Sunday, July 20, 2025

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.
    at

    11 comments:

    1. Clark a pseudonymSun Jul 20, 04:54:00 AM PDT

      I'm not going to even try this one. It's not worth my time!!

      ReplyDelete
    2. janSun Jul 20, 05:44:00 AM PDT

      Only 850 correct answers last week.

      ReplyDelete
    3. PaulSun Jul 20, 05:45:00 AM PDT

      I think Blaine may have given away the core of the only set of answers coming anywhere even close to "elegance".

      ReplyDelete
    4. JAWSSun Jul 20, 07:58:00 AM PDT

      I have something that technically qualifies, but I think it can be better. I'll keep working on it.

      ReplyDelete
    5. Word WomanSun Jul 20, 09:21:00 AM PDT

      Ho hum, so much fun ahead in the queue.

      ReplyDelete
    6. legolambdaSun Jul 20, 11:30:00 AM PDT

      Our current Puzzleria! features great puzzles created by our friend Chuck (Chad Graham), and this coming Thursday's Puzzleria! will feature more great puzzles created by our friend SuperZee (Jeff Zarkin). So... after crafting and submitting your "Will-Worthy Q-bearing Palindrome," why not mosey on over to P! and partake in a bit of non-palindromedary fare?

      LegoOfArabiactrian

      ReplyDelete
    7. cranberrySun Jul 20, 12:45:00 PM PDT

      Can't say as I have ever even seen a palindrome that included the letter Q anywhere in it before. Is it even possible?
      pjbKnowsThe[U]ThatWouldUsuallyFollowThe[Q]WouldIndeedBeQuiteProblematicWhenTryingToMakeUpAPalindrome

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. RudolfoSun Jul 20, 03:17:00 PM PDT

        Are you questioning Will's challenge?!

        Delete
      2. cranberrySun Jul 20, 05:34:00 PM PDT

        Rudolfo, kindly read my comment below.
        pjbThoughtAboutIt,AndThenDecidedToStayOutOfIt(IfIt'sAllTheSameToAnyoneElseHere)

        Delete
    8. cranberrySun Jul 20, 01:02:00 PM PDT

      If anyone can actually do this, you're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.
      pjbIsNotGoingToEvenAttemptThisOne

      ReplyDelete
    9. Cloak'n'DaggerMon Jul 21, 07:02:00 AM PDT

      Since - so far -there is no Will/Blaine/Lego group picture posted, if Blaine and Lego are not surprise guest hosts next Sunday, I, for one, will be most Disquieteddeteiuqsid.

      ReplyDelete

    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.

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