Beneath thelimeswhich shade the lawnHer bicycle she mounted;And with asmile, ere she had goneAn hour, tenmilesshe counted.It rained, it snowed, but nought could stop her,Till in theslime, she came a cropper!
Beneath thelimeswhich shade the lawnHer bicycle she mounted;And with asmile, ere she had goneAn hour, tenmilesshe counted.It rained, it snowed, but nought could stop her,Till in theslime, she came a cropper!
Beneath thelimeswhich shade the lawnHer bicycle she mounted;And with asmile, ere she had goneAn hour, tenmilesshe counted.It rained, it snowed, but nought could stop her,Till in theslime, she came a cropper!
The words in italics have the same letters.
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The date of the new organ given by the English is concealed in the lines of this inscription above its keyboard at OberAmmergau—
QVI CHRISTI LAVDES CANTANTSANCTÆ PASSIONIS SVÆ VIRTVTEIN IPSO ET PATRE VNVM SINT.
QVI CHRISTI LAVDES CANTANTSANCTÆ PASSIONIS SVÆ VIRTVTEIN IPSO ET PATRE VNVM SINT.
If the Roman numerals that occur in the words are added together, they amount to 1894, the date of its completion.
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A woman’s nameOf foreign fame,Hers was a noble mind.Now, sir, transpose,And I supposeNo smaller thing you’ll find.
A woman’s nameOf foreign fame,Hers was a noble mind.Now, sir, transpose,And I supposeNo smaller thing you’ll find.
A woman’s nameOf foreign fame,Hers was a noble mind.Now, sir, transpose,And I supposeNo smaller thing you’ll find.
is solved byStael,least.
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The Frenchcharade—
Pour avoir monpremierFemme qui cache mondernierManque souvent monentier.
Pour avoir monpremierFemme qui cache mondernierManque souvent monentier.
Pour avoir monpremierFemme qui cache mondernierManque souvent monentier.
is solved byMari-age.
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Thecharade—
Let go! let go! you naughty first,Or you will make my second;A stream of words will then outburst,Swift as my whole is reckoned.
Let go! let go! you naughty first,Or you will make my second;A stream of words will then outburst,Swift as my whole is reckoned.
Let go! let go! you naughty first,Or you will make my second;A stream of words will then outburst,Swift as my whole is reckoned.
is solved byCurrent.
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My first is first when cruisers charge in line,And oft in frosty skies is seen to shine.Don’t spare my second if you would suggestTo an impulsive child the way that’s best.My sporting whole, though now neglected grown,Travelled by tube before the tube was known.
My first is first when cruisers charge in line,And oft in frosty skies is seen to shine.Don’t spare my second if you would suggestTo an impulsive child the way that’s best.My sporting whole, though now neglected grown,Travelled by tube before the tube was known.
My first is first when cruisers charge in line,And oft in frosty skies is seen to shine.
Don’t spare my second if you would suggestTo an impulsive child the way that’s best.
My sporting whole, though now neglected grown,Travelled by tube before the tube was known.
is solved byRamrod.
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Theenigma—
First of men we lead a measure,Last we end the same.Starting merrily, our pleasureIs to finish lame.
First of men we lead a measure,Last we end the same.Starting merrily, our pleasureIs to finish lame.
First of men we lead a measure,Last we end the same.Starting merrily, our pleasureIs to finish lame.
is solved by the lettersme.
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When Tom declared that he could give his sister quite a simple sentence of seven common English words of one syllable, which she could not produce on her typewriter, he had in his mind, “We can spell (to, too, two) in three ways,” which cannot, of course, be expressed in seven written words.
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The Frenchcharade—
Mon premier est un tyran, mon second un horreur,Mon tout est le diable lui-même.Mais si mon premier est bon, mon second ne fait rien,Et mon tout est le bonheur suprême.
Mon premier est un tyran, mon second un horreur,Mon tout est le diable lui-même.Mais si mon premier est bon, mon second ne fait rien,Et mon tout est le bonheur suprême.
