NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 15, 2026): Ian and his Friend

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 15, 2026): Ian and his Friend

Q: A man said to a friend: "I'm thinking of a 9-letter word that contains my name, Ian ("I-A-N"), embedded somewhere inside it. If you replace my 3-letter name with your 4-letter name, you'll get a familiar word in 10 letters." What are the two words, and what is the name of Ian's friend?

Take the even letters of the second word and rearrange to name something associated with this --> ❤️

Edit: The even letters anagram to PULSE

A: APPL(IAN)CE --> APPL(ESAU)CE

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 8, 2026): Weightloss

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 8, 2026): Weightloss

Q: Name something in 7 letters that's designed to help you lose weight. Insert the letters EP somewhere inside this word to get a two-word phrase naming things that are likely to add weight. What words are these?

Take the letters in the longer phrase. Replace the middle letter with a T and rearrange to get something else that can work against weightloss.

Edit: APPETITES

A: PILATES --> PIE PLATES

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 1, 2026): Two Hooved Animals and an Actress

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 1, 2026): Two Hooved Animals and an Actress

Q: Think of two hooved animals. Take all the letters of one of them and the last three letters of the other, mix them together, and you'll get the first and last names of a famous actress. Who is it?

I was initially convinced it had to do with a dromedary and Drew Barrymore.

Edit: My hint was "initially". Take Drew Barrymore's initials (D.B.) and reverse them (B.D.)

A: DEER + (spring*)BOK --> BO DEREK

*Note: There are many African antelope that would work (Blesbok, Bontebok, Bosbok, Duikerbok, Gemsbok, Grysbok, Klipbok, Reitbok, Rhebok/Reebok, Springbok, Steenbok/Steinbok and Waterbok)