Lapel Pin (Proposed Design)

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 21, 2025): Out to Sea

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 21, 2025): Out to Sea

Q: I was at a library. On the shelf was a volume whose spine said "OUT TO SEA." When I opened the volume, I found the contents had nothing to do with sailing or the sea in any sense. It wasn't a book of fiction either. What was in the volume?

I can't say that I've read the whole book, but the section I read was riveting. Remember the deadline this week is Wednesday.

Edit: A section on RIVETING might appear in the volume.

A: It's an ENCYCLOPEDIA

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 27, 2025): Spot's IQ is Tops! (continued)

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 27, 2025): Spot's IQ is Tops! (continued)

Q: This is a two-week creative challenge, and it's a tough one. Most people are familiar with palindromes, which read backward and forward the same. For example:

Rise to vote, sir.

Lid off a daffodil.

The object is to write a palindrome that contains the letter Q. Entries will be judged on sense, naturalness of syntax, and overall elegance. The person who submits what Will considers to be the best palindrome containing the letter Q will play the puzzle on the air with him next week.

Edit:I guess I should be pleased that the winning answer was an extension of mine.

A: God y'know Spot's IQ is tops. Wonky dog!

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 20, 2025): An Oz, Iraq, Arizona

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jul 20, 2025): An Oz, Iraq, Arizona

Q: This is a two-week creative challenge, and it's a tough one. Most people are familiar with palindromes, which read backward and forward the same. For example:

Madam, I'm Adam.

Do geese see God?

Sit on a potato pan, Otis.

The object is to write a palindrome that contains the letter Q. Entries will be judged on sense, naturalness of syntax, and overall elegance. The person who submits what Will considers to be the best palindrome containing the letter Q will play the puzzle on the air with him in two weeks.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 12, 2023): Creative Places (continued...)

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 12, 2023): Creative Places (continued...)

Q: This is a two-week creative challenge. Name a geographical place. Then describe it acrostically using the letters in its name. For example, ALBANY could be described acrostically as "Administering Legislative Business At New York." The place can be anywhere in the world — the U.S. or abroad. Entries will be judged on originality, sense, naturalness of wording, elegance, and overall effect. You may submit up to three entries.

The deadline is this Wednesday, November 15th at 3PM ET.

Edit: Listeners sent more than a thousand entries. Out of them all, Will's favorite was the following — selected for its length and beauty:

A: STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Shakespeare transformed rhetorical art, to fashion outstanding rhythmic drama — using poetry, oratory, nuance, and vividly original narrative.
Stephen Portnoy, Hillsboro, OR

So many other ingenious entries were submitted that Will wanted to share as many as possible. Here are some of his other favorite geographical acrostic submissions.

ALASKA
America Laughed At Seward’s Keen Acquisition
Christy St. John, Doylestown, PA

AMSTERDAM
A marvelous space to enjoy real Dutch art museums
Don Brown, East Greenbush, NY

ANNAPOLIS
America’s notable Naval Academy protects our lives in service
Benita Rice, Salem, OH

ANTARCTICA
Almost Nobody There, And Really Cold, Thick Ice Covers All
Jim Meyer, Edmonds, WA

ASPEN
A skier's paradise equalled nowhere
Michelle Nelson, South Windsor, BC, Canada

ATLANTA
Attorneys Take Legal Action Negating Trump’s Activities
Rene Esler, Atlanta, GA

ATLANTIS
Area Termed Lost. Alas, Never Tells Its Secrets
Roxane Rix, Alexandria, PA

BARCELONA
Behind a resurgent Catalan environment leading our national aspirations
Henry Willis, Los Angeles, CA

BERMUDA
Beachfront Escape Reputedly Masking Unexplained Disappearing Airplanes
Christy St. John, Doylestown, PA

CALGARY
Canada’s Alberta location — greatest annual rodeo. Yee-haw!
BethAnn Hullinger, La Quinta, CA

CANADA
Considerate And Nice And Dependable Ally
Steve Lindsay, Victoria, BC

CAPRI
Captivating And Picturesque Roman Island
Liz Tentarelli, Newbury, NH

CARTHAGE
Considerably aggrieved, Rome triumphed here after great enmity
Max Lykins, Charlottesville, VA