Mon premier est un tyran, mon second un horreur,Mon tout est le diable lui-même.Mais si mon premier est bon, mon second ne fait rien,Et mon tout est le bonheur suprême.
is solved byMariage.
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Sydney Smith’s conclusion as to the value and satisfaction of a City dinner was completed thus:—“I cannot wholly value a dinner by thetest you do!” (Turtle, in Latin,testudo).
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DEAN SWIFT’S ENIGMA—
In youth exalted high in air,Or bathing in the streamlet fair,Nature to form me took delightAnd clothed my body all in white;My person tall and slender waistOn either side with fringes graced;Till me that tyrant Man espied,And dragg’d me from my mother’s side.No wonder that I look so thin,The monster stripp’d me to the skin;My body flay’d, my hair he cropp’d,And head and foot both off he lopp’d;Pick’d all the marrow from my bone.And then, with heart more hard than stone,To vex me more, he took a freakTo slit my tongue, and make me speak.But that which wonderful appears,I speak to eyes and not to ears.All languages I now commandYet not a word I understand.
In youth exalted high in air,Or bathing in the streamlet fair,Nature to form me took delightAnd clothed my body all in white;My person tall and slender waistOn either side with fringes graced;Till me that tyrant Man espied,And dragg’d me from my mother’s side.No wonder that I look so thin,The monster stripp’d me to the skin;My body flay’d, my hair he cropp’d,And head and foot both off he lopp’d;Pick’d all the marrow from my bone.And then, with heart more hard than stone,To vex me more, he took a freakTo slit my tongue, and make me speak.But that which wonderful appears,I speak to eyes and not to ears.All languages I now commandYet not a word I understand.
In youth exalted high in air,Or bathing in the streamlet fair,Nature to form me took delightAnd clothed my body all in white;My person tall and slender waistOn either side with fringes graced;Till me that tyrant Man espied,And dragg’d me from my mother’s side.No wonder that I look so thin,The monster stripp’d me to the skin;My body flay’d, my hair he cropp’d,And head and foot both off he lopp’d;Pick’d all the marrow from my bone.And then, with heart more hard than stone,To vex me more, he took a freakTo slit my tongue, and make me speak.But that which wonderful appears,I speak to eyes and not to ears.All languages I now commandYet not a word I understand.
is solved byA Goose-quill.
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The answer to the riddle propounded by the possessor of a newKeen Kutrazor to his friend whose chin was disfigured by scars, “What is the difference between my razor and yours?” is—“Mine cuts thoroughly; yours also cuts, tho’ roughly!”
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The decapitated words are initalics—
The ship rode in aneasternbay,Asleepasternthe master lay,Asternand rugged man was he,And, like atern, at home at sea.Like swoopingernhe caught his preyWhene’er anR.N. came his way;But while dueN. the needle keptHe in his cabin lay and slept.
The ship rode in aneasternbay,Asleepasternthe master lay,Asternand rugged man was he,And, like atern, at home at sea.Like swoopingernhe caught his preyWhene’er anR.N. came his way;But while dueN. the needle keptHe in his cabin lay and slept.
The ship rode in aneasternbay,Asleepasternthe master lay,Asternand rugged man was he,And, like atern, at home at sea.Like swoopingernhe caught his preyWhene’er anR.N. came his way;But while dueN. the needle keptHe in his cabin lay and slept.
The ern, or erne, is the sea-eagle.
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When the tempest roars the loudestOft my first a shelter proves.Say what fair one, though the proudest,Spurns my next from one she loves?When the storms of life are pastEarth provides my whole at last.
When the tempest roars the loudestOft my first a shelter proves.Say what fair one, though the proudest,Spurns my next from one she loves?When the storms of life are pastEarth provides my whole at last.
When the tempest roars the loudestOft my first a shelter proves.Say what fair one, though the proudest,Spurns my next from one she loves?When the storms of life are pastEarth provides my whole at last.
is solved byCovering.
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One syllable, I help to turn the scaleOf party strife or faction;Recast me, and two syllables availTo stop all further action.
One syllable, I help to turn the scaleOf party strife or faction;Recast me, and two syllables availTo stop all further action.
