Take the even letters of the second word and rearrange to name something associated with this --> ❤️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?
Sunday, February 15, 2026
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 15, 2026): Ian and his Friend
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 15, 2026): Ian and his Friend
21 comments:
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To solve this puzzle, you’re really going to need a thoughtful strategy.
ReplyDeletePithy. The first word might make the second.
ReplyDeleteGood clue!
DeleteThanks, Jan.
DeleteIris, Breeze/Bries was an inspired alternative to Draft in the on-air puzzle. You go girl!
ReplyDeleteYes, but Tom Brady wouldn't work (but is somewhat related to this puzzle).
DeleteYeah that was an eyebrow-raiser!
Delete(I’ve had a Sea Breeze at many a tavern, by the way.)
That part was edited; it was *far* more clear that I meant "Brees", not "breeze". One question was left off, "A china cabinet, college football, and a toilet". It was "bowls", but I needed a clue.
DeleteAn old friend posted on my FB, noting that they pronounced my name correctly. That's because I told Ayesha how to pronounce it!
Ayesha is great. Puzzlemaster is pleasant. I imagine he's more subdued now that pre-stroke.
There are at least two answers. One answer I got immediately suggests that there is an equivalent puzzle with a seven-letter and resultant eight-letter answer. But for the answer I think they are looking for, if you rearrange the even letters of the first word, you get something you might hear at a concert.
ReplyDeleteI have one answer. I have never met anyone with the second name. I'd be surprised if anyone else here has.
ReplyDeleteRight, as I said at the end of the last thread, the second name is quite unusual.
ReplyDeleteBut it makes sense to use it to replace another name!
I'm sure I have the same answer as Blaine, by the way.
Deletecc:
ReplyDeleteAnd I have, indeed, met someone with the second name.
Now that I've had coffee, here's the rest of the story.
DeleteWe kidded this 4-letter-named person that rather being in our geology conference he/she should be at a different conference being held concurrently with ours in the same large facility.
I have Blaine's answer plus another that ends in -ian, which is probably not in the spirit of "embedded inside."
ReplyDeleteMy answer(s) seem to be what Rob is describing. I feel like there may be other equally good answers. Big congrats to Iris for a fine performance and a final bow to CAP who came up with a surprisingly tricky puzzle (surprising to me at least.) I thought there would be more correct submissions.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh! I see what most everyone else is referring to. (Including Rob. I had his alternate...)
DeleteCute puzzle - I can see a connection to so many of our recent puzzles, including famous duos, a weight loss/gain item, and even a hooved animal that might go well with one of today’s words (as perhaps alluded to by Tortitude).
ReplyDeleteTV hint: The Brady Bunch
ReplyDeleteMusical clue: Kriss Kross.
ReplyDeleteI have at least 3 answers, but all use moderately exotic names. One works well if you drop the last 4 letters of the words.
ReplyDelete