Change the last two letters in the first word to a vowel and rearrange everything. The result is a word that describes most of this post.Q: Take the name of a nocturnal creature, in two words. The first word is a spooky sound. Move the last letter of the first word to the start of the second word and you'll get another spooky, nocturnal sound. What is the creature and what are the sounds?
Sunday, June 21, 2026
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 21, 2026): Nocturnal Creature
NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 21, 2026): Nocturnal Creature
45 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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Like last week’s puzzle, I solved this by working backwards from the second word.
ReplyDeleteA poet (whom I’ve met) comes to mind….
Btw, the nocturnal creature’s two-word name rearranges to a pair of antonyms or, maybe, near-antonyms.
And Happy Father’s Day to fathers everywhere!
Uncle John, you were great in the on-air challenge. I'm glad it wasn't me!
DeleteThx! That was mostly due to the magic of editing. Notice there was NO mention of what I do for a living? Because my answer was: "My career was in biology; but I ran afoul of the Bush administration and they blacklisted me-- so now I'm back doing carpentry."
DeleteRearrange both words to get an expression of joy and one of displeasure. Or rearrange just the first word to get other nocturnal things.
ReplyDeleteI think we're on the same wavelength. See above.
DeleteThe possibility occurred to me too, after I posted. Shall I remove mine?
DeleteNo, not necessary. Great minds...,
DeleteI don't believe you would find this species in the 7 Acre Wood. A.G. had a BALL w/ the second part.
DeleteRearrange the letters in the odd positions of the creature’s name. You get an animal many species of which are nocturnal.
ReplyDeleteE pluribus unum.
ReplyDeleteWell that was easy. As soon as Will had repeated the challenge I knew that.
ReplyDeleteI was walking a very old, SLOW dog in the woods, and darkness was falling and it started getting creepy. And it just CAME to me.
DeleteHigh-tech police.
ReplyDeleteI prefer Garcia y Vega.
ReplyDeleteI think Ayesha will easily solve this one!
ReplyDeleteStart with the name of the nocturnal creature. Take the last two letters of the first word, and the first two letters of the second word. You get something you might eat.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteYes, good!
DeleteYou can also pose this challenge by moving the "first letter of the first word" and leaving everything else the same. In fact, that's what I did until I read the correct challenge on line.
ReplyDeleteI was having trouble solving Blaine's clue because I was only rearranging the transformed first word. You have to include the letters of the second.
ReplyDeleteSame here. But a neat solution, isn't it? A reflexive hint...
DeleteYes. As is usually the case with Blaine, a wonderful follow-up.
DeleteApparently not spooky enough; they dubbed in the sound made by another creature in this animal's most famous film appearance (in one of the best movies of the last half-century).
ReplyDeleteI think I heard one of the sounds back in my fifties. I had an earache though.
ReplyDeleteOne of the sounds rhymes with a common fruit.
ReplyDeleteThe first sound makes me think of a famous lyric in the middle of a hit song that was on a rather nocturnal album.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMusical clue: Katy Perry
ReplyDeletey(xy)
ReplyDeleteWell, this one didn't bowl me over.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteTMI
DeleteWe talked about this word play last night on the porch. THIS EXACT THING. Will, are you listening in?
ReplyDeleteHappy Father's Day, dads! And all who act as dads for kids.
Blaine, breathlessly awaiting your lapel pin review over here. . .
ReplyDeletePlease breathe! Felicia and the kids have a secret outing planned for this afternoon. But I'll see if they'll let me open the lapel pins before we go.
DeleteWord Woman and I were discussing a relative of this creature a couple of days ago. :) --Margaret G.
ReplyDeleteA byproduct of this creature becomes a major window brand if you replace the last two letters with a vowel.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it every time I look at my small 12 volt air pump I am reminded of the 1700's? Anyone know?
ReplyDeleteYou remember the 1700's?
DeleteDon't you?
DeleteNodd will know why.
DeleteBlaine, Blogger is acting up again. Look at the bottom of the comment thread and you might notice Newer Post is there, but there is no newer post.
ReplyDeleteThe reflecting pool is quickly becoming a drain on our economy. I have to admit to agreeing with DLT that its issues were caused by vandalism, and I know who the vandal is.
ReplyDeleteIt's so decent of Will to include third graders in the pool of puzzle submitters.
ReplyDelete@Spanky McFarland, let's not forget the kindergartners, first-and second-graders in that pool of submitters.
Delete