1001What part of London is in France?London的哪一部分也在France裡?⌄
答案:Letter N. — 字母N。 London和France都包含n;不是倫敦實際有一區位於法國。
Q01002英文雙關
1002What vessel is that which is always asking leave to move?哪種vessel總在問自己能不能動?⌄
答案:Canister. — Canister。 canister是罐子,近音Can I stir?(我可以動一下嗎);vessel在這裡是容器,不是船。
Q01003英文雙關
1003How is it that you can work with an awl, but not with a forceps; while I can work with a forceps, and not with an awl?為什麼你能用awl、不能用forceps,而I能用forceps、不能用awl?⌄
答案:The forceps p i nches, the awl p u nches. — forceps會pinch,awl會punch。 pinches含i,punches含u(讀作you);不是在判斷兩人的工具使用能力,而是在比較英文動詞的字母。
Q01004英文雙關
1004Add , was the word the master gave to Dick, Dick scratched his head, and looking rather thick, Replied, “ Hereafter it would make it stick .” “Dick,” cried the master, “rudeness is a sin; Behold the stocks, I’ll surely put you in .” “That,” answered Dick, “won’t alter it a feather, Hereafter it would make it hold together .” “Dick,” said the man, “if you insult me so, Your shoulders and my rod I’ll put in Co. ” “ ’Tis all the same,” said Dick, “my worthy master, Hereafter it would make it stick the faster .”Dick說,把here放在add、in、co後,都會讓東西黏在一起。這三種說法怎麼成立?⌄
1005Whether old Homer tippled wine or beer, Julep or cider, history is not clear; But plain it is—the bard, though wont to roam, But for one liquid, never had left home.原書說,Homer若不是為了一種liquid,就不會離開home。是哪種liquid?⌄
答案:The letter R. — 字母R。 英語音韻裡r曾被歸為liquid(流音),home加r變Homer。題目不是在問荷馬喝了哪種飲料。
Q01006英文雙關
1006I am composed of twelve letters. My 2, 8, 9, is a substance dug out of the earth. “ 6, 11, 12, 8, is a numeral. “ 4, 2, 3, is an ancient instrument of war. “ 12, 8, 1, is a vessel used in former times. “ 5, is a vowel. “ 4, 7, 1, 9, is a hard substance. “ 10, 9, is a pronoun. My whole is now before you.十二字母的答案本來就在你眼前:2、8、9拼礦物;6、11、12、8拼數字;4、2、3拼武器;12、8、1拼容器;5是母音;4、7、1、9拼硬物;10、9拼代名詞。答案是什麼?⌄
答案:“Now before you.” — Now before you。 去掉空格為nowbeforeyou,依序取字母得到ore、four、bow、urn、e、bone、ye。最後一句提示其實已把答案直接說出。
Q01007英文雙關
1007There is one word in the English language which is universally considered a preventive of harm; change a certain letter in it, and you make it an act of cruelty.原書把哪個英文單字稱為防止傷害的措施,但換一個字母就變成殘酷的行為?⌄
1008My first may be fashioned of iron or wood, And at window or door for safety is placed; In village or town it does more harm than good, Leading people their health, time, and money to waste. My second’s a lady, bewitching and fair, And for love of her people will labor and strive; Will rise before dawn, and be wearied with care, And pursue her with ardor as long as they live. My whole is what ladies admire and approve, The shopkeeper’s boast—the purchaser’s prize; ’Tis a ninepenny chintz—’tis a one-shilling glove— It is something which makes people open their eyes.前半能是門窗的木製或鐵製保護,也能是使人花錢傷身的場所;後半是人們追逐的收穫。合起來是買家希望找到的好東西。是哪個字?⌄
