8
$\begingroup$

Various metals and paints are used to bring me to my current form.
At times I'm lonely and at times I become very popular.
I'm very useful and you've definitely seen me at least once in your life.
You cannot find me in your house.
Reverse the word and all the above still hold true.

What am I?

Note:- I'm not a palindrome. If you reverse me you do not get the same word.

$\endgroup$
7
  • $\begingroup$ So I'm leaving it as is. People (at least I) rarely see the edit history :) $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 11:51
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Cheap Answer: Depending on your definition of useful, you could be a racecar! $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 12:08
  • $\begingroup$ @TwoBitOperation Red rum, sir, is murder hahaha also radar fulfill xD $\endgroup$
    – lois6b
    Oct 5, 2016 at 12:11
  • $\begingroup$ @ArbitraryKangaroo The 'algorithm' you mentioned could be applied to ANY riddle - in fact, that's the best way to solve riddles, short of 'random inspiration'. $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 12:15
  • $\begingroup$ @TwoBitOperation I had racecar in mind while making the riddle. But a palindrome would become too easy. Wouldn't it :) $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 12:18

4 Answers 4

5
$\begingroup$

I think you are a

Bus

Various metals and paints are used to bring me to my current form.

Buses are made of metal and paint.

At times I'm lonely and at times I become very popular.

Sometimes there are lots of people on the bus, sometimes not.

I'm very useful and you've definitely seen me at least once in your life.

Buses are definitely useful and almost everyone has seen one.

You cannot find me in your house.

That would be awkward.

Reverse the word and all the above still hold true.

A sub (submarine) is another thing you wouldn't see in your house, made of metal and paints, sometimes full sometimes not, and is useful and most have likely seen on at least in a movie/TV show.


Note that you could also make basically the same arguments for

Tram / Mart

$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ But many people have never seen a submarine in their lives - or a tram, for that matter. $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 15:25
  • $\begingroup$ @randal'thor Yeah, for this to be right "seen" needs to include on TV, movies, etc., as I said. $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 15:38
  • $\begingroup$ Nice! Tram is the expected answer. Trams and trains are very similar. The only difference being distance covered and the tracks. The question never stated that you've seen it in real life :) $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 16:48
3
$\begingroup$

Are you:

a SLOOP / POOLS?

Various metals and paints are used to bring me to my current form.

A sloop is made of various painted metal components, as are swimming pools.

At times I'm lonely and at times I become very popular.

Either one is empty when not used, and can be full of people at other times.

I'm very useful and you've definitely seen me at least once in your life.

Sloops are useful for sailing in, and pools are useful for swimming in. Everyone's seen a pool, and quite possibly a sloop.

You cannot find me in your house.

Both things are found out of doors.

Reverse the word and all the above still hold true.

Reverse SLOOP and you get POOLS.

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Awesome answer. If nobody gets closer, this shall be the accepted answer :) $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 12:34
2
$\begingroup$

Are you a

Decal? Backwards is laced. Both can be made of paints and metals.

Or are you a

Nametag? Backwards is gateman. Both should be outside your house. Both can be lonely until the time they are used. But I can find a Nametag in my house. 😭😭

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Nice try. And metal plays no factor to get to the current form. You deserve an upvote though. $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 12:30
0
$\begingroup$

Various metals and paints are used to bring me to my current form.

Body

You cannot find me in your house.

Huge

The answer is:

Aeroplane or a Ship

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ How would that fit the last line of the riddle? $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 12:35
  • $\begingroup$ The last line is the most important part else it would be too broad a riddle. $\endgroup$ Oct 5, 2016 at 12:36

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.