tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57303912024-03-18T16:27:44.375-07:00Blaine's Puzzle BlogWeekly discussion on the NPR puzzler, brain teasers, math problems and more.Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-25873027525088509792024-02-25T06:05:00.000-08:002024-02-29T12:05:21.805-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 25, 2024): Here to Grant Three Wishes<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/02/25/1233435347/sunday-puzzle-hidden-figures-in-two-word-phrases">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Feb 25, 2024): Here to Grant Three Wishes</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0Mk9Tv995RVU8GldNCMY98lpghTCT6HRjvYD_WGN4SK45QVfbcBAi4IJBvXEDQWJIR7bmzo9yTwHR7Tahlx4woKUF7F3YlOpftg8wBUkwxqw8DnA2MHCkpVw-8iqJ9EO714e2_ckh7JK-dBcdnzIs0614TrakRqNjMBEaFkXIKrUKo8Snu0d/s2029/jeannie.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0Mk9Tv995RVU8GldNCMY98lpghTCT6HRjvYD_WGN4SK45QVfbcBAi4IJBvXEDQWJIR7bmzo9yTwHR7Tahlx4woKUF7F3YlOpftg8wBUkwxqw8DnA2MHCkpVw-8iqJ9EO714e2_ckh7JK-dBcdnzIs0614TrakRqNjMBEaFkXIKrUKo8Snu0d/s200/jeannie.png"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Take the word <b>SETS</b>. You can add a three-letter word to this <b>twice</b> to get a common phrase: <b>S<u>PAR</u>E <u>PAR</u>TS</b>. Can you now do this with the word <b>GENIE</b>, add a three-letter word to it twice to get a common phrase?</blockquote>Hey you!<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Sounds like "Au" = Gold<blockquote><b>A: </b>G<u>OLD</u>EN <u>OLD</u>IE</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com163tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-8302726718926680392024-01-21T05:35:00.000-08:002024-01-25T14:28:35.725-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jan 21, 2024): There Is No Time Like The Present<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/21/1225885765/sunday-puzzle-lets-start-and-end-the-same">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jan 21, 2024): There Is No Time Like The Present</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB7E0VGs1YA0Z9QGnPtEzPbrRQ-z-e-OC5VGQmojdpinMklhZRncVEGFHXqVab_VsDQpbBVs9pL6_f0Kgwv5P6l-XEwh_nHj_k9wCjynDW8Af2yzx-DbIwi1wd3lbEd6gda5iaWsQ2rEDpuPLCFjLaxT0F7eF17yhdSZSthIGecQWhTrmaH7g/s1310/foodbox.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB7E0VGs1YA0Z9QGnPtEzPbrRQ-z-e-OC5VGQmojdpinMklhZRncVEGFHXqVab_VsDQpbBVs9pL6_f0Kgwv5P6l-XEwh_nHj_k9wCjynDW8Af2yzx-DbIwi1wd3lbEd6gda5iaWsQ2rEDpuPLCFjLaxT0F7eF17yhdSZSthIGecQWhTrmaH7g/s200/foodbox.jpg"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a familiar saying in seven words. The initial letters of the first three words in order spell a type of container. And the initials of the last four words in order spell something edible that might be found in this container. What's the saying?</blockquote>No comment.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>The title starts TIN... I thought giving it as a joke answer would lead people astray, but in retrospect it was too close so I deleted the hint. Unfortunately the title is in the URL which I couldn't change without deleting the whole post and comments.<blockquote><b>A: </b>There Is Nothing New Under The Sun --> TIN of NUTS</blockquote>
Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com165tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-44670907459615791322023-08-27T06:06:00.005-07:002023-08-31T12:00:14.833-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 27, 2023): A Seriously Bad Effect<a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/08/27/1196187318/sunday-puzzle-from-city-to-city">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 27, 2023): A Seriously Bad Effect</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kbO7gsYbwIHhNjz0aAKXKlnZV16wbxjd8y2k7Zaj-45DUL5_ez5sKhWxsrjZ8BncyFyqLLK5Zqpwjl3UGKyTfZeucOMtFl2F-vHXF8uxQwfo1InoxdYaK-SGbZV2zsNnmsVTgVkI_V1m3rEZZgDwXm85XdUlcOFoI0UR8u_zeld4kqnAxh9e/s1280/6letterwords.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kbO7gsYbwIHhNjz0aAKXKlnZV16wbxjd8y2k7Zaj-45DUL5_ez5sKhWxsrjZ8BncyFyqLLK5Zqpwjl3UGKyTfZeucOMtFl2F-vHXF8uxQwfo1InoxdYaK-SGbZV2zsNnmsVTgVkI_V1m3rEZZgDwXm85XdUlcOFoI0UR8u_zeld4kqnAxh9e/s200/6letterwords.jpg"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a noun in six letters. It sounds like a two-word phrase (2,6). And the thing named by the noun can have a seriously bad effect on what's named by the phrase. What is it?</blockquote>I would not eat them here or there. I would not eat them anywhere.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>I would not eat green eggs and ham. I do not like them, <i>Sam-I-Am</i>. That anagrams into the answer.