Welcome back to Marina's Puzzle Corner! Happy Holidays if you're into that! Today we have some vaguely winter and holiday themed puzzles, as well as some that don't fit the theme at all. I hope you enjoy them! Marina's Puzzle corner is an all-ages activity, so perhaps you can share this with loved ones near or far.
"What am I?" riddle
My body was born yesterday
My nose was born last week
My hat's been 'round for many years...
Let's call it "shabby chic"!
What am I?
Hint
This is a seasonal riddle...
Answer
A: A snowman!
Spooneriddle #1
Q: What’s the difference between a cluster of plantain lilies and an Italian’s mouth? (Explanation of spooneriddles)
Hint (a word from the solution)
Plantain lilies are also known as "hosta". They're very common in Midwestern city yards.
Answer
A: One is a hosta patch, the other’s a pasta hatch!
Chameleon Word #1
Here is another interesting type of riddle that wasn't in last week's episode! I'm not sure if there is a common name for these, so I will call them "chameleon words". Basically, you have to find a word (the chameleon) that can be added or inserted into each word in a set to create a new set of valid words. There's a full explanation in the glossary.
GOOD OW FULLY
Hint (first letter of key)
W
Answer
The key is "WILL"! GOODWILL, WILLOW, WILLFULLY
Rebus
Whether or not you're familiar with the name, you've probably seen a rebus before! It's a broad term for representing words and phrases by playing with the relationship between words and images. More info in the glossary.
What's the meaning of this rebus?
Hint
This one is also seasonal!
Answer
A: "Deck the halls"
Doublet
Change CROW to TOOL in as few turns as possible! (Explanation of doublets)
Hint (my first move)
CROP
Answer
I did it in 4 moves:
CROW → CROP → COOP → COOL → TOOL
Humans used to believe that only humans were capable of using tools. This is because humans are extraordinarily capable of *being* tools! In fact, many other animals use tools. New Caledonian crows are even said to use "meta-tools" in that they will retrieve an inacessible tool with another tool! They use sticks to get grubs to eat out of holes. Check out this Wikipedia article on tool use by animals. You may also be interested in The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman.
Chameleon Word #2
Can you find a word that can be added to every word in this set?
EARS CAKE TIE
Hint (first letter of key)
H
Answer
The key is "HOT"! EARSHOT, HOTCAKE, HOTTIE
Spooneriddle #2
Q: What’s the difference between a student carrying books and a skillful syrup-maker?
Hint (a word from the solution)
"knack"
Answer
A: One has a knapsack, the other a sap knack!
Thanks for tuning in! See you next time!