NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 13, 2020): Ride On, Ride On!

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 13, 2020): Ride On, Ride On!

Q: Using only the letters in the phrase RIDE ON — repeating them as often as necessary — you can spell 1) the one-word proper name of a famous fictional animal, and 2) a word for what kind of animal it is. What's the name of the animal, and what's the word?

This may start a debate on spelling. Anyone going to argue for the original Dutch?

Edit: In the earliest known printing of A Visit from St. Nicholas, the given names of Santa's seventh and eighth reindeer were, in fact, Dunder and Blixem from the original Dutch for thunder and lightning. Later printings had this as Donder and Blitzen. It was the song that made Donner the popular spelling.

A: REINDEER, DONDER (or DONNER).

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 6, 2020): A Time to Reflect

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Dec 6, 2020): A Time to Reflect

Q: Think of a common word in six letters. Write it in lowercase. If you hold up a mirror at its side, the reflection will show the same word. What is it?

Oh goody! Mirror writing!

Edit: Goody is a synonym.

A: tidbit ↔ tidbit (assuming you write the t without a tail)

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 29, 2020): Have a Little Chuckle

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 29, 2020): Have a Little Chuckle

Q: When you get the answer it will make you smile. Name an animal and spell it backward. Now name a variety of meat and insert it inside the animal's name that you've spelled backward. A common word will be revealed. What is it?

Smile? I had a different reaction to the answer that I found.

Edit: Much like hearing a pun, I had to groan.

A: DEER + VEAL --> REVEALED

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 22, 2020): Name a Marine Animal

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 22, 2020): Name a Marine Animal

Q: Name a marine animal in two words. Remove two consecutive letters in the name and read the resulting string of letters in order from left to right. You'll name a major American city. What is it?

You are not getting a hint from me this week.

Edit: The hint was "you are" --> UR

A: SEA TURTLE - UR = SEATTLE

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 15, 2020): Watch TV or Read a Book?

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 15, 2020): Watch TV or Read a Book?

Q: Name a title character from books and TV (5, 5). You can rearrange the letters to get two words describing what you can hear and do in church. What character is it?

Are you expecting me to give you a hint for free?

Edit: As in "freemason"

A: PERRY MASON --> SERMON, PRAY

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 8, 2020): Paranoia Opener

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 8, 2020): Paranoia Opener

Q: 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?

Here you go --> NPR NPR (AEIOUY)*

Edit: NPR could be considered one.

A: PROPER NOUN

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 1, 2020): Time for a Little Rock!

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Nov 1, 2020): Time for a Little Rock!

Q: Name a well-known U.S. city in two words (5,3). Change the first letter of the second word to name a popular rock group. Who is it?

They came together in 2017.

Edit: On March 30, 2017 the band played in the city.

A: GREEN BAY --> GREEN DAY

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 25, 2020): Take A Note

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 25, 2020): Take A Note

Q: What common seven-letter verb is made up of three consecutive musical notes in order?

The only question is are the notes going up or down?

Edit: The notes go up, the verb means "to go down"

A: D, E♭, E --> DEFLATE

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 18, 2020): Study Your World Capitals

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 18, 2020): Study Your World Capitals

Q: Name a world capital. Change one letter in it to D-Y. The result will be two words, one after the other. The first word names somebody you like to be around. The second word names somebody you don't like to be around. What city is it?

Normally I'd go back to bed, but today I feel like getting the day started.

Edit: The first thing I like to do in the morning is eat because I'm HUNGARY.

A: BUDAPEST --> BUDDY, PEST

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 11, 2020): Another Round of Drinks!

NPR Sunday Puzzle (Oct 11, 2020): Another Round of Drinks!

Q: Name certain fruits — in the plural. Change the second letter to an L and read the result backward. You'll name two things to drink. What are they?

Here's to solving. Cheers!

Edit: I was making an avocado toast!

A: AVOCADOS --> SODA, COLA