1009My first must grace a legal deed, With its companion, firm and red; Its help in marriage, too, they need, Before the blessing can be said. My second half a hundred is, If in the shortest way you spell; You soon must guess me after this, I may as well the secret tell. My whole, by his celestial strains Bears the rapt soul to worlds above; The Great Creator’s power proclaims, And tells of the Redeemer’s love.第一部分要參與簽署法律檔案及婚禮,第二部分是最簡短寫法的半個一百。合成一位以音樂聞名的人,猜誰?⌄
1010My first is a boy’s nickname; my second is meant for defense; my third is a preposition; my fourth is one of the articles; my fifth is one of the United States. My whole is a large city in Europe.男孩暱稱、用來防守的建物、介系詞、冠詞及美國一州的名字,合起來是歐洲城市。原書用的是哪個名字?⌄
答案:Frankfort-on-the-Maine. — Frankfort-on-the-Maine。 Frank+fort+on+the+Maine。保留原書舊拼法;現代通常寫Frankfurt am Main,原題不是要求現代英文地名精確拆字。
Q01011英文雙關
1011I’m a heavy drag—few things more slow. Cut off my head, and give me a bow, And swiftly through the air I go.一種沉重、拖行緩慢的東西,砍掉「頭」後,配上弓就飛得很快。是哪個英文詞?⌄
1012I am composed of seventeen letters. My 4, 6, 10, is what we all do. “ 5, 8, 14, 11, is a great part of the body. “ 1, 13, 9, 15, is the name of a fish. “ 7, 16, 2, 10, is a part of speech. “ 13, 8, 3, is the name of a fowl. “ 6, 15, 14, is a girl’s name. “ 17, 6, 10, 15, is very useful to vessels. “ 13, 6, 12, is a personal pronoun. My whole is what we may all expect if we live.十七字母:4、6、10是大家會做的事;5、8、14、11是身體一部分;1、13、9、15是魚;7、16、2、10是詞性;13、8、3是家禽;6、15、14是女孩名;17、6、10、15用於船;13、6、12是代名詞。整句是人生可遇到的什麼?⌄
答案:Sunshine and shadow. — Sunshine and shadow。 去掉空格為sunshineandshadow:sin、head、shad、noun、hen、ida、wind、his。原書把陽光與陰影借喻成順境與逆境。
Q01013英文雙關
1013I’m composed of letters four, A turkey, cock, or hen; Behead me, and I upward soar. Put on my head again, Transpose me, then a beast I am, Both bloodthirsty and wild, That preys on many a helpless lamb, And oft devours a child.四個字母泛指火雞、公雞或母雞,去掉字頭能飛,恢復字頭並重排則成為掠食野獸。猜哪組字?⌄
1014I am a word of three letters, signifying to spoil or injure. Transposed, I am an animal. Transposed again, I am a part of the human frame.三字母,原本是損壞,重排變成動物,再重排變成人體一部分。是哪三個詞?⌄
1015Tell me why is it, if you lend But forty dollars to a friend, It does your kindness more commend Than if five hundred you should send?為什麼原書說,借朋友40元比借500元更值得稱讚?⌄