<blockquote><b>A: </b>MIASMA --> MY ASTHMA</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com213tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-42943140127117526892022-10-30T05:17:00.001-07:002022-11-06T05:19:15.547-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 30, 2022): (Blank) of my (Blank)<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/10/30/1132615867/sunday-puzzle-a-soo-per-challenge">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 30, 2022): (Blank) of my (Blank)</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDUVuNaIm8jL2TMbgn_K00AFls61xeQLsvyHrB4cEJHWN50MOSR4i-GK_G89wc7fPcdsaZHulsntq2kjqMtHgguj6mpOfOcxS8AGn6olG5EgNWx2gWrWA9jzQWaGo2GZPfgQSy1F1-QtIFMPtwACE8M3ptIF1LGcaqMby53N0h9SGHgiNUg/s1000/story-of-my-life.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDUVuNaIm8jL2TMbgn_K00AFls61xeQLsvyHrB4cEJHWN50MOSR4i-GK_G89wc7fPcdsaZHulsntq2kjqMtHgguj6mpOfOcxS8AGn6olG5EgNWx2gWrWA9jzQWaGo2GZPfgQSy1F1-QtIFMPtwACE8M3ptIF1LGcaqMby53N0h9SGHgiNUg/s200/story-of-my-life.jpg"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a common phrase in the form "___ of my ___." The word that goes in the first blank is the name of a well-known company. And the word that goes in the second blank sounds like part of the names of many of that company's products. What phrase is it?</blockquote>The puzzle is easy -- a clue, not so much.<br/><br/><b>A: </b>Easy as (apple) pie.<blockquote><b>A: </b>APPLE of my EYE (I in iMac, iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc.)</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com108tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-33500503728052456112022-05-15T05:33:00.002-07:002022-05-20T10:28:04.567-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 15, 2022): Merci Beaucoup<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/05/15/1098966112/sunday-puzzle-sandwich-the-letters">NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 15, 2022): Merci Beaucoup</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecP7dE7kfr0LLmt0UK_zfbLaD0ccTskMWQ2aS07ROvwCp8Tt8ljZ9zM8CPD4rib52DknO3Iva7JLKoYAir6u8KhEiTiF7n39fAxkNZyjxsMb9B1XxqOcKx_6oKquxXeiqW4NztgBgqYTOf9LWAOU2_jInmqAHlAarEpyfqdQHsU53EwnmzQ/s961/bonjour.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="961" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecP7dE7kfr0LLmt0UK_zfbLaD0ccTskMWQ2aS07ROvwCp8Tt8ljZ9zM8CPD4rib52DknO3Iva7JLKoYAir6u8KhEiTiF7n39fAxkNZyjxsMb9B1XxqOcKx_6oKquxXeiqW4NztgBgqYTOf9LWAOU2_jInmqAHlAarEpyfqdQHsU53EwnmzQ/s200/bonjour.png"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Name a famous living movie star. Insert an R in the middle of the first name, and drop the last two letters of the last name. You'll get a familiar French phrase. What is it?</blockquote>Déjà vu, for the third time<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Variations of the puzzle appeared in <a href="https://puzzles.blainesville.com/2014/04/npr-sunday-puzzle-april-27-2014-actors.html">April 2014</a> and <a href="https://puzzles.blainesville.com/2015/11/npr-sunday-puzzle-nov-29-2015.html">November 2015</a>. I also mentioned the actor in another puzzle from <a href="https://puzzles.blainesville.com/2022/02/npr-sunday-puzzle-feb-27-2022-oscar-for.html">February 2022</a>.<blockquote><b>A: </b>CATE BLANCHETT --> CARTE BLANCHE</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com211tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-77293268508469445502022-03-13T05:56:00.001-07:002022-03-17T12:07:23.156-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Mar 13, 2022): A Walk in the Park<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/03/13/1085833046/sunday-puzzle-word-sandwiches">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Mar 13, 2022): A Walk in the Park</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0YZ1tGtRqC68td4al3lGAVhC-zMRGXh2uQ5o9c5pLozb8TwCloxTKc2kfJhg_meUcANnkKBjLCC7yxNprdI1VbASTyH2ZJRQweHLelLisW6fdj5_nul1cITABLUm3nOwClfCUCyTie8gXM4pI8h4Rs9o8Xp-WNEwSdnf2n8LGbeE_l4-Oew=s727" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="727" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0YZ1tGtRqC68td4al3lGAVhC-zMRGXh2uQ5o9c5pLozb8TwCloxTKc2kfJhg_meUcANnkKBjLCC7yxNprdI1VbASTyH2ZJRQweHLelLisW6fdj5_nul1cITABLUm3nOwClfCUCyTie8gXM4pI8h4Rs9o8Xp-WNEwSdnf2n8LGbeE_l4-Oew=s200"/></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of two four-letter words that complete the phrase "___ in the ___." Move the first letter of the second word to the start of the first word. You'll get two synonyms. What are they?</blockquote>I thought it would be easy to complete the phrase, but after looking through every list I can think of... oh wait, I have it.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Hints: 'complete' and 'every' are synonyms for 'whole' and 'all'.