Victoria's best friend, Kayla, meets up with two guys whom Victoria likes: Andrew and Phillip. Both boys ask Kayla who Victoria likes more. Kayla didn't want to reveal her best friend's secret, but she gave the boys a hint: Victoria likes pizza, but she hates burgers. Her favorite color is green, but she doesn't like purple. She has a pet parakeet, but she avoids dogs. And Victoria always goes to the mall instead of the beach. Based on the hint, which boy does Victoria like more?
Think about the words Kayla uses to describe Victoria's preferences... are they subtly pointing to the names of the two boys?
Victoria likes Phillip more than Andrew. We have to look for some pattern in the hint Kayla gave the boys. Things such as "mall", "parakeet", "green", and "pizza" contain double letters, whereas things like "beach", "dog", "purple", and "burger" do not. The name "Phillip" contains the double letter "L", but the name "Andrew" doesn't have any double letters. Therefore, Victoria likes Phillip.
Teresa found her friend Andy unconscious on the floor of his studio in the attic. The girl called the police; when the officer arrived, she told him her story. Teresa said, "I was walking past Andy's house when I saw, through the window, that the light was on. I also found that Andy was lying in his room; he didn't look too good, so I rushed inside and immediately called the police,". The officer didn't believe Teresa. Do you?
Think about the physical location of the studio and how Teresa claimed to have seen Andy...
No; Teresa's story doesn't sound quite right. Andy was found in the attic; it's on the TOP floor of a house. Teresa couldn't possibly see the guy through the window.
A bus driver goes the wrong way on a one-way street. He passes two stop signs without stopping, and he even ignores all of the traffic signs. The driver passes the cops, but they don't arrest him. Why?
Think about the driver's occupation and the circumstances under which he is operating the bus...
Nowhere in this riddle did I say that the bus driver was actually driving a bus; after all, he was walking!
Charlotte is a runaway criminal. She needs to get a haircut so that the police officers do not recognize her right away. There are only two hairdressers in her town, however; the first salon is run by Thomas–he has a super messy haircut and his shop is super dirty. And the second salon is run by Debbie–she has a super neat haircut and her shop is super clean. Which hairdresser should Charlotte choose for a nice haircut?
Think about what would make Charlotte's new haircut more suspicious to the police...
Charlotte should choose Thomas. Since there are only two hairdressers in her town, they can't cut their own hair; they gave haircuts to each other (Thomas cuts Debbie's hair, and Debbie cuts Thomas' hair). Since Thomas must have been the one to give Debbie a neat haircut, and Debbie must have been the one to give Thomas a messy haircut, Thomas is much more professional, and Charlotte should get her hair done by him.
Mrs. Beverly has three daughters–Sally, Gianna, and Emma. She is about to have another daughter. What will she name her–Victoria, Alyssa, or Amanda?
Think about the names of Mrs. Beverly's existing daughters... do you notice a pattern or connection between them?
Mrs. Beverly will name her next daughter Alyssa; the names of her other three daughters each contain a double letter. Alyssa's name has a double letter ("s"), unlike the other two.
Ryan goes to an art gallery and sees four paintings: a raccoon, a llama, a football, and a balloon. He realizes that one of the paintings is different from the rest. Which one is it, and why?
Hint: Think about the subjects of the paintings and how they are typically associated with their environments.
The llama picture is different from the others because "llama" has just one double letter, while "raccoon", "football", and "balloon" all have two double letters.
Which word is the odd one out: BAIL, FAIL, PAIL, RAIL, SAIL, TAIL?
Think about the words in a different context, like a physical object or a situation...
FAIL is the odd one out because it does not have a homophone. BAIL has BALE (like a bale of hay), PAIL has PALE, SAIL has SALE, TAIL has TALE, and RAIL has RALE. FAIL has FALE, which is not a real word, and therefore cannot be a homophone.
During the first week of July, Jenny came back from a business trip and saw that her house had been burgled. She called the police and told them the following story: "My business trip was supposed to be between the 29th and the 31st of the previous month, so I was supposed to be gone for three days. However, I returned just now and found my house in a huge mess! Someone must have robbed me!". Jenny was arrested for a false report. Why?
Hint: Think about the calendar...
Jenny came back during the first week of July, so the previous month was June. She couldn't be away for business between the 29th and the 31st of June because June 31st doesn't exist; there are only 30 days in June.
On the Fourth of July, someone robbed the Johnsons. Police officers questioned three neighbors-Kyle, Rachel, and Sam. Kyle said that he was watching some movies with his family. Rachel said that she was having a barbecue outside to celebrate Independence Day. And Sam said that he was at the post office; all of his colleagues saw him. Who is lying?
Think about the date of the robbery and the activities that people usually do on that day...
Sam is lying. The Fourth of July is a public holiday; he couldn't be working at the post office on this day.
Mrs. Nimbus left some money for her eldest son, Garrett, to go grocery shopping. When Garrett went to take the money, he didn't find it. Mrs. Nimbus suspected that one of her two younger kids-either Abby or Rick–had stolen it, so she questioned them. Abby said that she had put the money underneath a book so that it wouldn't fly away. Rick said that he had put the money inside the book between pages 51 and 52. Who's the thief?
Think about the name "Mrs. Nimbus"... what does it imply about the environment in which the story takes place?
Rick is the thief. Books normally have their odd-numbered pages on the right, while the even-numbered pages are on the left. Pages 51 and 52 are on two sides of the same sheet, so Rick couldn't have put the money between those two pages.
You are a monster hunter. You know that werewolves either tell only truths or only lies. One day, you meet up with your friends-Daniel and Cameron-and ask if either one of them is a werewolf. Daniel says, "Cameron is a lying werewolf. And I'm a human,". And Cameron says, "Daniel is telling the truth,". Can you identify who is who?
Pay close attention to the statements and think about what would happen if Daniel was a werewolf, and what would happen if Cameron was a werewolf...
You know that werewolves cannot tell half-truths, so Daniel's statements have to both be either true or false. If they are both true, then Daniel is a human, and Cameron is a lying werewolf. But then, Cameron is telling the truth, too. This contradicts Daniel's second statement. Therefore, both of Daniel's statements are false, and Cameron is also lying. It means that Daniel is a werewolf and Cameron is a lying human.
Your spaceship lands on a foreign planet. A stranger in his workout clothes greets you to the entrance of the base. You go inside the base and wait for it to depressurize before removing your space suit. But before you get a chance to remove it, you get a message that someone at the base is an impostor. Who could it be–a man who covers his face because he has a sunburn, a woman with flaky patches all over her skin, or the stranger you saw earlier?
Hint: Think about the environment you're in and how it might affect the people you're considering...
The stranger you saw earlier is an impostor because a human who is not wearing a spacesuit cannot survive outside of the base in the foreign planet's atmosphere, but this stranger somehow survived without his spacesuit.
Betty and Becky are twins, who love to lie on certain days. Betty lies on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, while Becky lies on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. One day, you come up to the twins and ask them what day it is. They say, "Yesterday was one of my lying days," in unison. What day is it?
Think about the days when both twins cannot be lying...
It can't be Sunday because both girls would be telling the truth…and someone is obviously lying now. It can either be Monday or Thursday because on those days, either Betty or Becky lies. But if it's Monday, both girls would lie saying yesterday was a lying day. Therefore, it's Thursday; Betty is telling the truth, and Becky is lying.
If John has 60 chocolates and he eats two-thirds of them, what does he have now?
Think about what happens when you eat something...
John has diabetes! The question was, "What does he have now?", NOT, "How many chocolates does he have now?".
"I was walking to my local grocery store to pick up some stuff when I saw that my neighbor Rachel's house had been burgled! It was very cold outside, and I saw some frost on the window. I breathed on the glass to get rid of the frost, and I saw that Rachel's safe had been open and that her money was stolen!". That was Hank's story. An officer who was investigating asked Hank, "And where did you hide the money you stole from your neighbor?". How did the officer come to this conclusion?
Pay close attention to what Hank did when he breathed on the window...
Windows become frozen over from the inside, not the outside, so Hank couldn't have wiped off the frost from the window to find the money stolen.
A butterfly flies to a rock in the middle of a huge lake and stops to rest. If it swims North, it's five minutes to the mainland. If it swims East, it's four minutes to the mainland. If it swims South, it's three minutes to the mainland. And if it swims West, it's two minutes to the mainland. In which direction should the butterfly swim?
Think about the shape of the lake and the rock's location...
The butterfly shouldn't swim in any direction because butterflies don't swim; they fly!
Two male members of the aristocracy are positioned to engage in battle against one another. Their wives, undaunted and loyal, stand beside their husbands, despite the dangers of the impending conflict. The strength of each of the opposing forces is equal, but small, with a mere 14 fighting men for each force, aside from the husbands and their wives. The combat is about to commence, so I ask you ------- Which army will make the first move?
Think about a game, not a real battle...
The White Army. White always is required to make the first move ----- in a game of chess.
Billy and Sally set out on a journey to visit a famous castle, but they both forgot to bring any food, water, or money with them. At the onset of their trip, they saw a beautiful rainbow in the sky which they considered to be a good omen. Fortunately for them, along the way, they found some friendly individuals who offered them some high-calorie treats to eat --- gumdrops and peanut brittle being two examples. At one dangerous point in their journey, they had to pass through a swamp, but fortunately, no alligators were seen. Finally, they arrived at the castle, and after a brief visit there, they left the castle, went to a nearby eatery, and had tuna fish sandwiches for lunch. Where in the world was this famous castle located?
Think about the treats they found on their journey and the type of eatery they visited after leaving the castle...
Billy and Sally were children, playing a game of Candy Land.
Jane owns and works at a small business. She has many busy days, but she often finds herself with far too much time on her hands. She sometimes grows tired of all the same worn faces that come through her door, and she often has to hold the hands of many of those which have come to her place of business. Jane doesn't get outside much; however, she often encounters ticks while working, but she has never been bitten by one. While working on her job, Jane often thinks about her grandmother and grandfather, both of which reside with Jane in her home. What is Jane's occupation, and what type of small business does she own?
Here's a hint: Think about a profession where you'd often encounter "ticks" without being bitten, and where you'd be working with "hands" in a figurative sense.
Jane is a clock repairer who owns her own clock-repair shop. By the way, Jane has two beautiful grandmother and grandfather clocks in her home which keep excellent time, thanks to Jane.
A woman, who is the executive director of a large and profitable business, has an interesting job description. Among her many duties, she is primarily responsible for the gathering and dispensing of pictures of dead people. In fact, she has a special room within her facility which is specifically designed to hold many thousands of these pictures, and she is assigned the task of securing this room against any and all unscrupulous scoundrels who might try to steal them. Her gang of laborers spend most of the week exchanging these pictures with those who frequent her establishment, sometimes collecting, and sometimes giving these pictures to others at their request. This woman and her employees appear to enjoy their work, as they all carry these pictures of deceased individuals in their purses and wallets outside of work. Is this woman and her gang of laborers morbidly deranged, or are they more normal than they initially appear to be? Just what is this business in which these people are engaged?
Think about a place where people often go to remember and honor their loved ones who have passed away...
The woman is a bank president, and her gang of laborers are the tellers who work there. The pictures of dead people are the many thousands of bills and coins, each with a picture of a former President or a high ranking official who are now deceased, from our past government.
Shirley's two-year-old granddaughter carries around with her something Shirley recently purchased for her in the produce section of a local supermarket. The little girl has the item wrapped in a blanket, pretending it is her baby. She carries her "baby" with her everywhere she goes, and even sleeps with it at nighttime. However, the "baby" has no body, but consists of a brown head with two eyes and a mouth; or is it two eyes and a nose? Sometimes it is difficult to tell, but only the face of the baby peeks out from the surrounding blanket. What type of produce is this "baby" that Shirley's granddaughter carries around with her?
Think about a type of produce that has a "head" with features that resemble a face, and is often brown in color...
The two-year-old’s “baby” is actually a coconut which she wraps in a blanket, with the three circular indentations of the “face” turned outward.
A group of men are suddenly awakened by a loud, piercing, continuous sound. They all scramble out of their beds, get dressed, grab a pole, and disappear into a hole. What in the world are these men doing?
Think about a profession that requires a sudden response to a loud alarm, and a tool that's essential for their job...
They are firemen who were sleeping in their fire station. When they heard the fire alarm, they quickly got dressed, slid down the fire pole, and got in the fire engine to head to the reported fire.
A history teacher was speaking to his 10th-grade class one day when he presented them with this unusual riddle: “Mark Twain and Santa Claus were both familiar with me. Each one of us has an icy body and two tails, but we are not associated with Sonic the Hedgehog. We are never outguessed, but we are often outgassed. Many people today put me to work in their homes, but I never receive any payment for my service, despite the fact I was born in America. Lastly, I am considered to be the big sister of a famous falcon, but my life span was short --from1960 to 1977.” “Teacher,” said the brightest student in the class,” are you trying to confuse us by talking about five different things that have the same name?” “Maybe I am,” said the teacher. “Maybe I am.”What was the solution to his bizarre-sounding riddle?
Think about a natural phenomenon that can be found in the United States, has a short lifespan, and is associated with a type of bird.
The teacher was referring to Halley’s Comet; one of Santa’s reindeer (Comet); a comet in outer space; the scouring powder known as Comet; and the car that came after the Ford Falcon known as the Mercury Comet.
Farmer Egbert has a cow, two horses, and a cat. The farmer drives up to the farm accompanied by his dog Fluffball. How many feet are there on the farm?
Think about the number of legs each animal has, but don't forget to consider the farmer himself!
The task was to count the number of FEET, so the correct answer is just two. Cows and horses have HOOVES; dogs and cats have PAWS; only Egbert, a human, has FEET.
Right before a restaurant was about to open, someone stole all of the money from the cashier's desk. The chef said that he was working hard and didn't have time to walk or look around, so he didn't see anything. The security guard said that he was in the bathroom and didn't notice anything suspicious. The waiter said that he remembered seeing one visitor looking suspicious to him; somehow, he ignored the visitor and didn't stop him. The waiter got arrested for stealing the money. Why?
The hint is: Pay attention to the waiter's statement, specifically the phrase "somehow, he ignored the visitor..."
The phrase, "Right before a restaurant was about to open…" means that the restaurant was still closed. There couldn't have been any visitors inside. Therefore, the waiter is lying.
A bank was robbed in a large city. The police officers went to visit the main suspect-Mr. Michaels-who had been detained several times before. Mr Michaels said, "I've been feeling unwell all this week, and I haven't left my apartment for three days! Luckily, I didn't need food; my fridge is completely full. You can check for yourself,". Indeed, the man opened his fridge to prove his words, but the officers still arrested him. Why?
The hint is: Pay attention to the contents of the fridge, not just its fullness.
If Mr. Michaels had already been staying inside for three days, his fridge wouldn't be so full…simply because we need to EAT in order to survive. It's not likely that Mr. Michaels would be doing too well after not eating for three days.
When Eric and his friends returned to school after the summer break, they each told each other how their summers went. Eric boasted about the months he spent in Chile and how hot it had been. Eric's friends called him a liar. Why?
Think about the timing of Eric's summer break and the location he claimed to have visited...
Assuming that these friends live in the United States, if it's summer in the U.S (which is in North America), it's winter in Chile because Chile is in South America. It can't possibly be hot during the winter. Therefore, Eric lied about being in Chile.
Even the Romans can solve this equation, 5 - 3 = 5 How is this possible?
Think about how the Romans represented numbers...
Take away the F, I and E from the letter FIVE and that leaves with V which is 5 in roman numerals.
Wyatt has six sons, and each son has a sister. How many children does Wyatt have?
Think about the phrase "each son has a sister"... it doesn't mean there are multiple sisters!
Wyatt has seven children. All of the sons have the same sister.
I have seven yellow pencils, seven red pencils, and seven blue pencils. I have to divide them into two groups; the first group has to have three fewer yellow pencils than the second group, the second group should have one more red pencil than the first group, and the first group should have five more blue pencils than the second group. How many blue pens would be in each pile?
Think about the constraints on the yellow and red pencils, and how they might "balance out" in each group. The question is asking about blue pencils, but the answer might not be a straightforward division of the 7 blue pencils...
Zero. I have seven blue PENCILS, not PENS.
I am a famous Phil; a well-known T.V. star, but my last name is not Donahue or Silvers, and I am not a talk-show doctor. I usually appear on television only once each year, and when I do, I am always wearing a winter coat. I am not associated with music, so my last name isn’t Wickham, or Keaggy, or Collins. I hail from the state of Pennsylvania, but my last name is not Adelphia, and I have never played pro baseball there. I am definitely not a member of the Anderer, Ippines, Odendron, Anthropy, Osophy, or Harmonic families, and I have no heritage in the Istine clan mentioned in the Bible. Finally, I was never a veteran of any war, but I am well known for my activities as a member of the underground movement. Now comes the time to use your skill —— Reveal the name of this famous Phil !!!
Here's a hint: Think about a specific holiday that falls in winter, and a beloved character associated with it, who is often depicted wearing a winter coat.
Punxsutawney Phil, the famous weather-predicting groundhog, who appears on T.V. every February.
Ella and Mason went camping one day, but both of them got themselves in danger. Ella was bitten by a rattlesnake, and she tried to suck out the venom. Mason came face to face with a black widow spider, and he tried to attack it. Who was in more danger?
Think about the actions they took to respond to the threats...
Black widow spiders rarely bite, and their bites are rarely fatal, but it's never a good idea to suck out snake venom. Therefore, Ella was in more danger.
Anna was watching TV in her house when she heard someone knocking on her door. When the woman opened the door, she saw a suspicious-looking man who claimed to be her neighbor. The man became nervous and said, "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought this was my house. I must have confused the houses,". Anna didn't believe it was just a mistake, and she called the police, saying that this man was a robber. How did Anna know?
Here's a hint: Think about the circumstances under which Anna was when the man knocked on the door...
If the man really thought that it was his house, he wouldn't have knocked on the door; he would've tried to open it with his keys. Knocking on the door is a technique used by criminals who want to break in and steal stuff.
A man and a woman are talking to each other. One of them is a brunette, while the other person is blond. The brunette says, "I'm a lady,". And the blond person says, "I'm a gentleman,". Assuming that at least one person is lying, can you guess who's who?
Think about the words "lady" and "gentleman" and how they relate to the hair colors mentioned...
If we suppose that only one person is lying, then the people would either be both ladies or both gentlemen, which contradicts the first statement. Therefore, both people lied; the woman has blond hair, while the man had brunette hair.
Lisa and Lola are operating two different vehicles, but both of them fell asleep. Lisa is driving her car to work, while Lola is flying in an airplane. Whose decision is less wise?
Think about the consequences of falling asleep while operating each vehicle...
Lisa's decision is less wise. Lola most likely has a copilot flying with her, but there's no such thing as a co-driver, so Lisa will most likely get into a car accident.
In a pond, there are some flowers with some bees hovering over them. If both the following statements are true: 1. If each bee lands on a flower, one bee doesn't get a flower. 2. If two bees share each flower, there is one flower left out. How many flowers and bees are there?
Think about the number of bees and flowers being consecutive integers...
4 bees and 3 flowers.
A man leaves home on foot one evening, makes three left turns, and arrives back home to find two masked men waiting there. Who are they?
Think about a place where people often make left turns...
The catcher and the umpire - the man has made a home run in a baseball game.
It's 7:00 am. You are asleep and there is a sudden knock on the door. Behind the door are your parents, who came to have breakfast. In your fridge: bread, milk (pasteurized!), juice, and a jar of jam. What do you open first?
Think about what you need to do before you can even think about breakfast...
Your eyes.
I Make Reading A Challenge, And That Can Cause Some Damage. I Am Difficult To Manage, But When That Happens, The Passage Is Much Less Savage. I Make Many People Frown, But The Answer Is Just To Slow Down. I Know This Is Not What You Had Planned, I Just Hope You Will Understand. What Am I?
"Think about a common obstacle that readers often face, especially when they're in a hurry..."
I'm Dyslexia.
In the 1950s, two young men, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, stood on a round piece of wood preparing to do battle. Neither man carried any weapons of any kind, as they were both planning to use their feet to defeat their opponent. Sharp spikes on the bottoms of their boots turned their feet into the tools they would use to dispatch their adversary. One kick to the body or head could cause irreparable damage; but neither man ever struck the other with their spiked boots. In fact, not one physical blow was landed during the contest, and yet, one man was eliminated and sent to a watery grave. I thought these types of barbaric spectacles designed to satisfy the visual lusts of onlooking crowds had stopped after the gladiatorial days of ancient Rome. On the other hand, perhaps this scenario is not as violent as it appears to be. Exactly what was going on here?
Think nautical, not gladiatorial...
The two combatants were engaged in a log rolling contest during a lumberjack competition. The spiked boots aided them in keeping their footing on the slippery logs.
There was no mention of it in any of the newspapers, but a queen recently moved to a small farm in the state of Iowa. To assist her, a group of about 20 diligent workers was assigned to help the queen with the farm work which needed to be done, as the queen was not accustomed to performing any type of menial, manual labor. It may seem a bit strange, but in her new home, there were no cows or chickens or farm animals of any kind, and the surrounding soil was very sandy, so no crops could be grown there. This really didn’t matter though, as there was no farm machinery for the workers to use anyway. At the queen’s insistence, those diligent workers spend their days digging tunnels all over the farm; but they are not seeking treasure or anything of value. These tunnels sometimes collapse on the workers, killing a few; but the queen shows little concern and these deaths are never reported to the police or to any law enforcement agency. Who does this queen think she is? She must feel she is above the law and has no respect for the lives of those who serve her! Where is the justice for these workers? Or, perhaps, the queen shouldn’t be held responsible after all. What exactly is going on here?
Think about a type of "queen" that is not a human monarch, but rather a specific creature that is often found in a particular environment...
The queen was an ant which was purchased and added to an ant farm owned by a child in the state of Iowa. About 20 worker ants were added to the ant farm shortly thereafter.
Terry had just returned to Chicago via. American Airlines at 12 midnight. He was extremely tired after having just completed a seven-day bridge tournament in California. After retrieving his single piece of luggage, he immediately hailed a taxi to take him to the nearest Red Roof Inn ------ Terry's favorite hotel. As he instructed the cabbie concerning his desired destination, he could plainly see the Spanish-speaking driver had no idea what was being said to him. Luckily, Terry remembered some of his high school Spanish, so he simply told the driver, "Tejado Rojo," which means "Red Roof" in Spanish. The cabbie immediately nodded to show his understanding, and he began driving to the requested destination. Upon arrival, Terry, who was barely awake by this time, paid the driver and entered the front door of the establishment. When he asked the receptionist for a room, the response he received was, "Are you on drugs? There is no place to sleep here!" Where do you suppose the cab driver had taken Terry?
Think about the literal translation of "Tejado Rojo" and what it could refer to besides a hotel...
The closest Pizza Hut. Almost, if not all of them have red roofs.
Every day, some of America's finest fall into enemy traps and are captured and placed behind bars. The olive-green and greenish-brown camouflage uniforms they wear don't appear to be effective in protecting them against these enemies. Once caught, there is rarely any chance of escape for any of these prisoners. In fact, nearly all of them are executed by their captors, but never once has even one of them ever revealed any state secrets before dying. Each prisoner is systematically removed from his/her cell by an executioner wearing a white uniform and hat. This killer appears to have no conscience, as he ends the lives of many of these captives each day by scalding them to death. However, there are many Americans who want to honor these and celebrate the lives of the fallen. In fact, 44 U.S. states have erected monuments to remind us of those who have given their lives to serve us. Who are these captives, and what are these monuments which have been erected to help us remember them?
Think about something you might find in a kitchen, and a common practice people do with it...
The captives are lobsters, and the monuments 44 states have erected to help us remember them are Red Lobster seafood restaurants. Just so everyone knows, lobsters only turn red after being boiled.
A man is standing inside a large, brown circle. Just behind him is a smaller, white rectangle. In full view of many men, women, and even children, the man in the circle openly displays in his hand a small bag full of a white, powdery substance. Immediately, the man spots another man wearing a mask, signaling to him that he wants something the man in the circle has in his possession. The man in the brown circle, who is now standing on only one leg, proceeds to deliver a very small amount of the white powder to the masked man along with a round object. Numerous plainclothes police witness this open exchange, but neither man is arrested for the possession or the trafficking of the white powder. What is wrong with our society today!?! Ignoring crime is never the answer, as it only emboldens the criminals around us; or is the scenario described above more innocent than it appears? Just what is happening here?
Think about a popular outdoor activity where people gather to watch, and the "white powdery substance" might not be what you think it is...
The man in the brown circle is a baseball pitcher who is holding a white rosin bag used to help dry his hand before pitching. The pitcher then sees his catcher (the masked man) giving him the signal for which pitch he is to throw, and the pitcher then delivers the baseball which has a small amount of resin still on it.
Fiona's mother has 12 children. One day, the mother comes home and sees that all 12 children are busy. The first child, January, is reading a book. The second child, February, is cooking dinner. The third child, March, is playing chess. The fourth child, April, is tidying up her room. The fifth child, May, is taking a nap. The sixth child, June, is taking a shower. The seventh child, July, is gardening outside. The eighth child, August, is lighting the fireplace. The ninth child, September, is painting a picture. The 10th child, October, is doing yoga. The 11th child, November, is doing her homework. What is the name of the 12th child, and what is he/she doing?
The hint is: Think about the story from the mother's perspective...
The name of the 12th child is Fiona, and she is playing chess with March. Fiona is the name of the 12th child because this is FIONA'S mother. And Fiona is playing chess with March because most of the aforementioned activities require only one person to do, except for playing chess; that activity requires two players.
Jasmine was the worst student in her class. One day, her instructor, Mr. Collins, gave her a chance to stay in her class and not be expelled. He said, "Give me a statement. If the statement is true, you will not be expelled from the class. And if the statement is false, you will be expelled from the class. So, what do you say?". What should Jasmine say to stay in her class?
Think about a statement that, if true, would allow Jasmine to stay in the class, and if false, would result in her expulsion...
Jasmine should say, "I will be expelled from the class,". If we suppose that the statement is true, then Jasmine would not be expelled from the class. But then, it makes the statement false. And if we suppose that the statement is false, then Jasmine would be expelled from the class. But then, it makes the statement true. This phrase creates a paradox, as it cannot be true AND false at the same time.
Sheila baked a batch of delicious peanut butter cookies for dessert later in the day. She couldn't eat them while near her husband, though; he was severely allergic to all types of nuts. Plus, the couple's three kids–David, Amanda, and Frank–were all grounded and not allowed to eat sweets for a week. When Sheila went to get the cookies later in the day, she noticed that all of them were gone. She knew it must have been one of her kids who ate the cookies, so she interrogated them. David said that he was helping Dad to bake an apple pie in the kitchen. Amanda said that earlier in the day, she and Dad were eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. She didn't have time for cookies. Frank said that he was doing his homework upstairs. Sheila instantly knew who was lying, and grounded that child for another week. Who was the cookie thief?
