I'm famously rectangular
Sometimes it's dark
Sometimes it's not
I'm penetrable and deep
I'm a joy for the kids
But if you use me while I'm wet,
You might get killed!
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5
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4$\begingroup$ Was the change from "I'm" to "it's" intentional or not? $\endgroup$– rschwiebJan 16, 2019 at 20:19
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1$\begingroup$ @rschwieb it was definitely deliberate. Yes. $\endgroup$– OutmanJan 17, 2019 at 7:26
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8$\begingroup$ Tiananmen Square $\endgroup$– MazuraJan 17, 2019 at 14:48
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9$\begingroup$ I think this question is way too broad to get a right answer (as evidenced by the numerous answers below). I flagged as such, but it was declined. $\endgroup$– ale10anderJan 17, 2019 at 21:19
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2$\begingroup$ Sorry flagging and upvoting this at the same time: Upvote for a nice riddle, flagging for being to broad... sorry! $\endgroup$– Omega KryptonJan 17, 2019 at 23:39
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25 Answers
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10
Are you
a flag ?
I'm famously rectangular
flags are famous (country or other localities flags) and rectangluar (except a few, e.g. Nepal)
Sometimes it's dark
e.g. pirate flag
Sometimes it's not
e.g. white flag
If you use me while I'm wet, you might get killed!
WETFLAG is an acronym for steps to take for first aid for children in medical emergency, see e.g. here : Weight Electricity Tube Fluid Lorazepam Adrenaline Glucose
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15$\begingroup$ Wow, that last spoiler is an interesting take... $\endgroup$– rschwiebJan 16, 2019 at 20:45
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5$\begingroup$ Gets an awesome-if-true vote for the last spoiler. I don't think it's the answer, but it deserves an upvote anyway. $\endgroup$ Jan 16, 2019 at 20:58
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$\begingroup$ I like this answer quite a lot. However, it's not the correct answer. $\endgroup$– OutmanJan 17, 2019 at 7:24
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4$\begingroup$ Also, please censor your commment to avoid spoilers ;) $\endgroup$– SoltiusJan 17, 2019 at 12:46
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1$\begingroup$ @Flying_whale I know, but as a swiss person, I just wanted to point out how special we are :P . I mean we even convinced the United Nations that our Flag should be square in front of the UN building in Geneva. P.S is your name a reference to Gojiras song "Flying Whale"? $\endgroup$ Jan 21, 2019 at 12:22
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3
Are you a
Toaster?
I'm famously rectangular
Most toasters are basically rectangular, as is most toast
Sometimes it's dark Sometimes it's not
Bread can be toasted a lot or a little
If you use me while I'm wet You might get killed!
A toaster in the bathtub can be a shocking experience
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5$\begingroup$ At that rate, why a "toaster" especially? One would think that simply power outlet units are more consistently rectangular than toasters... $\endgroup$– rschwiebJan 16, 2019 at 20:22
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14$\begingroup$ @Outman When you respond to the answer and state the answer itself, it kinda defeats the purpose of the spoiler formatting. $\endgroup$– JeffCJan 16, 2019 at 21:48
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2$\begingroup$ @rschwieb It's a trope by now. I don't know if Groundhog Day was the first, but it's one of the most famous. $\endgroup$ Jan 17, 2019 at 6:54
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3
Lightswitch?
I'm famously rectangular
Lightswitch plates are almost ALWAYS rectangular, as is the protruding piece you flick.
Sometimes it's dark
Light off
Sometimes it's not
Light on
If you use me while I'm wet
This has happened to me
You might get killed!
Electricty across the heart can be a real bummer, eh
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4$\begingroup$ Good answer, but someone else already posted this. In the future you should check the other answers to make sure yours is not a duplicate. $\endgroup$– TobbsJan 17, 2019 at 16:08
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2$\begingroup$ @BenJ More people seem to like this one than the other. Perhaps he thought he could give a more complete answer? $\endgroup$ Jan 17, 2019 at 18:52
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Are you a
Handkerchief
I'm famously rectangular
It's also known as a pocket square
Sometimes it's dark
Different colors or designs, or perhaps blood
Sometimes it's not
Lighter colors, OR could be a wordplay— "sometimes it's snot"
If you use me while I'm wet You might get killed!
Wet meaning already used by someone else. Especially in older times, such poor hygiene would spread disease and death.
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1
Are you:
Spongebob Squarepants?
I'm famously rectangular
He is a famous rectangle. All squares are rectangles.
Sometimes it's dark
Spongebob can have a dark sense of humor sometimes.
Sometimes it's not
The show can also be really lighthearted at times.
I'm penetrable and deep
He is filled with penetrable holes. And lives deep in the ocean.
I'm a joy for the kids
It's a kids show
But if you use me while I'm wet,
You might get killed!
If you pour water on your TV, you might get electrocuted
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Are you:
Colorado?
I'm famously rectangular.
Colorado the state is about as close to rectangular as a piece of the Earth's surface can get, and appears rectangular in several map projections.
Sometimes it's dark / Sometimes it's not.