<blockquote><b>A: </b>HOLE in the WALL --> WHOLE, ALL</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com181tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-76658359884818902062022-01-30T05:29:00.008-08:002022-02-03T13:50:49.545-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jan 30, 2022): Square Off and Exchange Punches<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/01/30/1076508422/sunday-puzzle-the-category-is">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jan 30, 2022): Square Off and Exchange Punches</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuLbv9OHz_CvtTRXGunMXVrsjZ8UBpE54dhkPhqBlsy5bKOWLDcktJ3mpQWrqh_XS7UJ4OpzCtEV7ASQiK8GRIw4HRi3EbVm6NT1kyo8wCZF1n4GlgINzvwDYvLRuJBZ5Zb6t3Tl5bYGkal0Z8610ZHeC_tIgdTDyCapnMY9yiix1XucLv-g=s900" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuLbv9OHz_CvtTRXGunMXVrsjZ8UBpE54dhkPhqBlsy5bKOWLDcktJ3mpQWrqh_XS7UJ4OpzCtEV7ASQiK8GRIw4HRi3EbVm6NT1kyo8wCZF1n4GlgINzvwDYvLRuJBZ5Zb6t3Tl5bYGkal0Z8610ZHeC_tIgdTDyCapnMY9yiix1XucLv-g=s200"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Think of a familiar two-word phrase meaning "to fight." Change the third letter of each word to get two new words that are opposites of each other. What words are these?</blockquote>I have one answer, but won't have the other until around Wednesday.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>We have a waning crescent heading into the new moon (around Tuesday) followed by a waxing crescent.<blockquote><b>A: </b>WAGE WAR --> WANE, WAX</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com167tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-27308046262077339072021-10-24T05:24:00.002-07:002021-10-28T12:42:18.595-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 24, 2021): A Pair of Menus<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/24/1048485112/sunday-puzzle-its-all-about-the-categories">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 24, 2021): A Pair of Menus</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JsZkvmV3lsWJ-tLy7bBxkvQ5nvO52TdSphZXKv-gpul0dgp387P_QpSKi9phkg3HfhFUpVpcyLkLYaxAbC2TOQ9AR1rK-P2lTGQVGTdBZxI9fUq7jJmTGwmTT8pSeugP6D_q/s185/menu.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: right; float: right;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JsZkvmV3lsWJ-tLy7bBxkvQ5nvO52TdSphZXKv-gpul0dgp387P_QpSKi9phkg3HfhFUpVpcyLkLYaxAbC2TOQ9AR1rK-P2lTGQVGTdBZxI9fUq7jJmTGwmTT8pSeugP6D_q/s200/menu.png"/></a></div><blockquote><b>Q: </b>Think of a two-word phrase you might see on a laptop computer menu. Remove five letters. What remains, in order, is a three-word phrase you might see on a restaurant menu. What phrases are these?</blockquote>I'm going to have to chew on this one for awhile.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>"À la mode" translates literally to "in the fashion". Chew sounds like (Jimmy) Choo who is known for his fashionable shoes. And "choo choo" is the sound a train makes which leads to Planes, Trains and Automobiles.<blockquote><b>A: </b>A(irp)LA(ne) MODE --> À LA MODE</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com209tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-11647997519838055782020-11-08T05:39:00.002-08:002020-11-15T06:04:04.658-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 8, 2020): Paranoia Opener<a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/11/08/932548059/sunday-puzzle-the-q-u-quiz">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 8, 2020): Paranoia Opener</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYFcFlvp1bI4q9DG7nvIHxNoiZ3uoaFH3jC9rsZXqW2GJvWSuO5uOVgcG5qTJSHHS3aKW06gWBPSUs33CugU7Qn1sVQMYX2azoJACIAw5L0wcWQzOyeX-soeb4L4ZJqKZw8mk/s1500/nnpprr.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="1500" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYFcFlvp1bI4q9DG7nvIHxNoiZ3uoaFH3jC9rsZXqW2GJvWSuO5uOVgcG5qTJSHHS3aKW06gWBPSUs33CugU7Qn1sVQMYX2azoJACIAw5L0wcWQzOyeX-soeb4L4ZJqKZw8mk/w200-h68/nnpprr.png" width="200" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>There are several words that consist of the consonants N, P and R and an assortment of vowels — for example, APRON, PIONEER and EUROPEAN. But there is only one common phrase that contains exactly two N's, two P's and two R's with no other consonants. You can add vowels as needed. What phrase is this?</blockquote>Here you go --> NPR NPR (AEIOUY)*<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>NPR could be considered one.<blockquote><b>A: </b>PROPER NOUN</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com203tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-69696162469148341182020-07-19T05:28:00.001-07:002020-07-23T12:23:17.676-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 19, 2020): Not A Wear<a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/07/19/892634123/puzzle-fast-and-famous">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 19, 2020): Not A Wear</a><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/07/19/892634123/puzzle-fast-and-famous"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0onkRXRGki9qDQ-AI80ee2wCqYgX6LV5zsBLdAMP3MrIF_7Hnav39ti6q53Cl_-Zhq_5ndVGaSaYMNgrYR2LSQWxA-O7YT4gsP8WaDSZIl4AHilLMWgnQ1oKt_UR5ASSMQQ2r/s953/clothing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="953" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0onkRXRGki9qDQ-AI80ee2wCqYgX6LV5zsBLdAMP3MrIF_7Hnav39ti6q53Cl_-Zhq_5ndVGaSaYMNgrYR2LSQWxA-O7YT4gsP8WaDSZIl4AHilLMWgnQ1oKt_UR5ASSMQQ2r/w200-h196/clothing.png" width="200" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a six-letter word for something you might wear. Insert an "O" in the exact middle, and you'll get a phrase meaning "Not aware." What is it?