答案:It is but D sent , as you see, If you 500 send, But truly XL lent ’twill be, When you the 40 lend. — 40元是XL lent,500元只有D sent。 XL是40,與lent連讀近音excellent(極好);D是500,D sent近音decent(不錯)。這是羅馬數字音節玩笑,不是借貸金額的道德標準。
Q01016英文雙關
1016I am composed of four letters. We do not 4 2 3, 1 4 2 3, 2 3, 3 4 2.四字母拼成一個詞,再看索引:We do not 4-2-3, 1-4-2-3, 2-3, 3-4-2。缺的是哪個詞?⌄
答案:Mate—(eat-meat-at-tea) — Mate。 以mate的索引拼成eat、meat、at、tea,完整句是We do not eat meat at tea。題目中的數字是字母位置。
Q01017英文雙關
1017My first is a preposition. “ second implies more than one. “ third is a pronoun. “ fourth some people do not pay. “ whole is not consistent.介系詞、表示多人、男性代名詞、有人不付的費用,四部分合起來卻表示「不連貫」。是哪個英文詞?⌄
1018I am a word of four letters often used in prayer. Transposed, I become what every one professes. Transposed again, I become an adjective, the qualities of which every one despises. Transposed again, I am part of a horse.四字母常在祈禱中使用;重排成人人都有的稱呼,再重排成討厭的性格,最後重排成馬的一部分。猜什麼?⌄
1019I am a word of four letters—the name of a Cape. Transposed, I am a portion of the earth’s surface. Transposed again, I am a kind of meat. Transposed again, I become a verb signifying to wash.四字母是海角名稱,重排成地貌、再成肉類、再成「洗」的動詞。是哪一組?⌄
1020In every hedge my second is, As well as every tree, And when poor school-boys act amiss, It often is their fee. My first likewise is always wicked, Yet ne’er committed sin, My total for my first is fitted, Composed of brass or tin.前半總是wicked,卻沒有犯罪;後半每道籬笆和每棵樹都有,也曾用來處罰學生。合起來是放前半的黃銅或錫器。是什麼?⌄
1021My first is a pronoun; my second is not high; my third we must all do; my fourth is a pronoun of multitude; my whole is musical.代名詞、不高、人人終有一日要做的事、表示多人的代名詞,四段合起來表示悅耳。是哪個字?⌄
1022I am a word of four letters. Take off my hat, and you have something which you do every day. Take off my head, and you have a preposition. Leave off my head and put on my hat, and you have something used before a door. Entire, and taken backward, with my two middle letters transposed, I am a very convenient thing. I, myself, am often eaten.四字母常被吃,拿掉「帽子」是每天做的事,再去掉「頭」是介系詞;不帶頭但戴帽子則放門前;倒過來後交換中間兩字母又成一種合作群體。是哪個詞?⌄
1023Required to divide 45 in four parts, so that the first part with two added, the second with two subtracted, the third divided by two, the fourth multiplied by two, shall equal each other.把45分成四份,使第一份加2、第二份減2、第三份除2、第四份乘2之後都相等。四份各是多少?⌄
1024What is there at the same time philosophical and ungrammatical in this sport?蹺蹺板這項活動,為什麼同時有哲理,又似乎不合文法?⌄
答案:It places the present (see) before the past (saw). — 因為 see 排在 saw 前面。 蹺蹺板是 see-saw;see 是現在式,saw 是過去式。原題把現在先於過去的詞序說成文法笑話,並非正式文法規則。
Q01025英文雙關
1025Why is an elephant like a lady’s veil?大象和女士的面紗,為什麼相似?⌄