Pay close attention to Amanda's alibi...
Amanda stole the cookies. She couldn't be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Dad earlier in the day; after all, Sheila's husband is severely allergic to all types of nuts.
Dominick is the manager of a massively successful hotel. One day, his richest guest, Kim, calls him. She says that someone stole all of her money from the vault in her room. Dominick decides to question three other hotel guests–Sally, Lawrence, and Deborah. Dominick asks each of them just one question: "What were you doing within the last hour?" Sally says, "I was chilling in a hotel room with my boyfriend, and had nothing to do with the robbery." Lawrence says, "I was having lunch in the local sushi restaurant on the top floor. " Deborah says," I was swimming in the hotel swimming pool." Who is the robber?
Think about the logistics of the hotel's amenities and how they relate to each guest's alibi...
Sally is the robber. Dominick never mentioned the robbery, but Sally started making excuses straight away.
Jennifer is always late for work. One day, she comes to work late as usual, which angers her boss. But, her boss is more lenient today and gives Jennifer a chance to keep her job. If she solves his rebus puzzle, Jennifer won't be fired. The boss says, "I'm A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z!". Luckily, Jennifer was a smart girl and managed to keep her job. What did the rebus puzzle say?
The hint is: Think about the alphabet, but not just the letters...
"I'm missing you". "A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z" is missing the letter "U", which sounds like "I'm missing you (U)".
Harry is in a history competition with two other students–Renèe and Tyler. The rules are as follows: A student will choose another student to target. A history question will be read out, and the student will give his or her answer. If the answer is correct, the target is eliminated. And if the answer is incorrect, the target stays in the game. This will happen until only one student remains. Harry isn't very good in history; his odds of answering correctly are 1/3. Renèe's odds are a little better–2/3. And Tyler is a history ace, with his odds of giving the correct answer being 3/3. Every student knows everyone else's odds. To be fair, Harry will begin; then, the turn will pass to Renèe, then to Tyler, and then to Harry, and so on until one player remains. How can Harry have higher chances to win?
Hint: Harry's strategy should focus on maximizing the chances of eliminating the strongest opponent, Tyler, as soon as possible.
On Harry's first turn, he should give the incorrect answer on purpose. If he targets Renèe and manages to eliminate her, then it's just Harry and Tyler; however, Tyler will definitely eliminate Harry because HIS odds are much higher. And if Harry targets Tyler and manages to eliminate him, then it's just Harry and Renèe; however, Renèe might eliminate Harry because she has higher odds. If Harry purposefully answers incorrectly, the turn will simply move to Renèe, who will answer next. On Renèe's first turn, she will likely target Tyler because he has higher odds than her. If she manages to eliminate him, then it's just Harry and Renèe. Harry will be going first with his shot at winning the competition. If Renèe doesn't eliminate Tyler, then it will be HIS turn; Tyler will target Renèe and eliminate her for sure due to his odds being higher than hers. Although Harry will have to go against Tyler in the end, it's still a fair situation because Harry will still be going first with a chance to win.
Vanessa is a bilingual student; she speaks English and German. However, she hasn't been preparing for her exams. She decides to complete all of her exams in German. When most of her teachers see her exams, they don't understand what she's written and give her the tests back. However, one of Vanessa's teachers figured out what she was doing and gave her an F-. Which teacher was that?
Think about the one teacher who would likely be familiar with the language Vanessa chose to write her exams in...
It was Vanessa's math teacher who failed her. Math is mostly numbers, so the girl's math teacher could understand everything and check the exam.
Emma was arrested for robbing a bank. The police wanted to arrest Emma's boyfriend as well because he was supposedly an accomplice. The officers found four men-Kevin, Miles, Paul, and Stanley-and interrogated them. One of them is the boyfriend who is lying. Another person was Emma's brother, who did not assist with the robbery but was also lying because he wanted to help. And the other two boys were innocent and telling the truth. Each person says the following: Kevin: Stanley is her boyfriend. Miles: Paul is lying. Paul: Kevin is lying. Stanley: Miles is not her brother. Who is Emma's brother, and who is her boyfriend?
Think about who must be telling the truth, and use that to figure out who is lying...
Kevin is Emma's brother, and Miles is her boyfriend. If Kevin is telling the truth, then Stanley is lying because the boyfriend lies. This means Miles is also lying because according to these conditions, Miles IS the brother who is lying. But then, Paul is telling the truth. It contradicts that Kevin is telling the truth because both of them cannot be truthful at the same time. So, Kevin is lying, Paul is telling the truth, and Miles is lying. By default, Stanley is the other man telling the truth. The two liars are Kevin and Miles; they are Emma's boyfriend and brother. Since Stanley said that Miles is NOT her brother, and that statement is true, it means Kevin is her brother, and Miles is her boyfriend.
Mr. Martinez is a philosophy teacher at a prestigious university. One day, he places a pencil onto his desk and gives his students an assignment: to write a short essay on the following topic- why the pencil does not exist. The student with the most convincing argument would get an A, while everyone else would get a D. An hour later, all of the students handed in their papers; most of them filled up the front and back of their papers, but one boy wrote just two words and he got the A. What words did he write?
Think about the assignment from the teacher's perspective...
The boy wrote, "What pencil?".
Mr. Plessy, one of the best pilots in his town, came to his insurance company to file a report. He said that someone had robbed him in the street, but he couldn't see what the robber had looked like because of his poor eyesight. The insurance manager refused to proceed with the case and called Mr. Plessy a liar. Why?
Think about Mr. Plessy's profession and how it relates to his claim...
Mr. Plessy is a pilot, but it's impossible to work as one if you have poor eyesight.
There are two species of citizens on a foreign planet: Hamburgs and Helphands. There are 10,000 Hamburgs, and Helphands make up 50% of the population. How many Helphands are on the foreign planet?
Think about what "50% of the population" really means...
There are 10,000 Helphands on the foreign planet. If there are only two species of citizens on the planet, and Helphands make up 50% of the population, then Hamburgs must make up the other 50% of the population, with 10,000 of them. If there are 10,000 Hamburgs, then there are also 10,000 Helphands.
There are eight people waiting at a bus stop. When an empty bus approaches the stop, half of these people get in. Then, the bus goes to the second stop, where five people are waiting. Two of the people in the bus get out at this stop, while three of the people at this bus stop get in. Finally, the bus goes to the third stop, where seven people are waiting. None of these people get in, but all of the passengers currently in the bus get out. How many people are in the bus now?
Think about the phrase "empty bus" in the first sentence...
There is one person left–the driver. You know that buses can't go without a driver, right?
One afternoon, Phoebe stopped by her favorite restaurant for lunch, but she saw a waitress and a client arguing. The waitress, Sandra, claims that the client, Dave, had ordered a breakfast special and was now refusing to pay. Dave said that he had only ordered a coffee. Phoebe knew who was lying instantly. Who was it?
Think about the time of day and what it would imply about the menu options available...
Sandra was lying. You don't order breakfast in the afternoon.
A young man became famous one day when he gathered a quarter of a bushel (8 dry quarts) of a certain type of fruit, which many people call a vegetable. Evidently, this youth, whose first and last name both start with the same letter, was able to harvest these fruits (vegetables) after they had been placed into a solution of vinegar or brine while still on the vine. So, the questions which have never been answered concerning this story are #1: How many of these fruits/vegetables did he actually harvest, and #2: Where is the work of his labor now? Can you name this famous person who has the same first and last initials?
Here's a hint: Think about a famous American figure from the 19th century, and consider a type of fruit/vegetable that's often pickled. The answer might be more "historical" than you expect!
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers …
Five friends-Albert, Brenda, Carl, Diana, and Eric–raced around a track. Albert finished before Brenda but after Carl. And Diana finished before Eric but after Brenda. In what order did each friend finish?
Think about the "sandwich" relationships: Carl is before Albert, Albert is before Brenda, Brenda is before Diana, and Diana is before Eric. Now, try to "assemble" the order!
From first to last, the order in which the friends finished is: Carl, Albert, Brenda, Diana, and Eric.
How can you place a cup in the middle of a room, and crawl into it?
Think about the shape of the cup...
Place the cup in the middle of the room, and crawl into the room! Nobody said whether "it" was the cup or the room!
When summer break ended, Mila told her friends about her vacation in Africa. Mila said, "Oh, it was great! But on the last day of my trip, a massive volcanic eruption happened; it didn't spoil my vacation only because I flew home that day,". Mila's friends didn't believe her. Why?
Think about what happens when a massive volcanic eruption occurs...
All flights must get canceled when a volcanic eruption occurs, so Mila couldn't have flown home on the last day of her vacation; she's lying.
Simon Simpleton was born in London, England. His mother was Welsh and his father Scottish. When Simon was eight his mother died. When Simon was ten his father married an Irish women and suddenly Simon had an Irish sister. When Simon was twenty four he graduated as a lawyer and took a job in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is now sixty six. Why can he not be buried on the banks of Loch Lomond in his favourite village of Luss, in Bonnie Scotland?
Think about Simon's family background and the implications it has on his own identity...
Because he is still alive!
Lucille had recently received her real estate license and was out evaluating a bunch of properties in a certain neighborhood. As she traveled around the area, she saw some properties which were very expensive, and others that were more affordable. The area was sprinkled with a mixture of little greenhouses, a couple of hotels, a few businesses, and she noticed there was also some access to railway travel. Some of these properties were for sale but others were not. The bizarre thing is, Lucille ended up in jail three separate times that day and had to be bailed out on each occasion! She received no traffic citations and swears she did absolutely nothing wrong, and yet, she was incarcerated three times that day. What do you suppose happened that caused her to be locked up in jail three times in one day?
Think about the activities Lucille was doing that day, and how they might relate to the properties she was evaluating... and the game she was playing.
Lucille had indeed recently received her real estate license, however, that really had little to do with the fact she was playing a game of Monopoly with some friends; and unfortunately for her, landed in jail three times during the game, and had to bail herself out so she could continue playing.
Terry had been driving for nearly an hour when he encountered a backup of several cars which were all waiting to pass through a tunnel. He was listening to the weather report on his car's radio while awaiting his turn when he heard that a severe mixture of snow and rain accompanied by flash flooding and powerful winds were expected to strike the area within minutes. Terry dreaded this type of dangerous winter driving, so he wanted to get home quickly. As he paid the required fee to pass through the tunnel, Terry could only think about the weather report and the severe driving conditions predicted. Suddenly, a downpour of water, followed by a curtain of liquid white covered Terry's car. He did not use his windshield wipers though, and in fact, he removed both hands from the steering wheel just as another downpour of water blasted his car. A few seconds later, a second deluge of water crashed down on his car, followed by a mighty wind. At that point, Terry again grasped the steering wheel and regained control of the car. After these events, Terry was able to drive home safely. Did Terry panic during this encounter by not using his windshield wipers and removing his hands from the steering wheel, or is Terry a better driver than these events indicate?
Here's a hint: Think about the situation Terry is in, and what might be happening around him that's causing the "downpours of water" and "curtain of liquid white" to cover his car. It's not what you might initially think!
The tunnel Terry went through was a car wash. A driver is always supposed to take his hands off the steering wheel and avoid using windshield wipers when the car is passing through the soap, water, and powerful drying wind at the end.
I'm afraid my grandmother may be getting a bit senile. The other day she told me she was planning a special Easter party for about 25 of her friends, and she asked me to go to the store for her, to pick up the following items on this list she gave me: 25 green apples, 25 peaches, 25 mangos, 25 juicy pears, 25 plums, 25 lemons, 25 coconuts, 25 cantaloupes, 25 watermelons, 25 A&W cream sodas, 25 strawberry cheesecakes, 25 pieces of bubblegum, 1 bag of crushed pineapple, 1 bag of blueberries, 1 bag of cotton candy, 1 bag of wild blackberries, 1 bag of buttered popcorn, and 1 bag of sour cherries. Well, what do you think? Is my grandmother’s trolly car starting to leave its track, or are her mental faculties still in good working order? Just what is her plan for this party?
Pay attention to the types of items on the list and think about what they have in common...
Grandma is planning an Easter jelly-bean-eating party for her 25 friends. She plans to give one of each of the gourmet jelly beans listed to each of her friends to see which flavors her friends like the best.
Ron and Terry are both dressed in camouflage clothing and are completely surrounded by dead bodies. As veterans of the Army, they are both on a mission to locate some of their comrades. Neither Terry nor Ron are carrying any weapons, but they have no fear of being harmed. They look about the terrain which surrounds them, but all they see are grass and large and small stones. Terry jumps up on one of the large stones to get a better view of their surroundings, but Ron suggests to Terry that his standing on the big stone might be viewed as disrespectful, and Terry jumps down. "I counted 27 flags while I was up there," says Terry to Ron, "so let's go check them out." In what activity are Ron and Terry engaged?
Think about a place where you'd typically find flags, grass, and stones...
Ron and Terry are veterans who are looking for the grave sites of some of the soldiers they served with in the Army. The large and small stones are tombstones, and the American flags mark the graves of the veterans who are buried in that cemetery.
After retiring from military service in the Army, friends Terry and Ron decided to pool their money and purchase the supplies needed to build their very own sailing ship. Together, they used the skills taught to them during their service in the Army Corps of Engineers, and after just a few months, their beautiful craft was complete. The strange thing is, that Ron and Terry became very protective of their newly-built ship. Never once did the two friends ever invite anyone to go sailing on the vessel. No one was allowed to put even one foot on the deck of the boat they had built together. They even restricted themselves from sailing on it!!! Finally, they decided to cover the entire ship with a clear covering, hoping to discourage anyone from even touching the vessel. Why do you suppose Terry and Ron became so overprotective of their new sailing ship?
Think about the phrase " Army Corps of Engineers"... what does it imply about the skills Terry and Ron learned during their service?
Ron and Terry's project was a ship in a bottle.
I hang around all day and night keeping you safe. I might have only one arm, but it is very strong. Nevertheless, I can defend you and everything you care about without moving a muscle. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a house or a building that serves a protective purpose, and its "arm" might not be a human-like arm at all...
A padlock.
Where does tomorrow come before yesterday, and where does today come before yesterday?
Think about a place where words are arranged in a specific order, and the answer might just be staring you in the face...
The answer is in dictionary. Explanation: Well the logic used to solve this riddle is that in the dictionary, words or letters are organized Alphabetically and hence Today comes before Yesterday because in the alphabet order alphabetically, the letter T comes before the Letter Y. I hope this helps
Zane is a big boss in a hugely successful company. Every week, however, he finds out that one of his worst employees has been stealing his documents. After a whole year of stolen documents, Zane rounds up his three worst employees– Kelly, Raymond, and Natalia– and questions them. Kelly says, "Raymond has been stealing your documents!". Raymond says, "I haven't been stealing your documents!". Natalia says, "I haven't been stealing your documents, either!". Only one of the employees is telling the truth. Who has been stealing the documents, and which employee is telling the truth?
Think about it this way: if the thief was Kelly or Natalia, they would both be accusing someone else, but only one of them would be telling the truth. But what if the thief was Raymond?
Natalia has been stealing the documents. Raymond is telling the truth. If Kelly was the one stealing the documents, then she would be lying, and Raymond would be telling the truth. But then, Natalia would also be telling the truth, which goes against the condition that only one employee is telling the truth. If Raymond was the one stealing the documents, then he would be lying, Kelly would be telling the truth, and Natalia would also be telling the truth. This also contradicts that only one employee is honest. If Natalia was the one stealing the documents, then she is lying. But then, who is telling the truth? It's not Kelly, because if it was so, both she and Natalia would be telling the truth, and Raymond would be lying, which doesn't meet the requirements. Therefore, Raymond is telling the truth, Kelly and Natalia are both lying, and Natalia is the one stealing the documents.
Mr. Wilson was found unconscious in his bedroom on a Saturday evening. There were just five other people in his house at the time of the murder: Mr. Wilson's wife, their chef, a butler, a housemaid, and a gardener. They all told the detective what they were doing that evening. Mrs. Wilson: I was reading a book in the living room. The chef: I was cooking breakfast. The butler: I was giving instructions to several workers in the living room. The housemaid: I was in the kitchen, washing the dishes. The gardener: I was in the greenhouse, watering plants. The detective arrested the culprit right away. Who was it, and how did the detective know?
Hint: Pay attention to the time of day mentioned in the riddle...
In fact, there wasn't just one culprit–there were TWO culprits: the personal chef and the butler. The personal chef is the first culprit; the murder happened in the EVENING. He couldn't be cooking breakfast so late in the day. The butler is the second culprit; there were only 5 other people in the house, including himself, and almost none of them were in the living room, except for the wife (but she is not a WORKER). He couldn't be supervising so many workers.
Simon and Bryce are two farmers. They want to see which of their chickens will lay more eggs in a month. Simon has four roosters; he claims that they can each lay 3 eggs in a day. Bryce has three hens; he claims that they can each lay 2 eggs in a day. The contest the two farmers propose happens in June. By the end of the month, which farmer will have the most eggs?
Think about the biology of chickens...
Bryce will have more eggs than Simon, simply because Simon is lying. Roosters don't lay eggs, so Simon will not have any eggs by the end of June.
Miya had a birthday party. She invited three friends over-Derek, Trevor, and Amanda-who each gave her some gifts. In the middle of the party, Miya realizes that someone has stolen all of her gifts. She thinks it is one of the guests, so she questions them. Each guest makes two assertions-one truth and one lie. Derek: "I wasn't in the house when it happened. I know Amanda stole the gifts". Trevor: "Amanda stole them, I saw them. I already have enough gifts". Amanda: "I didn't steal the gifts. Derek tells the truth, he wasn't in the house". Who stole the gifts?
Pay close attention to the statements that mention another person's whereabouts or honesty, as they can be used to verify or contradict each other.
Trevor stole the gifts. If Derek was the thief, both of his assertions would have been false. And if Amanda was the thief, both of Derek's assertions would have been true. Both cases go against the rules, so Trevor is the thief.
Chloe likes orange, but she hates it at the same time. How can this be?
Think about a situation where Chloe might be referring to "orange" in two different ways...
Chloe likes the color orange, but hates orange fruit…or vice-versa (i.e. Chloe likes orange fruit, but hates the color orange).
Helen went to a summer camp with her best friends. One day, the friends had to tell each other fun facts about themselves. Helen told her friends, "I was born on February 29th, so I have four times fewer birthdays than you guys. This year, I turned 17,". Helen's friends laughed at her and called her out for lying. Why?
Think about the implications of Helen's birthdate on her age...
February 29th only happens once every four years. Helen couldn't celebrate her 17th birthday on her actual birthday because this number can't be divided by four. So, either she wasn't born on February 29th, or she's not 17.
One night, Reyanna-a young and famous singer who recorded her first album just a half a year ago-was invited to perform at a concert. When it was her turn to sing, the audience was extremely excited…but Reyanna never appeared on the stage; she was found in her dressing room, unconscious. Police officers questioned three other singers who had to perform that night. Maria: I'm new to show business, so I came up to Reyanna to ask for some advice, but I didn't hit her! Christina: My cousin is one of Reyanna's biggest fans; she's been listening to her for years! I've even gotten her autograph for her! Erica: I didn't even see Reyanna-I was too nervous to leave my dressing room to go on stage! Who hit Reyanna?
Think about who would have a motive to harm Reyanna, and what clues each singer's statement might be hiding...
It was Christina who hit Reyanna. She said that her cousin had been listening to Reyanna for YEARS, but the singer recorded her first album only six MONTHS ago.
Russell was watching TV when he got a call from the police. They said that they had found his friend unconscious, and asked him to come. As soon as Russell came, the officers arrested him. Why?
Think about what Russell was doing when he got the call...
The officers didn't tell Russell the exact location to come to. How would the man know where to come if he didn't know what happened?
Sofia is a student in high school. Her professor, Ms. Davis, assigned her an essay that would be due in three days. Sofia, being the worst student in her class, procrastinates and doesn't even begin the essay. Three days later, Sofia begs Ms. Davis to push the essay date back by five more days, and Ms. Davis agrees. Five days go by, and still…no essay. Sofia begs Ms. Davis to push the essay date back by a week, and Ms. Davis agrees. One week later, Sofia comes to the class with a burning candle (How did she even bring it in there?), but no essay. Sofia asks Ms. Davis if she can push the essay back until the candle wick burns out, and Ms. Davis agrees once again. Sofia laughs because she doesn't have to ever worry about the essay again. Why?
Think about the properties of a candle wick...
Sofia blew out the candle. She said, "until the candle wick burns out", NOT, "until the flame burns out". Therefore, Sofia can keep the candle unburned forever and never submit her essay.
Janet is a janitor of a large museum. One day, while cleaning the ladies' room, she spots a precious ring with red gems. When Janet leaves the ladies' room, three people–Sarah, Catherine, and Harold–show up to claim it. Sarah said that the ring belonged to her grandmother; emeralds fit her green eyes perfectly anyway. Catherine asked if the ring had an engraving etched inside, and if it was damaged in any way. Harold said that he lost the ring while washing his hands; he was going to propose to his girlfriend in a few days. Janet decided that the ring belonged to Catherine. Why?
The hint is: Pay attention to the questions each person asks, rather than their stories.
If the ring belonged to Sarah, then she wouldn't have mentioned emeralds, because the stones on the ring are red, not green. And Harold wouldn't have been allowed in the ladies' room. Catherine was the only one who knew about the engraving on the ring, as well as how precious it is, so the ring must be hers.
Paul called his detective friend to report a theft. The man suspected his neighbor, Ms. Andrews, whom he thought stole his favorite figure. Paul said, "I was vacuum cleaning my room upstairs when I heard footsteps downstairs. I ran downstairs in time to see Ms. Andrews running away with my figure,". Ms. Andrews denied everything. Who should the detective believe?
Hint: Think about the physical act of vacuum cleaning and its implications on Paul's claim.
The detective should believe Ms. Andrews. Vacuum cleaners are usually very noisy, so Paul couldn't possibly hear anything, let alone any footsteps.
For his vegetable stew recipe, Adrian needs three tomatoes and three large carrots. He also needs less radishes than tomatoes, but more radishes than cucumbers. Assuming that Adrian only uses whole numbers of vegetables, how many of each other vegetable does he need?
Think about the relationships between the numbers of vegetables: Adrian needs fewer radishes than tomatoes, but more radishes than cucumbers. What's the smallest number that fits this description?
Adrian needs two radishes and one cucumber.
A pen is only half-filled with ink. How many words can it write?
Think about the words it can write, not the amount of ink it has...
Zero. Pens can't write by themselves; it's the person holding the pen who writes.
Ainsley was having breakfast at her favorite café. She went to the bathroom, leaving her smartphone near her food. When Ainsley returned to her seat, she realized that her device was gone; she also looked just in time to see a man rushing out of the café. When she reached the man, Ainsley asked him to give her her device, but the man said, "I know nothing about your smartphone!". As soon as Ainsley heard these words, she took her device back and called the police. Why?
The hint is: Pay attention to the man's words, literally.
How did the man know that Ainsley's device was a smartphone?
One afternoon, Aaron, a cashier at a huge grocery store, called the police to report a robbery. He said that right above him, the fluorescent light started to malfunction, so he grabbed a chair to stand on while trying to fix it. As soon as Aaron touched the bulb, he burned his hand and fell down. And when he came to his senses, the money was gone. The police officer refused to investigate further. Why?
Think about the timing and circumstances of Aaron's story...
Aaron couldn't have burned his hand because fluorescent light bulbs don't heat up. Therefore, his story is fake.
Angela had a disease that required her to take pills. One day, her doctor prescribed her three pills that would help to cure her of her disease. She needed to take one pill every 30 minutes. How much time will pass before Angela takes all of the pills?
Think about the timing of each pill...
One hour will pass. Once Angela takes the first pill, she'll wait 30 minutes. After that, she will take the second pill and wait another 30 minutes. And then she will take the last pill after that. After all, the first pill doesn't take 30 minutes to take.
Robert and Emma are a couple living together. Robert is rich, while Emma is broke. One day, Robert places a $50 bill on the table in their living room and leaves to go to the bathroom. Emma sees the bill and takes it for herself. When Robert comes back, he doesn't see the $50 bill; he asks Emma what happened. The woman said that a gust of wind had blown into the room and the bill flew out of the window. Robert didn't believe Emma and asked her to give him the money back. Why?
The hint is: Think about the circumstances in which the "gust of wind" occurred...
If a gust of wind flies into a room, nothing can possibly fly out of the window. The $50 bill would have just flown from the table to the floor, not the other way around.
There are 11 candles in front of you, all of them with burning wicks. Your friend blows out six of these wicks. How many candles will remain?
Think about what happens to the candles when the wicks are blown out...
The six candles that had their wicks blown out will remain. After all, one, the other five candles will eventually burn down, and two, I asked you how many candles will remain, NOT, how many flames will remain.
One day, Kathy was walking in the park when she stumbled upon two suspicious men. One of them was dressed like a werewolf, while the other one was not. Which of the two men was the real werewolf?
Think about what a "real" werewolf would do if they didn't want to be discovered...
The real werewolf is the guy who DOESN'T look like a werewolf. Werewolves only transform during the time of the full moon, and at night. It's daytime now, so there can't be any moon in the sky, let alone a full one. Therefore, the guy who looks like a werewolf must only be wearing a costume, and the guy who doesn't look like a werewolf is the real werewolf.
Which statement is true? 1) One statement here is false. 2) Two statements here are false. 3) Three statements here are false.
Think about it like a paradox: if a statement says it's false, is it really false?
Statement 2 is true.
A person was in jail, All he had in his cell was a piano. Yet, he managed to escape. How?
Think about the piano's purpose beyond making music...
He played the piano until he found the right key.
I'm alive, but without breath; I'm as cold in life as in death; I'm never thirsty, though I always drink. What am I?
Think about something that exists in nature, is often associated with water, and doesn't have the ability to breathe or feel temperature.
The riddle "I’m alive but without breath riddle" is unanswered. Do you know the answer? If so, click ANSWER and add your answer in the comments section.
Two friends, from a very cold town in Minnesota, each had unusual life skills which helped them in their adventures together. The first of the friends was a tall, lanky individual who, at times, possessed almost super-human strength, had the ability to remember everything he ever ate, and could accurately forecast the weather by reading a bunion on his foot --- but he wasn't known for being very intelligent. The second of the friends, known for his higher intellect, made a lot of short, solo flights, but he never obtained his pilot's license. He usually wore a pair of aviation goggles on top of his head. Their arch enemies were two Russian-like spies who doggedly pursued them, and these spies were led by a man without fear. Can you name the two friends from this very cold Minnesota town?
Think "cartoon" and consider the clues about their abilities and characteristics, especially the weather forecasting method!
Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose, otherwise known as Rocky and Bullwinkle. The two Russian-like spies (Boris and Natasha) were lead by the infamous Fearless Leader.