</blockquote>A Rubik's Cube<br/><br/>A Rubik's Cube is 3 x 3 x 3 which is 27. The 27th president was TAFT who shares the same 3 consonants (in order) as the answer.<blockquote><b>A: </b>OUTFIT --> OUT OF IT</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com148tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-70355935453660725372020-05-24T05:26:00.000-07:002020-05-31T05:34:01.932-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 24, 2020): Win the Race<a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/05/24/861562947/sunday-puzzle-categories-of-categories">NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 24, 2020): Win the Race</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesZ1OUjlWNWame8ICuS90QQ5kJmXr2slx8-5rKNK5c_H97y7-zQZfTJKMgAeaqIctdDAmSCW_4CDnp4P88BGXr6rLa4wLh9c8Dk0UHzy_xGLPmQYgkK-YP9mW0RQjQFt2Dr1p/s1600/european+runners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesZ1OUjlWNWame8ICuS90QQ5kJmXr2slx8-5rKNK5c_H97y7-zQZfTJKMgAeaqIctdDAmSCW_4CDnp4P88BGXr6rLa4wLh9c8Dk0UHzy_xGLPmQYgkK-YP9mW0RQjQFt2Dr1p/s200/european+runners.jpg" width="200" height="103" data-original-width="780" data-original-height="400" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a well-known European city in seven letters. If you remove the third letter, you'll get a two-word phrase describing what you must do to win a race. If instead you remove the fourth letter, you'll get a two-word phrase describing what you can't do to win a race. What's the city?</blockquote>Or change the penultimate letter and rearrange to get a car part. Or change it to a different letter to get a type of truck.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>FANBELT or FLATBED.<blockquote><b>A: </b>BELFAST --> BE FAST, BE LAST</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com168tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-91080968907747434982020-01-26T06:33:00.000-08:002020-01-30T12:09:47.787-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jan 26, 2020): What's My Job<a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/01/26/799536775/sunday-puzzle-tepees">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jan 26, 2020): What's My Job</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgs1PySSC7rJYrGuVJ3E7_BXcm3UfTqn3iUFh_YgAOpXEJ1B0yu3UPuycvajT5PPq2fiCAlPlk5txjA34W96rHEfczy8dj4OsDNKjxQxAotfResf3Y1G2gWEjdFiAFJsBDCYv/s1600/CENTG.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgs1PySSC7rJYrGuVJ3E7_BXcm3UfTqn3iUFh_YgAOpXEJ1B0yu3UPuycvajT5PPq2fiCAlPlk5txjA34W96rHEfczy8dj4OsDNKjxQxAotfResf3Y1G2gWEjdFiAFJsBDCYv/s200/CENTG.png" width="180" height="200" data-original-width="252" data-original-height="280" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Write down the letter C. Beneath that write ENT. And beneath that write a G. What profession do these letters represent? Here's a hint: It's a two-word phrase — 10 letters in the first word, 5 letters in the second.</blockquote>I believe the operative word is "write".<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Actually the operative word is "operative" :)<blockquote><b>A: </b>Under C, Over a G, ENT --> UNDERCOVER AGENT<br/><br/>P.S. If anyone is interested, an <a href="https://www.npr.org/transcripts/126633914">almost identical version of the puzzle was played on-air</a> about 10 years ago. </blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com159tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-15287501387894311162020-01-12T06:56:00.000-08:002020-01-16T14:07:34.947-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jan 12, 2020): Three Word Phrases<a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/01/12/795520308/sunday-puzzle-short-as">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jan 12, 2020): Three Word Phrases</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMxRuNXR-oHjDvkY00v6ebo9Jdy-EmdEbY_wFoCxvX2DXAKSqeFzmy9uknmZFEPExRanxRg0QfVMFW9Rb12aZ1ohuF5f52ZYVEJ0Gd_mWLfAzYQKCT-czn_LqQdQPiKPRSlhL/s1600/three+word+phrases.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMxRuNXR-oHjDvkY00v6ebo9Jdy-EmdEbY_wFoCxvX2DXAKSqeFzmy9uknmZFEPExRanxRg0QfVMFW9Rb12aZ1ohuF5f52ZYVEJ0Gd_mWLfAzYQKCT-czn_LqQdQPiKPRSlhL/s200/three+word+phrases.png" width="181" height="200" data-original-width="339" data-original-height="375" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a familiar three-word phrase that has the following property: The first word is a number. Let X be that number. Then the last X letters of the second word form, in order, a common abbreviation for the third word.