kinda like it.
DeleteLegoWhoAwardsDanAxtellStylePointsForHisUseOfTheWord"Xanthic"
Legolambda,
DeleteYou are generous. Upon rereading, I belatedly see that my post lacked context (a time lag that explains why I usually avoid online discussions). I started with the thought experiment, “What is the first thing I would do if I were a groundhog emerging from hibernation?” Hence, the awkward focus on bodily fluids. The photo-op Phil is a pet, so the handler with top hat and tux isn’t holding a winter’s worth of whiz.
In any case, I don’t want to hear Will recite this urinanarousness, so I’m not submitting it. I will submit a “Philadelphia” entry. It was 1988, as I recall, that Games Magazine invited “Geographical Initials” for USA city-state. This was even before “post card days”. Maybe I sent a 15-cent postcard to Games Magazine, but likely a 25-cent letter. My “geographical initials” entry was PP for penny production and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a thrill to see it in print. Thank you, Will. He’s so good at encouraging people, notably last week with his unsurprising outing. Wikipedia says that it was 1989 when Will rose to editor at Games. I’m confused about the Games Magazine timeline, but Will foolishly encouraged me early on. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Games_World_of_Puzzles#Games.
I will submit my Philadelphia entry tomorrow (Wednesday) before 3:00 Eastern Time. I have my lapel pin from 1997, so I’m hoping for an honorable mention, nothing more.
I created a sentence with the city that I live in.
ReplyDeleteRichmond is city hosting many old notion Democrats.
DeleteI live in Richmond, VA.
DeleteRichmond I Call Home, My Original Native Destination.
My three attempts:
ReplyDeletePISA - Problems! It Seems Askew
IRAN - It’s Rains Are Negligible
MAR-A-LAGO - Mad Anarchist Ranting, A Loser Angrily Goes On
Goes on? Goes off?
DeleteWALLA WALLA
ReplyDeleteWhitmans arrived looking lost and wanting a leisurely life alone.
MARS
ReplyDeleteMigrating astronauts returning shortly.
Mesopotamia: Many Early Sapiens Occupied Parts Of The Asian Mainland, Including Assyria
ReplyDeleteFlorida: For Lots of Retirees, It's Downright Appealing
Willamette Valley: Winemakers in Lowlands Labor Arduously Making Enticing Tastings to Enjoy; Viticulturalists Appreciate Lively Libations Every Year.
Congratulations, Neal. Two of your three submissions made Will's "honorable mentions" list.
DeleteITALY >>>
ReplyDeleteI Tasted Appetizing Linguine Yesterday!
OR
I Tasted Appetizing Linguine -- Yum!
INDONESIA: ISLAND NATION, DOMAIN OF NUMEROUS ENDANGERED SPECIES IN ASIA
ReplyDeleteRUSSIA: REMAINS UNDER SUBSTANTIAL SOVIET INFLUENCE, ALAS
BERLIN: BEER ENTHUSIASTS REALLY LOVE ITS NIGHTLIFE
Congratulations, Nodd. Two out of your three submissions made Will's "honorable mentions" list.
DeleteSPAIN → Sunday (or Stupid) Puzzle As In NPR.
ReplyDeleteSPARTA, Greece, Mississippi → Sunday Puzzle, Ayesha Roscoe's Tricky, (Tantalizing, Terrific, Thick) Accent.
I know. It's Ayesha Rascoe...
DeleteCharlottesville
ReplyDeleteCome Here And Really Look Over The Terrific, Excellent Scenery, Virginia Is Loved Like Everywhere.
Pleasantville
Puzzle-Loving Enigmatology Aficionado Shortz, A Notable Tennis Victor, Is Living Life Enjoyably.
Richmond
Richmond I Call Home, My Original Native Destination.
My submissions:
ReplyDeleteHERSHEY (PA): Has Everything Really Sweet; Has Everything Yummy
ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI (starting point of Pony Express): Starting To Journey Onward, Some Equestrians Prepare Here. Mail Is Sent Swiftly Over Unforgiving Routes Impressively
CINCINNATI: City Incidentally Nicknamed Cincy Is Notably Named After Trustworthy Italian
Haleakala;
ReplyDeleteHawaii’s Acclaimed Landmark Extending Across Kaleidoscopically Awesome Landscape Areas
That's pretty good, Phil : - )
DeleteThanks!
DeleteSANTA FE
ReplyDeleteSouthwestern Artists, Non-conformists, Turquoise-wearing, and Fashionably Eccentric
PARIS
People are Romantic, Intellectual, Smoking
OUAGADOUGOU
O! Under a grand appellation does Ouagadougou uniquely grow. Onwards, upwards!