CHICAGO
Cub’s Home Is Certainly A Good One
Dave Johnson, San Antonio, TX

CHICAGO
Capone Had It Cornered Against Gang Opposition
Ted Levin, Seattle, WA

CLEVELAND
Cleaner Lake Erie vistas enhance life and new downtown
Michael Tripka, Loretto, PA

CONSTANTINOPLE
Conquering Ottomans Never Stopped Their Attack. Now Titled Istanbul, Nestled On Peninsula Linking Eurasia
Alex Storrs, Marlborough, BC, Canada

DEATH VALLEY
Desert Environment Abides Torturous Heat Visiting America's Lowest Land Elevation Yearly
John Sanderson, Minneapolis, MN

DENALI (haiku)
Dazzling escarpment / Nivean alpine landscape / Illuminated.
Julia Lewis, Fort Collins. CO

DUBAI
Desert Urbanization For Bigwig Arab Industrialists
David Russell, Rockville, MD

DURHAM
Duke University Remains High And Mighty
Philip Spiro, Durham, NC

ELLIS ISLAND
Emma Lazarus's Lyrically Inscribed Statue Invited Strangers Loving A New Democracy
Ryan Haynes, Austin, TX

FLORIDA
For Lots Of Retirees, It's Downright Appealing
Neal Kern, Salem, OR

HAWAII
Honolulu and Waikiki — awesome, I imagine
Tim Pearce, Pittsburgh, PA

HIMALAYAS
Hiking In Mountains At Ludicrous Altitudes Yields Astonishing Sights
Erin Zamora, San Diego, CA

INDIANA
Its name derivation is acknowledging Native ancestors
Karel Tracy, Portland, OR

INDONESIA
Island Nation, Domain Of Numerous Endangered Species In Asia
Donn Dimichele, Redlands, CA

LAHAINA
Land and history are incinerated now; aloha
Daniel Bertram, Princeton Junction, NJ

LAOS
Lacks an ocean, sadly
Mark Halpin, Newport, KY

LAS VEGAS
Lavish Absolutely Shimmering Venue Entertaining Gamblers And Sightseers
James Gocella, Mercersburg, PA

LAS VEGAS
Losers And Suckers Very Eagerly Gamble Away Savings
Barbara Gossett, Garden Grove, CA

LOS ALAMOS
Lonely outpost sees atomic laboratory achieve Mr. Oppenheimer's success
Jeffrey Bateman, White Rock, NM

LOS ANGELES
Lots of Subarus, Accords, Nissans, GMCs, Elantras leave everyone stuck
Toby Gottfried, Santa Ana, CA

MAINE
My abode in New England
Doris Luther, Hollis Center, ME

MEMPHIS
Made Elvis's Mansion Popular Historic Interest Site
Susan Martin, Nashville, TN

MESOPOTAMIA
Many Early Sapiens Occupied Parts Of The Asian Mainland, Including Assyria
Neal Kern, Salem, OR

MEXICO
Marimbas emulate xylophones in colorful Oaxaca
Harvey Stern, New Orleans, LA

MOSCOW
Mother Of Slavs, Curse Of Westerners
Ted Levin, Seattle, WA

NAPLES
Nearby At Pompeii Lava Eradicated Society
David Silber, Pleasanton, CA

NEW JERSEY
Nonresidents Expect We're Just Express Routes Smelling Extremely Yucky
Jim Woodman, Trenton, NJ

PANAMA
Positioned At Narrows Along Middle America
Rick Peterson, Hightstown, NJ

PEORIA
Perpetual example of routine in America
Maia Eisen, Poulsbo, WA

PHILADELPHIA
Patriots Heralding Independence Lettered A Declaration Establishing Life Pursuing Happiness In America
Connie Mohr, Tetonia, ID

PHOENIX
Painfully hot, often, except nearing into Xmas
Geoffrey Mayne, Dan Diego, CA

PISA
Precarious Icon Stands Aslant
David Corriveau, Lebanon, NH

ROME
Remains of mighty empire
Amy Adler, Toledo, OH

ROME
Really Old Monuments Everywhere
Liz Tentarelli, Newbury, NH

RUSSIA
Remains under substantial Soviet influence, alas
Donn Dimichele, Redlands, CA

SAHARA
Sand And Heat And Relentless Aridity
Anthony Baio, San Diego, CA

SAINT HELENA
South Atlantic Island: Napoleon's Tyranny Halted, Exile Left Emperor No Authority
Greg VanMechelen, Berkeley, CA