</blockquote>I might have heard my wife utter this in the last couple weeks.<br/><br/>Dancing on New Year's Eve?<blockquote><b>A: </b>TWO LEFT FEET --> FT., FEET</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com159tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-4028162141276786812019-12-29T05:51:00.000-08:002020-01-02T19:23:21.249-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 29, 2019): World Leader Turns to Martial Arts<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/29/792026219/sunday-puzzle-names-in-this-years-news">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 29, 2019): World Leader Turns to Martial Arts</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCguVkudAJcxczHOmb7R8ScLvu8jB4K_wuTAvdMglhzMY1sgDhTs4NWngFTFqWIogH5khfmo1Qx4xww3NRrfEMDu5UI5lwY3NbiMZsU5mJZttcbVcsAobX_mE1sbQyO3T3eoo/s1600/martial+arts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCguVkudAJcxczHOmb7R8ScLvu8jB4K_wuTAvdMglhzMY1sgDhTs4NWngFTFqWIogH5khfmo1Qx4xww3NRrfEMDu5UI5lwY3NbiMZsU5mJZttcbVcsAobX_mE1sbQyO3T3eoo/s200/martial+arts.jpg" width="200" height="112" data-original-width="300" data-original-height="168" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Everyone knows what a spoonerism is, right? That's where you switch the initial consonant sounds of one phrase to get another — like "light rain" for "right lane." Here's the puzzle: Name a well-known world leader, first and last names. Spoonerize this, and you'll get a phrase that means "to have confidence in one of the martial arts." Who's the leader, and what's the phrase?</blockquote>I guess there's no need to craft an enigmatic clue when the puzzle is this easy.<br/><br/>The clue was "craft" as in Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. Canada has the highest per capita consumption of Mac & Cheese.<blockquote><b>A: </b>JUSTIN TRUDEAU --> TRUST IN JUDO</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com220tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-35771891159029579912019-12-15T05:59:00.001-08:002019-12-19T12:27:59.406-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 15, 2019): Took a Risk<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/15/788095459/sunday-puzzle-the-odd-word-out">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 15, 2019): Took a Risk</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfI1srIQEMU7PZgxg59qmwock8hvUPN573vGUbnJCm8ehmjXERvjHjsJY1Dd0tIKSAYHJ7B2txaIBk-bfSYpfau_u1w09DlKMJQ5XWoBrw-ivNEXfNrGsItl7qkpxfJEgX2zv/s1600/leapoffaith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfI1srIQEMU7PZgxg59qmwock8hvUPN573vGUbnJCm8ehmjXERvjHjsJY1Dd0tIKSAYHJ7B2txaIBk-bfSYpfau_u1w09DlKMJQ5XWoBrw-ivNEXfNrGsItl7qkpxfJEgX2zv/s200/leapoffaith.jpg" width="200" height="150" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Write down eight different letters of the alphabet. Add an apostrophe. Then write the same eight letters in a different order. With proper spacing, you now have a four-word phrase meaning "took a risk." What is it?</blockquote>If this puzzle has left you flummoxed, you're closer than you think.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>In other words, if you are STUCK...<blockquote><b>A: </b>STUCK ONE'S NECK OUT</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com154tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-24366799743170414482019-10-27T05:55:00.000-07:002019-11-03T05:49:46.995-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 27, 2019): Dear...<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/10/27/773786791/sunday-puzzle-the-3-bs">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 27, 2019): Dear...</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNUDkjTwq6kFJpBrnFNA4pCf0_eyzoa8enmipbVXRyx7zpS0f5c6p0S3da2gPmUNxslzrX6sp35Xo5-OEG4O-H-wA2AhyKCmnpyhVcAaHLW2MAQDRW2p19vy33OQPpcGZNhY0/s1600/Dear+Letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNUDkjTwq6kFJpBrnFNA4pCf0_eyzoa8enmipbVXRyx7zpS0f5c6p0S3da2gPmUNxslzrX6sp35Xo5-OEG4O-H-wA2AhyKCmnpyhVcAaHLW2MAQDRW2p19vy33OQPpcGZNhY0/s200/Dear+Letter.jpg" width="200" height="112" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="899" /></a></div><b>Q: </b> Think of a familiar two-word phrase — 5 letters in each word — that might be something you'd write in a letter. The first and last letters are the same. The 3rd and 8th letters are the same. The 4th and 7th letters are the same. And the middle two letters are consecutive in the alphabet. What phrase is it?</blockquote>Here's a bonus puzzle: take a 5-letter word. Change the 2nd letter so it is three earlier in the alphabet. Change the 5th letter so it is one later in the alphabet. Write the word backwards and... Are you following me so far? Great, because I don't remember what the answer was supposed to be.