A young girl is standing on a small hill facing a man and two young boys. The man and one of the two boys are wearing headgear made of leather and metal, and the other young boy is wearing a hard, plastic hat. The man has no special feelings toward the girl on the hill, but the young boy in the special headgear is her close friend. However, the other boy in the plastic hat is the sworn enemy of the girl. As the man and the two boys stare intently at the girl on the hill, she suddenly throws a hard, round object toward the group of three males, striking the boy wearing the plastic hat in the head, knocking his hat off, and sending him sprawling to the ground. The man, after witnessing these events, issues a three-word command to the boy who was struck, and this causes the boy to run away from home. What was the three-word command the man gave to the boy, and why did it cause the boy to run away from home?
"Think baseball rules."
The young girl was the pitcher in a little league game. Her close friend (the young male catcher) called for a fastball, but the girl’s pitch was wild, and it knocked down the young boy who was wearing a protective batting helmet. The adult male umpire subsequently told the batter the appropriate three words, “Take Your Base.” The batter then ran away from home and went to first base.
A thief was in the process of robbing the house of a wealthy widow. As he was rifling through the dresser drawers where her jewelry box was located, he came upon a bunch of diamonds. He knew the diamonds were genuine because he had seen the same type many times before, but he left them untouched in the drawer and continued searching the room. When he heard police sirens approaching, he ran from the home empty-handed, not retrieving the diamonds. Did this thief flunk out of crook college? Why didn't he grab those diamonds when he had the chance?
The thief's occupation is not what you think it is...
The diamonds he spotted in the dresser drawer were a bunch of playing cards with the suit of 13 diamonds facing up where he could see them.
Irene and her friend Mark were walking down the street when they saw two houses. Mark wanted to play a game with Irene. He said, "One family lives in each house. And each family has two pets: either dogs or cats. The first family has a dog who likes dry food, while the other pet likes canned food. The second family has a 6-year-old dog and a newborn pet. If you can guess which family has a cat, I'll take you out for lunch." Irene manages to get the riddle right, and the two of them go out for lunch. Which family did she choose?
Pay close attention to the age of the pets...
Irene chose the first family. There are three different possibilities for the pets that the first family has: 1) an older dog and a younger cat; 2) a younger dog, and an older cat, and; 3) two dogs. Two of these options involve a cat, and all of them are equally possible, so the chance of the first family having a cat is 2/3. There are two different possibilities for the pets that the second family has: 1) a 6-year-old dog and a newborn dog, and; 2) a 6-year-old dog and a newborn cat. One of these options involves a cat, and both of them are equally possible, so the chance of the second family having a cat is 1/2. Irene's odds of winning will be higher if she chooses the first family.
Ryan and his son Ralph go to a pet store. Ralph sees a very cute rabbit, and asks Ryan to buy it for him. Ryan seems unsure about it, and tells Ralph, "Oh, Ralph, these rabbits can breed every two months, and each time, they will produce four bunnies. We're going to have so many rabbits in our house after a year, and I don't want to take care of them! They'll be too much to take care of!". Ralph laughs at Ryan and says,"Don't be so silly, Dad! We're not going to have that many rabbits in our house after that long!". Who is correct, and how many rabbits will Ralph and Ryan have in a year?
Think about the initial condition: Ryan and Ralph are buying ONE rabbit.
Ralph is correct; they will only have one rabbit after a year. Ralph and Ryan only saw one rabbit in the pet store, but a single rabbit simply can't breed on its own; it takes TWO rabbits to breed. Therefore, after one year, the two of them will only have that one rabbit…if they choose to buy it, that is.
Beckett called the police and said that his little brother, Cody, had been kidnapped. The man told the officers, "I was walking in the park with Cody. Suddenly, a stranger ran up to us and snatched my brother! I told the man to put him down or else I'd call the police, but then he ran away!". The officers asked Beckett to give a description of the kidnapper. Beckett said, "The stranger was tall and thin, he had dark hair, and he was wearing a blue v-neck T-shirt,". After these words, Beckett was arrested for fraud. Why?
Think about what Beckett said about the kidnapper's clothing...
If the supposed stranger was running away from Beckett, the guy couldn't have seen that he was wearing a v-neck T-shirt because the v-neck is normally seen in the front, but Beckett could only see the guy's back.
It was the snowiest winter in the past 25 years, and Tina called the police to report a theft. The woman suspected that her neighbor, Natalie, had stolen her clothes. Tina said, "At 10:00, I went outside to hang my laundry. When I looked out of my window two hours later, I saw Natalie folding the clothes and putting them into a big bag. I immediately called the police after that,". Tina was taken into custody for slandering Natalie. Why?
Think about the timing and the weather...
It was very snowy all day. In two hours, damp laundry would be so frozen that Natalie wouldn't possibly be able to fold it so neatly and put it into a bag.
Farmer Fresco has 25 cows. During a bad storm, all but 10 of the cows run away. How many cows does Farmer Fresco have now?
Think about what the phrase "all but 10" really means...
Farmer Fresco has 10 cows. The phrase "all but 10 of the cows run away" means that those 10 cows did not run away; they stayed with the farmer.
Katie and Vicky are sitting together on a park bench. Katie is texting her friends, while Vicky is applying her makeup. Who's more likely to be robbed?
Think about what each of them is doing, and how that might affect their awareness of their surroundings...
Both girls are distracted, but Vicky most likely has a mirror so that she can not only see herself while applying her makeup, but she can also see if someone is approaching her. Therefore, Katie is more likely to be robbed.
You place a cup of coffee in front of your friend. You then ask your friend, "What's before you?". Your friend answers, "Tea,". Why is this answer correct?
Think about the words, not the objects.
If the answer to your question was "coffee", you would have never asked such a simple question. In fact, the question and answer were a play on words; you were asking your friend what comes before the letter U (you) in the alphabet. The letter T (tea) comes before the letter U, so your friend's answer was correct after all.
Karma is the most popular girl at her school. At the school's ball, four guys claim to be Karma's boyfriend. Keeping in mind that only the boyfriend tells the truth, can you guess who the boyfriend is if these are the four statements from the guys? 1) Guy #4 is the boyfriend. 2) I am the boyfriend. 3) Guy #1 is the boyfriend. 4) I am the boyfriend.
Think about who would say what if they were the boyfriend, and who would say what if they were not...
Guy #2 is the boyfriend. Only the boyfriend tells the truth, so he will say, "I am the boyfriend,"; therefore, either the second guy or the fourth guy is Karma's boyfriend. If the fourth guy was the boyfriend, then both he and the first guy would be telling the truth, which is against the conditions. Therefore, Guy #2 is Karma's boyfriend.
How can you drop an egg from the top of a 50-foot tall building without cracking it?
Think about the timing...
Drop the egg from a height greater than 50 feet; this way, the egg won't crack for the first 50 feet.
Peter likes tomatoes, but not potatoes; he likes cucumbers, but can't stand carrots; Peter also enjoys grapes, but not lettuce. And he likes squash, but not onions. Would Peter like pumpkins or apples more?
Think about the characteristics of the foods Peter likes and dislikes, and how they relate to the words themselves...
Peter would like pumpkins more, because he only likes fruits and vegetables that grow on vines. Pumpkins grow on vines, while apples do not.
A mad chef forces you to cook breakfast for him; if he likes it, he'll set you free, but if not, you'll stay with him forever. While you're at the stove cooking something up, the chef dumps an entire container of salt into the pot you're cooking with. But when you serve breakfast, the chef realizes he'll have to let you go. What did you cook for him?
Think about something you can cook that would actually benefit from a large amount of salt being added to it...
You cooked some boiled eggs. No matter how much salt is added to the pot, the boiled eggs won't be salty.
I know what my job is, The point has been made. You say I have a big head, And you're right, I'm afraid. Put me in my place, And then leave me alone. What I need most, Is someone to drive me home. What am I?
Think about something you might find on a road, and how people often complain about its size...
A Nail!
Four middle-aged people were reminiscing about their individual journeys through life. Two of them were college grads, and the other two were business people. The first was heard to say, "When I happened upon that uranium deposit, that's what started me off to a wealthy future." The second replied, "No such luck for me. I never recovered financially from that skunk-farm fiasco I inherited from my relative." The third person said, "If I hadn't taken revenge on my opponent and got all that money from him, I would probably have ended up in the poorhouse." Lastly, the fourth person responded, "Well, you two tycoons can celebrate your riches obtained in life, but that shrunken head collection I invested my money in, as well as my wasting my money on $5,000 toupees, raccoon coats, and buying a Rolls Royce which I couldn't afford, just about left me penniless." Surprisingly, these four people have one main thing in common. Can you identify what that one thing is, and can you explain how they became entangled in such bizarre events in life?
Here's a hint: Think about a specific profession or activity that these four individuals might have in common, despite their diverse stories. It's something that would allow them to have such outlandish and unusual experiences.
The four people had just finished playing the board game, LIFE, and were discussing some of the good and bad things they had encountered while playing.
If someone were to write a biography about us, the following could be reported: #1 - All athletes, to reach their peak performance, must do me. #2 - Behind a groom is a best man, but behind a bride, you will often find me. #3 - James West and Artemis Gordon used me as their Secret Service headquarters on T.V. #4 - Edward Kennedy Ellington highly suggested you take this lettered thing to get to Sugar Hill in Harlem. #5 - Characters Floyd Smoot and Charlie Pratt honorably conducted themselves on one of me in the town of Hooterville. Based on the biographical information above --- Who/what are we?
Think about places or things that are associated with achievement, support, headquarters, directions, and honorable conduct...
We are Trains.
It was during a television advertisement on the reality show "Dog the Bounty Hunter" that Jean first received her calling to become an actual bounty hunter. Immediately after viewing the ad, Jean stood up, walked directly to her car, and proceeded to drive to a rather seedy location where she felt certain she would be able to secure her first bounty. Fearlessly, Jean entered the location without weapons of any kind and without handcuffs, and yet, she was able to apprehend her intended target without causing any disturbance, and without encountering any physical resistance from her prey. What gave Jean the courage and the confidence to think she could handle the duties, dangers, and responsibilities associated with the bounty hunting profession?
Think about the "seedy location" Jean drove to and what kind of "target" she might be looking for...
As Jean was watching her favorite TV show “Dog the Bounty Hunter” one evening, a commercial for Bounty paper towels appeared. Jean remembered she had just used her last roll of paper towels earlier that day and had always wanted to try the Bounty brand, so she drove to a local mini-mart and picked up a roll to try it, to see if it was truly “The Quicker - Picker - Upper”.
Sixteen players start the game. One player gets involved in every play but doesn't care who wins. Each team has seven players who stay loyal to their team, but despite their loyalty, they often leave before the game is over. The final player has no loyalty to either team, but is committed to the game and never leaves until the end. What game is it?
Think about a game where the "players" aren't necessarily human...
Pool (i.e. 8-ball billiards).
On a bright and sunny day, a powerful and evil wizard locked Karen on the top floor of his tower. Then, the wizard set a huge magic fire around the base of the castle, so Karen would not be able to get out. The room had a small window. Karen looked around and saw three potions on the table. The first potion would give Karen incredible human strength. The second potion would turn Karen into a vampire. The third potion would let Karen summon any animal she'd like. Which potion should Karen choose to escape?
Think about what would allow Karen to escape the tower without having to physically break through the flames or walls...
Karen should choose the potion that allows her to turn into a vampire (the second potion). Even if she has all of the strength in the world, she wouldn't be able to do anything to the magic fire. And no animal can help Karen escape. If Karen turns into a vampire, though, she can transform into a bat and fly away through the window. And I know what you're thinking, but no–even though it's a sunny day, bats cannot die in the sun.
Zack invented a game for him and his friend Dan to play. They would take turns saying numbers between one and 10. The next player would have to say a number that is greater than the previous one by a number between one and 10. The first player to say 50 would be the winner. Zack decides to let Dan start. How can Dan win?
Think about the optimal starting number that would give Dan the most flexibility for his next move...
If Dan wants to say 50, then he needs Zack to say a number between 40 and 49, so right before 50, Dan needs to say 39. If he wants to say 39, then Zack needs to say a number between 29 and 38, so right before 39, Dan needs to say 28. If Dan wants to say 28, Zack has to say a number between 18 and 27, so right before 28, Dan has to say 17. And if he wants to say 17, he has to let Zack say a number between 7 and 16, so right before 17, Dan has to say 6. In order to win, Dan needs to say 6, then 17, then 28, then 39, and finally 50.
Colin recently bought a new motorbike. One morning, he polished the bike for his evening bike ride, closed the garage, and went to work. When Colin came back, he found that the motorbike was gone. The man called the police, and the officers questioned three neighbors. Jessica said that she had stayed home all day because she was sick. Elizabeth said that when she was walking her dog, she saw that the motorbike was still in the garage. Pete said that he had come to Colin's house to ask for some garden tools, but when nobody opened the door for him, he simply left. Who stole the motorbike?
Think about who had a reason to lie about their whereabouts that day...
Elizabeth stole the motorbike. She couldn't possibly see that the bike was still in the garage because Colin closed the garage before leaving to go to work.
Willow is a mother of three children-Richard, aged 17, Sasha, aged 15, and Xavier, aged 13. One morning, Willow was about to leave for work when she discovered that her money was stolen. Her husband was away on a business trip, so the thief could only be one of her kids; Willow asked each of them what they had been doing the previous night. Richard said that he was at the club with his friend David. Sasha said that she had a headache, so she took a painkiller and went straight to bed. And Xavier said that he was at his team's baseball practice. Willow immediately knew which child was lying. Who was it?
Think about the alibis each child provided... one of them is impossible to verify, while the other two can be easily confirmed.
Richard is lying. He couldn't be at the club because he's only 17. And before you say, "He could've been at an after-school club", just note that "the club" usually refers to a nightclub; only folks who are 21 or older can get inside. Because Richard is not old enough to get into the club, he couldn't be in there with his friend. Therefore, he must have taken Willow's money.
Jade works at a luxury store in the city. One day, a woman came up to her and decided to purchase a $1,000 purse. This customer gave Jade two bills and didn't even need change, but Jade refused to sell the item to the woman and called the police. Why?
The woman's payment method was quite... unusual.
The purse costs $1,000, but the woman gave Jade only two bills and didn't need any change. This means that the two bills were worth $500 each, and those bills don't exist.
Your grandma baked three cupcakes for you, and she's letting you eat one of them. She knows that you don't like strawberries, so she lines the cupcakes in a row and tells you, "The orange cupcake is not in the middle. And the apple cupcake is not next to the orange cupcake,". Which cupcake is strawberry-flavored?
Think about the process of elimination and the clues your grandma gave you. Focus on the apple cupcake's position...
The orange cupcake is not in the middle, and the apple cupcake can't be in the middle either because it would contradict your grandma's second statement. Therefore, the orange and apple cupcakes are on the ends, and the strawberry cupcake is in the middle.
I have no eyes, no legs or ears, and I help move the earth. What am I?
Think about something that can be found underground, is often associated with geological activity, and plays a crucial role in shaping our planet's surface...
A worm.
A triangle has sides of 13, 18 and 31 inches. What is the triangle's area?
Think Pythagoras...
Zero. The two shorter sides of a triangle, when added together (13+18=31), must be greater than the third or longest side (31) for it to be a triangle by definition. Therefore, the result would be two parallel lines with an area of 0.
A woman went to see her psychiatrist and told him about a strange dream she had just had the night before. She said she had dreamed she was eating a late supper when she suddenly saw a "jay" before her, but it wasn't blue, and it wasn't flying. Then she saw a "pea", but it wasn't green, and it wasn't in a garden. Next, she envisioned a "sea", but it had no waves or boats. A "bee" then unexpectedly appeared, but it did not sting her. Shockingly, she then encountered an "eye", but it didn't blink or wink at her. Finally, she reported to the psychiatrist, "And then I saw "you" in my dream, but "you" did not speak to me." The psychiatrist quickly analyzed the woman's story and told her, "That was no dream you had. If you want these "dreams" to stop, you've got to stop eating your favorite food so late at night!" What was the food the psychiatrist told the woman to stop eating, and what exactly was going on here?
Pay attention to the words the woman uses to describe her dream, and think about how they might relate to food...
The psychiatrist knew of the woman’s regular habit of eating a bowl of alphabet soup just before going to bed each night. This was the reason for her dreaming about the various letters of the alphabet she had seen while eating —— in this case —— the letters J, P, C, B, I, and U.
A young woman has decided to stay alone on a very small, deserted island. She knows the dangers, and is well aware if she takes even one step off the island, she will most certainly be badly injured, and may possibly die. This island is not surrounded by water, and even though it is deserted, she knows she'll be surrounded and observed by hundreds, perhaps even thousands of people who will be forced to look up to her. The record for remaining on this type of island was set back in 1964 when a woman remained on her island for 217 days, so this young woman has her work cut out for her. What kind of island is the young woman staying on, and why would she be risking her life by stepping off of it?
Think "up" rather than "out"...
The young woman is engaging in the famous fad of Pole Sitting, first made famous back in the 20s and 30s by a man named Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly. The small platform is supported on a pole which ranges in length from 60 to over 200 feet in length above the ground.
Professor Hunter, a former world traveler and recently retired community college teacher, is now able to pursue his favorite hobby in the comfort of his own home. Several diplomas, certificates, and a license to practice his hobby adorn his study where he continues to engage in his favorite pastime, which also happens to be the subject he taught part-time at the community college. He told me of a nightmare he had last week after he fell asleep in his study. The professor said he dreamed he was on a hunting expedition in an African jungle, far from any civilization. In his nightmare, he found himself alone, without any weapons, and was suddenly surrounded by a lion, a hippopotamus, a leopard, a cheetah, and a ferocious cape buffalo. They were just closing in for the kill when he suddenly awoke from his dream. But was it a dream? Professor Hunter said he nearly had a heart attack when he looked around the room, and realized the dream was real after all! What was the professor's hobby, and why was he so frightened when he awoke from his dream?
Think about the decorations in Professor Hunter's study and how they might relate to his hobby...
Professor Hunter was a world traveler as well as a big game hunter. He studied the art of taxidermy, got his license, and taught this favorite hobby of his at the community college for many years. He decorated his study with the heads of several big game animals he had bagged while hunting in Africa. He gave himself a genuine scare when he awakened from his dream to see the heads of the very animals of which he had just dreamt.
Beverly is generally considered to be a very practical and emotionally stable woman, but once each year at the beginning of March, she spends $4,000 of her personal savings on her favorite hobby -- watching dog butts. Over the course of a ten-day period, she closely observes the rear ends of at least 16 different dogs. She is so utterly obsessed with her hobby, that she watches these dog butts day and night, stopping only 26 times during the ten-day period to sleep and eat. During this dog butt-watching marathon, she is compelled to carry the following items with her: a bag, an ax, and a special pair of shoes. What kind of a whacked-out hobby is Beverly involved in which creates such an obsession for her each year?
Think about a popular outdoor activity that takes place in early March, involves dogs, and requires specific gear...
Beverly enters the Great Alaskan Iditarod Race each year with her 16 Husky mushing dogs. Each competitor must carry a sleeping bag, an axe, and a pair of snow shoes. Of course, being on her sled at the back of her dog team, she has no choice but to see the rear ends of her dog team.
It was during the autumn season of last year when Ruth began seeing a psychiatrist due to "hallucinations" she said she was experiencing. Ruth had lived her entire life in the city but had moved far out into a very rural suburb near a forest, and close to a small pond. She reported to her psychiatrist she imagined seeing a large letter "V" in the sky one day while walking outside, as well as hearing numerous high-pitched voices she felt were trying to communicate with her. After that day, nearly every time she took a stroll outside, she would see the letter "V" up in the air, accompanied by the voices. Sometimes she reported sighting up to five of these "V" letters with the distant voices calling to her, during her daily outside walks. The psychiatrist thought for a moment, and then told Ruth she wasn't experiencing any hallucinations, but rather, was seeing ....? What did the psychiatrist suggest Ruth had been observing?
Pay attention to Ruth's new rural surroundings, especially the forest and the small pond...
Having spent her whole life in the city, Ruth was not familiar with seeing flocks of geese (traveling in a "V" shape) heading south for the winter during the autumn season.
A story was recently reported by a non-newspaper periodical concerning a residential invasion committed by a man and a woman. The couple was observed to be wearing blue jeans, work gloves, and straw hats as they carried out their dirty deed. These two perpetrators reportedly entered the residence (which was surrounded by a protective fence), pulled the inhabitants from their beds, and then carried them away. To protect these innocents, only the nicknames of the victims were listed in the article. The nicknames given were as follows: Bea, Tom, Gus, Elery, Cab, and Kale. No one ever called the police to report these events, even though several of the neighbors were aware of it, and the incident was never covered by any TV or radio station. In fact, when all of the neighbors learned of this occurrence, they warmly congratulated the couple who had performed this deed. How callous these neighbors must be. Have they no hearts or compassion; or is there some less sinister explanation for the events described above?
Think about a common, harmless activity that involves removing people from a specific place, and the nicknames might just give it away...
The nicknames of the victims were Bea (beans), Tom (tomatoes), Gus (asparagus), Elery (celery), Cab (cabbage), and Kale (kale). The perpetrators were a couple who were harvesting vegetables from their garden.
Here are two statements: 1) Some men are kings. 2) All kings have golden crowns. Here are two conclusions: 1) All men have golden crowns. 2) All kings are men. Which conclusion, if any, is correct?
Think about the direction of the implications: the original statements only tell you about a subset of men (kings) and a property of kings (golden crowns), but they don't say everything about all men or all things with golden crowns.
Neither conclusion is correct. Conclusion 1 is incorrect; not all men have golden crowns because only SOME men are kings. Conclusion 2 is also incorrect; not all kings are men because all kings have golden crowns, but men do not (men are usually of a lower status than kings). Therefore, both conclusions are incorrect.
Every day, pilgrims make the journey to the temple of the wooden soldiers. Upon entering the temple, most of the pilgrims seek out a holey orb with which to do battle against soldiers who are dressed in red and white uniforms. Each orb is used to attack small groups of these passive soldiers — soldiers which have the unique ability to replicate themselves whenever their ranks are assaulted by the pilgrims. The mystic orbs, like boomerangs, have the uncanny ability to return to the hand of each pilgrim when cast at the soldiers during these skirmishes. What kind of a temple is this which promotes violence by allowing people to attack innocent soldiers?
Think about a common, everyday activity that people do, especially children, that involves a "battle" or competition, but is not actually violent or harmful.
Temples like this are known as Bowling Alleys.
Megan was looking for a guy to go out with. She found a guy named Henry, and she found out that the guy loved detective stories. Megan texted Henry later that day, asking about his affinity for those kinds of stories, and he said, "Detective stories are SO cool! My grandmother even knew Sherlock Holmes!". Megan responded, "I'm not going to date a liar like you!". Why did she think Henry was lying?
Think about the timeline of Sherlock Holmes' existence...
Henry's grandmother couldn't have known Sherlock Holmes in real life because Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character.
What letter comes next? A, B, C, D, _
Think alphabetically!
It's not E; it's F, because if you put it on the line without removing the line, THEN you'll get an E.
How can you say - "Robert and Richard Purchased A Rotweiler" without using any R's?
Think about how you can replace the R's with something that sounds similar...
Bob and Dick bought a dog.
My brother has always been the adventurous type. Unlike me, a high ranking government official, my dear brother avoids politics whenever possible, choosing to pursue more dangerous interests. In fact, my brother has many enemies ----- enemies who have tried to kill him by gun, knife, drowning, poison dart, strangulation, and by trying to infect him with a deadly disease. His life has been threatened by a vicious killer dog, a deadly poisonous snake, and a very large rat. To top it all off, my brother is a drug addict. Even his partner, who has some medical knowledge, has been unsuccessful in freeing him from this addiction. So, with all of this information, can you state my name and the name of my brother?
Think about fictional characters, and consider the phrase "high ranking government official" as a clever misdirection.
My name is Mycroft Holmes, and the name of my celebrated brother is Sherlock.
A man rode his horse to the top of a high hill. He tied his horse to a large birch tree, and removed a blanket, a flint and steel for making fire, and a small hatchet to cut down a bunch of green saplings. He then gathered a bunch of dried leaves and took them, along with the green saplings, to an open area near some smaller rocks. Using the flint and steel, he tried to start a fire with the leaves and green wood. As the fire struggled to burn, the man did something remarkable. He suddenly took his blanket and covered the fire with it. Apparently, regretting his actions, he removed the blanket from the smoldering fire; but then, a few seconds later, he placed the blanket back over the fire. Again and again he repeated his actions of throwing the blanket on and off the fire. Was this man an obsessive-compulsive pyromaniac, or was there some kind of method to his madness?
Think about the man's profession and how his actions might be related to his work...
The man was a Native American Indian in the old West who was sending smoke signals to his tribe.
Upon my top there is a golden shop wherein a dollar can't be spent. Along my sides stretch nature's slides which will never relent. At my feet where people meet full of ire, dread and lament. What am I?
Think about a place where people often gather, but it's not a happy occasion...
A mountain. On the top one can find clarity and make memories that a conventional shop can't sell. Nature's slides are rivers. At my feet or foot of the mountain is the first step and place everyone has to be to begin the climb, which will be difficult (ire, dread and lament)
Such a slim little stripe in a shiny, round coat! How it grows in the warm sun's bright rays! But its jacket still fits, and it's worthy of note That it isn't so, tall on cool days. Hint: It's not a fishing pole.
Think about something you might find in a garden or a park, that changes appearance depending on the weather...
A Thermometer.
A boy is five feet tall and records his height by hammering a nail in a tree and carving his hame. Five years later he returns to the same tree and finds that it has grown on average 16 inches per year. How high now, is the nail from the ground?
Think about what's changing and what's not...
It is still five feet tall because only the top of the tree grows. The trunk only gets bigger by circumference.
My little circle of friends here, getting bumped off one-by-one, reminds me of Agatha Christie's famous murder mystery "Ten Little Indians", where a small group of people are knocked off, one at a time, until only the killer and one person is left. The main difference is that in Christie's novel, the last survivor was to die by hanging, but in my situation, the sole survivor will be given "The Chair"! Should this person call the police? Is there a life-and-death scenario going on here, or is everyone's safety assured? What exactly is happening?
Think about a common, everyday situation where a group of things are gradually eliminated, one by one, until only one remains... and that last one gets "The Chair".
The person, along with a small group of their friends, is engaged in a game of Musical Chairs. "The Chair" is always reserved for the last person left.
One summer evening, as Irene sat on the front porch of her old Kentucky home, she witnessed about a dozen men in two large trucks pull up to an old abandoned farmhouse about a hundred yards from hers. Suspicious, she grabbed her binoculars and observed two of the men approach the old farmhouse --- and set it on fire! After ten minutes had passed, the farmhouse was completely engulfed in flames, but neither Irene nor any of her neighbors in sight of the burning building ever bothered to call 9-1-1 to report any of these events. To make matters even worse, two police cars passed the flaming house but never bothered to stop. What happened to civic duty and responsibility? Has society totally turned its back on the idea of neighbors helping neighbors; or is there an alternate explanation for these events? What exactly was happening here?
