[REDACTED]Q: Name something you don't want to have at night using two words (3,5). Shift each of the letters of the second word nine spaces later in the alphabet. If your count reaches the end of the alphabet, continue counting from the start. The result will name a famous singer.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 22, 2026): Get Out Your Secret Decoder Rings
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 22, 2026): Get Out Your Secret Decoder Rings
70 comments:
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.
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Perhaps, but after having been stumped the last two weeks, this was appreciated.
ReplyDeleteBlaine's clue is almost TMI.
ReplyDeleteThe puzzle itself is almost TMI. But I'll remove it.
DeleteI predict that at least one other person here will post the same thing, having never seen Blaine's clue.
DeleteYup. 3, 2, 1.
DeleteI've never minded being lent a hand.
Deletejan, this time I concur. Blaine's t.s. is indeed, t.s. And that aint, Elliott!
ReplyDeleteOr Eliot, even!
DeleteInteresting that there are so many children's books, and authors, that I can't use as clues.
ReplyDeleteSince I see multiple posts about how easy this is, and I haven't figured it out yet, I'm going to ask a clarifying question: When we "shift nine spaces later in the alphabet," that means A -> J, B -> K, etc.? Or am I reading this wrong?
ReplyDeleteNever mind, I just got the answer
DeleteFor the record, the translation above is correct.
DeleteThe singer has appeared in more than one movie.
DeleteI didn't know that. Had to look it up.
DeleteGiven Blaine's redaction, I immediately thought of a singer with the same number of letters(3,5). But when I used the 9 steps in the alphabet code it didn't seem to pan out. I'm going back to sleep and come back to it later and not don't have whatever it is the puzzle refers to. I feel like I'm so close to an answer.
ReplyDeleteYou're even closer than you think! Hope you have a good nap.
DeleteNot too tricky. Good for kids, though.
ReplyDeleteYes, but I'm relieved this is so easy because my concentration is primarily on the USA-Canada Olympic hockey final. 1-0 USA, so far.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the USA Olympic men's hockey team! Great game!
DeleteRegarding Bobby and the lapel pin issue from last week --
ReplyDelete"A lapel pin, also known as an enamel pin, is a small pin worn on clothing, typically on the lapel of a jacket, that can be ornamental or signify the wearer's affiliation with a cause or organization. They are often used as symbols of achievement and belonging."
If others are interested and if Blaine approves, I'd happily take on designing a Blaine's Puzzle Blog lapel pin to signify a symbol of our achievement and belonging at Blaine's.
More details to come if there is interest and approval.
Bobby, you'll get a lapel pin, one way or another!
That's a lovely gesture, Word Woman. I hope Blaine approves, and I know Bobby would be most appreciative.
DeleteI am in favor of this.
DeleteSomeone else has the same last name, but the first name is something else you don’t want at night.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Rob!
DeleteNicely done, Rob.
DeleteGolly, thanks.
DeleteThis clue didn't come to me right away -- I think I misread it the first time. But now that I see what you're saying, LOL!!!
DeleteEasy but fun. Thanks Eco.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I didn't see Blaine's clue before it vanished. (In fact I thought his clue might be the word 'redacted'.)
ReplyDeleteI like it, Eco, but it's hard to come up with non-TMI clues.
On behalf of eco (me saying this not eco), the original wording was changed significantly. 'Tis the PM's perogative to do so, but it took away from the puzzle's original elegance.
DeleteI have this thing at night more often than I would like so it was one of the first things that came to mind...
ReplyDeleteTake the distinct letters of the second word in the phrase. Add one of the letters in that word and the letter it turns into in the singer's name. Rearrange the letters to get an example of the second word in the singer's name.
ReplyDeleteNo clue needed today. I'll get ready to shovel some snow. New York is about to get hit.
ReplyDeleteYes, so is Philly.
DeleteHere, in the DC suburbs, we seem to be on the edge. Hernando may miss us, give us 1-4 inches, or ???
DeleteWell, there was an alternative.
ReplyDeleteAre the first three letters part of the singer’s name? Are we looking for first and last names?
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that so many of these puzzles have ambiguous clues?
Dave, keep the first word. Shift the second word only.
DeleteRoger that. I was able to figure it out.
DeleteIs that Dave, Jr? ;)
DeleteFirst impressions - reminds me of a gun.
ReplyDeleteThis was the first singer that came to mind, so I just needed to work backwards to get the first set of words
ReplyDeleteThat is what I did, and all while still in bed. I would prefer it if the answer phrase was one that was used in a Beatles song. No chance of that though.
DeleteShakespeare in another language
ReplyDelete. . . wouldn't smell as sweet.
Delete. . .wouldn't be so in love.
Delete. . .wouldn"t have pizza at the mall.
DeleteA cetain chain restaurant comes to mind..
ReplyDeleteA latter day Desi Arnaz?
ReplyDeleteA wee bit reductive, imho.
DeleteNo me importa.
DeleteSome people may not understand a word of these clues, but I do!
ReplyDeleteScarlett, that's some good PR on your part!
DeleteThanks WW!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteBlaine, ? Methinks I don't protest enough in this case.
DeleteThanks, Blaine
DeletePR is a derogatory term for Puerto Rican. My West Side Story comment was a nice way of pointing that out. Have your racist fun.
DeleteCute puzzle. Thanks Greg! Have fun in Berkeley today. My home too.
ReplyDelete^^^ Look! We could talk about the Blue Pearl Granite countertops going in in my remediated kitchen.
ReplyDeleteThe Blue Pearl Granite complements well my Sonic Pearl Gray Honda CRV. Not that they'll be seen together often ;-).
DeleteThe answer will bowl you over. (Thankful for this softball after the last few weeks)
ReplyDeleteDid they not say how many entries they got last week? I thought it was pretty tough, so I was really curious.
ReplyDeleteNo, Ayesha apparently skipped that announcement.
DeleteI would prefer that they post the exact count on the webpage. Even better, total submissions, and the total considered correct.
Delete#TheNumbersGuyWantsToDoStats
" Is that a rhetorical question or would you like to do the math?"
Delete"I'd like to do the math."
Take the shifted second word, add an article of clothing, and rearrange to get a term of endearment.
ReplyDeleteI saw a great exhibit of Italian Futurist poster art yesterday. Glad I caught it before it closed, I'd wanted to go on Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteOne of our fellow bloggers should get this easy puzzle, which is quite the elixir after the past few weeks.
ReplyDeleteThey aren't my favorite group, but I did see the Goo Goo Dolls in Wilkes-Barre, PA when I was young. Google tells me that tour took place in 2002
ReplyDelete