SAN FRANCISCO
Sunsets Are Nice. Foggy Rental Apartments Not Cheap. Indebted Startups Continuously Overpromise
Vera Mucaj, Philadelphia, PA

SANIBEL ISLAND
Snowbirds Annually Nest In Beach Enhanced Location. Iridescent Shells Lie Abundantly 'Neath Dunes
Scott Hodnefield, Maryland Heights, MO

SEATTLE
Starbucks Everywhere — Adding Tremendously To Local Energy
Patrick McIntyre, Seattle, WA

STEAMBOAT (Colo.)
Scenic Thriving Environment Among Mountains Boasting Outstanding Alpine Thrills!
Matt Reilein, Chicago, IL

STONEHENGE
Salisbury's Talismanic Observatory Notes Earth's Horology, Evidencing Neolithic Geometer's Engineering
Iris Snowfire, Harmony, ME

TAIWAN, CHINA
Technology And Independence Western Allies Normalize, Communist Homeland Is Not Amused
Brian Tell, Ypsilanti, MI

TALLAHASSEE
This Avowedly Liberal Locale Also Has A Staid Southern Establishment Element
Paul Arons, Tallahassee, FL

THE BAHAMAS
Travel Here, Explore Beaches, And Have A Margarita! (Apply Sunscreen.)
Jared Goudsmit, Chicago, IL

TUCSON
The Undisputed Cactus Showroom Of Nature
Robert Rees, Los Angeles, CA

VESUVIUS
Volcano Erupted Suddenly; Uncovered Valley Is UNESCO Site
Greg VanMechelen, Berkeley, CA

WACO (double)
Where a Cult Operated, What a Catastrophic Outcome!
Roger Christman, State College, PA

WASHINGTON D.C.
What a shambles here! It's not governance. That's our nation's democracy collapsing.
Ward Hartenstein, Rochester, NY

WASHINGTON D.C.
Where A Small Handful In National Government Try Our Nation's Dwindling Confidence
David Kvam, Delmar, NY

WASHINGTON D.C.
Where Americans Serve Honorably In National Government — Together One Nation, Despite Conflicts
Mike Strong, Mechanicsburg, PA

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 5, 2023): Creative Places

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 5, 2023): Creative Places

Q: This is a two-week creative challenge. Name a geographical place. Then describe it acrostically using the letters in its name. For example, ALBANY could be described acrostically as "Administering Legislative Business At New York." The place can be anywhere in the world — the U.S. or abroad. Entries will be judged on originality, sense, naturalness of wording, elegance, and overall effect. You may submit up to three entries.

Just remember the deadline is in two weeks, but on Wed. Nov. 15th.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 14, 2022): Oklahoma, OK!

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 14, 2022): Oklahoma, OK!

Q: This is a continuation of a two-week creative challenge. The object is to write a sentence using only the letters of any particular U.S. state. You can pick the state and repeat letters as often as necessary. For example:

OREGON --> Roger, go gorge on green eggnog.

NEBRASKA --> Sen. Ben Sasse's sneakers reek. [Note: Ben Sasse is a U.S. senator from Nebraska]

Entries will be judged on originality, sense, naturalness of syntax, humor, and overall elegance. No more than three sentences per entry, please. Deadline is Wednesday this week.

Winner:

West Virginia: In tennis news, a new era starts as Serena is retiring. - Kate Simpson

Honorable mentions:

Massachusetts: At the museum, esthetes hate the cute statues that amuse the masses. — H.S. Hughes

Rhode Island: Denise hoarded sand and seashells inside her shoreside diner. — Rawson Scheinberg

Rhode Island: Dolores had to dine on nine dollars she had hidden in her sandal, so she ordered a side salad and a dinner roll. — Kevin Root

Washington: Shania Twain is in town tonight, singing Gaga's hit songs at Santana's San Antonio gig. — Kerry Fowler

New Mexico: Native educational wisdom makes eradicating xenophobia its core obligation. — Tamar Stieber

Massachusetts: As she teaches math, she must use the state tests that she hates. — Rick Cleary

Texas [only 5 letters to work with!]: Texas axes estate taxes. — Charvaka Duvvury

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 7, 2022): Oh I, Oh!

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 7, 2022): Oh I, Oh!

Q: This is the start of a two-week creative challenge. The object is to write a sentence using only the letters of any particular U.S. state. You can pick the state and repeat letters as often as necessary. For example:

NEW YORK --> No one knew we were ornery.

