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Each line is a clue for two words that share the same consonants, in the same order. As an example, the answer to

A snake that builds

would be

constrictor constructor.

.

  1. An article about being smooth.
  2. A function that makes you wet.
  3. The challenge of making something more general.
  4. Spending too much time thinking about the past.

What are the four pairs of words?

Hint for #1:

The two words each have 5 consonants. The letter count is (10, 7)

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    $\begingroup$ An article you shouldn't have written: rot13(hajvfr arjf). An article about being calm: rot13(crnpr cvrpr). A function to come: rot13(shgher srngher). Spending too much time thinking about openings: rot13(qrqvpngvba nqvpgvga). $\endgroup$
    – Daniel Schepler
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 20:51
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    $\begingroup$ An article about getting wet: rot13(ovytr oybt). $\endgroup$
    – Daniel Schepler
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 20:55
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    $\begingroup$ @DanielSchepler Man, I should've made more than 4, those are pretty good. $\endgroup$
    – Riley
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 22:19
  • $\begingroup$ Well, it was just some of the near misses I came up with while searching for solutions to your clues, that I still liked enough to post. $\endgroup$
    – Daniel Schepler
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 22:29
  • $\begingroup$ Could we maybe get a hint on #1 - it's been driving me crazy. My latest guess is almost certainly not it. More like: An article in an HVAC contract: rot13(pbbyf pynhfr). $\endgroup$
    – Daniel Schepler
    Commented Apr 24, 2018 at 17:58

5 Answers 5

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  1. An article about being smooth.

    Calamine column? Repartee report? Continuity content?

  2. A function that makes you wet.

    Sine sauna? Pirate party? Porpoise purpose? wolfram42 got it: sqrt squirt.

  3. The challenge of making something more general.

    Abstraction obstruction.

  4. Spending too much time thinking about the past.

    Wasteful wistful.

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  • $\begingroup$ Alright! 1 down 3 to go $\endgroup$
    – Riley
    Commented Apr 18, 2018 at 23:28
  • $\begingroup$ Hmm, it looks like you found an interesting alternative for #2, but not what I intended. $\endgroup$
    – Riley
    Commented Apr 18, 2018 at 23:52
  • $\begingroup$ You got #4 correct. $\endgroup$
    – Riley
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 0:57
  • $\begingroup$ #1 and #2 are incorrect. wolfram42 got #2 $\endgroup$
    – Riley
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 22:17
  • $\begingroup$ Sorry, still incorrect $\endgroup$
    – Riley
    Commented Apr 21, 2018 at 22:21
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answer for 4:$ $ $ $ $ $

Linger Longer

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  • $\begingroup$ Good answer, but not what I had in mind. $\endgroup$
    – Riley
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 0:36
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Answer for number 3?

Burden broaden

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  • $\begingroup$ Wow, good alternative answer $\endgroup$
    – Riley
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 11:52
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  1. An article about being smooth:

    Published Polished

  2. A function that makes you wet.

    Square Squirt or alternatively Sqrt Squirt

And taken from @DanielShelper

  1. The challenge of making something more general.

    Abstraction obstruction.

  2. Spending too much time thinking about the past.

    Wasteful wistful?

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    $\begingroup$ Square is missing a letter. $\endgroup$
    – NetJohn
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 21:07
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    $\begingroup$ #1 does not work because "polished" is missing a "b" $\endgroup$
    – MikeQ
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 21:14
  • $\begingroup$ wasteful and wistful were the accepted answers despite "wistful" missing an "e". Other alternative answers accepted by @Riley also have extra letters. $\endgroup$
    – wolfram42
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 21:16
  • $\begingroup$ @wolfram42 the vowels don't matter; in the original question, he states that the two words have the same consonants in the same order $\endgroup$
    – dooog
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 21:21
  • $\begingroup$ Ok, I autochanged the word "consonants" with "letters" in my head. thanks for the clarification $\endgroup$
    – wolfram42
    Commented Apr 19, 2018 at 21:23
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  1. a function that makes you wet

    Pipe-pop. when a pipe bursts, water (or other liquids) are expelled, making anyone nearby wet

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    $\begingroup$ Where does the "function" part come in? $\endgroup$
    – puzzledPig
    Commented Apr 24, 2018 at 1:17

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