Think about the context and the people involved... Are they really "neighbors" in the classical sense?
As Irene and her neighbors looked out of their respective windows, they all saw the two large trucks were actually fire engines carrying about a dozen firemen. They obviously had come with permission from the owner of the abandoned farmhouse, to perform a training exercise on fire fighting techniques (Irene and her neighbors had received notification from the fire company of this planned exercise earlier that same week). After the firemen started the building on fire, they proceeded to practice their skills in putting out the blaze. The police cars who passed the fire saw the firefighters were training, as they also had been notified of this planned fire at the start of their shift. The owner of the building got rid of his old farmhouse, and gave the fire company some needed practice, providing a win-win situation.
It's a little-known fact that one of Batman's deadliest enemies, The Riddler, got married after his days of crime were behind him. The Riddler's wife enjoyed riddles even more than her husband, and she often tried to baffle him with riddles around the house. One day his wife, whose name was Riddlina, saw an opportunity to try to stump her husband with an old riddle she had first heard as a child. "My husband!" Riddlina exclaimed, "We have an extreme emergency! I just discovered we don’t have even one circle with a thousand squares left in the entire house!" The Riddler was shocked, at first, until he figured out what was distressing his wife. Do you know to what object Riddlina was referring to, which caused her emotional outburst? Incidentally, as soon as the Riddler solved his wife's riddle, he immediately got into his car and drove to a local store. What was he planning to get?
Think about a common household item that has squares, but not circles... and consider what the Riddler might need to buy to alleviate his wife's distress!
The old riddle his wife used (a circle with a thousand squares) to indicate an emergency item that was missing from their house, was a roll of toilet paper. Needless to say, the Riddler immediately went out to purchase some.
A rookie police officer was working his assigned beat, but to make his job a little more interesting, he decided to bring his radar gun along with him. He began testing the gun by pointing it at various moving objects to determine their speed. He noted people were moving between one and three miles per hour; however, when he pointed his radar gun away from the crowd of people there, the gun suddenly read 80 M.P.H. Again he pointed it in the same direction, and he got a speed reading of 85 M.P.H. He continued pointing the radar gun toward the same general area for the next 30 minutes and recorded speeds ranging between 60 and 95 miles per hour. Considering the fact there were numerous people milling about the area he was patrolling, why do you suppose he never once reported any of these high speeds to his department? For the safety of all of these people, shouldn't a speed trap be set up or speeding tickets issued? What exactly was going on here?
Think about where the police officer might be standing, and what might be nearby that could be moving at such high speeds...
The rookie police officer was assigned to patrol a minor league baseball game. Most of his radar readings came from his pointing the gun at the various pitches the opposing pitchers were throwing during the game.
Irene is an amazing artist. She can draw anything and everything, and draw them all well. The unique thing about Irene's art is she uses both of her hands to draw her pictures, even though she is not ambidextrous. Holding a round piece of plastic in each of her hands, she is able to create magnificent works of art. Irene, however, has one great fear in her life --- Earthquakes!!! Now, Irene is a mentally healthy person with a stable personality, so why in the world should this talented artist have a constant fear of earthquakes, which rarely happen in the state of Florida where she resides? Does her fear of earthquakes have anything to do with her type of artwork, and if so, exactly what type of art does Irene create?
Think about the tools Irene uses to create her art... and how they might be affected by earthquakes.
Irene is an Etch-a-Sketch artist who keeps her completed pictures on the walls of her home. One good shake from an earthquake, and all of her pictures could be erased.
I am typically feared by both women and men. I often come for the old, but also for some young people who are very ill. Many will fight me in vain, and many others live in denial of me. Those who embrace me will lose their fear of me, but they will lose something of themselves in the process. What am I?
Think about something that is often associated with the end of life, but can also be a part of life itself. It's something that people often try to avoid or resist, but ultimately cannot escape.
Baldness. (Note that 'death' doesn't fit the last clue. Those who embrace death lose ALL of themselves. Those who shave their head just lose something of themselves. Also, death ALWAYS comes for the old eventually, not just 'often'.)
How you describe me is what I am. Poets might hate me, but sailors should love me. I can't give them the sea, but only something that sounds like it. What am I?
Think about a word that is a homophone of "sea", and consider how poets and sailors might have different relationships with it...
An orange. (Note: orange doesn't rhyme with anything, and it gives sailors vitamin C (a homophone of sea))
In fair Verona, love's tale is told, A pair of star-crossed souls, brave and bold. Their families' feud, a bitter strife, Yet love blooms amidst the deadly strife. This tragic hero, youthful and true, His heart ablaze, his love so new. He serenades his Juliet fair, Their passion burns, a love so rare. Though fate conspires against their bliss, In death, their love will forever persist. Which Shakespearean character doth this describe, Whose name lives on, as love's eternal bribe?
"Look to the balcony scene for a crucial clue..."
Romeo.
Hannah became very tired while driving. She decided to stop at a nearby two-story hotel and stay there for the night. The receptionist said that her hotel room number is 604; he even offered to show Hannah where it was. Hannah didn't believe him; she rushed back to her car, hopped inside, and sped away. Why?
Think about the physical characteristics of a two-story hotel...
The first digit of a hotel room number usually indicates the floor it is on. Room 604 is supposed to be on the sixth floor, but the hotel only has two floors.
You walk into a room and see a bed. On the bed, there are two dogs, four cats, a giraffe, five cows, and a duck. There are also three chickens flying above the bed. How many legs are on the floor?
Think about what's NOT touching the floor...
There are six legs on the floor. All of the animals are on the bed and no other furniture is mentioned in the room. Four legs from the bed and your two legs because you are standing in the room.
If someone were to write a biography about us, the following could be reported: #1 - Some people claim we can cure hiccups. #2 - If you are down and a little blue, you might be experiencing me. #3 - The four of us are hidden from view and are waiting for you --- underneath your car. #4 - E.C.T., not etc., has this frightening therapeutic nickname. #5 - Not trying to sound corny, but we are often seen at farmer's markets, roadside stands, and garden centers, especially in the Fall. Based on the biographical information above --- Who/what are we?
Think about things that are often associated with certain emotions, seasons, and places... and can be found in unexpected locations.
We are shock/shocks.
If someone were to write a biography about us, the following could be reported: #1 - A golfer faces many of us when playing 18 holes. #2 - we are frequently served with fish. #3 - On T. V., from 1977 to 1983, we enforced the law --- but only in California. #4 - Some of us have ridges, but we are not associated with mountain ranges. #5 - Gamblers love getting their hands on us as often as possible. Based on the biographical information above --- Who/what are we?
Here's a hint: Think about something you might find in your pocket or purse, and how it relates to the various clues mentioned.
The biography of Chips.
In the home where Mabel resides, she has a reputation for walking very slowly, even though she is only 40 years old. Her slowness doesn't appear to be related to arthritis or to other medical ailments, but is more likely due to heredity, as her parents both had the same condition. Mabel does not use a walker or a cane to move about, and a wheelchair would be out of the question. Mabel is an extreme introvert who basically stays in her home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Although it sounds a bit strange, you could say, even when Mabel leaves her home --- she stays at home. Although she frequently leaves the front door to her home open, she is easily frightened, causing her to immediately shut that front door when she feels threatened in any way. Mabel's caretakers frequently laugh at her and sometimes point their fingers at her as she struggles to move along. The caretakers allow Mabel only small rations of food and water each day, and they never give her a shower. Where are the abuse investigators? Where is the justice? Or are things not as bad as they appear to be for Mabel?
Think about a "home" that's not a traditional house or building, and consider what kind of "caretakers" might be responsible for Mabel's well-being.
Mabel is a Box Turtle who is the house pet of a family with several children. She is well cared for, but instinctively closes the front door of her shell and pulls her legs in if she senses danger, which includes inquisitive children.
A certain man who is called "Captain" by his crew, is infamously known for his hatred of a particular group of young boys. He especially dislikes the leader of this group of children, to the extent he would actually kill him if given the chance. This man is neither a basketball player, nor a boxer, nor a fisherman, as his name suggests, but he is the "captain" of a ship called the Sea Devil which flies a black and white flag. This man sails on his ship with his own group of grown men who are a scurvy bunch who enjoy criminal activities. Although he presents himself as being fearless, there is one thing that sends him into a frightened panic -- the sound of a ticking clock! Who is this infamous man, and why haven’t the authorities arrested or imprisoned him and his evil crew?
Think of a classic tale of piracy on the high seas, but also consider a different kind of "captain" and a story that may not be entirely historically accurate...
The infamous man is Captain Hook, the arch-enemy of Peter Pan and the lost boys. He fears the loud ticking of a clock which a monstrous crocodile swallowed at some point before Peter Pan cut off the captain’s hand during battle, and fed the hand to the beast. The clock now resides in the crocodile’s stomach, and the ticking warns Captain Hook of the creature’s presence, as the crocodile wants to eat the rest of the tasty captain.
Shirley grew up in a family that loved desserts ------ especially one dessert! Many arguments occurred during dessert time in Shirley's family, and on a few occasions, these disputes nearly led to blows. The person serving the dessert was usually the one accused of creating the contentious atmosphere. The accusations usually centered around the color distribution allotted to each family member. People were always o.k. with the amount of orange, white, light green, and yellow they received, but the distribution of the red was always a major point of contention. God help anyone who dared to pass out more of the red part of the dessert to any one person sitting at the table, for if they did, all hell would break loose! It's amazing to think a simple canned desert could cause such an uproar, but it did, and in certain families, still does today. What is this common dessert which caused such a commotion in Shirley's family?
Think about a classic, canned dessert that has distinct colored segments, and the red part is the most coveted...
Fruit cocktail. If the red cherry pieces are not evenly distributed, people sometimes get upset. The Del Monte company actually had to add a separate can to their lineup of fruit cocktails to appease their customers due to this problem. They call it Very Cherry, and it contains more cherries than their original can.
We first appeared outside in the early 1940s during World War II. Our construction was a simple mixture of glass and aluminum, with a flexible entrance that kept out unwanted intrusions. We were not migratory and never slept -- even at nighttime. The famous movie director, Alfred Hitchcock, once used one of us in his movie "The Birds" back in 1963, which resulted in some shattered glass. A famous "lady" once described us as being, "like a lighthouse on the highway", as we were easily seen at nighttime. In the year 2000, there were more than two million of us in existence, but as of 2020, our numbers have quickly declined, and there are now fewer than 100,000 of us remaining in the United States. We were greatly honored in 2015 when someone nominated us for inclusion into the National Register of Historic Places in the state of Arkansas. Who/what are we?
Here's a hint: Think about a common roadside structure that was once ubiquitous, but has since become a relic of the past.
We are telephone booths.
A bizarre ritual occurs, often when the weather is hot, and it has been happening for over 100 years. Two men bring two cups to a place where a large plate is located. They do not drink anything from their cups and eat nothing from the plate. Soon, a third man joins the other two, and he brings with him his cup and a wooden object. Strangely, two of the three men wear masks, despite the fact all three of them know each other. Over the next two to three hours, only one of the men remains near the large plate, while various other men continue to take their cups and wooden objects to and from their meeting place with the other two men. Just what is this strange ritual?
Think about a popular outdoor activity that people enjoy during the summer months, and a specific role that three individuals play in this activity...
The two masked men are the home plate umpire and the two catchers taking turns coming to the plate. One at a time, the hitters from both sides come to the plate to hit. All the players and the umpire always wear protective cups.
Yvonne and Diane are two friends going out on a camping trip. Here are some of the things they plan to take with them: chair, lamp, rice, game, tent. Can you guess which item the girls should leave at home?
Think about what you typically associate with a camping trip, and what might not be necessary (or even possible) to bring along...
Yvonne and Diane should leave the chair at home. "Lamp", "Rice", "Game", and "Tent" all have four letters, while "Chair" has five letters.
A girl walked into a bar and ordered some water. The bartender then threw a big hairy spider at her. A few minutes later, the girl thanked the man and walked out. Why?
Think about the girl's initial request and how it might be related to her reaction to the bartender's unusual response...
The girl had the hiccups and the man scared them away by throwing the big hairy spider at her.
Hidden in the poem below, a manly name you'll seek; just read and listen to the rhyme, but please, don't take a week! MYSTERY POEM: I do not mind addition; I'll tolerate subtraction; but try not to increase my stress, by tossing in those fractions. I'll multiply and then divide, and figure out those sums; but modern math --- the math you use, just makes me want some Tums. What is the man's name you hear in the rhyme?
Pay attention to the words that sound like a name when read aloud, especially in the last line of the poem.
The name you'll hear is MATTHEW.
If someone were to write a biography about us, the following could be reported: #1 - Every basketball player needs a good one. #2 - we can be seen on most Christmas trees. #3 - One of us is a famous Captain. #4 - We are often delivered in square rings. #5 - We often accompany a line and a sinker. Based on the biographical information above --- Who/what are we?
Think about things that are often associated with certain activities or objects, and have multiple meanings or uses...
We are Hooks/hook.
You were once a judge in a chocolate eclair-making contest, and you awarded the blue ribbon for first place to an outstanding chef by the name of Vera Good. However, another disgruntled chef who lost the competition, whose name was Notu Swell, experienced a mental meltdown and a subsequent nervous breakdown over the loss. He vowed to seek revenge against you, blaming you entirely for his not winning. With the cunning of a serial killer, he was able to entrap you and imprison you in the basement of his house. Once he had you in his clutches, he approached you and revealed his evil plan: "You see before you, five chocolate eclairs which I just finished baking. I have piped a deadly poison into four of these, but the fifth one is poison-free. You must choose one of the five eclairs, based on the matching recipes I have handed you, and eat the eclair which you believe not to be the poisoned one. If you can identify The Only Chocolate Eclair Recipe Which Has No False Ingredient In It, then you may eat it safely, and I will then release you. However, I doubt you have the knowledge to properly judge which eclair recipe is the true one. At any rate, you must eat one of my pastries, if you ever again wish to see the light of day." These are the five recipes from which you must choose. Your very life depends on it: RECIPE #1: 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1/2 tsp salt; chocolate pastry cream; 1/2 cup whipping cream; 4 large eggs; 8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate; 1 oz. freshly ground paprika; 1 tbsp white sugar; 1 cup flour; 1 cup water. RECIPE #2: 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 2 oz. distilled white vinegar; vanilla pastry cream; 2 cups whole milk; 4 eggs; 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar; 1 cup flour; 1 tsp vanilla extract. RECIPE #3: 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1/2 tsp salt; chocolate pastry cream; 1/2 cup whipping cream; 4 large eggs; 1/4 cup chopped oregano; 8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate; 2 tbsp corn syrup; 1 cup flour; 1 cup water. RECIPE #4: 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1/2 tsp salt; vanilla pastry cream; 1 cup whipping cream; 4 large eggs; 8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate; 1 tbsp white sugar; 1 cup flour; 2 tbsp corn syrup; 1 cup water. RECIPE #5: 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; vanilla pastry cream; 2 cups of whole or 2% milk; 1/2 cup whipping cream; 2 cups finely chopped onion; 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar; 4 large eggs; 8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tbsp white sugar; 1 cup flour. "Now, which of the five recipes is the ONLY one which contains no poison --- THE ONLY ONE HAVING NO FALSE ECLAIR INGREDIENT?" Which one will you choose?
Pay close attention to the ingredients that are commonly used in traditional chocolate eclair recipes, and look for the ones that seem out of place or unusual in a dessert recipe.
Only RECIPE #4 has no false ingredient. The FALSE ingredients in the recipes are as follows: RECIPE #1 is Paprika. RECIPE #2 is Vinegar. RECIPE #3 is Oregano. RECIPE #5 is Chopped Onion. Did you survive?
One day, a famous king and a famous queen each moved to the same small, rural town, and each built their own house there. The king and the queen were not married, but they were related. The report was they were not very fond of one another, despite being related, and in fact, were both well-known for having highly competitive natures. Both the king and the queen sent out invitations to the townspeople to visit their new houses, each secretly hoping the people would come only to see them, and not the other. On the given day, residents of the town lined up outside both the king's and the queen's new houses; but the people showed no outward signs of respect by bowing or curtsying to either of them. In return, the king presented a stone-faced appearance to his visitors, while the queen offered a cold and frosty reception to everyone who entered her place. To top things off, both the king and the queen both provided food and drink to all the people who came to visit them, but the townspeople were all made to pay for everything they ate and drank that day. However, the people all left both houses that day --- satisfied and happy!!! Why did the people show no outward signs of respect to the famous king and queen, and why weren't the townspeople upset and angry about being invited, and then having to pay for their meals?
Think about a different kind of "king" and "queen" that are not royalty, but still have a sense of grandeur and competitiveness. The key to this riddle lies in the type of "houses" they built and the nature of their "hospitality".
The famous king and the famous queen were: The Burger King and The Dairy Queen. Both had just built new franchises in the small town, and each was hoping to gather the most new customers from the townspeople who lived there. Neither franchise was about to give free food away to everyone, so all the people bought their burgers, fries, and ice cream treats at one or the other, and all were happy to have both of these fast-food options available to them in their community.
A rookie, professional football player who had just joined his new team from the college ranks, came off the practice field and told his coach in a shaky, fear-filled voice that he repeatedly heard a man's voice inside his head speaking out commands for him to follow. The player then asked the coach, "Do you think I am a schizophrenic?" "No," replied the coach. "I think you are an idiot." Why was the coach so rude and unsympathetic when responding to the mental health concerns of the young player; and what position had he been recruited to fill on the team?
Pay attention to the words "commands for him to follow" and think about a specific position on the field where players are often given instructions to follow...
The young player was a rookie quarterback drafted by this pro team. In professional football, quarterbacks wear helmets with speakers built into them, so the coach can tell them what plays to run. In college football, where this young player had played quarterback, helmets are not allowed to contain speakers; but this rookie was not aware of this, so he freaked out when he heard his coach’s voice inside his helmet, giving him instructions.
A young, aspiring musician who lived on a farm, had been given the task of monitoring the family’s livestock. The young lad was supposed to see to it that the cows and sheep stayed together as they had been trained to do, but unfortunately, as youngsters often do, he allowed himself to drift off and fall asleep beneath a pile of animal fodder, and as a result, the cows wandered into a field of corn, while the sheep made their way into a grassy meadow. Can you identify this irresponsible youth?
Think "nursery rhyme" and a famous character who is often depicted as lazy or sleepy...
Little Boy Blue.
The more of me you put on, the more you can remove. I come in many forms, but I'm generally liquid up high and solid down below. If you avoid me, I won't care, but others will. What am I?
Think about something you might wear or apply to yourself, and how it can be affected by temperature...
Soap.
A wife called to her husband from the front door of their home stating, "Don't forget to raise the flag, but please don't be goofy and salute it afterward." Her husband responded by saying, "Don't you love your country?" The wife replied, "I am very patriotic, but I would never salute that flag. You embarrass yourself when you do it, especially when the neighbors see you." "Well, all I know is if I don't raise the flag, we'll lose our electricity, our car will be towed away, and eventually we will be evicted! Being a veteran of the Army, as long as the flag is red, white, and blue, I will always salute it!" "Oh, have it your own way, answered his wife, "but it's not the raising of the flag to which I object, it's you're saluting it afterward that bothers me!" What were the circumstances behind this couple's bizarre-sounding argument?
Think about a specific situation where a flag needs to be raised, and it's not necessarily related to patriotism or national pride...
The flag on the couple’s mailbox in front of their home was painted red, white, and blue to resemble the American flag. When the husband put their outgoing bills and other mail in the mailbox, he had to raise the flag to be sure their outgoing mail would be picked up by their mail delivery person. Being a veteran and a patriotic person, he felt compelled to salute the flag each time he raised it.
Aidan is looking for a girl to invite out. He goes onto an app and finds three girls pretty quickly. He texts each of them, asking if they'd each like to go out with him. Amber says: "Yes, I made a reservation at my favorite restaurant. You have to be there at exactly 8:00 PM,". Julie says, "How about dinner, and then a movie? I could pick you up at 6:00 PM if you'd like,". Francesca says, "I have a huge collection of records at my house, would you like to come and visit?" Only one of these girls is safe to invite. Which girl should Aidan invite out?
Pay attention to the details of each girl's response... one of them is making assumptions about Aidan that might be a red flag.
Aidan should invite Julie out. Amber didn't even ask if Aidan wanted to go to the restaurant or not. Besides, she's too rude and bossy. Aidan barely knows Francesca; it's unsafe to go to her place alone. Aidan should go with Julie because she seems the safest and the most polite.
Taylor was walking home from the gym when someone ran up in front of the woman and hit her on the right side of her face. The woman went right to the police station to report the attack. The detectives had found three people-Mike, Jerry, and Jack-and arrested them. How can the detectives figure out who really attacked Taylor?
Pay attention to the pronouns used in the story, particularly when referring to the victim and the attackers.
The detectives should give each suspect a marker and ask them to write their names on a whiteboard. Taylor was hit on the right side of her face, which means that the person who attacked her is left-handed. The detectives just need to observe which of the three suspects writes with his left hand, and that person should be arrested.
A man is sitting in a room along with a group of mostly women. The man suddenly begins shouting out a list of letters and numbers, alternating between the two, (e.g., letter - number - letter - number - letter - number, etc.). This goes on for some time, with the man shouting, and those in attendance remaining silent. Eventually however, one of the women in the room shouts a one word response to the man, which causes some in the room to feel disappointment, while the woman who shouts out, feels happiness. What is happening here?
Think about a common social event where a group of people, mostly women, gather and a man plays a key role in it...
The man is calling a Bingo Game for a group of mostly women. The woman who shouts out says, "Bingo!", and feels happy, while the rest of the people feel disappointment.
A young woman owns two horses, a plane, a gun, a tape with many markings, and a machine with sharp teeth which she uses almost every day. She does not use any of these for transportation or for self-defense (although the gun is loaded), but she does rely on all of these items to meet her financial needs. What does this young woman do for a living, and why does she need this strange assortment of objects?
Think "entertainment" and consider the markings on the tape as a crucial clue.
The young woman is a carpenter. She uses her two sawhorses, her carpenter’s plane, her nail gun, her tape measure, and her circular saw almost every day as she works to earn a living.
Two men and two women, all carrying loaded shotguns, drove to a field where they planned to shoot as many birds as possible. The four had absolutely no desire to eat any of the birds they were planning to shoot, and they brought no dogs to retrieve any they happened to hit. Each of the four people in turn would loudly shout a one-word command, and when a bird would fly out in front of them, they would shoot to destroy it. When they were finished, the bodies of 99 birds lay mutilated in the field, as only one bird had escaped their deadly shooting skills. The two men and two women cheerfully exchanged high-fives, and congratulated each other on their excellent hour of destruction. Several onlookers, who happened to witness the onslaught, gave the four a loud round of applause for the entertainment. Why did no one report this incident to the authorities, and why was there such a calloused attitude toward the shooting of these defenseless birds?
Think outside the box: the shooters aren't hunting for food or sport, but for a very specific purpose...
The birds the four were shooting at were pigeons ——— clay pigeons. The four were at a public shooting range, and when each of them yelled “pull”, a clay pigeon was catapulted into the air for their target practice.
A nurse was speaking with a young doctor just prior to their entering the room where the surgery was to take place. "You know," said the nurse, "I am surprised you are going to attempt surgery on this patient again, since you have failed in all of your previous attempts. You are lucky this patient is unable to make any complaints concerning your failed surgical attempts, and sue you for malpractice! So far, you have botched his knee, ankle, heart, and rib surgeries, and now you are going to try to remove insects from this man's stomach. What's next, brain surgery?" "After today's operation, I believe I will do just that!," replied the doctor in a defiant tone, "and this time there will be no nose bleed, or a red nose of any kind during the surgery." "That'll be the day," replied the nurse. "I will be right next to you during the operation, so when you mess up, I'll have a good laugh!" What kind of twisted, warped, medical professionals are these two? Why haven't both of them been permanently banned from practicing medicine? Just what exactly is going on here?
Think outside the operating room...
While on break, several of the doctors and nurses at a hospital have been competing against one another in the classic game of Operation. This doctor, although he failed at removing the patient’s water on the knee, wrenched ankle, broken heart, and spare ribs, felt confident he could remove the butterflies from the patient’s stomach without causing the patient’s nose to light up red and trigger a buzzer sound signifying failure.
A young sailor boy from Chicago by the name of Jack, and his little Jack Russel terrier named Bingo, stood guard over a well-known treasure for 100 years, but neither Jack nor his dog ever experienced any kind of aging during that time. Perhaps the secret of Jack and Bingo's miraculous defiance of the aging process can best be explained by revealing Jack's famous motto: "The more you eat, the more you want." What is this famous treasure Jack and Bingo guarded for 100 years, and how did they manage to defy the aging process?
Think about a type of "treasure" that is often associated with being sweet and tempting, and where Jack's motto "The more you eat, the more you want" makes perfect sense...
Young Sailor Jack and his little Jack Russel terrier have adorned every box of Cracker Jack that contained a hidden treasure (a prize) from 1916 until 2016. The company stopped putting little material prizes in each box in 2016, much to the chagrin of baseball fans everywhere.
A famous magician and his assistant were performing for a small crowd at a local mall. As part of their act, they both disappeared behind a small curtained area where they each picked up a wooden cross-shaped object. Suddenly, a small boy and girl appeared on stage in front of the audience. The magician waved his cross over the boy's head as he whispered, so only his assistant could hear him, "You are now hypnotized, and must do exactly as I tell you. I order you to strike the little girl on the top of her head." The little boy quickly complied, and the audience gasped. "I'm no hypnotist," whispered the assistant back to the magician, so only he could hear her, "but my intuition tells me the little girl is about to strike back." Sure enough, the girl kicked the little boy in the knee. The audience again gasped, as the magician simultaneously yelled, "Ouch!" At that point, the magician whispered to the assistant, "You win. Back to the script now." Was this some sick, twisted, abusive presentation, or was there some harmless explanation for these events? Just exactly what was going on here?
Think about the shapes they picked up...
As part of their magic show, the magician and his assistant went behind a curtain, and each picked up a wooden cross-shaped controller, so they could manipulate their puppets for their puppet show which was part of their act. However, the magician got a bit mischievous, and used his puppet to bonk the assistant’s puppet on the head. The assistant wasn’t amused however, and not only retaliated with her girl puppet, but also kicked the magician in his knee at the same time. That was enough to make the magician return to the actual script of the puppet show.
A senior citizen, Marge recently made financial arrangements for a young, bald-headed man to come to her house, as she needed some assistance with some of her cleaning chores, including mopping the floors and general surface cleaning. However, despite her best efforts, Marge has been unable to convince the man to do any work for her. He just stands there with a constant smile plastered on his face, with his arms crossed, and his gold earring dangling from his left ear, as he watches Marge do all of her house cleaning -- but he never lifts one finger to help her! How long will Marge put up with this freeloader? After all, Marge has paid good money to get this man to come to her home to help her, but she ends up doing all the work! Where are the senior advocates? Just what exactly is going on here, and why is Marge allowing this situation to continue?