WASHINGTON --> Sighting a ghost tonight was astonishing.

Entries will be judged on originality, sense, naturalness of syntax, humor, and overall elegance. No more than three sentences per entry, please.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 1, 2019): You Have Less than One Week to Escape

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Sep 1, 2019): You Have Less than One Week to Escape:

Q: This is a two-week challenge. It may sound impossible, but it's not. You wake up trapped in a round room with six doors. A voice over a loudspeaker tells you that five of the doors are booby-trapped and will bring instant death if you try to open them. Only one door provides an opening that will get you out safely. The doors are evenly spaced around the room. They look exactly alike. Your only clue is that on the wall between each pair of doors is a large letter of the alphabet. Going clockwise, the letters are H, I, J, K, L and M. Which is the correct door that will get you out ... and why?

Shh! Don't give the answer away before the Wednesday 3pm ET deadline.

Edit: The room is round, so the spot where the letters wrap must be important otherwise it could have been a single wall with several doors. Also, the letters are *between* the doors. So this points to the exit door being being between M and H, but why? Reread the question and focus on opening and out; they seem to be key.

A: When marked with "OUT" the door between M and H forms a word for an opening — "MOUTH".

This is my theory as to the intended answer, but I'll have to wait to Sunday to have it officially confirmed.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 25, 2019): You Have Two Weeks to Escape

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Aug 25, 2019): You Have Two Weeks to Escape:

Q: This is a two-week challenge. It may sound impossible, but it's not. You wake up trapped in a round room with six doors. A voice over a loudspeaker tells you that five of the doors are booby-trapped and will bring instant death if you try to open them. Only one door provides an opening that will get you out safely. The doors are evenly spaced around the room. They look exactly alike. Your only clue is that on the wall between each pair of doors is a large letter of the alphabet. Going clockwise, the letters are H, I, J, K, L and M. Which is the correct door that will get you out ... and why?

Read carefully. Don't choose a booby trapped door or you can kiss your *** goodbye!

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 10, 2018): Welcome Back, Potter - TV Show Pitch (Week 2)

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 10, 2018): Welcome Back, Potter - TV Show Pitch (Week 2):

Q: The object is to pitch a TV show idea to one of the networks, either broadcast or cable, in which your TV show's title is just one letter different from an existing show's title, past or present. Name your TV show and summarize it in 15 words or less.

Examples:
AMERICAN I DO'S — Hilarious misadventures of a bumbling wedding planner
YOU BET YOUR WIFE — Trivia contest, with wagering, to determine who knows more — husband or spouse

Entries will be judged on their sense, naturalness of wording, humor and overall effect. No more than three entries per person, please. The person who sends the best TV pitch will play the on-air puzzle in two weeks

Winner:
I Remember MOMA - Each episode focuses on a past exhibit or artist at the Museum of Modern Art
According to Will it was "chosen because of its originality, surprising letter substitution, naturalness of its description, and humor."

Runners-up:
Perks And Recreation
The O.C.D. Couple
Father Knots Best
Star Trek: The Next Veneration
Big Brothel
The Mary Tyler Moose Show
Beverly Sills 90210
Mayberry B.F.D.
The Punsters
The Incredible Hunk
The Incredible Hula
Little Souse on the Prairie
Let's Make a Meal
Saturday Night Jive
Lust in Space
Big Bong Theory
Get Kmart
PR
The Greatest American Herb
Who Waits to Be a Millionaire?
America's Next Top Mohel
As the World Burns
Hawaii Five-K [race]

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 3, 2018): Two Week Challenge - TV Show Pitch

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Jun 3, 2018): Two Week Challenge - TV Show Pitch:

Q: The object is to pitch a TV show idea to one of the networks, either broadcast or cable, in which your TV show's title is just one letter different from an existing show's title, past or present. Name your TV show and summarize it in 15 words or less.

Examples:
N.Y.P.D. CLUE — Manhattan crime investigation in which each case hinges on a single, unexpected piece of evidence
HAVE GUT, WILL TRAVEL — Portly host tours the best all-you-can-eat restaurants in America

Entries will be judged on their sense, naturalness of wording, humor and overall effect. No more than three entries per person, please. The person who sends the best TV pitch will play the on-air puzzle in two weeks

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 15, 2017): Two Week Challenge: Move Two Numbers

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 15, 2017): Two Week Challenge: Move Two Numbers:

Q: This is a two-week challenge. Write down the equation:
65 – 43 = 21.
You'll notice that this is not correct. 65 minus 43 equals 22, not 21. The object is to move exactly two of the digits to create a correct equation. There is no trick in the puzzle's wording. In the answer, the minus and equal signs do not move.