COLOR ado? Or maybe, referring to appearance of the river in various places or at various times?
If you use me while I'm wet / You might get killed.
In many parts of the Colorado River nowadays, if there's more than a trickle then it's likely because of flash flooding.
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Are you a
light switch
I'm famously rectangular
most are
Sometimes it's dark
when its off
Sometimes it's not
when its on
If you use me while I'm wet You might get killed!
Well, some people think that
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3
Are you a
Display screen
I'm famously rectangular
Screens are nearly always rectangular, to the extent that the phrase "square eyes" is used to derogatorily refer to someone who spends too much time looking at one.
Sometimes it's dark
Screens are black when off.
Sometimes it's not
They're bright with light when they're in use.
If you use me while I'm wet
You might get killed
Like any electrical equipment, screens are typically dangerous when exposed to water.
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1$\begingroup$ You should mention how the answer relates to each of the lines in the question $\endgroup$– somebodyJan 16, 2019 at 22:11
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$\begingroup$ @somebody can't be bothered. flag if if you don't like it. $\endgroup$ Jan 17, 2019 at 3:33
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1$\begingroup$ Not flag-worthy, just... if it's wrong there's nothing OP can really do to help point you in the right direction $\endgroup$– somebodyJan 17, 2019 at 3:37
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I don't know that I really like this answer but are you a
road
I'm famously rectangular
Roads are long rectangles (until they bend)
Sometimes it's dark
Sometimes it's not
Outside when you are driving
If you use me while I'm wet
You might get killed!
This is what lead me down the path to this answer...
I was thinking of the slippery when wet signs you see on roads, at least in the US
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2
Are you:
a mobile phone?
Rectangular in shape, mostly black or dark colors, and can kill if used when wet!
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$\begingroup$ I can't see any way that a [answer here] could kill if wet. Maybe if you shorted the battery and that causes a fire. $\endgroup$– hatJan 19, 2019 at 7:58
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1
You're
Wall Socket
Famously Rectangular
Wall Socket are Rectagular
Sometimes it's dark Sometimes it's not
Some Wall Socket have light on them. Also it can be reference that you can plug a light into it.
I'm penetrable and deep
You can plug into wall socket.
I'm a joy for the kids
Kids like put their fingers into wall sockets.
But if you use me while I'm wet, You might get killed!
water + electricity = dead
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$\begingroup$ From all the answers I've seen, this one comes the closest to matching all hints. But "a joy for the kids" is still a bit of a stretch, I think OP intended a different solution. $\endgroup$ Jan 20, 2019 at 19:51
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I'm thinking you're:
I'm famously rectangular
Indeed. Almost every card driver knows it.
While not all are in a rectangular shape but some are:
Sometimes it's dark
Sometimes it's not
Depending on how your cruise control paint color. And the brightness inside your car.
If you use me while I'm wet
You might get killed!
If you use it on rain, well you risk of accident as stated here. Everyone know you risk your life when having an accident.
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Are you
an electrical circuit with a light bulb and a switch?
I'm famously rectangular
Circuits drawn on paper or digital images (used for example in learning books) almost always have a rectangular shape.
Sometimes it's dark
Sometimes it's not
When the switch is off, a light bulb does not receive energy and is also off, so "it's dark" (this explains why there is "it's dark", not "I'm dark")
If you use me while I'm wet
You might get killed!
Of course, this is about a risk of electric shock.
answered Jan 17, 2019 at 11:22
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Are you a
Zebra crossing
I'm famously rectangular
The Beatles walked across one in Abbey Road and the lines are rectangular
Sometimes it's dark
The black lines
Sometimes it's not
The white lines
If you use me while I'm wet You might get killed!
They can become slippery while wet and if you fall you might get hit by a car
Summed up in this image:
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1
I think you are
A phone
I am famously rectangular
Non rectangular phones are rare
Sometimes it's dark
The screen when the phone is turned off
Sometime it's not
The screen when the phone is turned on
If you use me while I'm wet, you might get killed
A phone contains electricity, so it can be dangerous
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$\begingroup$ I'd like to see anyone dying from 5V or 3.3V DC! In fact, such low voltage can't even be felt. $\endgroup$– hatJan 19, 2019 at 7:56
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Here I go~
You are a
Dance floor!
I am famously rectangular
Dance floors are pretty rectangular, especially those with checkered light patterns you see in disco clubs.
Sometimes it's dark Sometime it's not
Places with a dance floor usually have lights flickering on and off.
If you use me while I'm wet, you might get killed
Slipping on a wet dance floor while dancing might get yourself killed.
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You are a
trampoline
I'm famously rectangular
There are many rectangular trampolines.
Sometimes it's dark
It is black material.
Sometimes it's not
It could be another color though.
I'm penetrable and deep
They get deep when you jump down on them.
I'm a joy for the kids
Trampolines are fun.
But if you use me while I'm wet, You might get killed!
It is dangerous to jump on a wet trampoline.
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1
Sandbox
Rectangular
Fun for the kids
If wet turns to quick sand
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2$\begingroup$ Welcome to Puzzling.SE! In the future, please hide you answer using the ">!" spoiler notation. $\endgroup$ Jan 18, 2019 at 16:48
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I really don't think this is the answer you're looking for, but I'm going to post it anyway.
