This is a two-part challenge. First, take the phrase "rap yet crash." Rearrange these 11 letters to name something that might follow a crash. Then cross out four letters in this answer. The remaining seven letters in order will spell an appropriate name. What is it?It's what would have been the puzzle, if the Russian-backed separatists hadn't, allegedly, downed a Malaysian Airlines 777 plane on Thursday. *sigh*
Edited to add: This was the puzzle online until about 10:15 a.m. EDT, when it got replaced by the official CORRECT puzzle, below. Don't hint to the answer to this one; Will Shortz may use it another week, long after the crash is forgotten.
We have, of course, solved that one. You may have too. (What would happen if you sent it in? Sadly, I suspect it would be marked as wrong even though it was the official puzzle as per the website at 10 a.m. EDT.)
This week's NPR Puzzle is something else. Something that I got distracted and didn't hear (well, I knew it's online, right???) and Ross heard but not well enough to think he knows what it is.
UPDATE! We have a puzzle!
Here is this week's OFFICIAL NPR Puzzle:
Name something in five letters that's nice to have a lot of in the summer. Change the last letter to the following letter of the alphabet. Rearrange the result, and you'll name something else that you probably have a lot of in the summer, but that you probably don't want. What is it? (HINT: the second thing is a form of the first thing.)Okay. We're all good. Solve this one, not that other one. (We have.)
Here's where to send the answer in, using NPR's intact Contact Us form.
Clearly the word of the week is "mistake." Flickr, do your magic!
Time for

This is where we ask you how many entries you think NPR will get for the
challenge above. If you want to win, leave a comment with your guess
for the range of entries NPR will receive. First come first served, so
read existing comments before you guess. Or skip the comments and send
an email with your pick to Magdalen (at) Crosswordman (dot) com. Ross
and I guess last, just before we publish the Thursday post. After the
Thursday post is up, the entries are closed.
The winner gets a choice: they can receive a puzzle book of our choosing or they can ask that a charitable contribution is made in the winner's honor. As of this week, we are providing an alternative to the Red Cross. If the winner wishes, we will make a contribution to his/her NPR station. Send us the call letters and we'll do the rest.
The winner gets a choice: they can receive a puzzle book of our choosing or they can ask that a charitable contribution is made in the winner's honor. As of this week, we are providing an alternative to the Red Cross. If the winner wishes, we will make a contribution to his/her NPR station. Send us the call letters and we'll do the rest.
Here are the ranges:
Fewer than 50 51 - 100 101 - 150 151 - 200 201 - 250 251 - 300 301 - 350 351 - 400 401 - 450 451 - 500 501 - 550 551 - 600 601 - 650 651 - 700 701 - 750 751 - 800 801 - 850 851 - 900 901 - 950 951 - 1,000 | 1,001 - 1,050 1,051 - 1,100 1,101 - 1,150 1,151 - 1,200 1,201 - 1,250 1,251 - 1,300 1,301 - 1,350 1,351 - 1,400 1,401 - 1,450 1,451 - 1,500 1,501 - 1,550 1,551 - 1,600 1,601 - 1,650 1,651 - 1,700 1,701 - 1,750 1,751 - 1,800 1,801 - 1,850 1,851 - 1,900 1,901 - 1,950 1,951 - 2,000 | 2,001 - 2,050 2,051 - 2,100 2,101 - 2,150 2,151 - 2,200 2,201 - 2,250 2,251 - 2,300 2,301 - 2,350 2,351 - 2,400 2,401 - 2,450 2,451 - 2,500 2,501 - 2,750 2,751 - 3,000 3,001 - 3,250 3,251 - 3,500 3,501 - 4,000 4,001 - 4,500 4,501 - 5,000 More than 5,000 More than 5,000 and it sets a new record. |
16 comments:
HINT: It will be interesting to see how Will deals with the way he botched this one.
Even I got this one, right away.
2,501 - 2,750 range please.
Yes, this week's seems incredibly easy. I had it before WS was done reading it. (Then again, there's often a high degree of luck in how quickly something comes to someone. I was just thinking along the right lines, I suppose.) So I'm going to guess high this week, though not as high as Maggie. I'd like 1,901-1,950 please.
Phil
Reports of "ridiculous easy" are premature.
Will often comments that he designed the curriculum for his unique major of enigmatology.
It looks like he left physiology off it.
Were not for his hint, the nice alternative answer would serve well.
1201-1250, please.
My station is 91.3FM WYSO in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Thank you for your generosity.
1001 to 1050, please, Red Cross.
Congrats to zeke creek for his range expertise, in a week where our guesses were ranging from Everests to foothills.
My guess this week: 651-700, please.
LegoLlama
Calling all AESAP aficionados:
Okay, you fabled puzzle solvers, ASAP open this link if you have made “Shortz work” of this week’s fluffily powderpuffy NPR puzzle. There, at Puzzleria!, the NPR “summer” puzzle has been made more challenging by adding a change of seasons. It is the 1:21 AM July 21 post.
(And then return ASAP to fabulous AESAP! Thank you.)
LegoLambda
951-1000 please. Thanks.
Since this is our first time for doing it this way do you need any more information than what I've given?
Hi Zeke Creek. I just donated $10 to WYSO, making me a new member. Yay. The call letters got me there without a hitch. Congrats on your win.
I'll take 1,351 - 1,400, please.
1951-2000, thank you!
1,501 - 1,550 please. Having just come from a summer vacation I can vouch for the authenticity of this challenge!
501-550, please. Have a great summer. Back in the low foothills for summer vacation.
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