NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 27, 2025): Spot's IQ is Tops! (continued)

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 27, 2025): Spot's IQ is Tops! (continued)

Q: This is a two-week creative challenge, and it's a tough one. Most people are familiar with palindromes, which read backward and forward the same. For example:

Rise to vote, sir.

Lid off a daffodil.

The object is to write a palindrome that contains the letter Q. Entries will be judged on sense, naturalness of syntax, and overall elegance. The person who submits what Will considers to be the best palindrome containing the letter Q will play the puzzle on the air with him next week.

Edit:I guess I should be pleased that the winning answer was an extension of mine.

A: God y'know Spot's IQ is tops. Wonky dog!

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 20, 2025): An Oz, Iraq, Arizona

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 20, 2025): An Oz, Iraq, Arizona

Q: This is a two-week creative challenge, and it's a tough one. Most people are familiar with palindromes, which read backward and forward the same. For example:

Madam, I'm Adam.

Do geese see God?

Sit on a potato pan, Otis.

The object is to write a palindrome that contains the letter Q. Entries will be judged on sense, naturalness of syntax, and overall elegance. The person who submits what Will considers to be the best palindrome containing the letter Q will play the puzzle on the air with him in two weeks.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 13, 2025): Take Me Out to the Ballgame

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 13, 2025): Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Q: Take two different articles of clothing and place them one after the other. The result will spell something seen at a baseball game. What is it?

At first I thought the answer would literally spell out something like B-A-T. My second thought was that it must be a Team Mascot with the second piece of clothing being an ascot. But before I could think of a third incorrect answer, it hit me.

Edit: The shortstop plays between 2nd and 3rd base.

A: SHORTS + TOP = STORTSTOP

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 6, 2025): Nice Place in the U.S. to Vacation

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 6, 2025): Nice Place in the U.S. to Vacation

Q: This is a phonetic challenge in four parts. First, say a letter of the alphabet out loud -- like B, C, or L. Then name something you might carry around in your pocket. Say it twice. Finally, name a variety of tree. Say these four things in order, and phonetically they'll name a nice place in the United States to vacation. What is it?

This place was mentioned on this blog in the last couple years by someone from a city and state that started with the same letter.

Edit: As part of a two-week challenge, Tim Pearce of Pittsburg, PA sent in HAWAII = "Honolulu and Waikiki — awesome, I imagine".

A: WAIKIKI BEACH (Y + KEY + KEY + BEECH)