答案:Because there is a b in both . — 因為 both 裡面有 b。 elephant 和 veil 都沒有 b。答案把「兩者之中」的 both 當作單字本身;字母 b 確實在 both 裡,故意避開兩樣物件。
Q01026英文雙關
1026Why is the butcher’s dog in the parlor like your mother receiving strange company?肉販的狗坐在客廳裡,為什麼像正在接待陌生客人的媽媽?⌄
答案:He is a ma’ stiff. — 牠是 ma’ stiff。 mastiff 是獒犬;拆成 ma stiff 像「媽媽拘謹」。stiff 可形容正式、拘束的樣子。這是原書用詞玩笑,不是在描述所有媽媽。
Q01027英文雙關
1027What is the difference between twenty four quart bottles, and four and twenty quart bottles?「twenty four quart bottles」和「four and twenty quart bottles」,容量差多少?⌄
答案:56 quarts difference. — 相差 56 誇脫。 前句讀成 twenty 個 four-quart bottles:20 個各4誇脫的瓶子,共80。後句 four and twenty 是舊式「二十四」,即24個各1誇脫的瓶子,共24;80−24=56。原文沒有連字號,斷詞是陷阱;不能把前句也直接讀成24瓶。
Q01028英文雙關
1028Why is Tom Tumbledown like Adam when he saw the apple?快要跌倒的 Tom Tumbledown,為什麼像故事裡看見蘋果的亞當?⌄
答案:He is about to fall. — 因為他即將 fall。 fall 可以指跌倒,也可指《聖經》故事中的墮落。Tumbledown 也帶跌落的語感;答案把身體跌倒與故事情節連在一起,不是歷史事件的斷言。
Q01029英文雙關
1029Why is a picture surrounded by books like a happy man?一幅被書本圍起來的畫,為什麼像心情愉快的人?⌄
答案:It is in a good frame of mind . — 它在 a good frame of mind 裡。 in a good frame of mind 是心情很好。畫的 frame 是框;原題將書籍所代表的思想 mind 當成圍在畫外的框,按字面重讀慣用語。
Q01030英文雙關
1030Mother sent Mary for an evergreen. The gardener brought a holly. Mary pointed to the sky, and the gardener brought what she wanted. What did Mary mean?媽媽叫 Mary 去取一棵常綠樹,園丁拿來冬青。Mary 指向天空,園丁便懂了。她想表示什麼?⌄
答案:’Twas the fir ma’ meant. — 那是 fir ma’ meant。 fir 是冷杉;fir ma meant 像「媽媽要的是冷杉」,連讀又近似 firmament(天空)。所以指天不是要一棵天上的樹,而是借聲音提示樹名。
Q01031英文雙關
1031What bird is that which has no wings?什麼 bird 沒有翅膀?⌄
答案:A jail bird. — A jail bird。 jailbird 是囚犯的俗稱,雖然字裡有 bird,指的卻是人,不是真正的鳥。
Q01032英文雙關
1032Add something to 9 to make it less.在 9 上加點東西,怎樣反而變小?⌄
答案:IX—SIX. — IX → SIX。 先以羅馬數字 IX 表示9;前面加 S,變成英文 SIX(6)。變小的是讀出的數值,不是做普通加法。
Q01033英文雙關
1033Why is Satan on a shed like a bankrupt?站在棚屋上的撒旦,為什麼像破產的人?⌄
答案:He is an imp over a shed. (Impoverished.) — 因為他是 imp over a shed。 imp 是小惡魔,over a shed 是在棚屋上;連讀近似 impoverished(窮困的)。是原題把人物位置讀成財務狀態的英文玩笑。
Q01034英文雙關
1034What poet do miners value most?礦工最看重哪位詩人?⌄
答案:A Cole-ridge. — A Cole-ridge。 詩人 Coleridge 的名字近音 coal ridge(煤的山脊/煤脊)。原題借採礦情境拆讀姓名,並非調查礦工的文學喜好。
Q01035英文雙關
1035What poet is least distinguished for brevity?哪位詩人最不像以「簡短」聞名?⌄
答案:Long-fellow. — Long-fellow。 詩人 Longfellow 的名字可拆作 long fellow(長長的傢伙)。原題按姓名字面把他與 brevity(簡短)相對,不是在評論作品篇幅。
Q01036英文雙關
1036Which of the English poets would be most likely to make a lion feel at home?哪位英國詩人最能讓獅子感到像在家裡?⌄
答案:A Dry-den. — A Dry-den。 Dryden 是詩人的姓;拆作 dry den(乾燥的獸穴),就成了讓獅子住得舒服的地方。不是詩人真有養獅子。
Q01037英文雙關
1037Why were the Amalekites never allowed to speak?為什麼原題說亞瑪力人不能開口說話?⌄
