Q: Think of a word that means exceptionally good. Add two letters at the end of it to make a word that means the exact opposite. What words are these?Change the last letter of the original word to three later in the alphabet, then add the same two letters as before. Rearrange to get a word meaning "sway".
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.
I love my pseudonym
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand...
ReplyDeleteIf we’re allowed modern slang, I have it.
ReplyDeleteI think I have the same one
DeleteIf so, we've found an alternate solution. A friend shared a better one.
DeleteI don't like my answer, as one of the words is a contranym; but it fits Blaine's clue
ReplyDeleteRob, what's the difference between an antonym and a contranym? is contranym a real word?
DeleteA contranym has two opposite meanings, like 'cleave'.
Delete"Contranym" is a real word, and signifies a word that has two meanings, one an opposite of the other. For example, "fast" can mean moving quickly but can also mean stuck firmly in one place.
DeleteThanks, Crito
DeleteThat was easy.
ReplyDeleteYes it was.
DeleteEasy it was.
ReplyDeleteNEWS
ReplyDeleteListening to the broadcast helped.
DeleteA clue citing a specific year would be removed by Blaine.
ReplyDeleteI should have said "certain year" rather than "specific year."
DeleteNearly 900 correct entries last week.
ReplyDeleteMovie clue....
ReplyDeleteThe answer rearranges to a writer and something he did a lot of.
ReplyDeleteWell, sort of.
ReplyDeleteNo list needed—the first word I tried worked! Blaine's clue confirmed I had the same answer. I initially forgot to add the same two letters, per Blaine's instructions, so I got a word that can mean "study."
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, regarding the "exact opposite" part of the puzzle directions: Merriam-Webster doesn't seem to see it that way.
I think Will said "can mean" on air. That might address your MW comment.
DeleteThe MW entry doesn't reflect the "can mean" part. Which is a little odd, because I agree with the "can mean" part of the puzzle.
DeleteAs Rob said, the answer seems to be a contronym.
By the way, the word I found that can mean "study" is some of a contronym. More on Thursday.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWolfgang, I learned that that word is a kind of contronym (which I misspelled above, sorry!) a few years ago -- I'd only known one of the meanings until then, the one sometimes deprecated by cognoscenti. Interesting.
DeleteMusical clue: Beastie Boys
ReplyDeleteNo clue here, but I got this before I finished breakfast. The idea of the puzzle is good – just a little on the easy side.
ReplyDeleteFrom yesterday's misfortune: Diane Keaton was 2 weeks older than another person, possibly even better-known, named D**** ***ton.
ReplyDeleteNot Diane Sawyer? She was born in December, 1945.
DeleteNo, not Diane Sawyer. The celebrity Rudolfo was referring to has recently posted a short video about her current status.
DeleteNice add-on! Claims "ain't dead yet", seems correct.
DeleteI'm kicking myself, because I had the right answer for a while, and didn't see it. No clue here. I easily verified my answer with other clues.
ReplyDeleteAn NMU alum...
ReplyDeleteLegoNotAMemberOfTheIlluminati
I think I have the answer—or at least my words fit Blaine’s clue.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have two answers. One of them is a (substandard, now standard) contronym I learned in elementary school in the 1970's. The other one, in its more recognizable form, is an adjectival modifier for a substance used by the ones who usef the first contronym.
ReplyDeleteMy answer, which I got much earlier this morning but thought, surely not, fits Blaine's clue. I would have preferred a puzzle out of the relationship between "mode" (e.g. fashion and dress" and "modest" or something like that.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, I still recall the cheer I heard using this word in 5th grade.
DeleteNot surprised to learn that a certain exceptionally good bird of prey preys on a certain not-so-good small mammal, but a lot of people are talking about them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Blaine. Now I will spend the rest of today thinking of Dean Martin. When I hear him sing the chorus I know the proper lyrics, but I always laughingly hear it slightly differently than intended.
ReplyDelete[Chorus]
Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway, I go weak
[My Chorsus version]
Other dancers may pee on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway, I go weak
I sometimes make two further changes, but I will let you figure that out.
I have 2 answers. In one of them, both words can be good or bad. In the other answer, there is a synonym that is awesome.
ReplyDelete