One syllable, I help to turn the scaleOf party strife or faction;Recast me, and two syllables availTo stop all further action.
is solved byvote,veto.
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The lines to an owl are filled inthus—
Oh, on old towers, thou gloomy owl,Thou lovest to hoot, thou lovest to howl.Or on old oaks your hollow toneSo lost, so solemn, sounds alone,So mournful no one loves to goOr of your hooting howls to know.
Oh, on old towers, thou gloomy owl,Thou lovest to hoot, thou lovest to howl.Or on old oaks your hollow toneSo lost, so solemn, sounds alone,So mournful no one loves to goOr of your hooting howls to know.
Oh, on old towers, thou gloomy owl,Thou lovest to hoot, thou lovest to howl.Or on old oaks your hollow toneSo lost, so solemn, sounds alone,So mournful no one loves to goOr of your hooting howls to know.
The vowel “o” occurs forty-six times in the six lines.
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In the Armyanagram—
I’m free to-day, theold siresaid,O no cellnow have I to dread;For this one happy day to meAre glenand hill and forest free,I, if I will, can ride, or fish,A pit canenter, if I wish,In search of chalk or sand.In peace alone I now can dine,And sing to Anna’slute at nine,Nor fear a reprimand.
I’m free to-day, theold siresaid,O no cellnow have I to dread;For this one happy day to meAre glenand hill and forest free,I, if I will, can ride, or fish,A pit canenter, if I wish,In search of chalk or sand.In peace alone I now can dine,And sing to Anna’slute at nine,Nor fear a reprimand.
I’m free to-day, theold siresaid,O no cellnow have I to dread;For this one happy day to meAre glenand hill and forest free,I, if I will, can ride, or fish,A pit canenter, if I wish,In search of chalk or sand.In peace alone I now can dine,And sing to Anna’slute at nine,Nor fear a reprimand.
the words in italics spell alsosoldier,colonel,general,captain, andlieutenant.
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My first transposed becomes a nameWhich may quite mean be reckoned,Two syllables combine the same,With one or two for second.My whole when fields are fresh and green,And softly blows the wind,Where the first signs of spring are seenWithin the woods we find.
My first transposed becomes a nameWhich may quite mean be reckoned,Two syllables combine the same,With one or two for second.My whole when fields are fresh and green,And softly blows the wind,Where the first signs of spring are seenWithin the woods we find.
My first transposed becomes a nameWhich may quite mean be reckoned,Two syllables combine the same,With one or two for second.
My whole when fields are fresh and green,And softly blows the wind,Where the first signs of spring are seenWithin the woods we find.
is solved byAnemone, thewindflower (name, mean, anem, one, o, ne).
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The anagramenigma—
Silent long is the wood-bird’s song,Bare is the woodland bough;For waving trees in wintry breezeHave “no buds now.”
Silent long is the wood-bird’s song,Bare is the woodland bough;For waving trees in wintry breezeHave “no buds now.”
Silent long is the wood-bird’s song,Bare is the woodland bough;For waving trees in wintry breezeHave “no buds now.”
is solved bysnowbound, which contains exactly the same letters as “no buds now.”
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The question oftime—
A farmer with children sixteenKilled the fattest young lamb of his flock.To divide it these children between,What must be the time by the clock?
A farmer with children sixteenKilled the fattest young lamb of his flock.To divide it these children between,What must be the time by the clock?
A farmer with children sixteenKilled the fattest young lamb of his flock.To divide it these children between,What must be the time by the clock?
is solved bya quarter to four.
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The Donkeydrive—
To the far end of any trainHitch on a pair of neddies;Then you will hear, like steps of Cain,The threat that in their tread is.
To the far end of any trainHitch on a pair of neddies;Then you will hear, like steps of Cain,The threat that in their tread is.
To the far end of any trainHitch on a pair of neddies;Then you will hear, like steps of Cain,The threat that in their tread is.
is solved byAss-ass-in.
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The “Eating by Alphabet”enigma—
Take all the alphabet, and castIts final letter out;Then set the first where was the last,And this you bring about:Without a cook, without a fire,A dainty dish which men desire.