Think about the type of "assistant" Marge hired, and what their typical behavior might be...
Marge’s helper, which she purchased at a local grocery store, is a bottle of Mr. Clean, floor and surface cleaner.
An old man with a long, white, scraggly beard, dressed in old, dirty blue jeans, innocently approaches a group of females and takes a seat next to one of them. After saying a few words of greeting to her, he suddenly reaches out and grabs hold of her private parts, and begins pulling at her repeatedly. Surprisingly, the female shows no objection to this aggressive action by the man, and even feels relieved by his actions. Even more surprising, is the fact that all of the other females present in the group seem undisturbed by the incident. This is not a house of ill repute, and the man offers no money or other gifts to the female. But the man doesn't stop there, as he systematically moves to each of the other females in turn, and repeats the same sordid actions to each of them. Where is the outrage? Why isn't this man behind bars, instead of being allowed to molest females? And why aren't the other females objecting to the man's advances? Or perhaps, this situation isn't as bad as it appears. What exactly is going on here?
Here's a hint for the riddle: Think about a common, everyday situation where a person might be touching or handling a specific part of a woman's body in a way that might seem inappropriate at first, but is actually harmless and even beneficial.
The man is a farmer who is milking his cows.
A retired zookeeper owned a huge house with a very large and beautifully landscaped yard. The neighbors of the man drove past his home daily, and admired his arrangement of all the large trees and numerous healthy bushes which adorned the front yard. One day, a neighbor drove by the former zookeeper's house, and was astonished to see a living, fully-grown ostrich standing in the yard. A week later, neighbors reported seeing a live, fully-grown bear standing near the ostrich. As the next few weeks passed, the neighbors saw a tiger, a lion, a hippopotamus, and finally an elephant appear in the yard of the retired zookeeper --- all fully- grown and alive, but without any cages or bars to protect the neighborhood from them. Amazingly, not one person who lived in that area ever expressed any fear of the uncaged animals, and no one ever called the police for protection. Were these people living in the Twilight Zone? What exactly was going on here, and why weren't any of these people afraid for their lives?
Think about the profession of the homeowner...
The retired zookeeper was also a professional topiary expert. Mixing together the best of his two worlds, he sculpted zoo animals from his fully-grown, healthy, living bushes in his front yard, much to the delight of his neighbors.
Terry lives part-time in a mobile home, but it is a most unusual place. Terry's mobile home has no front or back door, so Terry can only enter his home through the roof. His home has no kitchen or basement or attic; and most importantly, his home has no bathroom! Considering all of these basic housing deficiencies, it is no wonder Terry's mental health has again come into question, as he often feels compelled to start shooting at strangers from within the confines of his mobile home. It doesn't seem possible, but the authorities are 100% supportive of Terry's actions! Has Terry snapped mentally? Is he in need of immediate psychiatric treatment, or is his mental health more normal than it appears? And why do the authorities permit Terry to shoot at others? Just what is going on here?
Think about a place where people often gather to watch a specific activity, and the "mobile home" is not a typical residence, but rather a vehicle of sorts...
Terry is a soldier in the U.S. Army. He operates an armored Tank in the service of our country.
Once every year a farmer walks about on his farm property, picks out his favorite tree, and chops it down with an axe. He then drags the tree home and puts it in a metal bowl. The farmer then spends time lovingly caring for the tree by watering it every day and providing it with the best plant food money can buy to keep it as healthy as possible. Two weeks later he throws the tree outside, sets it on fire, and burns it to a crisp. How can you explain this apparent drastic change in the farmer's mood toward this tree?
Think about a specific time of year and a popular tradition that involves trees...
The man owns a Christmas tree farm where he grows thousands of Christmas trees for sale to the public. He is simply performing his annual Christmas ritual of selecting a tree, placing it in a tree stand, keeping it healthy for two weeks, and then disposing of it.
In her work each day, a courageous young woman often encounters cobras, vipers, stingrays, barracudas, eagles, cougars, impalas, rams, spiders, beetles, and on rare occasions, a panther. This woman has no fear of any of these as she walks around in the midst of them, never carrying a gun or a whip, and without being protected from them by iron bars or safety barriers of any kind. What is the occupation of this brave, young woman, and why does she have no fear when performing her job?
Think about a place where you'd typically find names of animals, but not the animals themselves...
The young woman is a used-car saleswoman who encounters a wide variety of high and low end trade-ins at the dealership where she works. Incidentally, all of the models of the used cars listed in this puzzle are named after animals. The last one mentioned, the Watercar panther, is an amphibious automobile which started to be produced in 2013.
Terry is a gambling man. Just the other day at a meeting of his bridge club, he challenged each of the seven members to the following: "I bet each of you, seven men, a pack of Blackjack chewing gum, that none of you can walk straight through that 6-foot 5-inch doorframe --- without stopping or jumping --- and touch the top of it with your head as you pass through it; but I bet I can. Since the tallest member of the club was six feet tall and he knew he couldn't do it, even on his tiptoes, each man decided to take Terry's bet. Terry won seven packs of Blackjack gum that day. Since he didn’t use an instant growth potion, how did he manage to win his unusual bet?
Think about the doorframe's orientation...
After the other members tried his challenge and failed, Terry simply strapped two one-foot tall stilts (empty metal cans he had brought with him) to his feet and walked through the doorway, touching his head on the frame as he passed through it.
A tall, burly, unarmed man and a short, slim, unarmed man, both dressed in sheer nylon stockings, women's clothing, and blond wigs, enter a bar in New York City. The tall, burly man approaches the bartender and asks him for something. Immediately, the bartender reaches below the counter, pulls out a gun, and shoots the man. The short, slim man responds by quickly bolting from the bar. New Yorkers have a reputation for being testy and unfriendly, but wasn't this a bit extreme? In fact, when the police arrived on the scene, they backed the bartender and did not charge him with any crime. What do you suppose the tall, burly man had requested from the bartender which led to his being shot, and why did the police support the bartender’s extreme reaction?
Here's a hint: Think about the occupation of the bartender and the unusual attire of the two men. The answer lies in a specific profession and a crucial detail in the description.
The man asked the bartender to give him all the bar’s money. The bartender’s extreme reaction was due to the fact that both the tall and short man were wearing their sheer nylon stockings over their heads when the request was made.
Ten men, five women, and 15 three-year-olds are being watched by thousands of cheering people. The men and the women and the three-year-olds are observed slowly entering 15 box-like structures, each having iron bars in the front. The men and women are not related to the three-year-olds, but at times witnesses have reported seeing these adults whip these three-year-olds to force them to obey their commands. Fortunately, the barred doors suddenly spring open and the men, women, and three-year-olds make their escape; however, they are easily tracked, as they always feel compelled to travel to the left, and never to the right. The thousands of people watching these proceedings are all waiting to see who will be the first to meet their end. These circumstances are inexcusable in a civilized society! How can thousands of people just idly sit by and cheer while a group of men and women whip a bunch of three-year-olds before their very eyes? What is wrong with society? Or, is there a simple explanation for these bizarre-sounding events? Just what exactly is going on here?
Think about a popular form of entertainment where animals are involved, and the "box-like structures" might not be as ominous as they seem...
With a maximum of 20 entrants in each race, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes feature only three-year-old thoroughbreds racing from their starting gates to their end at the finish line. Not all of the jockeys use whips on their horses, but many still do. By the way, to answer the title question: at the start of every race, they are not on —— They’re off!!!
A famous magician and his assistant are standing in the middle of a large, empty field. There are no trees or buildings to be seen, and there are no ropes or hidden wires attached to the two performer's bodies. A large group of curious onlookers and their families are present to see the magician's farewell performance, as advertised in the local newspapers. The magician suddenly raises both hands and dramatically shouts to the audience, "My assistant and I will now rise from this very ground and disappear from your sight, but in three hours we will reappear in a town ten miles from here!" And with those final words, the magician and his assistant slowly lifted from the ground, continuing to rise majestically, until they were out of sight! True to his word, he and his assistant did reappear in another town ten miles from the place where they had first disappeared --- in the predicted three hours' time! What a fantastic trick!! How do you think they accomplished such an amazing feat?
Think about the mode of transportation that can take you 10 miles in 3 hours, and is not a hidden wire or rope...
The magician and his assistant used a hot-air balloon to rise up and disappear from the field. They were able to navigate and land it in a similar field in a town ten miles away.
I am round, I am sharp, I am small, I am big, I exist, then I don't. What am I?
Think about something that can change shape, size, and even existence, and is often associated with a fleeting moment in time...
The Moon. It's round when it's full, it's sharp when it's a crescent, its size can vary depending upon its phase, and it's gone when it's a new moon.
If someone were to write a biography about us, the following could be reported: #1 - We are always present in multiple-choice exams. #2 - Sherlock Homes kept a close eye on us after he retired. #3 - Honor students are not very fond of us. #4 - One of us was a famous aunt on T.V. #5 - The person who played the owner of the Shady Rest Hotel was, in reality, one of us. Based on the biographical information above --- Who/what are we?
Pay attention to the words and phrases used in the clues, especially the ones that seem out of place or unusual. The answer is not a person, but rather something you might find in a specific context. Think about what's common in multiple-choice exams, and how that relates to the other clues.
We are Bs, Bees, or Beas (as in Aunt Bea and actress Bea Benaderet.)
Three families from the hills of eastern Kentucky decided to pull up stakes, form a wagon train, and head for the state of Nevada to seek their fortunes in the gold and silver mines located there. Each family took the bare essentials with them, and packed only their most precious belongings into the three wagons they were using for the journey. On their 2,000 mile trip to Nevada, the wagon train encountered no hostile Indian attacks from the Apaches or the Comanches, and they had no difficulty crossing any of the many rivers they came to, even though the spring flooding season was upon them. One might expect a journey of this magnitude, moving three families with all of their possessions packed into three wagons on a 2,000 trip, to take at least two or three months, but miraculously, the wagon train arrived in Nevada after only four days. How is this possible?
Think about the words "pack" and "train" in a different way...
This trip for the three families took place in the 1960s. The wagon train consisted of three station wagons.
A poor, elderly woman lived alone with her dog. One day she noticed her dog appeared to be very hungry, so she went to her food storage area where she kept her dishes and cups, to search for food to serve to him. She was surprised to find she had no food whatsoever for either herself or her dog ------ not even so much as a bone to serve to her starving pet. And so, neither she nor her dog had anything to eat. How often had these same circumstances occurred to this lady and her pet? Why had no one called Senior Services or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (S.P.C.A.) to report these dreadful conditions? Incidentally, do you happen to know this woman's last name?
The hint is: Think about the woman's occupation and the phrase "dishes and cups" in a different context.
Her last name was Hubbard. Old Mother Hubbard went to her cupboard to get her poor dog a bone....
A young man named Orion is carrying a large, double-edged axe. He is stalking his prey, possessed by one single thought -- to kill! His hands are calloused, but his soul is not, as he always strives to be kind to others, despite his strong desire to kill. He has killed 11 times already today, but he feels compelled to kill at least two more times because that very morning Orion believes he heard a voice instructing him to kill no fewer than 13 today. Orion plans to use his axe to kill only those older than 50 years of age. Many other people have witnessed his multiple axe killings, but no one has ever tried to intervene or report his actions to the police. What is wrong with these people? It appears obvious that Orion is seriously mentally ill and suffers from auditory hallucinations with delusional thinking. How can his killing spree possibly be ignored? Or, is there some reasonable explanation for these events? Just what in the world is happening here?
Think about a context where killing is not only accepted but also expected, and where Orion's actions are not morally or legally wrong.
Orion works as a lumberjack. At the start of his work, Orion’s boss instructed him to meet his quota for the day by using his axe to chop down at least 13 mature trees.
Terry was having a bad day, after having a bad week and a bad month. His long-time bridge partner had just moved away, and the stock he held in the Red Roof Inn Company had just taken a nose-dive. He felt he was ready to snap, as he climbed into his car and began to drive. Suddenly, Terry felt something snap but realized it was only a pencil he had in his pocket, but this mild irritation only fueled his pent-up anger. Terry stepped on the accelerator and headed straight for a green sedan, smashing into it and causing its trunk to fly open. He then put his car into reverse, and backed into a red mini-van, causing its hood to pop up and its radiator to burst, sending a shower of radiator fluid shooting high into the air. After continuing to smash into at least a dozen other vehicles, Terry's car finally stopped, and somehow, he miraculously stepped out of his car uninjured. Just a few moments later, two police officers, who had witnessed the entire event without intervening, approached Terry and gave him something that made him -- smile. Why hadn’t the police called for backup and intervened earlier to prevent additional damage from being done, and what was it they gave Terry which made him smile?
Here's a hint: Think about the context in which Terry's destructive behavior was taking place. It's not what you might expect from a typical driving scenario...
The two police officers had given Terry a First Place Trophy for his having just won a Demolition Derby they had all just witnessed.
The land is white. The seed is black. It will take a good scholar To riddle me that.
Think about something you might find in a library or a classroom...
A book.
Hidden in the poem below, a female's name you'll seek; just read and listen to the rhyme, but please, don't take a week! MYSTERY POEM: The Vegans say that they will eat, no raw meat, steamed, or cooked; but should they bite one juicy steak, I think they might get hooked. What is the female name you hear?
Listen carefully to the last word of each line, it's where the name is hiding in plain sight!
NORA.
Messy Marge's mother was scolding her once again for keeping such a messy bedroom -- and right after she had said she was done cleaning it. Her mother began her lecture by saying, "Messy Marge (that is what her mother called her), I just finished inspecting your room, and I was shocked by some of the things I discovered on your bedroom floor. I found 11 red balloons, 7 orange-colored stars, 9 green things which resembled clover leafs, 4 moon-shaped objects of a bluish color, and 10 little pink hearts; but the mess that really irritated me was the 26 horse shoes I found on your closet floor! Is Messy Marge destined to be the next subject on the TV show "Hoarders: Buried Alive," or is there some less horrific explanation for the contents of her room?
Think about the items mentioned and what they might have in common... they're all things you might find on a specific type of item, often associated with celebrations or special occasions.
Messy Marge is messy with her belongings, but she has also been caught eating in her room. In this case, she’s been eating bowls of Lucky Charms cereal, and spilling many of the colored marshmallows in various places in her room.
Why is a manhole cover round and not square? Can you guess the two reasons?
Here's a hint: Think about the physical properties of a circle and how they relate to the manhole cover's function and safety...
1: It can't fall through the hole like a square one could. 2: It can easily be moved by rolling.
If someone were to write a biography about us, the following could be reported: #1- Some of us reside in boxes, and others of us can be found resting in the backs of cars, but we are not homeless. #2- Four of us are found in a part of every ship. #3- One of us is famous for falling down a steep incline and injuring himself. #4- Ten of us are associated with a round ball, but we are not basketball players. #5- Unfortunately, one of us is reputed to be a serial killer. Based on the biographical information above - - - Who/what are we?
Think about common objects that can be found in various places, and pay attention to the subtle wordplay in each clue...
We are all Jacks / jacks.
A small group of people are all standing around a two-foot tall, empty, wooden container. Two women approach the group carrying a silver container, which they place inside the wooden container. No one complains about the quarter-sized hole in the side of the wooden object. A Z-shaped piece of metal is then attached to both the silver and wooden containers, and one-at-a-time, the members of the small group take turns grasping the Z-shaped piece of metal and moving their hands in a circular motion. When one tires of this, another person takes over, and this is repeated numerous times. Finally, a heavy group member places his foot on top of the Z-shaped object, while a final group member performs a few last circular motions. After this, the top of the silver container is removed, and an object made of wood and metal is removed from it. Later, the contents of the silver container are consumed by those present. What has been going on here?
Think about a social gathering where people often come together to create something, and the object being created is often associated with a particular occasion or celebration...
This group was making home made ice cream using an old fashioned hand-cranked ice cream freezer.
Two teenagers, covered in tattoos and dressed in black leather jackets with chains around their necks, strutted into a local business. Each of the teens was carrying a long, tapered, hardwood stick. When they entered the room, they arrogantly announced in a loud voice, "We are here to beat everyone in this room, and no one can stop us!" Several of the patrons started to leave out the back door, fearing a confrontation was unavoidable. The two, true to their words, proceeded to beat everyone in the room with their sticks, despite being heavily outnumbered. Everyone who dared to stand up to them was beaten in turn, but no one called the police to stop the beatings, and the owner of the establishment thanked them for coming --- and even welcomed them back! Has society completely fallen to pieces, or is there some rational explanation for these events?
Think "profession" rather than "punk rock" when considering the teenagers' attire and behavior.
The two talented teens had gone to either a local youth center, or to a local pool hall, where they successfully challenged and defeated each of the willing patrons there in the game of pool.
A son went to his father's house and knocked on the door. When his father answered the door, the son said, "O.K., today is the day I promised to burn your house to the ground." "But I built the house in 1941 with my own two hands. It has a lot of sentimental value, and is still very useful to me," replied the father. "Too bad," said the son, "but I have always loathed it, especially in the wintertime, and I grew to especially hate it since you added that second hole to it when you built the addition to the house when I was a teenager." "But if you burn the house down, where will I go?" asked the father. "You will just have to go where most people go in these modern times," answered the son. "Well, I guess you're right," said his father. The son then promptly escorted his father outside, where the son proceeded to burn the house down to the ground in front of his father's tear-filled eyes. Had this father raised a deranged, sociopathic pyromaniac for a son, or is there another explanation for these bizarre events?
Think about the son's words, especially "especially in the wintertime" and "since you added that second hole to it"... What kind of "house" might have holes and be particularly bothersome in the winter?
The father, although he owned a fully functioning home, had never been able to break himself from the habit of going to the bathroom in the Outhouse he had built for his family back in 1941. The son, along with the neighbors, considered the Outhouse to be a public eyesore, and the son had been trying for some time to get his father to agree to let him burn it down.
In a far-off kingdom, there is a castle with five rooms. Each room has a door with a different color: blue, red, green, yellow, or purple. Inside each room, there is a person with a different nationality: American, British, Canadian, Dutch, and Estonian. Each person has a favorite animal, which is also different for each person: cat, dog, elephant, giraffe, and horse. Additionally, each person has a favorite food, which is different for each person: pizza, sushi, spaghetti, tacos, and waffles. Using the following clues, can you figure out who lives in each room, what their nationality is, what their favorite animal is, and what their favorite food is? The person in the blue room is not Dutch or Estonian. The British person's favorite animal is a horse. The person who likes sushi lives in the red room. The Canadian person likes pizza. The Dutch person lives in the green room. The person who likes tacos lives in the yellow room. The American person's favorite animal is a giraffe. The person who likes waffles lives in the purple room. The person who likes spaghetti is Estonian. The person who likes elephants lives in the room adjacent to the person who likes giraffes.
Here's a hint to get you started: Focus on the clues that mention specific room colors and nationalities first. Use the fact that the Dutch person lives in the green room and the person who likes sushi lives in the red room to start building your solution. Then, use the clues about favorite animals and foods to fill in the remaining rooms.
The blue room: American, favourite animal is a giraffe, favourite food is sushi. Red room: British, favourite animal is a horse, favourite food is tacos. The green room: Dutch, favourite animal is a cat, favourite food is spaghetti. Yellow room: Canadian, favourite animal is an elephant, favourite food is pizza. Purple room: Estonian, favourite animal is a dog, favourite food is waffles. Explanation: Clue #1 tells us that the person in the blue room cannot be Dutch or Estonian. This leaves us with American, British, Canadian, and Estonian. We can use other clues to narrow it down further. Clue #2 tells us that the British person's favourite animal is a horse, so they cannot be in the blue room. This leaves us with American, Canadian, and Estonian. Clue #3 tells us that the person who likes sushi lives in the red room, so the American person must be in the blue room. Clue #4 tells us that the Canadian person likes pizza, so they must be in the yellow room. Clue #5 tells us that the Dutch person lives in the green room, so they cannot be in the yellow room. This leaves us with British and Estonian. Clue #6 tells us that the person who likes tacos lives in the yellow room, so the British person must be in the red room. Clue #7 tells us that the American person's favourite animal is a giraffe, so they must be in the blue room. Clue #8 tells us that the person who likes waffles lives in the purple room, so the Estonian person must be in the purple room. Clue #9 tells us that the Estonian person likes spaghetti, so the Dutch person must like cats. Clue #10 tells us that the person who likes elephants lives in the room adjacent to the person who likes giraffes, so the Canadian person is just like an elephant. So the final solution is The blue room: American, favourite animal is a giraffe, favourite food is sushi. Red room: British, favourite animal is a horse, favourite food is tacos. The green room: Dutch, favourite animal is a cat, favourite food is spaghetti. Yellow room: Canadian, favourite animal is an elephant, favourite food is pizza. Purple room: Estonian, favourite animal is a dog, favourite food is waffles
We are five little objects of an everyday sort. You will find us all in a tennis court. What are we?
Think about the different components that make up a tennis ball...
Vowels.
Five male teenagers and five female teens each step into ten separate circles. The males make disparaging remarks to the females while pointing their thumbs downward, and the female teens respond to the males in the same fashion in retaliation. "You have no chance to beat us!", declares one of the male teens to the female five. "You losers don't have a prayer to win!", shouts one of the females to the male group. Suddenly, a judge for the event appears and announces, "The last person still legally performing the maneuver within their circle, wins for their entire group!" The judge then officially begins the competition by playing a CD of a famous song by Alvin and the Chipmunks. The song continues to play loudly, until only one person is left who is legally performing the maneuver within their circle. Are these people on board the train to Nuttytown, or is there actually some legitimate event being decided here?
Think "school yard" and a classic playground activity...
The two five-member teams are competing in a hula-hoop endurance contest. The theme song played during the competition is one of The Chipmunks greatest hits called: The Chipmunk’s Hula-Hoop Christmas Song.
In the realm of intellect and wit, where riddles intertwine, a labyrinthine puzzle tests the sharpest mind. Within this riddle's depths, a story of knights and kings and a treasure untold shall unfold. Imagine a mighty chessboard, with sixty-four squares so grand, where black and white alternate, a captivating land. Upon this board, two knights are placed, noble in their might. Their mission: to find the treasure hidden out of sight. But here's the twist, the tricky part, the puzzle's cunning scheme: the knights must journey together, a duo they must seem. One knight moves north, then two steps to the right, while the other takes a diagonal leap, a path both swift and light. They continue their pursuit, weaving through the chessboard's squares, till they've visited each and every one, proving their thorough care. Now comes the question, the riddle's hidden key: how many times did their paths cross, tell me if you see. Remember, their moves are synchronized, each step taken as a pair. Calculate their crossings, and unravel the secret with care.
Think about the symmetry of the chessboard and the synchronized movements of the two knights. Focus on how their paths will mirror each other as they traverse the board.
To find the number of times the paths of the two knights cross, we need to analyze their movements on the chessboard. Let's assign coordinates to the squares of the chessboard. We can label the columns as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H (from left to right), and the rows as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (from bottom to top). Now, let's examine the movements of the knights. The first knight moves one square north and two squares to the right, which can be represented as (2, 1) on the coordinate plane. The second knight takes a diagonal leap, moving one square northeast, which can be represented as (1, 1). We'll start by assuming the initial position of both knights is (0, 0). Now, let's track their movements: The first knight moves to (2, 1). The second knight moves to (1, 1). The first knight moves to (3, 2). The second knight moves to (2, 3). The first knight moves to (4, 4). By analyzing their movements, we can see that the knights' paths intersected once at the coordinate (2, 3). Therefore, the answer is that the paths of the knights cross once.
A man and a woman enter a crowded room where many people they have seen before are present. The man and the woman enter the room separately, but only one of them enters to a musical serenade. Another man speaks to each of them for a few minutes when the two get together in the room. The crowd has been quiet for the most part, and the familiar people seem to be in a happy mood, but when the man and the woman leave the room, they find the crowd is now outside waiting for them. When the crowd sees the man and the woman, they begin shouting and throwing food at the two as they try to depart the area. What was going on here, and why did the crowd pelt the man and the woman with food?
Here's a hint: Think about a specific type of event where people often gather, and a certain tradition that involves music, conversation, and food...
The man and the woman were getting married, and the food being thrown at them was rice.
A certain large animal lives happily and thrives here on Earth. One day, every single one of these critters is wiped out by a mysterious disease that affects only this particular animal. There are none left anywhere on earth -- they are all gone. About a year or so later, they begin to reappear on Earth again. How can this be?
Think about a type of animal that has a unique life cycle, where its young are born in a very different environment than where they will eventually live and thrive...
The animal is the Mule. Since all Mules are born sterile, you can only get a Mule by crossing a donkey with a horse. That is how the species is able to repopulate itself.
I believe my brother Sam may secretly be an actual mad scientist! In his home, he keeps several odd animals confined behind heavy, glass walls -- walls designed to never allow these creatures to escape! The most grotesque thing about these beasts is the fact that they have no stomachs -- that's right -- no stomachs!! And yet, he feels compelled to feed them every day-- so they will grow! Sam appears to have no fear of these beasts, but should they ever find a way to gain their freedom from their glass prison, things would get very, very messy! Is Sam in danger from these creatures? Should the authorities be contacted to stop Sam from feeding these stomach-less creatures and helping them to outgrow their restraining enclosure? Just what exactly are these beasts without stomachs, and could they be a danger to society?
Think about a common, everyday activity that people do to help things "grow"... and consider what type of "creatures" might be involved in that process.
My brother Sam has an aquarium in his home where he keeps several Koi fish. Koi fish have no stomachs, and are known to grow quite large.
Hidden in the poem below, a female's name you'll seek; just read and listen to the rhyme, but please, don't take a week! MYSTERY POEM: A pig that is not dirty, I might just one day see; but pigs and soap suds do not mix, in bathtub history! What is the female name you hear?
Pay attention to the words that sound similar to a female name when read aloud, especially in the first and last lines of the poem.
DAISY.
If someone were to write a biography about us, the following could be reported: #1 - Many famous people have sung about my type of ribbons over the years. #2 - My type of fever often occurs in children, ages 5 to 15. #3 - According to the book of Isaiah in the Bible, "Though your sins be as me, they shall be white as snow...." #4 - Rhett loved me, but did I love Rhett? Unfortunately, the answer was lost, as it went with the breeze. #5 - Author Nate H. wrote a famous book about my type of letter in 1850. Based on the biographical information above --- Who/what are we?
Think about the colors mentioned in the hints...
We are the biography of Scarlet.
Jordan is leaving from a small town in Wyoming and hiking through the wilderness to a post where he will spend the summer. The hike will take Jordan six days. One man can only carry enough food and water for four days. Jordan cannot take a mule or any other animal to haul his food and water, because there will be insufficient food and supplies for the animals at his destination. How can Jordan make it to his destination?