<blockquote><b>A: </b>YOURS TRULY</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com153tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-30090381224068615662019-07-21T06:04:00.000-07:002019-07-28T06:04:37.827-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 21, 2019): Easy Money<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/07/21/743840248/sunday-puzzle-rhyme-time">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 21, 2019): Easy Money</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEgWHBCZL4mX4P2HTiE1CeypiXzvb_m811oMxTF9HSKdGlN0RRK8xdHpG0g58RALOkNRXec2BuUg0zD5J9NiIjQj_diJD11jKliQ3hOibe2n6M1pB_JVz6JK5E0Si0NLu1oOo/s1600/Money.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEgWHBCZL4mX4P2HTiE1CeypiXzvb_m811oMxTF9HSKdGlN0RRK8xdHpG0g58RALOkNRXec2BuUg0zD5J9NiIjQj_diJD11jKliQ3hOibe2n6M1pB_JVz6JK5E0Si0NLu1oOo/s200/Money.png" width="200" height="133" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="400" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a common two-word phrase, in nine letters, naming something that makes it easy to get money. Rearrange its letters to spell another common two-word phrase naming something that makes it hard to get money. What phrases are these?</blockquote>May you have the first but not the second.<blockquote><b>A: </b>DEBIT CARD <--> BAD CREDIT</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com164tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-41189999668337182432019-03-17T06:28:00.002-07:002019-03-23T22:57:37.589-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Mar 17, 2019): A Letter to the Editor<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/03/17/704156505/sunday-puzzle-group-t-h-i-n-k">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Mar 17, 2019): A Letter to the Editor</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbKPb23BBgQ6amDpMcRWdMvi2f36SqEmlq1nkXAzXDPAHEDfhE54xUc4XPlrBBbF-24YEbnq2owkauAAxDqxu0zKiA0jk_rgh59U5U-34mJol9j4V3hh5Ov5Oubas1G0rB0L_/s1600/Typewriter+Letter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbKPb23BBgQ6amDpMcRWdMvi2f36SqEmlq1nkXAzXDPAHEDfhE54xUc4XPlrBBbF-24YEbnq2owkauAAxDqxu0zKiA0jk_rgh59U5U-34mJol9j4V3hh5Ov5Oubas1G0rB0L_/s200/Typewriter+Letter.png" width="200" height="95" data-original-width="870" data-original-height="414" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Take the letters S Y T O Y. Add the same letter of the alphabet six times to complete a familiar phrase. What is it?</blockquote>I'm not going to strain my brain coming up with a hint; it's not worth it. No doubt you guys will outdo anything I would do anyway.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>My hint avoided using the letter E.<blockquote><b>A: </b>SEE EYE TO EYE</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com130tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-3510948211191872782018-12-23T07:22:00.000-08:002018-12-27T11:59:47.423-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 23, 2018): Happy Holidays!<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/12/23/679553247/sunday-puzzle-take-2">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 23, 2018): Happy Holidays!</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMM_87QUJdslDxfUbeesGHFqx4M4FkhyphenhyphenWlvirMSJwLa4oHcJddxMwi0efEifUZQTfaCsKKQcaJxhyphenhyphenIH4Uz6SZO1yq9glXLgc3AwQDovRvIK5gVje_p2-_8K6shIYaClGQqQUy/s1600/treasure+chest.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMM_87QUJdslDxfUbeesGHFqx4M4FkhyphenhyphenWlvirMSJwLa4oHcJddxMwi0efEifUZQTfaCsKKQcaJxhyphenhyphenIH4Uz6SZO1yq9glXLgc3AwQDovRvIK5gVje_p2-_8K6shIYaClGQqQUy/s200/treasure+chest.png" width="200" height="194" data-original-width="963" data-original-height="935" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>It's a straightforward puzzle. Think of a place you can find coins, in two words. Put the second word first, and you'll get a compound word describing most holiday cards. What words are these?</blockquote>I hold my holiday cards close to my heart; you might call them "chest-treasure". Do we need Word Woman's help this week?<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Word Woman's initials are WW, just like the answer.