Take all the alphabet, and castIts final letter out;Then set the first where was the last,And this you bring about:Without a cook, without a fire,A dainty dish which men desire.
Take all the alphabet, and castIts final letter out;Then set the first where was the last,And this you bring about:Without a cook, without a fire,A dainty dish which men desire.
is solved by A past Y (a pasty).
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Thecharade—
My second with my first we greet;My whole in earlier daysGave understanding to the feetThat moved in tragic plays.
My second with my first we greet;My whole in earlier daysGave understanding to the feetThat moved in tragic plays.
My second with my first we greet;My whole in earlier daysGave understanding to the feetThat moved in tragic plays.
is solved byBuskin.
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Thesentence—
Behest on thy lips, Society;
forms an Anagram of the proverb
“Honesty is the best policy.”
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This sentence, fashioned by eight schoolboys as anagrams on their Christian names, arranged inorder—
“I thy Tom am sober and lie or live in dew, but her brainsinned”—
reveals, when deciphered, the names Timothy, Ambrose, Daniel, Oliver, Edwin, Hubert, Brian and Dennis.
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Theenigma—
In any coward’s company you findThat I have place.Cut off my head, and from your mindAll wrong erase.
In any coward’s company you findThat I have place.Cut off my head, and from your mindAll wrong erase.
In any coward’s company you findThat I have place.Cut off my head, and from your mindAll wrong erase.
is solved byFright.
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The doubleacrostic—
From “Punch,” 1875.
My first, elect among the few,Chooses my second to expose his view.1. Of various colours, changed at will,1.I sit or stand for good or ill.2. I rule alone from noon till night,2.And when I am not am is right.
My first, elect among the few,Chooses my second to expose his view.1. Of various colours, changed at will,1.I sit or stand for good or ill.2. I rule alone from noon till night,2.And when I am not am is right.
My first, elect among the few,Chooses my second to expose his view.
1. Of various colours, changed at will,1.I sit or stand for good or ill.2. I rule alone from noon till night,2.And when I am not am is right.
is solved
M. P.P. M.
M. P.P. M.
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A man in a rage should go to a “shooting gallery,” because by its Anagram it islargely soothing.
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Thebeatitude—
Let her be or beat her,Give her little ease;Then in safety seat herAll among the bees,
Let her be or beat her,Give her little ease;Then in safety seat herAll among the bees,
Let her be or beat her,Give her little ease;Then in safety seat herAll among the bees,
is solved byA Queen Bee. TheBeeis made up of theletter b(let her be), in Greek called Beta (beat her), and two littlee’s (ease).
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Thepuzzle-lines—
“We,” cried my first and second,“Are not quite satisfied.”“The story may be reckonedImperfect,” fourth replied.Said third, “The fact indeed I tell,”And so at last all ended well.
“We,” cried my first and second,“Are not quite satisfied.”“The story may be reckonedImperfect,” fourth replied.Said third, “The fact indeed I tell,”And so at last all ended well.
“We,” cried my first and second,“Are not quite satisfied.”“The story may be reckonedImperfect,” fourth replied.Said third, “The fact indeed I tell,”And so at last all ended well.
are cleared up bySatisfactory.
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The English proverb which is concealed under itsanagram—
“I dare not admit faint women,”
isTime and tide wait for no man.
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Thecharade—
My first and second are as best they should be,My third in Latin mouth is what it would be,My whole would soon be ashes if it could be.
My first and second are as best they should be,My third in Latin mouth is what it would be,My whole would soon be ashes if it could be.
My first and second are as best they should be,My third in Latin mouth is what it would be,My whole would soon be ashes if it could be.
is solved byAsbestos(osis Latin formouth).
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Since Spooks, asubtleman is he,Subletthis haunted house to me,Inbluestfunk Ibustleround,And fear a ghost in every sound.
Since Spooks, asubtleman is he,Subletthis haunted house to me,Inbluestfunk Ibustleround,And fear a ghost in every sound.
Since Spooks, asubtleman is he,Subletthis haunted house to me,Inbluestfunk Ibustleround,And fear a ghost in every sound.
