Will Shortz

6 days ago | kpbs.org | Will Shortz

I'm going to read some sentences. In each one find the name of a national capital hidden somewhere in it phonetically.  Ex. On eBay, rutabagas are seldom seen.  -->  BEIRUT1. Where is the handbag daddy bought? 2. Throw the anchor away. 3. To an all-round athletic phenom, pentathlon is the ultimate sport. 4. We have tickets to see the Fighting Illini, Row B, seats 1 and 2. 5. During the Civil War sausage was scarce. 6. The gala was attended by many black tie-paying guests. 7.

1 week ago | kpbs.org | Will Shortz

I'm going to give you some words. For each one, change one letter to get the brand name of something you might buy at a supermarket. Ex. BOUNCY (paper towels)  -->  BOUNTY1. SPRITZ (soft drink)2. CRUST (toothpaste)3. ACRID (deodorant)4. SCORE (mouthwash)5. WICKS (cough and cold medicine)6. SPITTLES (candy)7. ALIVE (pain relief)8. ANVIL (pain refief)9. ELDERS (glue)10. TOAST (soap)11. WINDER (glass cleaner)12. GLARE (air freshener)13. PIXIE (disposable tableware)14.

3 weeks ago | kpbs.org | Will Shortz

I'm going to give you clues for some famous people past and present. The first two letters of each clue are the initials of the answer. Ex. Fancy dancer --> Fred Astaire 1. Printer and patriot of colonial Boston 2. Annual prize creator in Physics, Chemistry, and Literature 3. Jogged to a gold medal at the 1936 Olympics 4. Assassinated Egyptian leader 5. Astronaut who was the first American in space 6. Writer of political commentary in the early 20th century 7.

1 month ago | kuow.org | Will Shortz

Sunday Puzzle NPR On-air challengeI'm going to give you two five-letter words. For each pair put the same two letters in front of each of them to make two common seven-letter words. Ex. ASTER TALLY --> TOASTER and TOTALLY1. GRANT MOOSE2. EATER ROUGH3. LANCE THING 4. FAULT SCENT5. VOICE STALL6. SPICE USING7. MEADE STING8. ALLOW UDDER 9. LATIN STATE10. REIGN UNDER12.

1 month ago | wuky.org | Will Shortz

On-air challenge I'm going to give you two five-letter words. For each pair put the same two letters in front of each of them to make two common seven-letter words. Ex. ASTER TALLY --> TOASTER and TOTALLY1. GRANT MOOSE2. EATER ROUGH3. LANCE THING4. FAULT SCENT5. VOICE STALL6. SPICE USING7. MEADE STING8. ALLOW UDDER9. LATIN STATE10. REIGN UNDER12.