Think about how Jordan can use the limited resources he has to cover the entire 6-day journey... Consider the possibility of Jordan not carrying all the supplies at once.
Jordan takes two other hikers with him. Each hiker starts out with a four day supply of food and water. After the first day, the first hiker gives a one day supply to each Jordan and the second hiker. This leaves the first hiker with a one day supply to go home and Jordan and the second hiker now each have a four day supply again. After the second day, the second hiker gives Jordan a one day supply and keep a two day supply for himself so that he can get home. This gives Jordan a four day supply of food and water, and now he has enough to reach his destination.
Thirteen women are kneeling around a circle. A whistle blows, and suddenly all thirteen women began shouting out the names of their sons and daughters, while frantically waving their arms. At last, a whistle blows once again, and one of the women is awarded a trophy. What kind of insanity is happening here?
Think about a competitive event where mothers are cheering for their kids...
The thirteen women, along with their thirteen sons and daughters (all babies of a crawling age), are competing in a "Fastest Crawling Baby Contest." Initially, all of the babies were placed in the center of a circle, with the women kneeling outside of that circle. When the whistle blew, the first baby to crawl to their mother outside of the circle was the winner, and the trophy was subsequently awarded to her.
A purveyor of baked goods is approached by a man with a very low I.Q. who wants to buy some of the baker's creations; however, the man with the low I.Q. has no credit or debit cards, no checks, and in fact, doesn't even have one red cent in his pocket to buy anything, so he is flatly denied any of the seller's goods. Who is this dolt who is trying to get something for nothing?
Think about a character from a classic nursery rhyme...
Simple Simon met a pieman going to the fair. Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your ware." Says the pieman to Simple Simon, "Show me first your penny." Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Indeed, I have not any."
Hidden in the poem below, a female's name you'll seek; just read and listen to the rhyme, but please, don't take a week! MYSTERY POEM: Polar bears live at the North Pole they say, and penguins all live at the South; it's lucky those penguins live so far away, or they'd end up in polar bear's mouth! What is the female's name you hear?
Listen carefully to the rhythm and emphasis on certain words, and think about a common female name that sounds similar to a phrase in the poem.
OLIVE.
As you are getting off your plane, you are met by two animal quarantine officials who work for one of the 50 United States. They inform you that your pet squirrel, "Nut Job", is not allowed in their state, as their state is squirrel-free. They further inform you that ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, and snakes also do not exist in their state, and will never be welcome there. What kind of southern hospitality is this, and what is the name of this state?
Think about a state that's known for its unique wildlife and has a name that's closely related to a type of animal...
The state is Hawaii, and the animals listed in the puzzle above do not exist in the state, because it is illegal to own or bring them onto any of the Hawaiian islands.
In shadows it dances, in daylight, it gleams, Found in the echoes of both waking and dreams. It lingers in whispers, a secret untold, In the tapestry of tales, its threads unfold. It weaves through the chapters of joy and despair, A silent companion in the heart’s deep lair. From the mountain’s proud peak to the valley so low, It flows with the rivers that steadily grow. It’s sung in the songs of the ages gone by, A constant companion, though silent, oh my! What am I?
Listen to the whispers of your heart, and pay attention to the rhythms that surround you...
The letter R.
A box without hinges, key or lid, Yet golden treasure inside is hid. What am I?
Think about something you might find in nature, often associated with value and treasure, and which has a hard outer shell that must be "opened" to reveal its precious contents.
An egg.
Maggie and four of her gang members (A.K.A. the Maulers) cross paths with Big Bertha and four of her minions (A.K.A. The Bombers), and a major conflict ensues. Both gangs find themselves in a real jam, and neither side dare back out and risk losing face at this point. Suddenly, one of Maggie's own gang grabs Maggie by the arm and throws her forward with all of her strength, but Maggie does not feel betrayed, in fact, she is grateful. She does not run but moves ahead with great speed in an effort to sneak up on the opposing gang from behind. Unfortunately, Big Bertha is just behind Maggie, having planned the exact same strategy. Bertha then suddenly bashes Maggie in the thigh with a lowered shoulder, knocking Maggie off her feet, sending her sprawling. Big Bertha and her gang proceed to lay a major beating on Maggie's entire gang. Over 100 people witnessed this confrontation, but not one of them tried to intervene, or at least call the police. How calloused can people be; or is there some less harmful explanation for these events?
Think about a setting where physical conflict is expected and even encouraged, and where the "gangs" are not necessarily violent criminals...
The Maulers and the Bombers are two women’s teams competing against one another in the game of Roller Derby, in front of a bunch of spectators.
What is special about the number 854,917,632?
Think about reading it upside down...
It contains the numbers 1-9 in alphabetical order.
F-S-T-F-F-S What's next?
Think about the first letter of a sequence of words that you often find in a particular order...
S First Second third fourth fifth sixth, ____seventh
This makes the heart grow "FOUNDER"... Not FONDER. What is it?
A subtle typo! Here's a hint: Think about a feeling that's often associated with the heart, but not necessarily a romantic one. The answer is a common, everyday experience.
The letter U.
A man decided to go for a walk. He made numerous stops during his stroll, hoping to hear some good news each time he stopped. Despite his usual excellent sense of direction, he realized he had been walking in circles. He was certain of this, as he noticed his favorite number 8 kept reappearing before his eyes. After continuing his walk for a long time, he finally received the good news he had been hoping for; and he then returned home, a little poorer than when he had started, but glad to be leaving with the sweet love of his life. What was going on in this bizarre-sounding narrative, and who/what was the sweet love of his life which was mentioned?
Think about a common activity people do for leisure, where they often stop at numbered stations, and the outcome can bring joy and sometimes cost money.
The man gave a monetary donation to participate in a cake walk. Eventually, his number was called for the space he was standing on, and he went home with the dessert he truly loved ———— a beautiful cake!
Gaze at this sentence for just about sixty seconds and then explain what makes it quite different from the average sentence. Quick! What is it?
Pay attention to the words, not their meaning. Look for something unusual about the sentence's structure or composition...
It contains all of the letters in the alphabet.
A famous magician and his daughter were seated inside a well-known establishment, along with a group of five other customers who were all waiting for service. The magician suddenly turned to his daughter, and told her to look through the window to her right where a bright blue car was parked. In majestic fashion, the magician then swept his arm toward the car and said, "Behold! I command you to rise!", and the car slowly began to rise to a height of one...two...three..., and finally stopped, suspended in mid-air, at a height of four feet! However, no one in the room appeared to be surprised or amazed by the magician's actions, and the magician's daughter was heard to say, "Daddy, you're a big ham." Why was no one in awe of the magician's abilities?
Think about where the magician and his daughter are seated...
The magician and his daughter were waiting in a local Firestone vehicle repair shop to have their car repaired. The magician noticed that a technician was about to raise a blue car on a hydronic lift to repair it, so he tried to take credit for the levitation. Needless to say, neither the other customers or his daughter were impressed.
3 men go into a motel. The man behind the desk said the room is $30, so each man paid $10 and went to the room. A while later the man behind the desk realized the room was only $25, so he sent the bellboy to the 3 guys' room with $5. On the way the bellboy couldn't figure out how to split $5 evenly between 3 men, so he gave each man $1 and kept the other $2 for himself. This meant that the 3 men each paid $9 for the room, which is a total of $27, add the $2 that the bellboy kept = $29. Where is the other dollar?
"Think about the initial payment, not just the refund..."
The three men HAVE paid $27. But the bellboy's $2 are part of it. The hotel has $25 of the men's dollars. The bellboy has the other two. That's $27, and the three the men have make $30. The riddle is confusing because it would add the bellboy's $2 to the men's $27. But the men don't HAVE $27, nine each. They each PAID $9 for a total of $27, of which the hotel has $25 and the bellboy has $2. They HAVE $1 each. Add that to the two the bellboy has, and the $25 in the cash drawer (together the men's $27), and you have accounted for all thirty. I came across this riddle elsewhere on riddles.com, but the answer given was "I don't know"! So I figured it out and posted it.
Hidden in the poem below, a female's name you'll seek; just read and listen to the rhyme, but please, don't take a week! MYSTERY POEM: A camel is accustomed to dry and arid places; but since it has no social skills, it spits in people's faces! What is the female name you hear?
Pay close attention to the words that rhyme in the poem, especially the last words of each sentence.
MELISSA.
I come in a cone but I am not food; I will be skewed if you screw with my hue; I come by the millions but you can probably only name a few. What am I?
Think about something you might find in an art supply box...
Colors.
Other than being colors, what do the words orange, silver, and purple have in common?
Think about awards and recognition...
There are no words in the English language that rhyme with them.
Three matches are sitting on a table. Without adding another make for three matches four. You are not allowed to break any of the matches. How can this be done?
Think about the Roman numeral for the number 4...
Shape the 3 matches into a roman numeral four.
Place three matches on a table. Tell a friend to add two more matches to make eight. How can this be done?
Think about the arrangement of the matches, not just their quantity...
Add two matches to make a roman numeral eight.
You are all trapped in a place called Marge's Madhouse, and she(Marge) runs the place using only one law. Figure out her law by using the clues listed below, and you will force her to release you from her domain of doom. To do this successfully, you must suggest one thing to Marge she would love to have. If Marge truly loves your suggestion, she will then ------ and only then ------ allow you to leave her house of insanity. Here are the clues: Marge loves warts; but she hates blemishes. Marge loves pins; but she hates needles. Marge loves spam; but she hates meat. Marge loves sleep; but she hates sleeping. Marge loves rats; but she hates rodents. Marge loves desserts; but she hates pastries. Marge loves war; but she hates conflicts. Marge loves pets, but she hates animals. Marge loves evil; but she hates Satan. Marge loves pool; but she hates billiards. ***** Since Marge does not allow sleeping or meat in her madhouse, you have only a few days to survive her domain of doom before you become insane. What do you think Marge would love to have?
Here's a hint: Pay attention to the words Marge "loves" and "hates" - notice any patterns or contradictions? Think about what might be the common thread that connects all these seemingly unrelated preferences...
All the things Marge loves are of the same pattern. Each item she loves can be spelled backwards to form another word. This cannot be done with the things Marge hates. To successfully escape Marge's Madhouse, you must suggest a word to Marge which, when spelled backwards, will spell another word.
A boy has as many sisters as brothers, but each sister has only half as many sisters as brothers. How many brothers and sisters are there in the family?
Think about the sister's perspective: if each sister has half as many sisters as brothers, that means each sister has only one sister...
Four brothers and three sisters.
You have seven pens and nine pigs. You must arrange the pens so that each pen has an even number of pigs. Zero is not allowed, nor will it work. How do you do this?
Think about grouping the pigs in a way that each group has an even number of pigs, and then assign the pens accordingly. You might need to get a little "creative" with how you define a "group" of pigs...
Stack the pens.
Why is an avaricious man like one with a short memory?
Think about what an avaricious person constantly wants, and how that relates to something you might forget...
Because he is always for getting.
If you screw a light bulb into a socket by turning the bulb toward the right with your right hand, which way would you turn the socket with your left hand in order to unscrew it while holding the bulb stationary?
Think about the direction of force and motion...
To the right. It's always the same direction.
A man has Ten Horses and nine stables as shown here. [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] The man wants to fit Ten Horses into nine stables. How can he fit Ten horses into nine stables?
Think about the names of the horses...
One letter for each stable. [T][E][N] [H][O][R][S][E][S]
I am not found on any ground, But always in the air; Though charged each cloud with thunder loud, You can not find me there. Now, if from France you choose to dance Your way just into Spain, I there am seen, and near the queen, In hail, in mist, and rain. What am I?
Think about something that is always present in the air, but not physically on the ground. It's associated with thunderstorms, but can't be found within the clouds themselves. The answer is also somehow connected to the royal court, and is visible in certain types of precipitation.
The letter I.
If I say I am lying, am I telling the truth?
Think about the consequences of what you're saying...
This is impossible to solve, because if I were telling the truth, then I would be lying, which doesn't make sense since I am telling the truth. If I am lying, then what I said was true and that doesn't make sense either.
Always invisible, yet never out of sight. What are they?
Think about something that is always present, yet you can't see it with your eyes...
The letters I & S.
When completed in 1889 the Eiffel Tower was something of a sensation. Designed by the French engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel its height is 492 feet plus half its own height. How high is the Eiffel tower?
Think algebraically: if the height is 492 feet plus half its own height, what would you multiply the height by to get the total height?
984 feet.
A prisoner is told, "If you tell a lie we will hang you; if you tell the truth we will shoot you." What can he say to save himself?
Think about what the prisoner can say that would make both options (hanging and shooting) impossible to carry out...
You will hang me.
Where on Earth do the winds always blow from the South?
Think about a place where the direction of the wind is not influenced by the Earth's rotation or global wind patterns...
The North Pole.
What country would you send a man to for his appetite?
Think about a country's name that sounds like a phrase you might use to describe someone with a big appetite...
To Hungary.
How many three cent stamps are in a dozen?
Think about the meaning of "a dozen" rather than the cost of the stamps...
A dozen, although you probably said four.
1. Carnation, Peony, Tomato, Rose 2. North America, Australia, Asia, Canada 3. Dodgers, Cubs, Cowboys, Cardinals 4. Laugh, Giggle, Chuckle, Cry 5. Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, East Which one does not belong to each line?
Here are the hints for each line: 1. Think about the common use of each item. 2. Consider the type of geographic entity in each option. 3. Notice the difference in the type of sports teams. 4. Pay attention to the emotions expressed by each word. 5. Look at the directions and think about what's missing.
1. Tomato because the others are all flowers. 2. Canada because the others are all continents. 3. Could be Dodgers because it starts with a D or could be Cowboys because the others are baseball teams. 4. Cry because the others are about happiness and being glad. 5. East because the others are intermediate directions.
I have two coins, one is marked George I and one is marked George IV. One is genuine but one is a forgery. Which is the forgery?
Think about the timeline of British monarchs...
George I. A coin would not be marked Goerge I because at the time it was produced it would not have been known that there was going to be a George II.
As defendants, we deny all involvement in the unscrupulous dealings which have come to light in the recent government investigation. What country name is hidden in the previous sentence?
Think about the first letter of each word in the sentence...
Sweden. "defendant-S, we den-y".
What year of this century is the same when its number is upside down? What year of the previous century is the same when inverted?
Think about the symmetry of numbers when rotated 180 degrees...
1961 and 1881.
In 1990, a person is 15 years old. In 1995 that same person is 10 years old. How is this possible?
Think about the format of a person's birthday, not just their age...
The years are in B.C.
Which of the following statements are true, and which are false? 1. Only one of the statements is false 2. Exactly two of the statements are false. 3. Only three of the statements are false. 4. Exactly four of the statements are false. 5. All five of these statements are false.
Think about it like a paradox: if a statement says it's false, is it really false?
The only true statement can be #4. The others are false. #5 can't be true, because it says all the statements are false.
Analogies are comparisons. Complete each analogy below. Here is an example: Ear is to hearing as eye is to? Sight. 1. Cardinals is to St. Louis as Dodger is to? 2. A.M. is to before noon as P.M. is to? 3. Three is to triangle as 8 is to? 4. Tear is to tore as see is to? 5. Springfield is to Illinois as Austin is to?
Here's a hint to help you solve the analogies: "Think about the relationships between words, and look for patterns or connections that can help you complete the comparisons."
1. Los Angeles 2. Afternoon 3. Octagon 4. Saw 5. Texas
The favorite foods of Megan, Michael, Sergi, and Jana are written below. Each person has a different favorite food. Use the following food clues to match the people with their favorite foods. 1. Michael likes ketchup and mustard on his favorite food. 2. Jana is allergic to cheese. 3. Sergi eats his favorite food on a bun. 4 Sometimes for something different, Michael makes his food into corn dogs. What are each kids favorite food? Write the name of the person next to their favorite foods. Chicken Drumstick: Hot Dog in a bun: A slice of Pizza: A hamburger in a bun:
Here's a hint: Focus on clue 2: Jana is allergic to cheese. Which food option is the most likely to have cheese?
Chicken Drumstick: Jana Hot Dog in a bun: Michael A slice of Pizza: Megan A hamburger in a bun: Sergi
Charlotte is 13 years old. Her father Montague is 40 years old. How many years ago was Charlotte's father four times as old as Charlotte?
Think about the age difference between Charlotte and her father, and how that difference changes over time...
Four years ago. When Charlotte was 9 her father was 36, 4 times her age.
Jack had only $2, but he needed $3 for his cab fare home. He went to a pawn shop and pawned his $2 for $1.50. Jack then bumped into Don and told him that he would sell him his $2 pawn ticket for $1.50. Don agreed. Jack started out with $2 and he ended up with $3. Who is out the extra dollar and why?
Think about the concept of "ownership" and who actually has the $2 pawn ticket at the end of the story...
Don is out the extra dollar. Before the pawn broker will return the $2 to the ticket holder, he will want the $1.50 which he advanced returned to him. Don will give the pawn broker the ticket and the $1.50, and the pawn broker will then return the $2.
A large truck is crossing a bridge 1 mile long. The bridge can only hold 14000 lbs, which is the exact weight of the truck. The truck makes it half way across the bridge and stops. A bird lands on the truck. Does the bridge collapse?
Think about the distribution of weight, not just the total weight...
No, it does not collapse. Because it has driven a half mile - you would subtract the gas used from the total weight of the truck.
Edward is as old as Benjamin used to be when Edward was as old as Benjamin is now. Benjamin is 36. How old is Edward?
Think about the ages of Edward and Benjamin at different points in time, and how they relate to each other...
Edward is 48.
Picture three boxes containing fruit. The first box is marked peaches, the second is marked oranges, and the third box is marked peaches and oranges. Each of the boxes is labeled incorrectly. How could you label each box correctly if you were allowed to select only one fruit from one of the boxes?
Here's a hint: Choose a fruit from the box marked "peaches and oranges".
First you select a fruit from the box marked peaches and oranges. If it was a orange you selected, you know that the box could only contain oranges. If it was a peach, you know that the box could only contain peaches since each box is incorrectly marked. If, for example an orange was selected, you would mark that box oranges and switch the other two incorrect labels around. Now all three would be correctly labeled.
I have three USA coins. They are not a quarter, dime or penny and they add up to 60 cents. What are the coins?
Here's a hint: Think about the lesser-used coins in your pocket change, and consider the multiples of a particular coin that could add up to 60 cents...
A 50 cent piece and 2 nickels.
Alice is walking through the forest of forgetfulness. She wants to know what day of the week it is. She stops and asks a lion and a unicorn. Now the lion lies all of the time on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The unicorn always lies on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Alice asks the lion what day it is, he says, "Well, yesterday was one of my lying days." Alice can't figure it out just from the lion's answer so she asks the unicorn and the unicorn says, "Yesterday was also one of my lying days." What day is it?
Think about the possibilities of "yesterday" for both the lion and the unicorn...
Thursday.
Four men were in a boat on the lake. The boat turns over, and all four men sink to the bottom of the lake, yet not a single man got wet! Why?
Think about the state of the men before they got in the boat...
Because they were all married and not single.
The following sentence is false. The preceding sentence is true. Are these sentences true or false?
"Be careful, a paradox is lurking... Think about what happens when you try to assign a truth value to each sentence."
Neither, it's a paradox. If the first is true, then the second must be false, which makes the first false; it doesn't work.
What is the missing half of each word pair? 1. Hot and 2. Lock and 3. Black and 4. Scream and 5. Body and 6. Left and 7. Bacon and 8. Cat and 9. Up and 10. Burgers and
Think about things that are often paired together in everyday life, like common phrases or items that go hand-in-hand. The answers might be more obvious than you think!
1. Cold 2. Key 3. White/Blue 4. Shout 5. Soul 6. Right 7. Eggs 8. Mouse 9. Down 10. Fries
Are the below statements True or False? 1. The Washington Monument is in Washington D.C.? 2. The Pacific Ocean is on the east coast of North America? 3. There are 12 months in every Gregorian year? 4. The color red is a primary color? 5. Lincoln was the the third president of the United States?
Here's a hint: Look for the one statement that is NOT a fact, but rather a trick question. The answer is not necessarily "false", but rather "not entirely true".
1. T 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. F
If you toss a die and it comes up with the number one 9 times in a row, what is the probability that it will come up with one on the next throw?
The past does not dictate the future...
One in six. A die has no memory of what it last showed.
1. Trigonometry, Geometry, Cirrus, Calculus 2. Comic book, Atlas, Novel, Brain teasers book 3. Otter, Shark, Dolphin, Sea Lion 4. Pen, Pencil, Eraser, Chalk 5. Golden Delicious, Bartlett, Granny Smith, Jonathon Which one does not belong to each line?
Here are the hints for each line: 1. Think about the words that are not mathematical concepts. 2. Consider the types of books that are not typically found in a school. 3. Look for the one that is not a mammal. 4. Identify the writing tool that is not typically used for everyday writing. 5. Think about the fruit that is not a type of pear.
1. Cirrus because the others are all mathematics 2. Atlas because the others are all for leisure/pleasure reading 3. Shark because the others are all marine mammals 4. Chalk because the others are all desk tools 5. Bartlett because the others are types of apples
A store has on sale a computer and word processor small enough to fit in your pocket. It can add, multiply, subtract, divide, and write in all languages. A delete device will correct any error. No electricity is required to operate it. The price? Only a few cents! How can the store make a profit by selling it so cheap?
Think old-school, non-electronic, and something you might find in a stationery store...
The computer is a wooden pencil with an eraser!
Two cars were involved in an accident in the center of town. The man who was driving a little green car, had overtaken a big black car. The driver had misjudged the distance between him and the on-coming traffic and had to swerve back in, causing the black car to swerve and crash into a shop window. When the occupants of the cars were examined everyone in the green car was okay, but in the black car was one dead man. However, the driver of the green car was not charged with manslaughter, why was this so?
Think about the occupants of the cars...
The black car was a hearse and was on its way to a funeral.
A queen bee was buzzing, a worker bee was buzzing, a honey bee was buzzing, and a killer bee was buzzing. How many bees were in buzzing?
Think about the names of the bees and how they relate to each other...
One. There is only one b in the word buzzing
A man sails off on a cruise between Mexico and the USA. He does not stop at any ports and does not even come out of the cabin, yet he makes $300,000 from his trip. How?
Think about what the man might be carrying with him in his cabin...
He's a smuggler.
'When Gwen is twice as old as Dean, Then I shall be just 17. But Gwendoline was 23 When Dean was twice as old as me.' Thats what Bill said. So tell us then, How old he was when Dean was ten?
Hint: Focus on the relationships between the ages of Gwen, Dean, and the speaker (Bill) at different points in time, and try to find a common thread that links them all.
Eight.
What is the difference between a lady and a postage stamp?
"One can be licked, but the other should not be!"
One is female, the other is mail-fee.
Use all letters of this sentence once each only to spell out three animals. 'TALL ELEPHANT OR APEMAN' What are the three animals?
Here's a hint: Look for common household pets and a large mammal.
PANTHER, ANTELOPE, LLAMA
I was born in the 18th century, yet still live on today. Appearing on TV when I have something to say. Called everything from "honest" to a dirty rotten "crook", I used to wear a wig, but have had several looks. I've always had a party, but never disturb the neighbors. I've been shot at many times - major stories for the papers. What am I?
Think about a figure that has been represented in various ways over time, often in a theatrical or fictional sense, and has been portrayed by many different individuals...
The Office of the President of the United States.
Why do black sheep eat less than white sheep?
Think about the color of the food they eat...
Because there are less black sheep in the world than white.
Can you Form a word from the letters? A B C D E F G I. (note; the word is hyphenated)
Here's a hint: The hyphenated word you're looking for is a type of fruit.
Big-Faced.
What is the value of 1/2 of 2/3 of 3/4 of 4/5 of 5/6 of 6/7 of 7/8 of 8/9 of 9/10 of 1,000?
Think about the pattern of fractions being multiplied together, and how they might cancel each other out...
One hundred - work backwards and you will understand.
How many times does the long hand of the clock pass the short hand between midnight one day and midnight the following day? As both hands are together at the starting time of midnight this does not count as a pass.
Think about the short hand's movement and how often it "gets in the way" of the long hand's circular journey.
21.
A train just leaves a station and enters a tunnel. Where is the best place for a claustrophobic person to sit?
Think about the direction of the train and the tunnel's effect on the claustrophobic person's concern...
In the back. See, the train is still accelerating as it is leaving the station so the train will be moving faster when the back of the train enters the tunnel.
Which is the largest room in the world?
Think about a space that's not enclosed by walls...
The room for improvement.
In the back yard, there is a hollow stump, that contains six ears of corn. If a healthy squirrel carries out only three ears each day, how many days will it take to empty the stump?
Think about the fact that the squirrel is "healthy"... does that imply something about its ability to carry corn?
Six. Each day the squirrel will carry out the two ears on his head plus one ear of corn.
Why is your eye like a boy being whipped?
Think about the sounds involved...
It is under the lash.
Name three things that? 1. Are red 2. Can swim 3. Give off heat
Think about things that can be found in a fireplace or a campsite...
Answers may vary. 1. Apples, Roses, Stop Signs 2. Fish, Dogs, Snakes 3. Sun, Fire, Your body
Name the first three presidents to live in the white house?
Think about the timeline of the White House's construction and who was president when it was first occupied...
Adams Jefferson Madison
A person gets up 180 times every night and sleeps for at least 7 hours at a time. Where does the person live?
Think about a place where the person's "getting up" is not related to waking up from sleep...
At the North or South Pole.
What have these words in common? ASPIRATED GRANGERS PRELATES SWINGERS CHASTENS
The hint is: Think about the sounds within the words, not their meanings.
All can be diminished by one letter (from begining and end alternately) forming a new word each time.
If you have three oranges and you take away two, how many will you have?
Think about the question being asked... it's not just about the oranges.
the answer is 2 two you take 2.... (you have 2)
It has rib bones and back bones. It swallows human beings whole, then spits them out alive. What is it?
Think about a place people often visit, where they can be completely surrounded, and yet, they can exit unharmed...
A house.
Suppose you want to send in the mail a valuable object to a friend. You have a box which is big enough to hold the object. The box has a locking ring which is large enough to have a lock attached and you have several locks with keys. However, your friend does not have the key to any lock that you have. You cannot send the key in an unlocked box since it may be stolen or copied. How do you send the valuable object, locked, to your friend - so it may be opened by your friend?
Think about using the locks in a creative sequence...
Send the box with a lock attached and locked. Your friend attaches his or her own lock and sends the box back to you. You remove your lock and send it back to your friend. Your friend may then remove the lock she or he put on and open the box.
Dreaming of apples on a wall. And dreaming often, dear. I dreamed that, if I counted all, How many would appear? How many?
Think about a common phrase that people often say when they're dreaming or fantasizing about something...
And dreaming of ten, dear.
