2701What is the difference between a beehive and a diseased potato?蜂箱與長斑的馬鈴薯有什麼不同?⌄
答案:None at all; one is a bee-holder (beholder), the other a speck'd tatur (spectator). — 沒有不同:一個是 bee-holder,另一個是 speck’d tatur。 bee-holder 是裝著蜜蜂的容器,近音 beholder(觀看者);speck’d tatur 是長斑的馬鈴薯,近音 spectator(觀眾)。兩者在諧音裡成了看客。
Q02702英文雙關
2702What is the difference between a piece of honeycomb and a black eye?蜂巢蜜與被打青的眼眶有什麼不同?⌄
答案:One is produced by a laboring bee, the other by a belaboring. — 一個由勞動的 bee 造成,另一個由 belaboring 造成。 laboring bee 是辛勤工作的蜜蜂,belaboring 是痛打。相似起音讓製蜜和造成瘀傷兩個過程形成對照。
Q02703英文雙關
2703Why would young ladies make good volunteers?為什麼年輕女士適合做志願兵?⌄
答案:Because they are accustomed to bare arms. — 因為她們習慣 bare arms。 bare arms 是露出手臂,與 bear arms(攜帶武器)同音。原文以衣著與軍事動作作文字笑話,不是能力評判。
Q02704英文雙關
2704What is that which every one frequently holds yet rarely touches?什麼東西人人常會 hold,卻很少摸到?⌄
答案:His tongue. — 自己的舌頭。 hold one’s tongue 是保持沉默,並非用手抓住舌頭。題目故意把慣用語的 hold 當成實際握住。
Q02705英文雙關
2705Why are frames put about tomato plants?為什麼要在番茄植株周圍設架子?⌄
答案:To make the tomato ketchup (catch up). — 為了讓 tomato ketchup。 ketchup 是番茄醬,近音 catch up(追上)。架子支撐番茄往上長,被玩笑說成讓它追上,而不是直接製成醬。
Q02706英文雙關
2706Why is a proposal like the first conviction for drunkenness?為什麼求婚像初次因醉酒被定罪?⌄
答案:Because it is a short sentence which generally leads to a long one. — 因為一句短 sentence,往往帶來很長的 sentence。 sentence 可指一句話或刑期。求婚是一句話,原文以長期婚姻比作長刑期;這是舊式婚姻笑話,不是法律或婚姻結論。
Q02707英文雙關
2707Why is Troy weight like an unconscientious person?為什麼金衡制像沒有良心的人?⌄
答案:Because it has no scruples. — 因為沒有 scruples。 scruple 可指顧忌、良心,也是一個藥衡重量單位。金衡制不用該單位,被說成沒有良心。
Q02708英文雙關
2708Why must a fisherman be very wealthy?為什麼漁夫一定很富有?⌄
答案:Because his is all net profit. — 因為賺到的全是 net profit。 net profit 是淨利,net 也指漁網。原文將靠漁網得來的收入當成全部淨利,實際並不代表漁夫沒有成本。
Q02709英文雙關
2709What is the difference between the Prince of Wales, an orphan, a bald-headed man, and a gorilla?威爾斯親王、孤兒、禿頭的人與大猩猩有什麼不同?⌄
答案:The first is an heir apparent, the second has ne'er a parent, the third has no hair apparent, and the fourth has a hairy parent. — 分別是 heir apparent、ne’er a parent、no hair apparent、hairy parent。 heir apparent 是確定的繼承人;其餘近音片語分別是沒有父母、看不到頭髮、有毛的父母。原文用四組相似聲音串成對照。
Q02710英文雙關
2710When does a son not take after his father?兒子什麼時候不 take after 父親?⌄
答案:When his father leaves him nothing to take. — 當父親沒留下東西讓他 take。 take after 通常是長得像或性格像;此處把 take 改成拿到遺產。缺少遺產不等於孩子與父親不相像。
Q02711英文雙關
2711Why is the game of Blindman's Buff like sympathy?為什麼矇眼捉人像同情?⌄
答案:Because it is a fellow feeling for another. — 因為有個 fellow 正在 feeling for another。 fellow feeling 是同感或同情;字面上又像一個人伸手摸索另一個人。矇眼捉人的動作形成雙關。
Q02712英文雙關
2712What is the difference between a soldier and a fisherman?士兵與漁夫有什麼不同?⌄
答案:One bayonets, the other nets a bay. — 一個 bayonets,另一個 nets a bay。 bayonet 作動詞是用刺刀刺,nets a bay 是在海灣下網。同樣的 bay 與 net 改換詞序,成為兩種工作。
Q02713英文雙關
2713Why is a kiss like a rumor?為什麼親吻像謠言?⌄