I used to be an advocate of more challenging number/math puzzles. But this one is not worthy of a two-week challenge.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 30, 2017): Billboard Hot 100 Creative Challenge (cont.)

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 30, 2017): Billboard Hot 100 Creative Challenge (cont.):

Q: It's a two-week creative challenge. The object is to mashup the titles of past No. 1 hits on the Billboard 100 pop chart to tell a story. For example: "I Shot The Sheriff" "The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia." "The Morning After" "I'll Be There" "Leaving On A Jet Plane."

Wikipedia has a list of the Billboard No. 1 singles from the Hot 100 era, 1958 to present, which you can use. Your story can include up to seven song titles. Entries will be judged on cleverness, naturalness of reading, memorableness of the songs and overall elegance. You can send up to three entries and the best one, based on Will's opinion, will play the puzzle on the air in two weeks.

Week two...

A: Winning entry: Thrift Shop! / What Goes Around Comes Around. / Rag Doll, / Good Luck Charm, / Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini, / It's All In The Game. / I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For!

Runner up: Sugar, Sugar / I Heard It Through the Grapevine / (You're) Having My Baby / I Gotta Feeling / It Wasn't Me / The Stripper

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 23, 2017): Billboard Hot 100 Creative Challenge

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Apr 23, 2017): Billboard Hot 100 Creative Challenge:

Q: It's a two-week creative challenge. The object is to mashup the titles of past No. 1 hits on the Billboard 100 pop chart to tell a story. For example: "I Shot The Sheriff" "The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia." "The Morning After" "I'll Be There" "Leaving On A Jet Plane."

Wikipedia has a list of the Billboard No. 1 singles from the Hot 100 era, 1958 to present, which you can use. Your story can include up to seven song titles. Entries will be judged on cleverness, naturalness of reading, memorableness of the songs and overall elegance. You can send up to three entries and the best one, based on Will's opinion, will play the puzzle on the air in two weeks.

Get those creative juices flowing...

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 20, 2016): Creative Challenge (cont.) - Wrap the Beet vs. Beat the Rap

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 20, 2016): Creative Challenge (cont.) - Wrap the Beet vs. Beat the Rap:

Q: This is a two-week creative challenge. The object is to write a conundrum or riddle that starts "What is the difference between ..." — in which the answer involves a transposition of words.

For example: What is the difference between a chatterbox and a mirror? Answer: One speaks without reflecting while the other reflects without speaking. Or: What is the difference between a lucky criminal and some Saran with a garden vegetable? Answer: One beats the rap while the other wraps the beet.

Change of spelling in the words is allowed, but not necessary. Entries will be judged on their sense, naturalness of wording, humor, elegance and overall effect. You may submit up to three entries. Mr. Shortz will announce his favorites — and the overall winner — in two weeks.

Hmm... not much to comment on this week. Obviously this is different than most of Will's puzzles in that it is open-ended and is a two week challenge. Start collecting your ideas and we'll discuss them all after the Wednesday deadline.

A:
The winner:

What is the difference between a priest and his dog? One wears pants and a collar while the other wears a collar and pants.
— Roxanne Abrams, Skokie, Ill.

Runners-up:

What's the difference between a plane taking off and an entomologist? One flies away while the other weighs a fly.
—Ellis Seiberling, New Orleans

What is the difference between Sting and a retired E.P.A. official? One led the Police while the other policed the lead.
—Brett Hunkins, Okemos, Mich.

What's the difference between a twin and a nudist? One bears a likeness while the other likes a bareness.
—Mark Litten, Seminole, Fla.

What's the difference between a libertarian and a charitable pharmacist? One leaves you alone while the other loans you Aleve.
—Mark Mikula, Bristol, R.I.

What's the difference between a straight-A student and a car safety inspector? One breaks the curve on a test while the other tests the brakes on a curve.
—Amy Higgins, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Honorable mentions:

What is the difference between a patient child at a Lionel store and one who teaches powerlifting? One waits to use the trains while the other trains to use the weights.
—Daniel Rosenblum, Teaneck, N.J.