The four words in italics have the same letters.
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That which is found in the centre of Australia and of America, and in no other place, is the letter “r” (no otherplace).
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Grandfather’s riddle, “Do you know why is the fourth of July?” is solved by the fact that the fourth letter of that word is y!
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Myfirstis never far away,Mynextin Latin found;Mythirdmay rage by night or day;Allmake melodious sound.
Myfirstis never far away,Mynextin Latin found;Mythirdmay rage by night or day;Allmake melodious sound.
Myfirstis never far away,Mynextin Latin found;Mythirdmay rage by night or day;Allmake melodious sound.
is solved byNightingale.
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Through theforesttreesSoftly coo the doves;Let asofterbreezeFosteryouthful loves!
Through theforesttreesSoftly coo the doves;Let asofterbreezeFosteryouthful loves!
Through theforesttreesSoftly coo the doves;Let asofterbreezeFosteryouthful loves!
The words in italics have the same letters.
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Theenigma—
At starting half your income take,Then for my second write;And let your table help to makeThe total cosy quite.
At starting half your income take,Then for my second write;And let your table help to makeThe total cosy quite.
At starting half your income take,Then for my second write;And let your table help to makeThe total cosy quite.
is solved byComfortable.
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Thecharade—
My whole is a circle complete,Beheaded I fall to your feet.Behead me again and I fry,Or am baked in a savoury pie.
My whole is a circle complete,Beheaded I fall to your feet.Behead me again and I fry,Or am baked in a savoury pie.
My whole is a circle complete,Beheaded I fall to your feet.Behead me again and I fry,Or am baked in a savoury pie.
is solved byWheel,heel,eel.
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The anagram sentences are recast thus into singlewords—
See a pug dog.Red paper.Pedagogues.Prepared.Fat reward.Afterward.Stay, O morn.Set on a dish.Astronomy.Astonished.
See a pug dog.Red paper.
Pedagogues.Prepared.
Fat reward.
Afterward.
Stay, O morn.Set on a dish.
Astronomy.Astonished.
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Theenigma—
If my whole by my second and first you divide,One more than ten thousand it gives.In the land of my birth I have dwindled and died,In museums my memory lives.
If my whole by my second and first you divide,One more than ten thousand it gives.In the land of my birth I have dwindled and died,In museums my memory lives.
If my whole by my second and first you divide,One more than ten thousand it gives.In the land of my birth I have dwindled and died,In museums my memory lives.
is solved byDo-do.
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Theparadox—
Though never present, I appear,Of perfect form a token;And all that centres round my earIs heard, though never spoken.
Though never present, I appear,Of perfect form a token;And all that centres round my earIs heard, though never spoken.
Though never present, I appear,Of perfect form a token;And all that centres round my earIs heard, though never spoken.
is solved by the wordheard.
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Theenigma—
Behead me twice, and it shall beThat I my perfect self regain;Restore both heads, and you shall seeThat most imperfect I remain.
Behead me twice, and it shall beThat I my perfect self regain;Restore both heads, and you shall seeThat most imperfect I remain.
Behead me twice, and it shall beThat I my perfect self regain;Restore both heads, and you shall seeThat most imperfect I remain.
is solved byIncomplete.
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Grant lady, grant yourslavehis whim,And give the comingvalseto him,For this willsalvehis jealous heart,Stricken so sore by Cupid’s dart.If not, helaveshis hands of you,To seek freshvalesand pastures new.
Grant lady, grant yourslavehis whim,And give the comingvalseto him,For this willsalvehis jealous heart,Stricken so sore by Cupid’s dart.If not, helaveshis hands of you,To seek freshvalesand pastures new.
Grant lady, grant yourslavehis whim,And give the comingvalseto him,For this willsalvehis jealous heart,Stricken so sore by Cupid’s dart.If not, helaveshis hands of you,To seek freshvalesand pastures new.
The words in italics have the same letters.
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“Yes, yes, I know,” said Jack to Jill,“That thirty-two is freezing point:And I can tell you, if you will,Exactly what is squeezing-point!”