<blockquote><b>A: </b>WISHING WELL --> WELL-WISHING</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com106tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-24288184602297548572018-12-09T07:14:00.000-08:002018-12-16T06:13:12.728-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 9, 2018): Let's Table This For Now<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/12/09/674772899/sunday-puzzle-familiar-phrases">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 9, 2018): Let's Table This For Now</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxrhs_29U6h3ddxZIoA3XL0M7lK4cKspw_q5JJvf2IDbB7pEqNrhTLxe0KTwMg3j1LmUNgZ2eGJIJ2gxIzXd24KvJQSc6Q8sYhn7ZurhXZ3ImAX-DUwnuoWZeBW_aiDStpigG/s1600/King_Arthur_and_the_Knights_of_the_Round_Table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxrhs_29U6h3ddxZIoA3XL0M7lK4cKspw_q5JJvf2IDbB7pEqNrhTLxe0KTwMg3j1LmUNgZ2eGJIJ2gxIzXd24KvJQSc6Q8sYhn7ZurhXZ3ImAX-DUwnuoWZeBW_aiDStpigG/s200/King_Arthur_and_the_Knights_of_the_Round_Table.jpg" width="200" height="174" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="1042" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a word that can go <i>before</i> "table" to make a familiar phrase. Move the last letter to the front, and you'll have a word that can go <i>after</i> "table" to make a familiar phrase. What phrases are these?</blockquote>Where's a careless intern when you need them?<blockquote><b>A: </b>CRAPS TABLE --> TABLE SCRAPS</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com142tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-35581267816389312772018-11-11T05:38:00.002-08:002018-11-18T05:59:44.910-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 11, 2018): Synonymous Four-Word Phrase<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/11/11/666376065/sunday-puzzle-lets-get-phonetical">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 11, 2018): Synonymous Four-Word Phrase</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbr_i1m1T71ddPz_iLmbIPA9B73uRCx8FXzPr54W15ogXCt7goQnHbd3JZCPv5CKRW-kWgi0fmra9MLXJB9dTfOoMcdc3Nu_o-zrAWdr1jVfCvXCei1WEzq0ELbOWudkLejIN/s1600/Quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbr_i1m1T71ddPz_iLmbIPA9B73uRCx8FXzPr54W15ogXCt7goQnHbd3JZCPv5CKRW-kWgi0fmra9MLXJB9dTfOoMcdc3Nu_o-zrAWdr1jVfCvXCei1WEzq0ELbOWudkLejIN/s200/Quote.png" width="200" height="123" data-original-width="242" data-original-height="149" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>This challenge is easy, but elegant. Think of a familiar four-word phrase that means "to be last." Together the first two words are a synonym for the last word. What phrase is it?</blockquote>If you take the initial letter of each word, change the last letter to two later in the alphabet, you get another synonym for the last word.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>Butt<blockquote><b>A: </b>BRING UP THE REAR</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com121tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-69515970893308223022018-09-16T07:04:00.000-07:002018-09-20T12:00:14.447-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 16, 2018): Uncommon Commonality<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/09/16/648317623/sunday-puzzle-tba">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 16, 2018): Uncommon Commonality</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYn7NdmsokrWtNBqdV_0qm80x4U9dXz6DKauZTrYk4_6X0zX2kMGwlq1AnSxHgASBPCKDfFF07kl8gAMFoALR8xgUormCtEhCEWvyTnMqOq8Tty96KcyoB1d5TikAapNflNS9f/s1600/Word+Cloud.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYn7NdmsokrWtNBqdV_0qm80x4U9dXz6DKauZTrYk4_6X0zX2kMGwlq1AnSxHgASBPCKDfFF07kl8gAMFoALR8xgUormCtEhCEWvyTnMqOq8Tty96KcyoB1d5TikAapNflNS9f/s200/Word+Cloud.png" width="200" height="177" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="531" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>These five 2-word phrases have something very unusual in common. What is it? When you find it, think of another two-word phrase that has the same property.</br><br/>
● Property rights<br/>
● Land mine<br/>
● Sales order<br/>
● Color scheme<br/>
● India ink</blockquote>You are all very capable students of Will Shortz.<br/><br/>
<b>Edit: </b>Using the same pattern on "<b>CAP</b>able <b>ST</b>udents", we have <b>CAP</b>ital and <b>ST</b>ate.<blockquote><b>A: </b>The first 3 letters (of the first word) are the start a state capital and the first 2 letters (of the second word) are the state postal code.<br/><b>PRO</b>perty <b>RI</b>ghts --> <b>PRO</b>vidence, <b>RI</b><br/><b>LAN</b>d <b>MI</b>ne --> <b>LAN</b>sing, <b>MI</b><br/><b>SAL</b>es <b>OR</b>der --> <b>SAL</b>em, <b>OR</b><br/><b>COL</b>or <b>SC</b>heme --> <b>COL</b>umbia, <b>SC</b></br><b>IND</b>ia <b>IN</b>k --> <b>IND</b>ianapolis, <b>IN</b><br/><br/>A few possible phrases that also work:</br><b>BOS</b>s <b>MA</b>n / <b>BOS</b>un's <b>MA</b>te --> <b>BOS</b>ton, <b>MA</b><br/><b>COL</b>lege <b>SC</b>holarship --> <b>COL</b>umbia, <b>SC</b><br/><b>DEN</b>tal <b>CO</b>verage --> <b>DEN</b>ver, <b>CO</b><br/><b>HAR</b>bor <b>PA</b>trol / <b>HAR</b>em <b>PA</b>nts --> <b>HAR</b>risburg, <b>PA</b><br/><b>IND</b>efinite <b>IN</b>tegral --> <b>IND</b>ianapolis, <b>IN</b><br/><b>LIN</b>gual <b>NE</b>rve --> <b>LIN</b>coln, <b>NE</b><br/><b>LIT</b>erary <b>AR</b>ts --> <b>LIT</b>tle Rock, <b>AR</b><br/><b>MAD</b>eira <b>WI</b>ne --> <b>MAD</b>ison, <b>WI</b><br/><b>PRO</b>mise <b>RI</b>ng --> <b>PRO</b>vidence, <b>RI</b><br/><b>RIC</b>kets <b>VA</b>ccine --> <b>RIC</b>hmond, <b>VA</b><br/><b>SAC</b>ral <b>CA</b>nal / <b>SAC</b>red <b>CA</b>bal --> <b>SAC</b>ramento, <b>CA</b></blockquote>
Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-56293934209352873682018-07-29T07:19:00.000-07:002018-08-05T05:53:14.654-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 29, 2018): Let Me Phrase That Differently<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/07/29/633463312/sunday-puzzle-vowel-play">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 29, 2018): Let Me Phrase That Differently</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJPDQ-aATLwaeOhdA2FN1t4Pacg6Ar8wDTQ3B_2QSVLynLilMnL62Kib_-ZIM_kUBfbOJTtQiouME1AhZp2Njh1V832XJtubXi8y9YjWBrkFRKSMnWQt0Klt-mIk_pb7RnLbB/s1600/SnapBlocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJPDQ-aATLwaeOhdA2FN1t4Pacg6Ar8wDTQ3B_2QSVLynLilMnL62Kib_-ZIM_kUBfbOJTtQiouME1AhZp2Njh1V832XJtubXi8y9YjWBrkFRKSMnWQt0Klt-mIk_pb7RnLbB/s200/SnapBlocks.jpg" width="200" height="108" data-original-width="960" data-original-height="519" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a familiar two-word phrase in 8 letters — with 4 letters in each word. The first word starts with M. Move the first letter of the second word to the end and you'll get a regular 8-letter word, which, amazingly, other than the M, doesn't share any sounds with the original two-word phrase. What phrase is it?</blockquote><blockquote><b>A: </b>MAIL SLOT --> <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/maillot">MAILLOTS</a></blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com198tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-44205212760098721542018-05-13T06:17:00.001-07:002018-05-20T06:30:49.811-07:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 13, 2018): When's Dinner?<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/05/13/610777747/sunday-puzzle-whats-in-a-boy-s-name">NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 13, 2018): When's Dinner?</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZUE_sy2WJ5PLTJfVCgT5TnAmSlr9DQb8NOU1FHJB0c3gXreE9W5Ub54CDUWnDoXowRu_8xdjiro3TihCh6EqqpGbh0tTKXQYJc-C6_EXeMcpePNNHSDLd4nZvIJQmam76x_T/s1600/kid+talking.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZUE_sy2WJ5PLTJfVCgT5TnAmSlr9DQb8NOU1FHJB0c3gXreE9W5Ub54CDUWnDoXowRu_8xdjiro3TihCh6EqqpGbh0tTKXQYJc-C6_EXeMcpePNNHSDLd4nZvIJQmam76x_T/s200/kid+talking.png" width="200" height="145" data-original-width="970" data-original-height="705" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a two-word phrase a child might shout when walking in the front door. Rearrange the letters and add an "E" at the end, and you get the next two words the child might shout. These are both common expressions. What are they?</blockquote>There are a few assumptions being made, but I'll allow it.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>It's a little dated to expect Mom to be the one staying home waiting for the kids to arrive from school. Can't Dad be there too? And how did the child get home? They didn't walk home alone, did they?<blockquote><b>A: </b>HI MOM! I'M HOME!</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com124tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730391.post-70241877080540382692017-11-26T06:54:00.000-08:002017-11-30T12:16:26.181-08:00NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 26, 2017): C'est la Vie<a href="https://www.npr.org/2017/11/26/566358276/sunday-puzzle-turn-that-fame-into-capital">NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 26, 2017): C'est la Vie</a>: <blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuvO7Mtd_aGXYtOUFsjAE1D3pa7amwpeuk7xkJrGKq5a1MEQPFtQDdz1di3nZdGQ9N1-V7Kmv_tCOQ3ftsvVU9u5b_WQ3EnMinOMu05vFmE2E_r7hcIBAGFeZzKbFk2NBmDRM/s1600/eiffel-tower.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuvO7Mtd_aGXYtOUFsjAE1D3pa7amwpeuk7xkJrGKq5a1MEQPFtQDdz1di3nZdGQ9N1-V7Kmv_tCOQ3ftsvVU9u5b_WQ3EnMinOMu05vFmE2E_r7hcIBAGFeZzKbFk2NBmDRM/s200/eiffel-tower.png" width="133" height="200" data-original-width="400" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><b>Q: </b>Think of a familiar French expression in three words, containing 3 letters, 2 letters, and 5 letters, respectively. Then take its standard translation in English, which is a two-word phrase. If you have the right phrases, the first words of the two phrases said out loud will sound like a world capital. What is it?</blockquote>Not the way I say it.<br/><br/><b>Edit: </b>I'm used to hearing <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Phnom%20Penh?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=gg&file=ggphno01">the first P distinctly pronounced</a>, but the other pronunciation where the P is silent is acceptable.<blockquote><b>A: </b>NOM DE PLUME = PEN NAME<br/>"NOM PEN" sounds like PHNOM PENH, the capital of Cambodia</blockquote>Blainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06379274325110866036noreply@blogger.com214