答案:Because it goes from mouth to mouth. — 因為都從一張嘴到另一張嘴。 親吻涉及嘴唇相接,謠言則經口耳傳播。mouth to mouth 在兩者身上有實際接觸與傳播的不同意思。
Q02714英文雙關
2714What shape is a kiss?吻是什麼形狀?⌄
答案:A-lip-tickle (elliptical). — A-lip-tickle。 a lip tickle 是嘴唇被輕輕碰觸,連讀近似 elliptical(橢圓形的)。不是測量吻的幾何形狀。
Q02715英文雙關
2715Why are three couples going to be married like penny trumpets?為什麼三對準備結婚的人像便宜的小喇叭?⌄
答案:Because they go two-two-two. — 因為他們 two-two-two 地前進。 三對人是兩個、兩個、兩個;two 與 toot 的起音近似,two-two-two 又像三聲喇叭聲。
Q02716英文雙關
2716What is that which fastens two people together, yet touches only one?什麼把兩個人連在一起,卻只碰到其中一個?⌄
2717What is the difference between a last will and testament and a man who has eaten as much as he can?遺囑與吃飽的人有什麼不同?⌄
答案:One is signed and dated, and the other is dined and sated. — 一個 signed and dated,另一個 dined and sated。 signed and dated 是簽名並註明日期;dined and sated 是用過餐且吃飽。交換相似音節,使文書狀態變成人的餐後狀態。
Q02718英文雙關
2718How should love come to the door?愛情該怎樣走到門前?⌄
答案:With a ring. — 帶著 ring。 ring 可指鈴聲或戒指。來訪先按門鈴,談愛情則可能帶婚戒。
Q02719英文雙關
2719If a mercenary man were to ask a girl to marry, what flower would he name?愛錢的人向女孩求婚,會說出哪種花?⌄
答案:Any money (anemone). — Anemone。 anemone 是銀蓮花,近音 any money(有沒有錢)。花名被聽成對錢的詢問。
Q02720英文雙關
2720Why is the science of self-defense like low tide?為什麼自衛術像退潮?⌄
答案:It develops the muscles. — 因為都會顯露 muscles。 muscles 是肌肉,與 mussels(貽貝)同音。自衛訓練展現肌肉,退潮時可看到岸邊的貽貝。
Q02721英文雙關
2721Why should a teetotaler never take a wife?為什麼戒酒的人不該娶妻?⌄
答案:He will not sup-porter (support her). — 因為他不 sup-porter。 sup porter 是喝黑啤酒,近音 support her(扶養她)。把不喝酒誤聽成不願支援妻子,不是真正的婚姻建議。
Q02722英文雙關
2722Why should free seats at church be abolished?為什麼原文說應取消教堂的免費座位?⌄
答案:They make people good for nothing. — 因為那讓人 good for nothing。 good for nothing 是沒用的,字面也像不花錢就做好人。原文只玩免費入座的詞義,不是在主張教堂必須收費。
Q02723英文雙關
2723When is love deformed?愛情什麼時候會變形?⌄
答案:When it is all on one side. — 當它全在一邊。 all on one side 可指只有一方付出感情,也可想像形狀偏向一側。把單戀的比喻字面化。
Q02724英文雙關
2724Why is a dog with a lame leg like a boy ciphering?為什麼跛腳狗像正在算數的男孩?⌄
答案:He puts down three and carries one. — 因為牠 puts down three and carries one。 算術可寫下三、進一;狗則放下三隻腳,抬著一隻腳。put down 與 carry 的意思由數字操作換成動作。
Q02725英文雙關
2725Why are eyes like stage-horses?為什麼眼睛像驛馬?⌄
答案:They are always under the lash. — 因為都在 lash 之下。 lash 可以是睫毛或鞭子。眼睛在睫毛下面,當時的驛馬則可能受馬鞭驅策。
Q02726英文雙關
2726What goes over the water and under the water, but never touches the water?什麼在水面上方,也在水的下方,卻從不碰水?⌄
答案:A woman crossing a bridge with a pail of water on her head. — 頭頂一桶水、走過橋的女士。 她在河水上方,又在頭頂水桶裡的水下方。上和下指向不同份的水,而非同一片水域。
Q02727英文雙關
2727How many peas in a pint?一 pint 裡有多少 peas?⌄
答案:One. — 一個。 peas 與字母 P 的複數讀音同音。單字 pint(品脫)裡只有一個 p,問的不是實際豌豆顆數。
Q02728英文雙關
2728Why does a cat rest better in summer?為什麼貓在夏天睡得更好?⌄
答案:Because summer brings a cat-a-pillow (caterpillar). — 因為夏天帶來 cat-a-pillow。 caterpillar 是毛毛蟲,近似 cat a pillow(給貓一個枕頭)。原文把昆蟲名拆成舒適的睡具。
Q02729英文雙關