“Yes, yes, I know,” said Jack to Jill,“That thirty-two is freezing point:And I can tell you, if you will,Exactly what is squeezing-point!”
“Yes, yes, I know,” said Jack to Jill,“That thirty-two is freezing point:And I can tell you, if you will,Exactly what is squeezing-point!”
is solved byTwo in the shade!
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Thepuzzle—
To fifty add a third of one,A third to five attach;You have the means, when this is done,To kindle any match.
To fifty add a third of one,A third to five attach;You have the means, when this is done,To kindle any match.
To fifty add a third of one,A third to five attach;You have the means, when this is done,To kindle any match.
is solved byLove.
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The missing words are initalics—
The untrainedspeculatorin the CityIs robbed bypeculatorswithout pity.
The untrainedspeculatorin the CityIs robbed bypeculatorswithout pity.
The untrainedspeculatorin the CityIs robbed bypeculatorswithout pity.
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Read backwards itbecomes—
Prosperity and peace; no barns empty; bills long paid; not high rents; berries bright; no birds hungry; merry Christmas comes.
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The anagram plants concealed in the sentence—O rise love it lad never let this lamb chase trains, are: Osier, violet, lavender, thistle, balm, china asters.
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Theenigma—
My first is quite a sin by name,My third its simple cure;My second puts an end to fame,My whole of ease is sure.
My first is quite a sin by name,My third its simple cure;My second puts an end to fame,My whole of ease is sure.
My first is quite a sin by name,My third its simple cure;My second puts an end to fame,My whole of ease is sure.
is solved bySinecure.
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Theparadox—
Cut off my head, it is unshaken,Cut off my tail, you turn it round,But if both head and tail are taken,Unconquered still I hold my ground.
Cut off my head, it is unshaken,Cut off my tail, you turn it round,But if both head and tail are taken,Unconquered still I hold my ground.
Cut off my head, it is unshaken,Cut off my tail, you turn it round,But if both head and tail are taken,Unconquered still I hold my ground.
is solved by TIT.
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Thecharade—
Why should we quarrel, first and third,With nought between us but a word?Let third leave second unessayedTo heal the breach these letters made.If your solution be writ fairYou find my whole disjointed there.
Why should we quarrel, first and third,With nought between us but a word?Let third leave second unessayedTo heal the breach these letters made.If your solution be writ fairYou find my whole disjointed there.
Why should we quarrel, first and third,With nought between us but a word?Let third leave second unessayedTo heal the breach these letters made.If your solution be writ fairYou find my whole disjointed there.
is solved by I.O.U.
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When Funniboy wrote from Naples to his friend, “Next week I am going ‘to plant onions, etc.,’” it was an intimation by anagram that he was bound for Constantinople.
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In haunted house to sleep I tried,My dreadfirstwas my chum.“Withsecondof myfirst,” I cried,“MywholeI should become.”
In haunted house to sleep I tried,My dreadfirstwas my chum.“Withsecondof myfirst,” I cried,“MywholeI should become.”
In haunted house to sleep I tried,My dreadfirstwas my chum.“Withsecondof myfirst,” I cried,“MywholeI should become.”
is solved byFearless.
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Theenigma—
My first is possessive and second:My second possessive and first.Such banks most attractive are reckonedBy those for rich treasure athirst.
My first is possessive and second:My second possessive and first.Such banks most attractive are reckonedBy those for rich treasure athirst.
My first is possessive and second:My second possessive and first.Such banks most attractive are reckonedBy those for rich treasure athirst.
is solved byThymy(thy,my).
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This is the completedpalindrome—
REPEL EVIL AS A LIVE LEPER,
which reads alike from either end.
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When Tom Pickles’s father tried with a lusty puff to blow the small cork into the bottle, the sudden compression of the air inside, followed by its expansion, drove the cork in an unexpected direction, so that it flew out and struck him sharply on the mouth.
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Acorns are as strong as oaken posts when theypropagate(prop-a-gate).
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The completed palindrome runsthus—
“Put it up but not on tub, put it up but not on tub, put it up,” which reads alike from either end.
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