Sunday, December 29, 2024

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 29, 2024): Punctual Singer

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 29, 2024): Punctual Singer
Q: Think of a famous singer -- first and last names. Use all of the first name, plus the first three letters and the last letter of the last name. The result, reading left to right, will spell a phrase meaning "punctual." What singer is this?
The unused letters anagram to the start of a fun video game.

Edit: The video game is KERBAL Space Program
A: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE --> JUST IN TIME

Sunday, December 22, 2024

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 22, 2024): Upscale vs Budget Brands

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 22, 2024): Upscale vs Budget Brands
Q: Think of a two-word brand name for a food item that is marketed as upscale. Remove the last two letters of the first word and the first letter of the second word. Read the result from left to right and you'll get a one-word brand name associated with the budget-conscious. What is it?
Reread it again and realized something about the second brand.

Edit: I initially thought both brands were food related. Trying to work it backwards, as a result I got nowhere. It was Scarlett's one word "Clue" that led me to Colonel Mustard and then Grey Poupon.
A: GREY POUPON --> GROUPON

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Annual Puzzle and Video for Christmas 2024!


It's time for our Annual Puzzle and Video. Click the tree below to get a printable PDF of the full puzzle.

Once you have figured out the password, click the video link below to see all the fun we've had in 2024!

As always, post a comment below about your favorite part of the video to show you've solved the puzzle, but don't give away the password directly.

P.S. If you need help, here is the answer key with the password.

Sunday, December 15, 2024

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 15, 2024): Where in the World?

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 15, 2024): Where in the World?
Q: This week's challenge is a little tricky. Change one letter of a place on earth to get a familiar phrase much heard around this time of year. What is it? The answer consists of three words (5,2,5).
Exactly the amount of tricky I'd expect from Lego.
A: PLACE ON EARTH --> PEACE ON EARTH

Sunday, December 08, 2024

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 8, 2024): Plants of North and Central America

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 8, 2024): Plants of North and Central America
Q: Name a common tree of North America in two words (three letters, five letters). Rearrange its letters to name a well-known plant of Central America, also in two words (four letters, four letters). What tree and plant are these?
I was fortunate to figure this out quickly.

Edit: I hinted at "fortunate" for a fortune teller who might "read palms"
A: RED MAPLE, REED PALM

Sunday, December 01, 2024

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 1, 2024): The Cat's Pajamas

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 1, 2024): The Cat's Pajamas
Q: Think of a classic television actor — first and last names. Add a long-E sound at the end of each name and you'll get two things that are worn while sleeping. What are they?
Take another item that might be worn while sleeping, increment the last letter so it is one later in the alphabet and move it to the 4th position. Change the first vowel sound and you have the last name of the person's most famous character role.

Edit: BOXERS -> BAXTER
A: TED KNIGHT --> TEDDY, NIGHTIE