2729What were the last words of the bugler who was gored by the bull?被公牛頂傷的號手,最後喊什麼?⌄
答案:"Blow the horns!" — Blow the horns! horn 可指號角或牛角;blow the horns 通常是吹號角。題目用號手和公牛讓兩種 horn 相遇。
Q02730英文雙關
2730Why do dentists make good politicians?為什麼牙醫適合當政治人物?⌄
答案:Because they have a great pull. — 因為他們有很大的 pull。 have pull 是有影響力或門路,pull 也可指拔牙的拉力。原文把拔牙的能力誤讀成政治影響力。
Q02731英文雙關
2731When does a pig become landed property?豬什麼時候變成 landed property?⌄
答案:When he is turned into a meadow. — 當牠被 turned into a meadow。 landed property 是土地財產;turn a pig into a meadow 可表示把豬趕進草地,也可誤讀成把豬變成草地。不是豬真的變成土地。
Q02732英文雙關
2732Why is the proprietor of a balloon like a phantom?為什麼熱氣球主人像幻影?⌄
2735Why does the rope dancer invariably have to repeat his performances?為什麼走繩索的表演者總得再表演一次?⌄
答案:Because they are always on cord (encored). — 因為總是 on cord。 on cord 是在繩索上,近音 encored(被要求安可)。表演的位置被誤聽成觀眾要求重演。
Q02736英文雙關
2736What is that which works when it plays and plays when it works?什麼工作時在 plays,plays 時也在工作?⌄
答案:A fountain. — 噴泉。 play 除了玩耍,也可用來形容水流噴出。噴泉的噴水就是運作,不是在說一個人邊玩邊工作。
Q02737英文雙關
2737Why are sailors bad horsemen?為什麼水手不善於騎馬?⌄
答案:Because they ride on the main (mane). — 因為他們騎在 main 上。 the main 在舊用法指大海,與 mane(馬鬃)同音。把航海的地方誤聽成騎在馬鬃上。
Q02738英文雙關
2738Why is a sword belt like a cow upon a common?為什麼佩劍的腰帶像公地上的牛?⌄
答案:Because it goes round the waste (waist). — 因為都繞著 waste/waist。 waist 是腰,waste 在舊用法可指未耕作的荒地。腰帶環腰,牛在荒地上走動,兩詞同音。
Q02739英文雙關
2739What's the difference between a bee and a donkey?蜜蜂與驢有什麼不同?⌄
答案:One gets all the honey, and the other all the whacks (wax). — 一個得到 honey,另一個得到 whacks。 蜜蜂與 honey(蜂蜜)、wax(蜂蠟)有關;驢收到 whacks(敲打)。wax 與 whacks 同音,原文用不同待遇作文字笑話。
Q02740英文雙關
2740Why is sealing wax like a rifleman?為什麼封蠟像步槍手?⌄
答案:Because it's often under arms. — 因為常在 arms 下面。 arms 可指徽章上的紋章,也可指武器。帶紋章的印章下壓封蠟,步槍手則攜帶武器。
Q02741英文雙關
2741What is the only pain of which every one makes light?什麼 pain 人人都會讓它變 light?⌄
2745Why is a peach-stone like a regiment?為什麼桃核像軍團?⌄
答案:Because it has a colonel (kernel). — 因為裡面有 colonel。 colonel 是上校,與 kernel(果核內的仁)同音。軍團有軍官,桃核裡有仁。
Q02746英文雙關
2746What is the principal part of a horse?馬最主要的部分是什麼?⌄
答案:The mane (main) part. — Mane。 mane 是鬃毛,與 main(主要的)同音。答案由題目的 main 借音,不是對馬的解剖判斷。
Q02747英文雙關
2747What barrel is best fitted for a soldier's helmet?什麼桶適合當士兵的頭盔?⌄
答案:A cask (casque). — A cask。 cask 是桶,與 casque(舊式頭盔稱呼)同音。普通桶不會因此成為合格防具。
Q02748英文雙關
2748Why is it no offense to conspire in the evening?為什麼晚上密謀不算冒犯?⌄
答案:What is treasonable is reasonable after t . — 因為 treasonable 在 t 之後變成 reasonable。 treasonable 是叛逆的,刪去開頭 t 就是 reasonable(合理的)。t 又近音 tea,after tea 暗示傍晚茶後;只是刪字玩笑。
Q02749英文雙關
2749Why is a corpse like a man with a cold?為什麼遺體像感冒的人?⌄
答案:Because he is in a-coughing. — 因為他 in a-coughing。 a-coughing 是正在咳嗽,近音 a coffin(一具棺材)。把咳嗽的聲音與棺材名稱連在一起。
Q02750英文雙關
2750Why is a fiddler like a man in amaze?為什麼提琴手像困惑的人?⌄