What is the difference between a mall security guard and a deli refrigerator? One locks the stores while the other stores the lox.
—Allan Richardson, Jacksonville, Fla.

What's the difference between a funny guy next door and a radius or ulna? One is humorous to a neighbor while the other is neighbor to a humerus.
—John Perri, Plano, Texas

1) What's the difference between an unlucky hiker and a martyr? One crosses a bear while the other bears a cross.
2) What's the difference between a mountain climber and a dieter? One scales a face while the other faces a scale.
—Margie Shields, San Mateo, Calif.

What is the difference between a metal craftsman working for a funeral home and a laborer in England? One pounds urns while the other earns pounds.
—Judy Davis, Asheville, N.C.

What is the difference between a criminal and a guard? One fences watches while the other watches fences.
—Kerrie Serpa, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

1) What is the difference between last week's quarterback and this week's kidney stone? One threw passes while the other passes through.
2) What is the difference between a sperm donor and a stockbroker? One shares cells while the other sells shares.
—Jim Serpa, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

What's the difference between a coloratura soprano and an N.F.L. referee? One hits high notes while the other notes high hits.
—Anthony Gray, Closter, N.J.

What's the difference between a pizzeria and John McEnroe? One serves slices while the other slices serves.
—Justin Rosales, Dumont, N.J.

What is the difference between Charlie Brown and a shyster? One checks kites while the other kites checks.
—Dan Simmons, Salem, Ore.

What is the difference between a responsible drinker and an affectionate puppy? One handles his liquor while the other licks his handler.
—Loretta Srch, Iberia, Mo.

What's the difference between Prince Charles and rice at a wedding? One is heir to the throne while the other is thrown to the air.
—Darryl Nester, Bluffton, Ohio

1) What's the difference between a convict and an autograph? One is booked in a pen while the other is penned in a book.
2) What's the difference between a medical recruiter and a Photoshop expert? One picks the doctors while the other doctors the pics.
—Summer Beretsky Bukeavich, Williamsport, Pa.

What is the difference between a clothing store and a day trader? One stocks shorts while the other shorts stocks.
—Marshall Savitt, Albany, N.Y.

What is the difference between a subprime loan crisis and a commemorative William and Kate wedding plate? One roils the markets while the other markets the royals.
—Leah Cole, Quincy, Mass.

What is the difference between a tangled ball of string and a brave knight? One is a frayed knot while the other is not afraid.
—Bryce Mayo, Gillette, Wyo.

What is the difference between an era without war and a sprig of a certain herb? One is a time of peace while the other is a piece of thyme.
—Michael Boone, Agoura Hills, Calif.

What's the difference between a panicked driver and a radio deejay? One hits the brakes while the other breaks the hits.
—Alan Nyquist, Keego Harbor, Mich.

What's the difference between a drill instructor and a dog trainer? One barks a command while the other commands a bark?
—Manuel Bass, Fullerton, Calif.

What's the difference between a marathon race official and Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr.? One times the runs while the other runs the Times.
—Kevin Devine, Marlborough, Mass.

What is the difference between the I.R.S. and a flood? One levies taxes while the other taxes levees.
—Brian Dontchos, Seattle

What is the difference between a successful student and a food safety inspector? One meets the grade while the other grades the meat.
—Janice Gargan, Southern Pines, N.C.

What is the difference between a choral director and a detective? One leads a choir while the other acquires a lead.
—Curtis Johnson, Denver, Colo.

What's the difference between a Vandal and a Manhattan shopper? One sacks Rome while the other roams Saks.
—Andy Calderwood, Santa Barbara, Calif.

What is the difference between a gas station and a gymnasium in Prague? One is a place to check a tire while the other is a place to tire a Czech.
—Bruce Weitzman, Sherman Oaks, Calif.

What's the difference between a bus driver and a tissue? One knows the stops while the other stops the nose.
—Miles Histand, Portland, Ore.

What is the difference between a renowned attorney and a storm drain? One is a great suer while other is a sewer grate.
—Ryan McNeill, Watkinsville, Ga.

What is the difference between a ship and the Rose Bowl Court? One floats on the waves while the other waves on the floats.
—Mike Strong, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

What's the difference between a power hitter and the operator of an outdoor movie theater? One drives in runs while the other runs drive-ins.
—Steve Feldman, Framingham, Mass.