A sign on the barber's door says "I shave only those who do not shave themselves". Does the barber shave himself?
Think about the paradoxical implications of the barber's statement on his own shaving habits...
There is no answer; it's a paradox. It cannot be made to work.
If seven cats kill seven rats in 7 minutes, how many would be needed to kill one hundred rats in 50 minutes?
Think about the rate at which the cats kill the rats, rather than the number of rats or minutes.
14.
How can you spell "enemy" in three letters?
Think about a common abbreviation...
F O E.
Can you list 15 items that are sold in pairs?
Here's a hint: Think about the things you wear, use, or find in pairs in your daily life. You might be surprised at how many common items are sold in twos!
1. Shoes 2. Gloves 3. Socks 4. Ice Skates 5. Skis 6. Shoe laces 7. Earrings 8. Ear plugs 9. Dice 10. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Candy 11. Speakers 12. Dumb Bells 13. Chop sticks 13. Drum sticks 14. Knee pads 15. Fake eyelashes
A dog had three puppies, named Mopsy, Topsy and Spot. What was the mothers name?
Think about the words in the riddle very carefully... one of them might be more than just a puppy's name!
What
A man walking along a railraod track sees a train thundering at high speed towards him. Instead of immediately jumpimg off the track, he charges directly at the train for about ten feet and only then gets off the track. Why?
Think about the man's actions in relation to the train's speed and direction...
The man was on a bridge when he first saw the train so he couldn't jump off the track immediately.
A horse travels a certain distance each day. Strangely enough, two of its legs travel 30 miles each day and the other two legs travel nearly 31 miles. It would seem that two of the horse's legs must be one mile ahead of the other two legs, but of course, this can't be true, since the horse is normal. How is this possible?
Think about the horse's direction of travel and the meaning of "nearly" 31 miles.
The horse operates a mill and travels in a circular clockwise direction. The two outside legs will travel a greater distance than the two inside legs.
What is the difference between a dollar and a half and thirty five-cents?
Think about the words, not the numbers...
Nothing. A dollar and a half is the same as thirty five-cents (nickels). But not the same as thirty-five cents.
Holding two long poles, five fellows chase a herd of white buffalo into a cave. What is really going on here?
Think about a common activity that involves poles, a group of people, and a specific setting... It's not about actual buffalo or a cave.
They're eating rice with a pair of chopsticks.
How can you hold a piece of string, one end in each hand, and tie a knot in the string with out letting go of either end?
Think about how you can use a part of your body to help you tie the knot...
Cross your arms before you seize the ends of the string. Uncross your arms and it will tie a knot!
As a whole, I am both safe and secure. Behead me, and I become a place of meeting. Behead me again, and I am the partner of ready. Restore me, and I become the domain of beasts. What am I?
Think about a word that has multiple meanings and can be transformed into new words by removing its "head" (first letter).
Stable.
Of no use to one Yet absolute bliss to two. The small boy gets it for nothing. The young man has to lie for it. The old man has to buy it. The baby's right, The lover's privilege, The hypocrite's mask. To the young girl, faith; To the married woman, hope; To the old maid, charity. What am I?
"Think about a word that has different meanings and connotations depending on one's stage of life, relationships, and intentions."
A Kiss.
What word starting with BR, that with the addition of the letter E, becomes another word that sounds the same as the first?
Think about a type of bread...
Braking becomes Breaking.
I can come in a can, I can come as a punch, I can come as a win, You can eat me for lunch. What am I?
Think about something that can be packaged, served as a surprise, achieved as a success, and consumed as a meal...
Beet/Beat
Our dinner guests cry that we are evil, when they notice their place in the meal. But its no big deal why; we are just one big happy tribe! And we get reall fed up with people! Who, What or Are we?
Think about a type of creature that is often associated with food, and whose name is a play on words that relates to being "fed up"...
Cannibals!
Julie is going on an extended trip for three weeks. She lives in a remote area where there are frequent electrical power outages which can last up to three or four days. Julie has quite a bit of food in her freezer which would go bad if it thawed and then re-froze. She does have digital clock and a VCR which would flash 12:00 if the power went out. Unfortunately the clock and VCR flash even if the power only goes out for a few seconds. What can Julie do so that when she returns home she will be able to determine whether the power was out long enough to thaw her food? Asking a neighbor whether the power was out, isn't a reliable option because the nearest house is half a mile away, and one house may have power, while another house may have no power. She won?t be able to have a neighbor check on her house every day, and has no one to house sit.
Think about using something that will be affected by the temperature change, but won't be reset by a brief power outage...
One thing Julie could do is freeze a tray of ice-cubes, and turn the tray of ice upside down in her freezer. When she comes home, she should check the tray. If the ice cubes are still in the tray, the food is safe to eat. If the trays are empty, it's time to clean out the freezer. She will have to make a judgment call if the ice-cubes are only slightly thawed.
The names of three trees are hidden in the sentences below. The letters are in consecutive order. Can you find them? On this farm, we get ham from a hog any time. The farmer will help in every possible way. He faced two very similar choices, both bad.
Hint: Look for common tree names that are also common words in everyday language.
Mahogany, pine and larch.
Three pirates, One Eye, Long John, and Peg Leg, were gambling with pieces of gold. All the winnings were piled up on the table. One Eye said, 'I have won 1/2' and took a large handful or two. Long John said, 'I have won 1/3' and took a handful. Peg Leg said, ' I have won 1/6' and took a small handful. One Eye said, ' I have taken too much' and returned a half. Long John said, 'I have taken too much' and returned a third. Peg Leg said, 'I have taken too much and returned a sixth. The money on the table was then shared out equally and they had 42 pieces each. One Eye said, 'I have now 1/2 of the total originally.' Long John said, ' I now have 1/3 of the originally.' Peg Leg said, 'I have now 1/6 of the originally.' How much was on the table originally?
Think about the fractions of the total amount each pirate has at the end, and how those fractions relate to the amounts they took and returned...
282 Pieces.
What is that which goes with a carriage, comes with a carriage, is of no use to a carriage, and yet the carriage cannot go without it. What is it?
Think about the words "with" and "without" in a more literal sense...
Noise.
In yon vast field of cultivated space, I there am found with members of my race; Decapitate me - if you've no objection - You then will find what brings me to perfection; Take one more cut, and then you'll plainly see What Iam destined, day by day, to be. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a garden or a farm, that has multiple parts, and that people often manipulate or change in some way to make it more useful or desirable...
WHEAT HEAT EAT
A student zips on his scooter to ride to the train station to get to college. His home is close to two stops; the first one is a mile from home, and the second is two miles from home in the opposite direction. In the morning, he always gets on at the first stop and in the afternoon, he always gets off at the second one. Why?
Think about the direction of travel...
The sations and his home are on a hill, which allows him to ride down easily on his scooter.
Two grandmothers, with their two granddaughters; Two husbands, with their two wives; Two fathers, with their two daughters; Two mothers, with their two sons; Two maidens, with their two mothers; Two sisters, with their two brothers; Yet only six in all lie buried here; All born legitimate, from incest clear. How can this be?
"Think about the relationships between the individuals, and how they can be connected in a way that might not be immediately obvious. Consider the possibility of multiple roles being fulfilled by a single person."
Two widows each had a son, and each widow married the son of the other and then each had a daughter.
There were 5 men traveling down a road and it started to rain and 4 men sped up, the 5th did not, but they all arrived at the same place at the same time but all of them were wet besides the 5th. How?
Think about the mode of transportation...
He was dead and in a coffin.
Who spends the day at the window, goes to the table for meals and hides at night?
Think about a common household item that is often placed near a window, used during meals, and might be tucked away when the lights go out...
A fly.
Some say we are red, some say we are green. Some play us, some spray us. What are we?
Think about something that can be associated with different colors and is often used in various ways by different people...
Pepper.
A boy presses a side of a blue pencil to a side of a yellow pencil, holding both pencils vertically. One inch of the pressed side of the blue pencil, measuring from its lower end, is smeared with paint. The yellow pencil is held steady while the boy slides the blue pencil down 1 inch, continueing to press it against the yellow one. He returns the blue pencil to its former position, then again it slides down 1 inch. He continues until he has lowered the blue pencil 5 times and raised it 5 times- 10 moves in all. Supposed that during this time the paint neither dries nor diminishes in quantity. How many inches of each pencil will be sneared with paint after the tenth move?
Here's a hint: Focus on the yellow pencil and think about how the paint is being transferred to it, rather than the blue pencil. Consider the pattern of smearing that occurs with each move...
At the start, 1inch of the yellow pencil gets smeared with wet paint. As the blue pencil is moved downward, a second inch of the blue pencils smears a second inch of the yellow pencil. Each pair of down and up movesof the blue pencil smears 1 more inch of each pencil. 5 pairs of moves will smear 5 inches. This together with the initial inch, makes 6 inches for each pencil.
0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 How can you use the digits above once each only to compose two fractions which when added together equal 1?
Think about using the digits to create fractions with different denominators...
35/70 + 148/296 = 1
The king dies and two men, the true heir and an impostor, both claim to be his long-lost son. Both fit the description of the rightful heir: about the right age, height, coloring and general appearance. Finally, one of the elders proposes a test to identify the true heir. One man agrees to the test while the other flatly re-fuses. The one who agreed is immediately sent on his way, and the one who re-fused is correctly identified as the rightful heir. Can you figure out why?
Here's a hint: Think about what kind of test would be proposed that one person would willingly accept, while the other would refuse, and what this says about their true identities.
The test was a blood test. The elder remembered that the true prince was a hemophiliac.
There were five men going to church and it started to rain. The four that ran got wet and the one that stood still stayed dry. How did the one stay dry?
Think about the situation where someone is more likely to be already "prepared" for the rain...
It was a body in a coffin with the bearers.
A mother has three sick children. She has a 24-ounce bottle of medicine and needs to give each child eight ounces of the medicine. She is unable to get to the store and has only three clean containers, which measure 5, 11 and 13 ounces. The electricity is out and she has no way of heating water to wash the containers and doesn't want to spread germs. How can she divide the medicine to give each child an equal portion without having any two children drink from the same container?
Think about filling and emptying the containers in a specific sequence to measure out the exact amounts needed, without ever mixing medicine from different containers.
Fill the 5 oz. and 11 oz. Containers from the 24 oz. container. This leaves 8 oz. in the 24 oz. bottle. Next empty the 11 oz. bottle by pouring the contents into the 13 oz. bottle. Fill the 13 oz. bottle from the 5 oz. container (with 2 oz.) and put the remaining 3 oz. in the 11 oz. bottle. This leaves the 5 oz. container empty. Now pour 5 oz. from the 13 oz. bottle into the 5 oz. bottle leaving 8 oz. in the 13 oz. bottle. Finally pour the 5 oz. bottle contents into the 11 oz. bottle giving 8 oz. in this container.
You can use me to stop, You take me to smoke; Not only do I stop, But I am a stop, And the result of pool's first stroke. What am I?
Think about objects related to transportation and a popular cue sport...
Brake/ Break
Rearrange all the letters in each of the sentences to form, in each case, a well-known proverb. 1. I don't admit women are faint. 2. It rocks. The broad flag of the free. 3. Strong lion's share almost gone. What are the proverbs?
Here's a hint for you: Pay attention to the words and phrases in each sentence, and think about how you can rearrange them to form a phrase that sounds wise or cautionary. You might need to split or combine words, and don't be afraid to get a little creative!
1. Time and tide wait for no man. 2. Birds of a feather flock together. 3. A rolling sone gathers no moss.
A great banquet was prepared for a Roman emperor and his courtiers. 22 Dormice, 40 Larks' Tongues, 30 Flamingos and 40 Roast Parrots were served. How many portions of Boiled Ostrich were served?
Think about the Roman alphabet...
42. Each vowel is worth 2 and each consonant 4, so Dormice gives 22, ect.
You are given a set of scales and 12 marbles. The scales are of the old balance variety. That is, a small dish hangs from each end of a rod that is balanced in the middle. The device enables you to conclude either that the contents of the dishes weigh the same or that the dish that falls lower has heavier contents than the other. The 12 marbles appear to be identical. In fact, 11 of them are identical, and one is of different weight. Your task is to identify the unusual marble and discard it. You are allowed to use the scales three times if you wish, but no more. Note that the unusual marble may be heavier or lighter than the others. How can you identify it and determine whether it is heavy or light?
Hint: Think in terms of "groups" rather than individual marbles, and consider how you can use each weighing to gather information about multiple marbles at once.
Number the marbles from 1 to 12. For the first weighing put marbles 1,2,3 and 4 on one side and marbles 5,6,7 and 8 on the other. The marbles will either they balance or not. If they balance, then the different marble is in group 9,10,11,12. Thus, we would put 1 and 2 on one side and 9 and 10 on the other. If these balance then the different marble is either 11 or 12. Weigh marble 1 against 11. If they balance, the different marble is number 12. If they do not balance, then 11 is the different marble. If 1 and 2 vs 9 and 10 do not balance, then the different marble is either 9 or 10. Again, weigh 1 against 9. If they balance, the different marble is number 10, otherwise, it is number 9. That was the easy part. What if the first weighing 1,2,3,4 vs 5,6,7,8 does not balance? Then any one of these marbles could be a different marble. Now, in order to proceed, keep track of which side is heavy for each of the following weighings. Suppose that 5,6,7 and 8 is the heavy side. We now weigh 1,5 and 6 against 2,7 and 8. If they balance, then the different marble is either 3 or 4. Weigh 4 against 9, a known good marble. If they balance then the different marble is 3 or 4. Then, if 1,5 and 6 vs 2,7 and 8 do not balance, and 2,7,8 is the heavy side, then either 7 or 8 is a different, heavy marble, or 1 is a different, light marble. For the third weighing, weigh 7 against 8. Whichever side is heavy is the different marble. If they balance, then 1 is the different marble. Should the weighing of 1,5 and 6 vs 2,7 and 8 show 1,5,6 to be the heavy side, then either 5 or 6 is a different heavy marble or 2 is a light different marble. Weigh 5 against 6. The heavier one is the different marble. If they balance, then 2 is a different light marble.
The word FACETIOUSLY contains the six vowels, A-E-I-O-U and Y, in their alphabetical order. Can you find another English word that does the same?
Hint: Look for a word that is related to a field of study.
The word is abstemiously. There may be others.
You have two container, a 5 gallon and a 3 gallon container. How do you measure out 4 gallons?
Think about filling and emptying the containers in a specific sequence to achieve the desired measurement...
Fill up the 3 gallon container and pour the 3 gallons into the 5 gallon container.Then, fill the 3 gallon container back up, and pour it into the 5 gallon container.The 3 gallon container will have 1 gallon left. Empty the 5 gallon container.Pour the remining 1 gallon into the 5 gallon container.Then fill the 3 gallon container back up and pour it into the 5 gallon container.Thus, you have 4 gallons.
A man goes to work at the same time each day and travels part of his journey facing forwards and the remainder facing backwards. When he returns at the end of his working day, he only faces forwards. How can this be?
Think about a mode of transportation that involves facing different directions, but the person's physical body remains facing forward...
He works in the engine room of a liner! To get to work, he walks along the decks from his cabin facing forwards, and down the ladders between decks facing backwards. However, when he finishes, he only needs to face forwards to climb the ladders again and walk along the deck back to his cabin.
I like indigo but not blue, I like onions but not turnips, I like forms but not shapes. According to the same rule, do I like tomatoes or avocados?
Think about the words you like, and notice a pattern in their names...
Avocadoes - I like all things that start with a preposition.
It's always 1 to 6, it's always 15 to 20, it's always 5, but it's never 21, unless it's flying. What is it?
Think about something you might find on a bird, but also on a non-living object, and how numbers might be associated with it in different ways...
The answer is: a dice. An explanation: "It's always 1 to 6": the numbers on the faces of the dice, "it's always 15 to 20": the sum of the exposed faces when the dice comes to rest after being thrown, "it's always 5": the number of exposed faces when the dice is at rest, "but it's never 21": the sum of the exposed faces is never 21 when the dice is at rest, "unless it's flying": the sum of all exposed faces when the dice is flying is 21 (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6).
A boy leaves home in the morning to go to school. At the moment he leaves the house he looks at the clock in the mirror. The clock has no number indication and for this reason, the boy makes a mistake in interpreting the time (mirror-image). Just assuming the clock must be out of order, the boy cycles to school, where he arrives after twenty minutes. At that moment the clock at school shows a time that is two and a half hours later than the time that the boy saw on the clock at home. What time is it?
Think about what time would look the same when reflected in a mirror...
The difference between the real time and the time of the mirror image is two hours and ten minutes (two and a half hours, minus the twenty minutes of cycling). Therefore, the original time on the clock at home that morning could only have been five minutes past seven: The difference between these clocks is exactly 2 hours and ten minutes (note that also five minutes past one can be mirrored in a similar way, but this is not in the morning!). Conclusion: The boy reaches school at five minutes past seven plus twenty minutes of cycling, which is twenty-five minutes past seven!...
Ben walked into a hardware store and asked the price of some items. The salesman said: One costs $1, Eight costs $1, Seventeen cost $2, One hundred four costs $3 and One thousand seventy two costs $4. What was Ben buying?
Think about the words, not the numbers...
Ben was buying home address numbers and they cost $1 per digit.
You are locked in a house and you have four objects. You have a wooden chair, a ladder, a piano, and a rubber ax. You can only pick one object and you can't get out by breaking anything. What would you use to get out?
Think about an object that can help you reach something, but not necessarily a physical exit...
You use the piano KEYS to ulock the door!
Two travelers spend from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock walking along a level road, up a hill, and back again. Their pace is 4 mph on the level, 3 mph uphill, and 6 mph downhill. How far do they walk and at what time do they reach the top of the hill?
Think about how the travelers' pace changes as they move from the level road to the hill and back again. Consider how this affects the total distance traveled and the time it takes to reach the top of the hill. You might want to break down the journey into separate segments to help you solve this problem.
24 miles half past three.
A car's odometer shows 72927 miles, a palindromic number. What are the minimum miles you would need to travel to form another?
Think about the smallest possible change you can make to the odometer reading to create a new palindrome...
110 miles. (73037)
My first is often at the front door. My second is found in the cereal family. My third is what most people want. My whole is one of the United States. What am I?
Think about common words or phrases that are associated with each of the clues, and see if you can combine them to form a state in the United States...
MATRIMONY (mat rye money). Which is certainly a "united state"!
My first is high, My second damp, My whole a tie, A writer's cramp. What am I?
Think about the tools of the trade for a writer, and how the words in the riddle might be describing them in a clever way...
Hyphen. The first two lines yield high-fen. A hyphen is used by a writer to tie (or cramp) two words together.
Three working women have different careers. If only one of statements 1, 2 and 3 are true, can you tell whether or not Mary is a nurse? 1. This statement is only true if statement 5 is false. 2. This statement is true if statements 4 or 5, or both 4 and 5 are true. 3. This statement is false only if both statements 6 and 1 are true. 4. Mary is a nurse 5. Karen is an artist. 6. Sarah is a photographer.
Focus on statement 4, and think about what would happen if it were true... or false.
Mary is not a nurse. The way to solve this riddle is to consider statements 4, 5, and 6 and create a chart of all possible true and false answers. Next, fill in the chart according to statements 1 through 3. You will discover that there is only one line where only one of the statements one, two, and three are true. Thus, it is determined that: Statements 4 and 5 are false and statement 6 is true.
If you're in a room with no windows, no doors, and everything made of cement. In the room is a mirror and a table. How do you get out?
Look closely at the mirror...
Look in the mirror to see what you saw. Take the saw the table in half. Use the two halves to make a whole. Then, crawl through the hole to get out.
In the NBA, how many men are on the basketball court for each team?
Think about the number that's often associated with a "starting lineup"...
Five, not ten!
The more you take, the more you leave behind. "What am I?"
Think about something you do every day, and the more you do it, the more evidence you'll find of it afterwards...
You take footsteps and leave footprints.
What 8 letter word can have a letter taken away and it still makes a word. Take another letter away and it still makes a word. Keep on doing that until you have one letter left. What is the word?
The hint is: It's a common, everyday activity.
The word is "starting". Remove the middle "T" and you have "staring", Remove the "A" and you get "string", remove the "R" then you have "sting", remove the "T" and you get "sing". Remove the "G", and you get "sin", remove the "S" and you're left with "in", and finally, remove the "N" and you're left with "I".
What has a head, a tail, is brown, and has no legs?
Think about something you might find in your pocket or purse...
A Penny.
Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?
Think about a common phrase people use to describe a period of time...
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.
A doctor and a bus driver are both in love with the same woman, an attractive girl named Sarah. The bus driver had to go on a long bus trip that would last a week. Before he left, he gave Sarah seven apples. Why?
Think about the significance of the number of apples and how it might relate to the bus driver's trip...
An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
You live in a one story house made entirely of redwood. What color would the stairs be?
Think about the phrase "one story house"...
What stairs? You live in a one-story house.
A boy was at a carnival and went to a booth where a man said to the boy, "If I write your exact weight on this piece of paper then you have to give me $50, but if I cannot, I will pay you $50." The boy looked around and saw no scale so he agrees, thinking no matter what the carny writes he'll just say he weighs more or less. In the end the boy ended up paying the man $50. How did the man win the bet?
Think about what the man could have written on the piece of paper that would make the boy's strategy of saying "more" or "less" impossible...
The man did exactly as he said he would and wrote "your exact weight" on the paper.
What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?
Think about the units of time and how they relate to each other...
The letter M.
What has 88 keys, but can't even open a single door?
Think about something you might find in a music room...
A piano.
What is more useful when it is broken?
Think about something that's often considered useless or worthless when it's whole, but becomes valuable or functional when it's no longer intact...
An egg.
Samuel was out for a walk when it started to rain. He did not have an umbrella and he wasn't wearing a hat. His clothes were soaked, yet not a single hair on his head got wet. How could this happen?
Think about Samuel's hair... or lack thereof!
This man is bald!
Re-arrange the letters, O O U S W T D N E J R, to spell just one word. What is it?
"Think of a place where you might find a Jedi..."
'Just one word'.
Two fathers and two sons went fishing one day. They were there the whole day and only caught 3 fish. One father said, that is enough for all of us, we will have one each. How can this be possible?
Think about the relationships between the individuals... are they all biologically related?
There was the father, his son, and his son's son. This equals 2 fathers and 2 sons for a total of 3!
My life can be measured in hours, I serve by being devoured. Thin, I am quick. Fat, I am slow. Wind is my foe. What am I?
Think about something that is often associated with warmth, nourishment, and is affected by the elements...
I am a candle.
What can point in every direction but can't reach the destination by itself?
Think about something you might find on a map or a compass...
Your finger or a compass.
What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?
Think about something you might find in a charcoal grill or a fire pit...
Charcoal.
A bus driver was heading down a street in Colorado. He went right past a stop sign without stopping, he turned left where there was a "no left turn" sign, and he went the wrong way on a one-way street. Then he went on the left side of the road past a cop car. Still - he didn't break any traffic laws. Why not?
Think about the bus driver's occupation and the vehicle he's operating...
He was walking...not driving.
A man rode out of town on Sunday, he stayed a whole night at a hotel and rode back to town the next day on Sunday. How is this possible?
Think about the horse's name...
His Horse was called Sunday!
A pet shop owner had a parrot with a sign on its cage that said "Parrot repeats everything it hears". Davey bought the parrot and for two weeks he spoke to it and it didn't say a word. He returned the parrot but the shopkeeper said he never lied about the parrot. How can this be?
Think about the assumption you're making about the parrot's ability to repeat...
The parrot was deaf.
Poor people have it. Rich people need it. If you eat it you die. What is it?
Think about something that is abundant in one sense, yet scarce in another...
Nothing.
How many seconds are there in one year?
Think about the number of seconds in a minute, then in an hour, then in a day... and don't forget about leap years!
12. Every month has a 2nd.
You have three stoves: a gas stove, a wood stove, and a coal stove, but only one match. Which should you light first?
Think about what you need to light before you can light any of the stoves...
The match!
You walk up to a mountain that has two paths. One leads to the other side of the mountain, and the other will get you lost forever. Two twins know the path that leads to the other side. You can ask them only one question. Except! One lies and one tells the truth, and you don't know which is which. So, What do you ask?
Think about what you can ask that would get a consistent answer from both twins, regardless of who is lying or telling the truth...
You ask one twin, "Are you twins?". If he says "Yes", he is telling the truth. Therefore, you ask the other twin which way to go and go the opposite way because he is lying. If he says "No", he is the liar and you ask the other twin which way to go because he is telling the truth.
What 7 letter word is spelled the same way backwards and forwards?
Think about a word that is often associated with a mirror...
Racecar.
I am full of holes but I can still hold water. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a garden or a park, and its purpose is related to water, but it's not a container...
A sponge!
I'm tall when I'm young and I'm short when I'm old. What am I?
Think about something that grows or increases in size when it's new or in its early stages, but decreases or shrinks over time as it ages...
A candle or a pencil.
If a rooster laid a brown egg and a white egg, what kind of chicks would hatch?
Think about the characteristics of the parent, not the eggs...
Roosters don't lay eggs.
What 5 letter word typed in all capital letters can be read the same upside down?
Think about a word that is often used in titles or headings, and its capital letters have a special symmetry...
SWIMS.
When can you add two to eleven and get one as the correct answer?
Think about a clock...
When you add two hours to eleven o'clock, you get one o'clock.
A pregnant lady named her children: Dominique, Regis, Michelle, Fawn, Sophie, and Lara. What will she name her next child? Jessica, Katie, Abby, or Tilly?
Think about the months of the year...
Tilly. She seems to follow the scale Do, Re, Me, Fa, So, La, and then Ti.
Romeo and Juliet are found dead on the floor in a bedroom. When they were discovered, there were pieces of glass and some water on the floor. The only furniture in the room is a shelf and a bed. The house is in a remote location, away from everything except for the nearby railroad track. What caused the death of Romeo and Juliet?
Think about the environment and the objects in the room, but also consider the "stage" they're on...
Romeo and Juliet are fish. The rumble of the train knocked the tank off the shelf, it broke and Romeo and Juliet did not survive.
I'm not clothes but I cover your body; The more I'm used, the thinner I grow. What am I?
Think about something you use daily, that comes into contact with your skin, and its thickness decreases with frequent use...
Bar of soap.
What is it that given one, you'll have either two or none?
Think about something that can be "split" or "divided" in a specific way...
A choice.
A horse was tied to a rope 5 meters long and the horse's food was 15 meters away from the horse. How did the horse reach the food?
Think about the assumption you're making about the rope...
The rope wasn't tied to anything so he could reach the food.
What travels around the world but stays in one spot?
Think about something you might find on a map or a globe...
A stamp.
Five apples are in a basket. How do you divide them among five girls so that each girl gets an apple, but one apple remains in the basket?
Think about the meaning of "divide" and consider a non-literal approach...
Give the fifth girl her apple in the basket.