Here is the only even-halfway-decent creative-challenge entree I could come up with (or "...up with which I could come"):
ReplyDeleteEntombed Gravely, Young Pharaoh Tutankhamun
I did not bother to send it to NPR. It does not actually describe EGYPT acrostically, as the directions require.
LegoTootin'CommonBuglesNotMajesticSymphonies
Are you all ready for a four-course heaping helping of “‘Nodd’ Ready for prime time” multifaceted masterpuzzlepieces, all composed by our fine friend Nodd (more than just a "Nodding acquaintance")? The “quizzical quartet” he is dishing up are titled:
ReplyDelete1. “Name that Tune!”
2. “Wondrous adventures with Gloria Wandrous,”
3. “Lost in Translation,” and
4. “Poetry Corner, with Anna Graham.”
We upload Puzzleria! around Midnight PST (or sooner), in the cuspy-Thursday-Friday wee hours.
Our menus this week also include:
* our Schpuzzle of the Week, titled “Assailing 5 of the 7 C’s”: Condiment, Cookie, Creamer, Croissant, Cup...
* an Hors d’Oeuvre titled “Do you grok this gross algorithm?” involving a twelve-number sequence,
* a Seven-Segment Slice involving “Old-school scientific calculation,”
* a “Tears In Eyes And Ears Dessert” titled “My body, the house where I live,” and
* Puzzleria!s own Riffing Off Shortz One-Week Challenge titled “Sword, dye, tape & other tools you use.”
All our puzzles this week are guaranteed to get your nod... especially the quartet concocted within the noggin of Nodd!
LegoNowWinkin’AndBlinkin’AndNoddin’Off
I assume that the reason for the Wednesday deadline for this puzzle was to give the judge -- Will -- extra time to decide on the subjectively best entry. The usual procedure is to contact the winner a little after 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, and to set up an appointment to record the puzzle segment around mid-day on Friday. If anyone here gets The Call, please let the rest of us know!
ReplyDeleteGiven the blog’s outstanding acrostics over the last ten days or so, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Will chooses a Blainevillian’s submission.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I have no anticipation or expectation of having submitted the winning acrostic myself, but here was my one and only submission:
COTSWOLDS —> Cup Of Tea Soothes Whenever Outstanding Landscapes Don’t Satisfy.
I didn't get the call, so I'll share my submissions:
ReplyDeletePacific-Atlantic Nexus And Main Artery
Fun Lovers On Rides At Disney Attractions
Bravo! Our Sox Triumph Over Nemeses!
This doesn't particularly describe New Haven, but it was fun to make: Notable Eli Whitney Had A Visionary Entrepreneurial Nature.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteFun Lovers On Rides... It's Disney Attractions!
ReplyDeleteLegoPerformingJustABitOfMinorSurgeryOnmikeecsedy'sFineAcrostic
Fun Lovers On Rides, Increasing Disney's Assets?
DeleteFriends laugh on rides, infuriating DeSantis's acrimony.
DeleteFlooded Land Of Really Idiotic Denialist Absurdities.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteFlagrant lawbreakers, obnoxious Republicans implode democracy's advancement.
DeleteHeadquarters of ultra smart technicians of NASA
ReplyDeleteFreshwater Liquid In Need Today !
ReplyDeleteThe post has been updated with the selected winning entry and a total of 64 of Will's favorite submissions. Congratulations to everyone listed here. If you have any additional submissions you think were overlooked, please continue to post them here for all to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI just looked and they must have taken it down. Anyone have a copy to post here?
DeleteSee Blaine's edit above.
DeleteThanks, I did find it above.
DeleteYeah sorry, when I said "the post" I was referring to this post here on Blainesville. I'm not sure how many of these will get posted on NPR tomorrow, but Will asked if I would be willing to post his full list here.
DeleteNow I comprende. I couldn't figure it out. Thanks for posting both it and your explanation. (Not to be confused with a former plantation.) I know; it's a bad pun.
DeleteThanks, Blaine!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWashington, Adams, subsequently Harrison including Nixon, Grant, Tyler, Obama, no D's, Clinton.
ReplyDeleteNext week's puzzle (from memory), by our own Joseph Young (congrats, Lego!):
ReplyDeleteName a musical instrument plus part of a musical instrument. Drop the last letter and rearrange the remaining letters to get another musical instrument. What is it?
I thought it said drop the last letter "of the instrument" which I took to mean the first instrument. But I'm not sure.
DeleteI listened to the transcription, and Will said to drop the last letter of the instrument. Also, the part comes from the same instrument. Congrats, lego!
Delete