FACEBOOK WORD PUZZLES

FACEBOOK WORD QUIZZES-#1201-1300

1201-Aside from being 6 letter words, what do these words have in common?    assist-bluest-chairs-errant-pained-voided

1202-Discern the convergent words:    cavil-entry     brown-laughing-road      lip-march-times   

1203-What do these words have in common?    modest-setttle-sale

1204-Discern the convergent words: sly-grey-egg    red-wood-oil    juice-root-top     

1205- What do these words have in common?    peculiar-vaccine-bachelor

1206 -Discern the convergent words:   gazing-orange-ring    roll-soft-strap    razor-rub-room

1207- Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe holy trees 

1208 -Discern the convergent words:  silicon-away-corn   watch-love-juice   scorch-woman-broil 

1209-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe Nazi mail

1210-Discern the convergent words: ship-tea- dog   American-burger-tine    back-Canadian-sandwich    

1211-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe a weird heater

1212-Discern the convergent words:   hole-earth-pin     hole-bad-backwards   hole-hunt-tv

1213--Name a 2 word palindromic phrase that describes a one night stand of a male escort  

1214-Discern the convergent words:     slat-as-in    food-wild-run       wooly-fore-cave

1215-Name a 2 word palindromic phrase that describes a whimsical nobleman   

1216-Discern the convergent words:  blue-little-emperor     blue-complain-stone    blue-song-fire

1217- Find the 2 letter combinations that expands each set of the following groupings of words: The added letters must appear inside rather than outside the shorter word.  After having done this combine each set of 2 letter words to expands form a 8 letter word.  For extra points figure out an anagram to the 8 letter word. being-going-marine    bated-scalp-swing  broom-pant-stamped   dating-tribe-hated 

1218-Discern the convergent words:    loose-a-well-   bruised- cage-steak    cows-upper-id

1219 - Find the 2 letter combinations that expands each set of the following groupings of words: The added letters must appear inside rather than outside the shorter word.  After having done this combine each set of 2 letter words to form a 8 letter word. For extra points figure out an anagram to the 8 letter word.a)being-poured-aria    b)prone-cable-rested   c)manure-medal-spate   d) Sikh-beaded-rearing  

1220-Discern the convergent words: circus-bite-bane    pacific-steak-fry       ding-sausage-wild 

1221-What do these words have in common?     tor-Tory-slogan

1222-Discern the convergent words   black-less-under    over-I-under   over-box-horse

1223 -Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe trusty steel

1224-Discern the convergent words: ball-be-by   grass-grey-less       sing-eye-middle

1225-What do these words have in common?    coughing, first, menopause  

1226-Discern the convergent words: alley-scan-amount     hatch-prize- trap    bull-head-jaw   

1227-Name a food word where the first 3 letters are the same as the last 3 letters  (Must be more than 6 letters) *The answer may be an alternate spelling in  some dictionaries but is the one listed in the OED.

1228-Discern the convergent words:   wood-clogs-bar      bath-dis-ward      cap-Christmas-long

1229-There are several words that begin and end with the same 3 letters such as entertainment- restores & underfund but not many that begin and end with the same 4  or 5 letters. Name one that does.  (Excluding words where the parts repeat themselves such as beriberi.)

1230-Discern the convergent words: big-potty-off    big-wrong-rest    big-drag-rag

1231-Name a 2 word palindromic phrase that describes a flower in a South American city 

1232-Discern the convergent words:    love-bug-moo    allergy-butter-farmer    mock-soup-spring

1233 –Name 2 words where the addition of 2 consonants creates homophone.

1234-Discern the convergent words:-sac-salad-scotch     favor-house-powder            tea-snaps-ale

1235- Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe a less luminescent jewel

1236 -Discern the convergent words  :family-out-word    state-harass-honey       farm-fat-mill

1237- Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe a far away planetary object

1238-Discern the convergent words:   reap-cider-alligator     mustang-nuts-picking      computer-memory-blue

1239-Find the 2 letter combinations, and the 1 letter combination that expands each set of the following groupings of words: The added letters must appear inside rather than outside the shorter word.  After having done this combine each set of 2 letter words expands to form a 9 letter word. For the letter in the middle (the fifth letter you must add only ONE LETTER to expand the word. For extra points figure out an anagram to the 9 letter word

a)colder-demotion-region  b)stale-rouse-garage     c)pious-head-swear  d)dented-lotion-maroon    e)camel—stingy-able

1240 -Discern the convergent words:   protector-thumping-war      a-amen-double      fight-iron-pump   

1241-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe cozy coats worn by Vika & Olga  when they return  home.