答案:Because he's at a stand. — 因為他 at a stand。 stand 可以是樂譜架;at a stand 又是停頓、不知道怎麼往下做。站在譜架前與困惑不前共用同一詞。
Q02751英文雙關
2751What is the difference between a butcher and a flirt?屠夫與愛調情的人有什麼不同?⌄
答案:One kills to dress, the other dresses to kill. — 一個 kills to dress,另一個 dresses to kill。 dress 肉品是處理、整備;dress to kill 是精心打扮、吸引目光。相同詞序倒轉,變成兩種目的。
Q02752英文雙關
2752Why is a blacksmith the most dissatisfied of all mechanics?為什麼鐵匠是最不滿的工匠?⌄
答案:Because he's always on the strike for wages. — 因為他總 on the strike for wages。 strike 可指罷工或敲擊。鐵匠靠敲打賺工資,原文卻把它說成為了工資一直罷工。
Q02753英文雙關
2753Why is selling off bankrupt goods like preparing a dish of soup?為什麼出售破產貨品像煮湯?⌄
答案:Because it is a liquidation of stock. — 因為都是 liquidation of stock。 stock 可指庫存或高湯,liquidation 是清算資產,也讓人想到變為液體。賣庫存與調湯藉兩組詞義並列。
Q02754英文雙關
2754What is the difference between a young lady and a wide-awake hat?年輕女士與一頂闊邊氈帽有什麼不同?⌄
答案:One has feeling, the other is felt. — 一個有 feeling,另一個是 felt。 feeling 是感受,felt 是 feel 的過去式,也是一種毛氈。原文用同根字和材料名作對照。
Q02755英文雙關
2755What is the oldest lunatic on record?記錄上最古老的瘋子是誰?⌄
答案:Time out of mind. — Time out of mind。 time out of mind 是很久以前;out of one’s mind 則是不理智。把年代說法拆成「失去理智的時間」。
Q02756英文雙關
2756How can you make one pound of green tea go as far as five pounds of black?怎樣讓一磅綠茶走得跟五磅紅茶一樣遠?⌄
答案:Buy the above quantities in Boston, and send them down to New York. — 在波士頓買好,再一起送到紐約。 go as far 通常指同樣耐用或同樣多的效用;此處卻問實際運送距離。兩份貨物走同一條路,重量不影響路程。
Q02757英文雙關
2757Why is a patent safety Hansom cab a dangerous carriage to drive in?為什麼號稱安全的漢森馬車反而危險?⌄
答案:Because the cabman always drives over your head. — 因為車伕總在你頭上 drive。 原文指車伕座位高於乘客的漢森式馬車;drive over your head 容易被理解成從頭上輾過,實際只是坐在上方駕車。
Q02758英文雙關
2758Why is whispering in company like a forged bank note?為什麼在人群裡說悄悄話像偽造鈔票?⌄
答案:Because it is uttered but not allowed. — 因為都被 uttered,卻不被 allowed。 utter 可指說話,也可指把偽鈔拿來流通;allowed 在此指被接受或容許。兩種 utter 都可能不被認可。
Q02759英文雙關
2759Which constellation resembles an empty fireplace?哪個星座像空著的壁爐?⌄
答案:The Great Bear. — The Great Bear。 Great Bear 是大熊座,近音 grate bare(爐柵空著)。星座名被拆成壁爐的狀態。
Q02760英文雙關
2760Why is a clever wit like a chemist?為什麼機智的人像化學家?⌄
答案:Because he has many a good retort. — 因為有很多 good retorts。 retort 可以是機敏的回嘴,也可以是實驗室的曲頸蒸餾瓶。不同的器具與語言能力用同一詞。
Q02761英文雙關
2761Why is a bankrupt husband an ardent lover?為什麼破產的丈夫是熱情的戀人?⌄
答案:Because his is unremitting affection. — 因為他的 affection 是 unremitting。 unremitting 是不間斷的,也可拆讀成沒有 remitting(匯錢)。既沒錢寄回,仍被說成感情不間斷。
Q02762英文雙關
2762What is the difference between a spendthrift and a feather bed?揮霍的人與羽毛床墊有什麼不同?⌄
答案:One is hard up and the other soft down. — 一個 hard up,另一個 soft down。 hard up 是缺錢,soft down 是柔軟絨羽。hard/soft 和 up/down 的成對反義詞,構成兩種狀態。
Q02763英文雙關
2763Why is a mouse entering a mouse trap like a diplomat arguing his policy?為什麼進捕鼠器的老鼠像正在辯護政策的外交官?⌄
答案:Because each has a well-defined end in view. — 因為都有明確的 end in view。 end in view 是看得到的目的;end 也可指生命的終結。外交官看目標,老鼠卻將面臨捕鼠器的後果。