答案:Their king was A-gag. — 因為他們的王叫 A-gag。 Agag 是原題使用的王名;拆成 a gag 是「一個口塞/禁言工具」。笑點在名字,不能把「人們被禁止說話」當成真實歷史結論。
Q01038英文雙關
1038Which of the reptiles is a mathematician?哪一種爬蟲類是數學家?⌄
答案:The adder. — The adder。 adder 可指蝰蛇,也可以按 add 理解成做加法的人。不是蛇真的會算術。
Q01039英文雙關
1039What Scripture character would have made a suitable husband for a tall laundress?哪個《聖經》人物,名字聽起來適合一位高個子的洗衣婦?⌄
答案:A-hi-tub. — A-hi-tub。 Ahitub 是人名;原書拆成 a high tub(高洗衣桶)的近音。答案借姓名配合高個子洗衣情境,不是在指定人物的真實婚姻。
Q01040英文雙關
1040What two syllables of the marriage ceremony are most interesting to the priest?婚姻英文名稱的哪兩個音節,最讓主持婚禮的牧師感興趣?⌄
答案:The last two (money). — 最後兩個,money。 原書把 matrimony(婚姻)的末段 -mony 借音聽成 money(金錢),影射酬金。原題稱婚禮儀式的兩個音節,是在玩這個英文詞的聲音,不是說所有婚禮都以 money 一詞結尾。
Q01041英文雙關
1041When is a door not a door?一扇 door,什麼時候不是 door?⌄
答案:When it is a-jar. — 當它 a-jar 的時候。 ajar 是門半開;拆成 a jar,則像「一個罐子」。只是詞的拆讀讓門變成罐子。
Q01042英文雙關
1042Why are ladies sitting on the stoop, like an unfinished house?坐在門廊階上的女士,為什麼像尚未完工的房屋?⌄
答案:They are without doors. — 她們都是 without doors。 without 在舊英文也可表示「在外面」;without doors 可說在戶外,也能按現代常見讀法理解成「沒有門」。人物在戶外,未完工房屋沒有門,答案切換 without 的意思。
Q01043英文雙關
1043What stone opens and shuts at your convenience?哪種 stone 能隨你開關?⌄
答案:A-gate. — A-gate。 agate 是瑪瑙;拆成 a gate 則是一道門,可以開關。真正被開關的是門,不是石頭。
Q01044英文雙關
1044Why is a thing purchased like a shoe?買下來的東西,為什麼像一隻鞋?⌄
答案:It is sold . — 因為它 sold。 商品是 sold(已售出);同音的 soled 是「裝有鞋底的」。原答用 sold 讓商品和鞋分別對應兩種意思。
Q01045英文雙關
1045Why is an unpaid bill like the moisture in the morning?未付的帳單,為什麼像早晨的水氣?⌄
答案:It is due . — 因為它 due。 due 是應付、到期,與 dew(露水)同音;帳單應付,早晨的水珠是露水。
Q01046英文雙關
1046Why is a sanguinary epistle like a surgeon?一封血腥的信,為什麼像外科醫師?⌄
答案:It is a letter of blood . — 它是 a letter of blood。 letter 是信;也可由 let(放出)加 -er 解作放血者。letter of blood 被重讀為放出血的人,借舊時醫師放血的背景作雙關,不是治療建議。
Q01047英文雙關
1047Why is Fremont equal to eight honest politicians?為什麼原題把 Fremont 說成相當於八個誠實的政治人物?⌄
答案:They are the candid 8 (candidate) of their party. — 因為他們是政黨的 candid 8。 candid 是坦率、誠實的;candid eight 連讀近似 candidate(候選人)。原題只借當時政治人物的名字談候選人,並非真有八人的等價關係。
Q01048英文雙關
1048How did Jonah feel when the whale swallowed him?故事中約拿被大魚吞下時,感覺如何?⌄
答案:Down in the mouth. — Down in the mouth。 down in the mouth 是垂頭喪氣,也能按字面理解為往嘴裡落下。原題的 whale 是故事用語;答案把遭吞入與心情低落連起來。
Q01049英文雙關
1049Under what tree is it most proper to make love?在哪種樹下談情說愛最合適?⌄
1050Under what shade can you dance best?在哪種植物的蔭下,最適合跳舞?⌄
答案:Under a hop-vine. — Hop-vine 下。 hop-vine 是啤酒花藤;hop 也可指蹦跳或舞會。原題借植物名字的另一意思,不是栽培或舞蹈場地建議。
Q01051英文雙關
1051Why is a dashing young buck a favorite with the ladies?一位神氣的 young buck,為什麼受女士喜愛?⌄
答案:Because he is a deer. — 因為他是 a deer。 young buck 可指年輕男子,也可指年輕雄鹿;deer 與 dear(親愛的人)同音。答案把人物、鹿與親暱稱呼連在一起,不是對所有女士喜好的斷言。