Railroad Crossing, look out for the cars. Can you spell that, without any R's?
Think about the words that are typically seen on a railroad crossing sign, and try to spell them without using the letter R.
That.
I'm white, and used for cutting and grinding. When I'm damaged, humans usually remove me or fill me. For most animals I am a useful tool. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a dentist's office...
A tooth!
You use a knife to slice my head and weep beside me when I am dead. What am I?
Think about something you often find in the kitchen, and a common emotional response people have when they're preparing it...
An onion.
If you drop me, I'm sure to crack. Give me a smile, and I'll always smile back. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a bathroom, and how people often interact with it...
A mirror.
You can carry it everywhere you go, and it does not get heavy. What is it?
Think about something that is always with you, yet its "weight" doesn't change, no matter where you are or what you're doing...
Your name.
Until I am measured I am not known, Yet how you miss me when I have flown. What Am I?
Think about something that is often overlooked or underappreciated until it's gone, and its value is only truly understood when it's been lost or used up.
Time.
When will water stop running downhill?
Think about a time when gravity is no longer in control...
When it reaches the bottom.
There is a dead man in the middle of a field, nothing is around him and there are no footprints of any sort. There is an unopened package next to him. How did he die? HINT: As he approached the field he knew he was going to die.
The key to this riddle lies in the fact that the man knew he was going to die as he approached the field... Think about what kind of situation would make someone aware of their impending death before they even reach a location.
Failed Parachute
There is a brother and a sister. The boy wants to visit his father in jail, and the sister wants to visit her mother in the hospital. But they both are not allowed in the jail or hospital. All they have is a gun. What do they do?
Think about a situation where the presence of a gun might not be used for violence, but rather as a tool to achieve their goal...
The boy shoots the girl, and then the boy goes to jail for attempted murder and the girl goes to the hospital due to her injuries.
A father's child, a mother's child, yet no one's son. Who am I?
Think about a word that can be used to describe a child, but has a different meaning when considered in a more general sense...
The daughter.
Tom and his younger sister were fighting. Their mother was tired of the fighting and decided to punish them by making them stand on the same piece of newspaper in such a way that they couldn't touch each other. How did she accomplish this?
Think about the shape of the newspaper...
Tom's mother slid a newspaper under a door, each sibling standing on each side.
Flat as a leaf, round as a ring; Has two eyes, can't see a thing. What is it?
Think about something you might find on a face, but not a living thing...
A button.
I'm a god, a planet, and a measurer of heat. Who am I?
Think about a word that has multiple meanings, and its abbreviations are commonly used in science and astronomy...
Mercury.
You can see it every day, But cannot touch it at will. What is it?
"Look to the sky for the answer..."
The sky.
I am six letters. When you take one away I am twelve. What am I?
Think about a word that is a unit of time...
The word Dozens.
Tool of thief, toy of queen. Always used to be unseen. Sign of joy, sign of sorrow. Giving all likeness borrowed. What am I?
"Think about something that can be used for both positive and negative purposes, and is often associated with imitation or representation..."
A mask.
A magician was boasting one day about how long he could hold his breath underwater. His record was 6 minutes. A kid that was listening said, "That's nothing, I can stay underwater for 10 minutes using no type of equipment or air pockets!" The magician told the kid if he could do that, he'd give him $10,000. The kid did it and won the money. Can you figure out how?
Think about the words "underwater" and "no type of equipment or air pockets"... are they being used in the classical sense?
The kid filled a glass of water and held it over his head for 10 minutes.
What can go up and come down without moving?
Think about something that changes its value or state, but its physical position remains the same...
The temperature.
I never was, am always to be, No one ever saw me, nor ever will, And yet I am the confidence of all to live and breathe on this terrestrial ball. What am I?
Think about something that doesn't exist in the present, but is always anticipated or expected to happen in the future, and is crucial for the survival of all living beings on Earth.
Tomorrow.
What has holes but still holds water?
Think about something you might find in a garden or a park, and is used for a specific purpose...
A Sponge.
The rungs of a 10-foot ladder attached to a ship are 1 foot apart. If the water is rising at the rate of one foot an hour, how long will it take until the water covers the ladder?
Think about what's happening to the ship as the water rises...
It will never cover the ladder because as the water rises, so will the floating ship.
A man was found murdered on Sunday morning. His wife immediately called the police. The police questioned the wife and staff and got their alibi. The Wife said she was sleeping. The Cook was cooking breakfast. The Gardener was picking vegetables. The Maid was getting the mail. The Butler was cleaning the closet. The police instantly arrested the murderer. Who did it and how did they know?
Think about the time of day and the activities that don't quite add up...
It was the Maid. She said she was getting the mail. There is no mail on Sunday!
What starts with a T, ends with a T and has T in it?
Think about something you might find in a kitchen, and it's used for a specific purpose...
A teapot.
What runs without legs?
Think about something you might find in a road or a trail, but it's not a living thing...
Water.
A plane crashed between the border of Canada and America. Where do you bury the survivors?
You don't bury them.
They are survivors, you don't bury them.
Never resting, never still. Moving silently from hill to hill. It does not walk, run or trot, All is cool where it is not. What is it?
"Think about something that can travel long distances without moving its 'body', and its presence is often associated with a lack of warmth..."
Sunshine.
What is the end of everything?
Think about the last letter of a word...
The letter G.
What has cities, but no houses; forests, but no trees; and water, but no fish?
Think about something you might find in a school or a library...
A map.
There was a man who was born before his father, killed his mother, and married his sister. Yet, there was nothing wrong with what he had done. Why?
Think about words with multiple meanings and consider the man's occupation...
His father was in front of him when he was born, therefore he was born before him. His mother died while giving birth to him. Finally, he grew up to be a minister and married his sister at her ceremony.
There are two sisters; one gives birth to the other, who in turn gives birth to the first. Who are they?
Think about the cycle of time and the way we measure it...
Day and night. Both words that are both feminine in the Greek language.
A man was just doing his job when his suit was torn. Why did he die three minutes later?
Think about a profession that involves wearing a specific type of suit, and the consequences of that suit being torn...
He was an astronaut on a space walk, doing repairs.
A group of campers have been on vacation so long, that they've forgotten the day of the week. The following conversation ensues. Darryl: What's the day? I don't think it is Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Tracy: Well that doesn't narrow it down much. Yesterday was Sunday. Melissa: Yesterday wasn't Sunday, tomorrow is Sunday. Ben: The day after tomorrow is Saturday. Adrienne: The day before yesterday was Thursday. Susie: Tomorrow is Saturday. David: I know that the day after tomorrow is not Friday. If only one person's statement is true, what day of the week is it?
Hint: Pay attention to the contradictions between the statements, and try to find the one statement that doesn't contradict any of the others.
It is Wednesday. If it was any other day of the week, more than one statement would be true. To solve the riddle, evaluate each person's statement and write down what day it could be according to the statement. David's statement indicates it could be any day of the week except for Wednesday. When you list the days that it could be according to everyone's statement, it turns out Wednesday is the day mentioned only one time. Darryl: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday Tracy: Monday Melissa: Saturday Ben: Thursday Adrienne: Saturday Susie: Friday David: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday
When may a man's coat pocket be empty, and yet have something in it?
Think about the words and their meanings... "empty" and "something" might not be as contradictory as they seem.
When it has a hole in it.
There is a clerk at the butcher shop, he is five feet ten inches tall, and he wears size 13 sneakers. He has a wife and 2 kids. What does he weigh?
Think about what the clerk's job is and what he might be standing on at work...
Meat.
I am white, black and read all over. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a library or a newsstand...
Newspaper!
I'm so fast you can't see me, though everyone else can see straight through me. I won't stop until the day you die. What am I?
Think about something that is invisible to the person it affects, but visible to others, and is constantly moving forward, unstoppable until the end of one's life...
The blink of an eye.
A father and son were in a car accident where the father was killed. The ambulance brought the son to the hospital. He needed immediate surgery. In the operating room, a doctor came in and looked at the little boy and said I can't operate on him he is my son. Who is the doctor?
Think outside the traditional family structure...
The Mother.
A man went on a trip with a fox, a goose, and a sack of corn. He came upon a stream that he had to cross and found a tiny boat to use to cross the stream. He could only take himself and one other - the fox, the goose, or the corn - one at a time. He could not leave the fox alone with the goose or the goose with the corn. How does he get all safely over the stream?
Think about the order in which he transports each item, and how he can ensure that the fox and goose are never left together, and the goose and corn are never left together. Consider making multiple trips back and forth across the stream.
Take the goose over first and come back. Then take the fox over and bring the goose back. Now take the corn over and come back alone to get the goose. Take the goose over and the job is done!
A horse is tied to a five-meter rope in front of an old saloon. Six meters behind the horse is a bale of hay. Without breaking his rope, the horse is able to eat the hay whenever he chooses. How is this possible?
Think about the position of the horse and the saloon...
The rope is not tied to anything else.
What falls down but never breaks?
Think about something that occurs naturally in the atmosphere...
Nightfall.
If a chicken says, "All chickens are liars". Is the chicken telling the truth?
Think about the consequences of the chicken's statement being true...
Answer: Chickens cannot talk.
You pick it, You peel the outside, You cook the inside, You eat the outside, And throw away the inside. What is it?
Think about a popular snack that's often served at parties or as a quick bite...
An ear of corn.
A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?
Think about the condition of the lions...
The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.
A beggar's brother died, but the man who died had no brother. How could that be?
Think about the words "a beggar's brother" very carefully...
The beggar was his sister!
What goes on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening.
Think about the different stages of a person's life...
Man, who crawls as a baby, walks on two legs as an adult, and uses a walking stick in his twilight years.
Some will use me, while others will not, some have remembered, while others have forgot. For profit or gain, I'm used expertly, I can't be picked off the ground or tossed into the sea. Only gained from patience and time, can you unravel my rhyme. What am I?
Think about something that can be acquired through dedication and perseverance, but can't be physically obtained or discarded...
I'm Knowledge.
I dig out tiny caves and store gold and silver in them. I also build bridges of silver and make crowns of gold. They are the smallest you could imagine. Sooner or later everybody needs my help, yet many people are afraid to let me help them. Who am I?
"Think small, think precious, and think about a profession that often gets a bad reputation..."
I am a Dentist.
Mr. Blue lives in a blue house, Mrs. Pink lives in a pink house and Mr. Red lives in a red house. Who lives in the White House?
Think about a very famous person who lives in the White House... it's not a color!
The President.
I run through hills; I veer around mountains. I leap over rivers and crawl through the forests. Step out your door to find me. What am I?
Think about something that can be found in various natural landscapes, but is also closely tied to human infrastructure and daily life...
Roads.
There are 2 cops parked along a one-way street looking for traffic violations. They spot a taxi driver going in the wrong direction, yet they do nothing. Why?
The taxi driver was walking, not driving.
The taxi driver wasn't driving at the time, he was walking.
What is the best key to a good dinner?
The answer lies in the kitchen, but it's not a utensil or an ingredient...
A tur-key.
I'm like a doll, But I'm not for playing; I stand up straight, but if windy I may be laying; I'm well-known and famous for having no brain; I work outside both day and night in sunshine or in rain. What am I?
Think about something that resembles a doll, but serves a functional purpose, and is often seen outdoors...
A Scarecrow.
What has to be taken before you can get it?
Think about something you often need to obtain, but first, you need to do something to make it yours...
Your picture.
They fill me up and you empty me, almost everyday; if you raise my arm, I work the opposite way. What am I?
Think about something you use daily, that has a "filling" and "emptying" process, and has a movable part that changes its function when raised...
A mailbox.
There were three girls going to school. They were sharing 1 umbrella. How come all the girls did not get wet?
The key to this riddle lies in the fact that it's not raining...
Because it was not raining!!!
How could a cowboy ride into town on Friday, stay two days, and ride out on Friday?
Think about the cowboy's horse...
His horse is named Friday.
The more there is the less you see. What is it?
Think about something that increases in quantity, but as it does, your visibility or clarity of it decreases...
Fog.
Mountains will crumble and temples will fall, and no man can survive its endless call. What is it?
Think about something that has been known to bring down even the strongest structures, and is often associated with a loud, piercing sound...
It is time.
Glittering points that downward thrust, Sparkling spears that never rust. What is it?
Think about something you might find in a winter wonderland, shining bright and piercing the air...
An Icicle.
If it takes 5 microwaves 5 minutes to cook 5 chickens, how long does it take 100 microwaves to cook 100 chickens?
Think about the relationship between the number of microwaves and the cooking time, rather than the number of chickens.
5 minutes. We can assume that one chicken is placed in each microwave and that each chicken takes 5 minutes to cook.
Lighter than what I am made of, More of me is hidden Than is seen. What am I?
Think about something that has a physical presence, but its weight is less than the material it's composed of...
An iceberg.
It runs and runs but can never flee. It is often watched, yet never sees. When long it brings boredom, When short it brings fear. What is it?
Think about something you might find on a wall, but it's not a living thing...
Time, which is often watched when you stare at a clock.
You can't see me, but I can see you; To be more specific, I see through. What am I?
Think about something that is transparent, yet has a gaze...
An X-Ray.
If you're 8 feet away from a door and with each move you advance half the distance to the door. How many moves will it take to reach the door?
Think about the pattern of distances: 8, 4, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25,... Do you see how the distance is being reduced with each move?
Infinity! Technically you will never reach the door, as you can only move half the distance, no matter how small.
From the beginning of eternity To the end of time and space From the beginning of every end And the end of every place. What am I?
Think about the words that are often found at the beginning and end of written works...
The letter E.
I have no voice and yet I speak to you, I tell of all things in the world that people do. I have leaves, but I am not a tree, I have pages, but I am not a bride or royalty. I have a spine and hinges, but I am not a man or a door, I have told you all, I cannot tell you more. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a library or a bookstore...
A Book.
A black dog stands in the middle of an intersecton in a town painted black. None of the street lights are working due to a power failure caused by a storm. A car with two broken headlights drives towards the dog but turns in time to avoid hitting him. How could the driver have seen the dog in time?
The answer lies in the time of day...
Who said this happened during the night?
My voice is tender, my waist is slender and I'm often invited to play. Yet wherever I go I must take my bow or else I have nothing to say. What am I?
Think about something that "speaks" in a gentle way, has a narrow middle part, and is often asked to "perform"...
A violin.
What is as big as you are and yet does not weigh anything?
Think about something that surrounds you, is always with you, and takes up space, but isn't a physical object...
Your shadow.
How do you spell hard water with three letters?
Think about a common abbreviation for a unit of measurement...
ICE.
A husband was called by the police telling him that his wife was killed and that he should get to the crime scene as soon as possible. Shocked, the husband dropped the phone and drove to the crime scene in 20 minutes, where he was arrested and charged for murder. How did the police know it was him?
Think about the husband's ability to arrive at the crime scene so quickly...
The police told him to get to the crime scene, but they didn't specify where. The husband couldn't have known where the crime scene was unless he'd been there when the wife was dead or dying.
Pronounced as one letter, And written with three, Two letters there are, And two only in me. I'm double, I'm single, I'm black, blue, and gray, I'm read from both ends And the same either way. What am I?
The answer is a word that is often associated with writing and communication, and its meaning can change depending on the context in which it is used. Think about a word that can be a color, a concept, or a symbol...
An eye.
What can be seen in the middle of March and April that cannot be seen at the beginning or end of either month?
Look for something that is "in the middle" of the words, not just the calendar dates...
The letter R.
I have four wings, but cannot fly, I never laugh and never cry; On the same spot, I'm always found, toiling away with little sound. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a kitchen, and the "wings" might not be what you expect...
A Windmill.
How can you say rabbit without using the letter R?
Think about how you might describe a rabbit without using its name...
Bunny.
The more of these you take, the more appear behind you. What am I?
Think about something you might do while walking or hiking...
Steps.
Lovely and round, I shine with pale light, grown in the darkness, A lady's delight. What am I?
Think about something that forms underground, often associated with luxury and beauty, and is prized by many women...
A Pearl.
Three simple words, but life changing. What are they?
Think about a phrase that is often spoken during a pivotal moment in a person's life, a moment that can bring great joy and relief...
I love you.
I look flat, but I am deep, Hidden realms I shelter. Lives I take, but food I offer. At times I am beautiful. I can be calm, angry and turbulent. I have no heart, but offer pleasure as well as death. No man can own me, yet I encompass what all men must have. What am I?
Think about a natural entity that can be both serene and violent, providing sustenance while also posing danger, and is essential for human survival...
An ocean.
The leaves are on the fruit, The fruits is on the leaves. What is it?
Think about a type of fruit that has a leafy top, and the "leaves" are actually a part of the fruit itself...
A pineapple.
If April showers bring may flowers, what do may flowers bring?
Think about the next season that comes after May...
Pilgrims.
What English word has three consecutive double letters?
Think about a common, everyday activity that involves books...
Bookkeeper.
What falls but doesn't break, and what breaks but doesn't fall?
Think about the cycles of nature and the passage of time...
Night and Day.
If a dog is tied to a piece of rope that is 6m long, how can he reach a bone that is 7m away?
Think outside the rope!
The other end is not tied to anything.
What demands an answer, but asks no question?
Think about something you might find in a public place, where people often stop to consider their response...
A telephone.
Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover?
Think about what's special about a 4-leaf clover... and what ironing might do to that special quality.
You don't want to press your luck!
I am two-faced but bare only one, I have no legs but travel widely. Men spill much blood over me, kings leave there imprint on me. I have greatest power when given away, yet lust for me keeps me locked away. What am I?
Think about something that has a "face" or a surface that people interact with, but it's not a living being. It's often associated with power, wealth, and conflict, and its value is paradoxical - it's most powerful when it's given away, but people often hoard it...
A Coin.
What word is spelled incorrectly in the dictionary?
Think about the word that is literally "in" the dictionary...
Incorrectly.
Two men are in a desert. They both have packs on. One of the guys is dead. The guy who is alive has his pack open, the guy who is dead has his pack closed. What is in the pack?
Think about a common activity people do in a desert, and what they might need to do to survive...
A parachute (that didn't open)
There is a bus full of people travelling to San Francisco and no one gets off the bus throughout the journey. But when it gets to the other side there is not a single person left. How is this possible?
Think about the type of people on the bus...
They are all married.
Die without me, Never thank me. Walk right through me, Never feel me. Always watching, Never speaking. Always lurking, Never seen. What am I?
"Think about something that's always present, yet often overlooked, and has a connection to shadows..."
Air.
What building has the most stories?
Think about a place where stories are often found, and it's not just about the physical structure...
The library.
I am big on Saturday and Sunday. Small on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I'm not on Monday or Friday. What am I?
Think about the days of the week and how they relate to the calendar...
The letter S.
I went into the woods and got it. I sat down to seek it. I brought it home with me because I couldn't find it. What is it?
Think about something you might do when you're lost...
A splinter.
No legs have I to dance, No lungs have I to breathe, No life have I to live or die And yet I do all three. What am I?
Think about something that can be "alive" in a sense, but not in a biological way...
Fire.
You're in a magical bathroom with no windows and the only way things can get in and out is by an open door. You decide to have a bath so you turn on the tap, you shut the door and the handle breaks so you can't open it, you then turn off the tap and the knob breaks so water keeps coming. How do you save yourself from drowning?
Think about what you can do BEFORE the water starts rising...
Pull out the plug in the bath.
A hole leading in, a hole leading out, we connect to a cavern that is slimy all throughout. What are we?
Think about a part of the human body that has an entrance and an exit, and is often associated with something slimy...
A nose.
What's the least number of chairs you would need around a table to sit four fathers, two grandfathers, and four sons?
Think about family relationships and how they can overlap...
Four. The four fathers could be grandfathers and are definitely sons already.
If you drop the soap on the floor, is the floor clean or the soap dirty?
Think about the concept of "clean" and "dirty" in a more abstract sense, rather than just physically...
It depends on the floor.
What has to be broken before you can use it?
Think about something you might find in a kitchen, but it's not a food...
An egg.
What has 88 teeth but never brushes them?
Think about something you might find in a music room or a concert hall...
A Piano.
Squeeze me and I cry tears as red as flesh, but my heart is made of stone. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a kitchen, and the "tears" it produces when squeezed...
A cherry.
Two words, my answer is only two words. To keep me, you must give me. What am I?
Think about something you need to give to someone or something in order to keep or retain it...
"Your word".
I repeat only the last word you say. The more I repeat, the softer I got. I cannot be seen but can be heard. What am I?
"Think about the way you speak..."
An Echo.
What is the next number in the sequence? 2, 3, 5, 9, 17, _
Think about the way each number is related to the previous one... it's a simple operation that's being repeated.
33. The pattern: Double the previous number and subtract 1.
There are three doors. In each door is a way to die. The first door has fire and lava. The second door has lions that haven't eaten in 5 years. In the third door, there is a 1,000-foot drop into alligators. Which door will you likely survive?
Think about the lions' situation...
The second door with the lions. Since they haven't eaten in 5 years they will have died.
There is a pink house made of bricks, a blue house made of bricks, an orange house made of bricks. What color bricks is a greenhouse made of?
Think about the name "greenhouse"... it's not just a colorful description!
A greenhouse is made of glass or plastic, not bricks
Every night, I'm told what to do. And every morning, I do what you tell me to do. But you still get mad at me and hit me. What am I?
Think about an object that receives instructions or settings at night, and performs a specific function in the morning, but is often subject to frustration and physical interaction from its user...
An alarm clock.
If a train was on its way to Florida and it tipped over, where would they bury the survivors?
You don't bury survivors...
They wouldn't need to, the survivors are still alive!
Forward and forward I go, never looking back. My limit no one knows, more of me do they lack. Like a river I do flow, and an eagle I fly. Now can you guess, what am I?
Think about something that constantly moves forward, has no visible boundaries, and is often associated with freedom and limitless possibilities...
Time. I am time!
I'm made of eight letters, But hold a ninth inside; Pay a very small fee, And send me for a ride. What am I?
Think about something you might find in your wallet or purse, and how you can use it to send something else somewhere...
An Envelope.
I'm in the book, but not on any leaf; I'm in the mouth, but not in lip or teeth; I'm in the atmosphere, but never in the air; I wait on every one, but never on a pair; I am with you wherever you may go; And every thing you do I'm sure to know; Though when you did it I should not be there, Yet when 'twas done, you'd find me in the chair.What am I?
Think about the words that are often associated with these locations, but aren't physical objects themselves...
The letter O.
A cop was walking past a restaurant when he heard someone scream - "No John, not the gun!" He ran inside and and saw a doctor, a lawyer, a milkman, and a dead body on the floor. He promptly walked over to the milkman and arrested him. He didn't witness the shooting and there was no apparent evidence to prove who shot the person and no one told him who the killer was. How did the policeman instantly know it was the milkman?
The hint is: Think about the scream "No John, not the gun!" very carefully...
The milkman was the only male. The doctor and lawyer were females, so the cop knew that "John" was the milkman.
I turn around once. What is out will not get in. I turn around again. What is in will not get out. What am I?
Think about something you use every day, something that controls the flow of things, and has a rotating mechanism...
A Key.
How many letters are in the alphabet?
Think about the question being asked... are they really asking about the total number of letters?
There are 11 letters in "THE ALPHABET." Did you say 26?
You are a bus driver at a station. 10 get on the bus and no one gets off. You drive 10 miles to another station where 3 people get on and 1 gets off. You drive another 10 miles only to get 25 people on and 5 people go off. Next you drive 3 miles while 12 people exit the bus. You drive back to the place knowing that a couple more stops along the way untill the ride is done. At the 2nd to last station 5 people get on and 2 get off. And at the last station (5.5 miles) 25 people get on for no reason and 1 gets off. What is the bus drivers eye color?
The hint is: You are the bus driver.
You are the bus driver so, the answer is the color of your eyes.
If you feed me, I live, but if you water me, I die. What am I?
Think about something that needs fuel to keep going, but too much liquid can be detrimental to its existence...
A Fire
A word I know, six letters it contains. Subtract just one, and twelve is what remains. What is the word?
Think about a common word related to time...
Dozens!
This thing runs but cannot walk, sometimes sings but never talks. Lacks arms, has hands; lacks a head but has a face. What is it?
Think about something you might find in a public place, often decorated and musical, with clock hands and a face, but no arms or head...
A Clock.
A rich person doesn't need it A poor person has it And if you eat it you will die. What is it?
"Think about something that's abundant in scarcity, yet lethal in excess..."
Nothing.
Marble walls as white as milk, lined with skin as soft as silk, in a fountain crystal clear, a golden apple will appear, there is no key to this stronghold, yet theives break in and steal the gold. What is it?
Think about a delicate, precious, and coveted thing that people often try to "steal" or take for themselves, and it's often associated with beauty and value...
An egg.
There are ten birds sitting on a fence. You shoot one. How many are left?
Think about the verb "shoot" in a more literal sense...
None are left. All the others are scared away because of the gunshot.
The cost of making only the maker knows, Valueless if bought, but sometimes traded. A poor man may give one as easily as a king. When one is broken pain and deceit are assured. What am I?
Think about something that is priceless, yet worthless if you try to buy it, and is often exchanged between people, regardless of their social status...
A Promise.
In a stable there are men and horses. In all, there are 22 heads and 72 feet. How many men and how many horses are in the stable?
Think about the number of feet each man and horse has, and how that relates to the total number of feet...
14 horses and 8 men. 14x4 plus 8x2 = 72 feet.
This thing devours all things. All man, all beasts, all flowers and trees. Even the fiery sun, and the shadowy moon, will one day be devoured by this thing. Stone it grinds, metal it bites. And it shall make wood rot. Is it powerful? Well it is rather not, but it kills powerful things a lot. Its immortal yet it is not some type of god. What is it?
Think about something that is often overlooked, yet is always present and slowly affecting everything around it...
Time.
Give me food, and I will live; give me water, and I will die. What am I?
Think about something that needs fuel to survive, but too much of a certain liquid can be its downfall...
Fire!
A man builds a house with all 4 sides facing south. A bear walks past the house. What color is the bear?
Think about the location of the house... it's not just any ordinary house!
White, the house is built directly on the North Pole.
If there is a Yellow house on Bluebird Lane, a Green house on Orange Street, a Pink house on Kitten Road, a Black house on Whitehorse Pike and a Purple house on Firebird hill, where is the White house?
Look for a pattern in the names of the streets and the colors of the houses...
Washington, D.C.
I'm so fast you can't see me, Though everyone sees straight through me, I don't stop until the day you die. What am I?
Think about something that moves quickly, is invisible, and is present from birth to death...
A blink of an eye.
If you break me I do not stop working, If you touch me I may be snared, If you lose me nothing will matter. What am I?
Think about something that is often fragile, yet its "work" continues even when it's broken, and is closely tied to one's sense of identity...
Your heart.
What bird can be heard at mealtimes?
Think about the sounds people make while eating...
A swallow.
What can't be put into a sauce pan?
Think about the shape and purpose of a saucepan...
It’s lid.