1242-Discern the convergent words:     pink-ping-up   bishop-romantic-dress     blue-rain-sun

1243- Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe a more lachrymose African country  

1244-Discern the convergent words:     pink-seal-white   cliff-devour-water  neck-egg-snapping

1245-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe a fancy boutique 

1246-Discern the convergent words:   bow-rack-up     ate- gym-shirt   ace-head-scoff

1247-Find the 2 letter combinations, and the 1 letter combination that expands each set of the following groupings of words: The added letters must appear inside rather than outside the shorter word.  After having done this combine each set of 2 letter words to  form a 9 letter word. For the letter in the middle (the fifth letter you must add only ONE LETTER to expand the word. For extra points figure out a name that is an anagram to the 9 letter word.

a)overt-mist-wane    b)bough-badly-adit    c)broom-sated-pant    d)abled-ring-spice   e)pier-sloe-insect

1248-Discern the convergent words:   able-end-car         chop-head-stew      egg-head-wet    

1249-Name a possible palindromic name of a Jewish newspaper

1250-Discern the convergent words: pad-pay-path     supply-band-side     tease-eye-bruised

1251-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means rouse clans 

1252-Discern the convergent words:  mustard-brown-child   penguin-soup-elbow     an-kicks-pop

1253 -What do these words have in common?     diesel-mesmerize fuchsia 

1254-Discern the convergent words: eastern-mountain-tape      nights-deer-led     blue-duck-lac 

1255-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means  scare young actress  

1256-Discern the convergent words:   sea-out-punch    juice-Japanese-tiger   bane-flicker-marker

1257-What do these words have in common?    grapevine-slogan-blockbuster

1258-Discern the convergent words:   east-radio-easter    iron-waver-maker    soda-fruit-box

1259-What do these words have in common?      sideburn-gat-bloomer

 1260-Discern the convergent words: biter-bracelet-deep    guard-macaroni-nudge    structure-dry-funny

1261- Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe advisors of villains 

1262-Discern the convergent words:-line-post-book   away-water-sailor   tea-tree-black

1263-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase to describe an idler at a wake 

1264-Discern the convergent words: Canada-liver-bay   Spanish-wheel-trap   American-spread-claw

1265-What do these words have in common?    sabotage-shingles-snob 

1266-Discern the convergent words:     American-mud-hole    Irish-fish-recipe     Swiss-head-board

1267-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that refers to a dock for a pilot

1268-Discern the convergent words    dog-powder-sauce    bird-juice-sub     town-head-soup

1269-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that letter-pencil could describe the Snake in Eden   

1270-Discern the convergent words    pan-cocktail-meat  pan-house-wave  pan-hut-delivery

1271-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that describes Brick Tamland, Alan Garner,  Harry Dunn & Lloyd Christmas

1272-Discern the convergent words   backbone-compressed-less   brush-gun-salon     pencil-count-letter

1273- Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means bloodthirsty bacchanlia

1274-Discern the convergent words break-mark-proof     break-tree-ring      break-roll-sweet

1275 -Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means chaste gentleman’s gentlemen  

1276-Discern the convergent words   flat-golf-wrong    wag-strap-double       head-alive-care

1277-What do these words have in common? weighty-boner-stent  

1278-Discern the convergent words   iron-eon-out   bake-digger-up    no-ball-off

1279-Name a 2 word palindromic phrase that means brushed church seats

1280-Discern the convergent words   pad-French-cad     gas-pathway-gall   in-end-out

1281-What do these words have in common?   deadline-magazine-wardrobe

1282-Discern the convergent words    gut-amount-pole       effect-iron-madame    wood-dynasty-soup

1283-Name 2 movies and 1 novel with oymoronic titles   

1284-Discern the convergent words -on-gas-one     hair-less-night     snow-black-drive

1285- Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means more expensive monastery 

1286-Discern the convergent words    poop-pile-pound    magazine-superb-barn    wild-ears-net

1287-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that could represent a possible gift to a herpetologist

1288-Discern the convergent words   lock-pea-block   stiff-weapon-pit     rub-room-river

1289-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means keep opposite 

1290-Discern the convergent words: vanilla-bag-head   lemon-racket-winter  he-master-ski     

1291- Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that refers to a guard to whom you provide asks your identification badge  

1292-Discern the convergent words  ball-transplant-pin    ball-fall-set      ball-notice-sore

1293-Name 3 pairs of words that are anagrams and homonyms  

1294-Discern the convergent words paste-can-green    pink-mine-water     ding-oat-died

1295-Name 2 words that are antonyms +homophones to each other   

1296-Discern the convergent words bump-fight-pump      big-let-see       left-dump-child

1297-What do these words have in common? crocodilian-insolent-steeliness-unfortunately                                  

1298-Discern the convergent words: hair-cold-treasure      chest-spray-chestnut      last-ate-ion

1299-What do these words have in common?  acknowledged-antemundane-consternation-handover

1300-Discern the convergent words: cry-hall-were     ground-line-warts     trap-by-brie

GREEK MYTHS RETURN WITH A VENGEANCE

                    Greek myths return with a vengeance

                                              by

                                        Howard Richler

We find in the works of great writers such as Shakespeare, Milton and Dante many allusions to Greek mythology. This pattern continues into the early part of the 20th century in the writings of Joyce as well as in the terms Freud borrowed such as Eros, and the Oedipus complex.