Q01052英文雙關
1052Why is a hunter like an omnibus pickpocket?獵人為什麼像公共馬車上的扒手?⌄
答案:He rifles the deer (dear). — He rifles the deer(dear)。 rifle 可指用步槍射擊,也可指搜掠;deer(鹿)與 dear(親愛的人)同音。獵人對鹿用槍,扒手搜掠別人的財物,原題借動詞與近音作對照。
Q01053英文雙關
1053Figures, they say, won’t lie; but here Is something either false or queer. I find that, in my family, One taken from two still leaves me three, And two from two, by the same score, Leaves a remainder of just four.家裡的「算術」為何可以說:從兩個中得出一個,留下三個;得出兩個,留下四個?⌄
答案:One child from two parents makes 3. Two children from two parents make 4. — 兩位父母生一個孩子,全家三人;生兩個孩子,全家四人。 taken from two 被故意說得像從2扣除;原解卻把「從兩個人得出」解作兩位父母生下孩子,孩子加入家庭,總人數增加。不是說減法規則改變。
Q01054英文雙關
1054What relation does the soap-bubble bear to the boy who makes it?肥皂泡和吹出它的男孩,有什麼親屬關係?⌄
答案:It is his heir (air). — 它是他的 heir(air)。 heir 是繼承人,與 air(空氣)同音;泡裡的空氣來自男孩吹入,故意把 air 說成 heir。
Q01055英文雙關
1055Why is a dog like a clock-maker’s safe?狗為什麼像鐘錶匠的保險櫃?⌄
答案:He may keep a watch, but he can’t tell the time of day. — 它能 keep a watch,卻不會報時。 狗 keep watch 是守望;保險櫃 keep a watch 是存放手錶。兩者都不會自己說出時間,watch 的守望/手錶兩義是笑點。
Q01056英文雙關
1056Why is the cook more noisy than a gong?廚師為什麼比鑼更吵?⌄
答案:The gong makes a din , The cook makes a dinner . — 鑼做出 din,廚師做出 dinner。 din 是喧鬧聲,dinner 是晚餐。原題把含有 din 拼字的 dinner 當成更大的吵鬧聲,不是在比較實際音量。
Q01057英文雙關
1057Describe a partisan, and answer a question in the same words.用近似的聲音,既描述一位偏袒的人,又回答一個問題,怎麼說?⌄
答案:One-sided, sir. Once I did, sir. — One-sided, sir/Once I did, sir。 one-sided 是偏向一邊、片面的;once I did 是「我曾經做過」。兩句連讀近似,前句描述立場,後句能作肯定做過某事的回答;原題沒指定要回答哪個問題。
Q01058英文雙關
1058How long ago were trunks first used?trunks 很早在什麼時候就被用上了?⌄
答案:In the Eastern wars, when elephants were employed. — 原答說:東方戰爭使用大象的時候。 trunk 可指旅行箱,也可指象鼻。看似問箱子使用史,原答改指戰象使用象鼻;這是借詞反轉,不是已核實的箱子最早出現年代。
Q01059英文雙關
1059In what do grave and gay people differ at church?嚴肅與活潑的人在教堂裡,原題怎樣用相近詞句作對比?⌄
答案:The one close their eyes, The other eye their clothes. — 一方 close their eyes,另一方 eye their clothes。 close their eyes 是閉眼;eye their clothes 是注視衣服。close/clothes 近音,eyes 與 eye 改成名詞與動詞,組成詞序遊戲。gay 在此舊文是活潑、愛熱鬧,不指性向。
Q01060英文雙關
1060Why is a spotted dog most reliable?有斑點的狗為什麼最可靠?⌄
答案:He is always on the spot. — 因為牠總是 on the spot。 on the spot 是當場、在場;spot 又是斑點。原題把毛色斑點連到可靠地及時出現,不是說有斑點的狗更可靠。
Q01061英文雙關
1061In what does a dog differ from a groom in his treatment of a horse?狗和馬伕對待馬時,有什麼英文詞句差別?⌄
答案:The dog worries him. The groom curries him; The dog bites him, The groom bits him. — 狗 worries、bites 牠;馬伕 curries、bits 牠。 worry 在此可指追咬,curry 是梳刷馬匹;bite 是咬,bit 作動詞是裝上馬嚼子。兩組近似的詞形成不同對待方式,並非每隻狗都會攻擊馬。
Q01062英文雙關