You may be a
Roller Coaster
I'm famously rectangular
Roller Coaster cars are typically rectangular. This could also apply to multiple cars hooked together.
Sometimes it's dark
Some roller coasters have tunnels.
Sometimes it's not
Some roller coasters are out in broad daylight.
I'm penetrable and deep
The tracks can be "penetrated" through the holes between the rails. The tracks drop from a high point down into a deep valley.
I'm a joy for the kids
Lots of youth love roller coasters!
But if you use me while I'm wet, You might get killed!
Heavy rain might cause some dangerous conditions for roller coasters. Also, when raining, there's potential for lighting strikes.
And per the tip in your comment, "There is climbing involved!"
Roller coasters climb up to the tops of some of the peaks.
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Well a few people have guessed something similar to this, but not this exact object.
Are you
A tubelight ?
I'm famously rectangular
Tubelights are rectangular
Sometimes it's dark
Sometimes it's not
Tubleights are notorious for flickering when initially started (thus sometimes its dark sometimes its not) [though could just be a reference to the fact they are a light with a switch]
If you use me while I'm wet
You might get killed!
Using any electrical appliance when wet is just a bad idea
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Not sure you are allowed to give two answers, but here are two:
You might be a
1) TV 2) Swimming pool
I'm famously rectangular
1) Indeed! 2) Mostly
Sometimes it's dark Sometimes it's not
1) Off/on 2) night/day
If you use me while I'm wet You might get killed!
1) As any other electric devices (e.g. toasters), if they get wet and you plug them in, you might die of electrocution. 2) If I'm full up, you might drown!
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4
Too many similar answers. Here comes a weird one. Are you
A pool for spent nuclear fuel near let's say a nuclear reactor
I'm famously rectangular
Most pools are rectangular.
Sometimes it's dark
Nearby nuclear reactor not running, all lights out. Note it doesn't say I'm dark but it's dark.
Sometimes it's not
Reactor running, all lights on at least for security
If you use me while I'm wet
The pool only needs to be full of water when in use
You might get killed!
As so nicely stated in the last paragraph in this what if you'd die quite fast trying to swim in a pool for spent nuclear fuel while in use.
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$\begingroup$ @Joe Derksen the question was edited later. Maybe the kids enjoy it while on an excursion? BTW my school was called Derksen ;) $\endgroup$– finduslJan 21, 2019 at 7:40
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Here is my guess
Floor tile
Rectangular, all colors design, and slippery when wet
OR
Stairs
Since climbing involved
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I actually have two guesses. First:
Parachute
I'm famously rectangular
Many parachutes are rectangular, particularly the steerable ones.
Sometimes it's dark
Sometimes it's not
Parachutes come in many colors
If you use me while I'm wet
You might get killed!
A wet parachute may not open properly and may be too heavy, causing you to fall to your death.
And second:
Blanket
I'm famously rectangular
Blankets are almost always rectangular
Sometimes it's dark
Sometimes it's not
Likewise, blankets come in many colors, but you've also got the point that they are generally used at night when it's dark, but also can be used in the daytime.
If you use me while I'm wet
You might get killed!
A wet blanket can cause you to die of hypothermia.
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6
Okay, I think now is the right time to answer my own question.
I am a
Swimming pool.
I'm famously rectangular
Most swimming pools appear rectangular.
Sometimes it's dark / Sometimes it's not
This is mostly referring to day and night but also to swimming pools having lights.
I'm penetrable and deep
You can penetrate a swimming pool by jumping into the water (diving) and they tend to be deep.
I'm a joy for the kids
Children are fond of swimming in the pool in a hot summer day.
But if you use me while I'm wet, you might get killed!
You can die of drowning in a water filled pool if you can't swim.
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3$\begingroup$ This was my first guess but I gave up when I see the other answers. Have never thought that this turned out to be the correct answer Sad :( $\endgroup$ Jan 20, 2019 at 23:34
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1$\begingroup$ @OmegaKrypton: I also thought about a swimming pool, but thought the answer would have to be different. $\endgroup$– hatJan 21, 2019 at 10:00
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2$\begingroup$ I also suspected the "dangerous when wet" was camouflaging this, but they're as likely to be circular or curvy, so it seemed like a weak candidate. "Penetrable and deep" also does not really put the nail the coffin for the "solution" either. Nice try, but keep refining your puzzle-writing skill :) . ( I have to confess, my level is not even this high :P) $\endgroup$– rschwiebJan 21, 2019 at 14:40
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$\begingroup$ This was my original guess as well, but I felt that "Sometimes it's dark / Sometimes it's not" is too much of a stretch for a swimming pool. I suspect that probably threw a lot of people off, considering that there were 26 answers and no one got it. $\endgroup$– TACHEONJan 21, 2019 at 15:41
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$\begingroup$ Also a big stretch to say that drowning in general is "getting killed." $\endgroup$– rschwiebJan 21, 2019 at 15:41