These ancient legends probably don’t resonate with most people as they once did, but judging from some references in the media, we are starting to view the importance of these myths in our daily lives. It would appear that The Economist agrees judging by an article in their August 22, 2015 edition: “Perhaps the gripping plots and rich metaphors of the ancient world seem more relevant than ever. Are labours to repay foreign debts Sisyphean?  ls the prime minister’s victory in a recent referendum Pyrrhic? “

The Economist was referring to events in Greece but the descriptions of other debacles, make it apparent that the application of Greek myth metaphors is becoming ubiquitous. The week following The Economist article,  the New Yorker  offered this description of the anti-immigration attitudes prevalent in many countries by political science professor Samuel Poplin: “When people get frustrated and irritated, they want to cut the Gordian knot.”  Also, in an article in the National Post this June entitled “The Senate is the Annoying House Guest We Can’t Get Rid OF,” Tasha Kheiriddin opined that “reopening the constitution is the Pandora’s Box of politics.”

I suspect that all the four terms italicized, and the stories behind them are not as well-known as they may have been in an earlier era when Greek and Latin were taught in high schools.  To this end, I offer a brief description of their “gripping plots and rich metaphors” from the age of antiquity.   

“Sisyphean” derives from Sisyphus whose punishment in Hades for his misdeeds in his previous life was having to roll a huge stone up to the top of a hill only to have it constantly roll down.  Hence a “labour of Sisyphus” or “Sisyphean toil” is an endless, futile endeavour, such the Maple Leafs attempt to win the Stanley Cup.

Unlike Sisyphean at least “Pyrrhic” connotes some success. The hero here is Pyrrhus, a Carthaginian general who served under the command of Hannibal. His daring tactics won him many battles. However, at Asculum in 279 B.C. his victory against the Romans was achieved only with the loss of his best officers and many men. He is supposed to have quipped, “One more such victory and we are lost.”  Misfortune continued to dog him.  Seven years after the aforementioned battle he was killed when a tile that had fallen from a roof in a street in Argos struck him. He is memorialized by the earlier incident with the term Pyrrhic that denotes a victory attained at too great a cost to be considered worthwhile.

He/she who has “cut the Gordian knot” has solved an intricate problem by a drastic, impetuous action. Its progenitor Gordius, luckily chose to drive his chariot one day into a public square when the citizens happened to be searching for a king that an oracle had prophesied would arrive via a wagon. Due to this fortuitous chariot ride into town, he became King of Phrygia. Gordius tied the chariot to the temple of the god of the oracle in an ingenious way so that nobody could untie it. It was said that whoever untied the knot would become Lord of the Gordian Knot. Many tried and all failed. Reportedly, Alexander the Great was told that whoever undid the knot would reign over all of Asia. As Alexander attempts to untie the knot, he failed and proceeded to cut the knot with his sword.  Hence, “cutting the Gordian knot” is usually seen as eliminating a difficulty by force or by ignoring the conditions of solution. Sometimes, however, the phrase is interpreted positively to refer to solving a baffling problem by a bold act.

As one can surmise from Kheiriddin’s use of the term, “opening a Pandora’s Box” should be avoided due to the unforeseen problems that will result. The story begins with the deity Prometheus who has the chutzpah to steal fire from Zeus and giving it to humans. To punish Prometheus, Zeus chained him to a rock and sent a vulture to dine on his liver every day. But because Prometheus was immortal his liver regenerated and eventually he was rescued by Hercules. Zeus’s revenge wasn’t quenched. He ordered the creation of the first mortal woman, Pandora, whose beauty seduced humanity. Pandora meant “all-gifted” because each of the gods gave her different powers to ruin mankind. Zeus presented Pandora as a gift to Epimetheus, Prometheus’s brother, and Prometheus advised his brother to refuse the gift but his advice went unheeded and Epimetheus married Pandora. Pandora brought with her a box that the gods had given her and naturally curious of its contents, she opened it.  This released countless evils, such as war and pestilence which have ever since continued to bedevil the world.

Or as Linda Ronstadt put it in song, just one look that’s all it took.

Richler’s book Word Play:Arranged & Deranged Wit will be published in March 2016.