1062Why is Merry’s Museum like a note falling due?《Merry’s Museum》為什麼像一張快到期的票據?⌄
答案:It is always expected with interest. — 兩者都被 expected with interest。 interest 可指興趣,也可指利息。讀者有興趣期待刊物,債權人期待到期本息;原刊名稱只是原題情境,不是替它作現代推廣。
Q01063英文雙關
1063My first is (in sound) what my second often does; my whole is a turning-point.第一部分的讀音,是第二部分常做的事;整個字表示轉捩點。是什麼字?⌄
1064My first is found in every country of the globe; my second is what we all should be; my whole is the same as my first.第一部分在世界各國都找得到;第二部分是我們都應有的品德;整個字指的仍是第一部分那一類。⌄
1065Entire, I am a period of time; behead me, I am an article of food; again behead me, and I am used for food.整個英文字表示一小段時間;去掉首字母是一種食物;再去掉首字母,是可用在食物上的東西。⌄
1066Entire, I am an emblem of beauty; behead me, and I am a powerful liquid; curtail me, and I am a preposition; replace my head, and I am a useful article.整個字是美麗的象徵;去掉首字母成為一種液體;再去尾字母成為介系詞;最後放回原來的首字母,成為有用的物品。⌄
答案:Pink, ink, in, pin. — Pink、ink、in、pin。 pink可指石竹花;去p成ink(墨水),再去k成in(在……內);在in前加回p成pin(別針)。
Q01067英文雙關
1067Entire, I am a sentence; behead me, and I am a fortress; curtailed, I am to strive violently; now transpose, and I am inexperienced.整個字表示裁定;去首字母成為防守的地方;再去尾字母表示激烈爭鬥;最後重排,表示缺乏經驗。⌄
答案:Award, ward, war, raw. — Award、ward、war、raw。 award可指裁決;去a得ward(守衛區域),去d得war(戰爭),重排war得raw(生嫩、未經磨練)。
Q01068英文雙關
1068Behead a slipping, and leave the slip.哪個字表示時間流逝,去掉首字母後留下「失誤」?⌄
1070Why are unprotected hearth-fires like insolent beggars?沒有護欄的壁爐火,為什麼像冒犯人的乞丐?⌄
答案:Because they are destitute of-fenders. — Because they are destitute of-fenders. of fenders是「沒有壁爐護欄」,讀音可連成offenders(冒犯者);destitute又可表示貧困,形成原書雙關。
Q01071英文雙關
1071Entire, I am a noun; behead and transpose, and I am lean; replace my head, curtail me, and I am necessary to the accomplishment of any great object; curtail me again, transpose, and I am sometimes used as a seat.整個字是名詞;去首字母再重排,表示瘦;放回首字母、去尾字母,得到完成大事所需的東西;再去尾字母重排,得到可坐的部位。⌄
1072Why are most of the heroes and heroines in novels like the letter O?小說裡的男女主角為什麼像英文字母O?⌄
答案:They are always in love. — They are always in love. in love既是陷入愛情,也能指字母o位於love這個字之中;原書用小說常見的戀愛情節作雙關。
Q01073英文雙關
1073I cheer the pilgrim’s lonely way, As toils he on from day to day; Curtail me, and I then am found What students do on college ground; Curtail once more, and by inspection You’ll find I am an interjection.它陪伴旅人孤獨的路;去尾字母,是學生能做的動作;再去尾字母,成為感嘆詞。⌄
1077Did Jonah cry when the whale swallowed him?約拿被鯨魚吞下時,有沒有哭?⌄
答案:He thought he was going to blubber , but he didn’t. — He thought he was going to blubber, but he didn’t。 blubber既是哭哭啼啼,也指鯨脂。原書用約拿故事,將哭泣與鯨魚體內的脂肪聯絡起來;不同於另一題down in the mouth的嘴/沮喪反轉,不把故事當歷史證明。
Q01078英文雙關