What's the difference between a beach bum abroad and the lord of the manor? One surfs overseas while the other oversees serfs.
—John Byrne, Medford, Mass.

1) What is the difference between a traveler too sick to go and a husband with his feet in the way? One misses the trip while the other trips the Mrs.
2) What is the difference between a happily married working man and a man getting a divorce? One kisses his wife goodbye upon leaving his house while the other kisses his house goodbye upon leaving his wife.
—Patrick Berry, Jasper, Ala.

Several more entries Will liked that were repeated:

What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? One sells watches while the other watches cells.

What is the difference between a break-dancer and a museum curator? One busts a move while the other moves a bust.

What is the difference between a mariner and narcotics agents? One sails the seas while the others seize the sales.

What is the difference between a politician and an Indian restaurant chef? One curries favor while the other favors curry.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 13, 2016): Creative Challenge - Beat the Rap vs. Wrap the Beet

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 13, 2016): Creative Challenge - Beat the Rap vs. Wrap the Beet:

Q: This is a two-week creative challenge. The object is to write a conundrum or riddle that starts "What is the difference between ..." — in which the answer involves a transposition of words.

For example: What is the difference between a chatterbox and a mirror? Answer: One speaks without reflecting while the other reflects without speaking. Or: What is the difference between a lucky criminal and some Saran with a garden vegetable? Answer: One beats the rap while the other wraps the beet.

Change of spelling in the words is allowed, but not necessary. Entries will be judged on their sense, naturalness of wording, humor, elegance and overall effect. You may submit up to three entries. Mr. Shortz will announce his favorites — and the overall winner — in two weeks.

Hmm... not much to comment on this week. Obviously this is different than most of Will's puzzles in that it is open-ended and is a two week challenge. Start collecting your ideas and we'll discuss them all in two weeks after the deadline.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 16, 2016): Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Blast-off!

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 16, 2016): Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Blast-off!:

Q: This is a two-week challenge. Take the digits 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1, in that order. Using those digits and the four arithmetic signs — plus, minus, times and divided by — you can get 1 with the sequence 5 - 4 + 3 - 2 - 1. You can get 2 with the sequence (5 - 4 + 3 - 2) x 1.

The question is ... how many numbers from 1 to 40 can you get using the digits 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 in that order along with the four arithmetic signs?

You can group digits with parentheses, as in the example. There are no tricks to this, though. It's a straightforward puzzle. How many numbers from 1 to 40 can you get — and, specifically, what number or numbers can you not get? Will Shortz will reveal his solution in two weeks.

Enjoy the two-week math challenge. Feel free to post *how many* numbers you can create, but just not specifics on which ones and with what expressions.

Edit: A bit of a trick here. You can create 39 numbers, but not 39. :)

A: Without resorting to tricks, you can write expressions for all but number 39.

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 11, 2015): Creative Puzzle Challenge: Provide one sample sentence, outshine the pile

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 11, 2015): Creative Puzzle Challenge: Provide one sample sentence, outshine the pile:

Q: Write a 10-word sentence in which each word ends with the same letter of the alphabet.

For example: Dartmouth frosh clash with Pittsburgh church parish, clinch fifth triumph. Every word in that sentence ends with H. You can choose any letter you like. Entries will be judged on sensibility, naturalness of syntax and overall elegance. The person who submits the best sentence in Will's opinion will play the puzzle on the air in two weeks.

For some of you, it's time to include the other half of your brain...

Edit: Be sure to check the list of runner up sentences including several submissions from members of Blainesville.

A: The winning sentence chosen by Will, "Can neurosurgeon Ben Carson pin down Republican nomination in 'Sixteen?" — Kate S. of Maryland

NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 4, 2014): Two Week Challenge: It's Near the Planet Mars

NPR Sunday Puzzle (May 4, 2014): Two Week Challenge: It's Near the Planet Mars:

A: Write a clue for a word that also contains the answer in consecutive letters. For example, "It's near the planet Mars," contains the answer "Earth". The answer word must contain six or more letters. The clue should both define or describe the answer and contain the answer in consecutive letters.

Given the parameters of the puzzle, all we can do is save up our best answers for two weeks from now. But if people want to express their creativity, post clues for words with 5 (or fewer) letters.

A: In cold weather most attempt to keep this set low. (thermostat). Other answers can be found here