1078Curtail a ruler; transpose, and leave a fastening.一位統治者的稱呼去掉尾字母,再重排,得到一種扣件。⌄
1083A squirrel, finding nine ears of corn in a box, took from it, daily, three ears; how many days was he in removing the corn from the box?箱子裡有九穗玉米,松鼠每天從箱子裡帶出三個ears。幾天才會把玉米搬完?⌄
答案:Nine—he took his own ears and one ear of corn out each day. — 九天。 ears可指玉米穗,也指耳朵;原答案每天的三個ears是松鼠自己的兩隻耳朵,加一穗玉米,因此九穗需九天。
Q01084英文雙關
1084My first is found in an oyster; my second is possessed by the nobility; every house contains my third; my whole no one applies to himself.第一部分在oyster裡,第二部分由nobility擁有,第三部分每個house都有;全字卻不會用來稱呼自己。⌄
1085In my first, relations most generally find An interest of a peculiar kind; My second, an adverb of humble degree, Combined with my first names a beautiful tree.第一部分常令親屬有切身利害;第二部分表示程度低;合起來是一種樹。⌄
1086If you should lose your nose, what kind of one would you get?假如鼻子不見了,你會找什麼樣的鼻子?⌄
答案:The first that turned up. — The first that turned up. turned up既是出現,也指鼻子向上翹;答案既能說第一個找到的鼻子,也能指翹鼻。
Q01087英文雙關
1087Find a word of six letters, something that many people laugh at; subtract one letter, and leave what many worship.哪個六字母的東西會讓人發笑,去掉一個字母後卻成為很多人崇拜的東西?⌄
1088A preposition my first; My second’s a number; My third a brisk motion That drives away slumber; My whole is a service For which dearly we pay; At least, ’tis charged so In hotel bills they say.第一部分是介系詞,第二部分是數字,第三部分是趕走睡意的活潑動作;全字是一項旅館會收費的服務。⌄
1089What bird most resembles a peddler?哪種鳥最像沿街叫賣的小販?⌄
答案:A hawk. — A hawk。 hawk既是鷹,也可作動詞表示沿街兜售。
Q01090英文雙關
1090Why is a weathercock like ambition?風向雞為什麼像野心?⌄
答案:Because it is often vain (vane) to aspire (a spire). — Because it is often vain (vane) to aspire (a spire). vain是徒勞,vane是風向標;aspire是懷抱志向,a spire是尖塔。原答同時利用兩組近音,連線志向與塔上的風向標。
Q01091英文雙關
1091Why is a used up horse like a bad play?疲弱的馬為什麼像一齣糟糕的戲?⌄
答案:He is not likely to have a good run. — He is not likely to have a good run. good run能指跑得好,也指戲劇長期成功演出;馬跑不動與戲演不久共用這句話。
Q01092英文雙關
1092Why is a printer like a postman?印刷工為什麼像郵差?⌄
答案:He distributes letters. — He distributes letters. letters既是字母活字,也是信件;舊式排字工分配活字,郵差分送信件。
Q01093英文雙關
1093Why is a cricket on the hearth like a soldier in battle?壁爐邊的蟋蟀為什麼像上戰場計程車兵?⌄
答案:He faces the fire. — He faces the fire. faces the fire既指面對壁爐火,也指面對敵方火力。
Q01094英文雙關
1094Entire, I am of bloody mien, And spread destruction all around; Beheaded—cheerfully I’m seen Where pleasure’s votaries are found.全字帶來血腥與毀滅;去掉首字母,卻出現在歡樂的地方。⌄
1098My whole, I lightly swim The smooth lake’s sparkling brim, Or down the river skim. Transpose me, all around The wide world’s endless bound, In every clime I’m found.它能輕巧地在湖面和河上航行;把字母重排,卻成為遍及各地的大水域。⌄