10
$\begingroup$

I am a bicephal snake
Lock my tail and I'll hiss at you
But if I raise it
Be prepared to change course!
Some of my sons, sadly, got beheaded
For the crime of slithering too much
They can still hiss nevertheless
But wander easily and often need rest

More lines were added to narrow the scope of the riddle

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
0

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
8
$\begingroup$

My guess is:

Earbud headphones

I am a bicephal snake

Two earbuds each on it's own wire

Lock my tail and I'll hiss at you

Plug them in for them to make sound

But if I raise it Be prepared to change course!

Unplugging them will make sound stop

Some of my sons, sadly, got beheaded For the crime of slithering too much They can still hiss nevertheless

Wireless headphones/earbuds were made because wires get in the way but they make sound just fine

But wander easily and often need rest

Easy to lose and they need to be recharged

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Welcome to the site and well done! Only the fourth clue is wrong (there is some wordplay at work), the rest is correct ;) $\endgroup$
    – Keelhaul
    Feb 3, 2020 at 17:52
6
$\begingroup$

This could be a...

modern train

I am a bicephal snake

Bicephal means two-headed. A modern train may seem to have two heads; one at either end.

Lock my tail and I'll hiss at you

This could refer to applying the brakes at the last carriage opposite to the head carriage. The screeching could sound like a hiss.

But if I raise it
Be prepared to change course!

This may refer to inverting the system control where the tail carriage becomes the head and what was the head becomes the tail. Obviously this would change its course along the opposite direction.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ A worthy try, but that's not it, the tail is definitely different than the heads $\endgroup$
    – Keelhaul
    Feb 3, 2020 at 14:50
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ More lines were added to narrow the scope of the riddle $\endgroup$
    – Keelhaul
    Feb 3, 2020 at 15:43
4
$\begingroup$

Maybe you are

an anchor.

I am a bicephal snake

most anchors have two flukes (which is how the pointy ends are named, as I just learned from Wikipedia).

Lock my tail and I'll hiss at you

Ff you set anchor, the chain makes a hissing-like sound.

But if I raise it

Be prepared to change course!

If the anchor is raised, the ship is not secured in place anymore, so you should know beforehand which course you want to go.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ That's not it, but maybe I should add a line of two to narrow it down. In this case, the "hiss" comes from the heads. $\endgroup$
    – Keelhaul
    Feb 3, 2020 at 15:36
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ More lines were added to narrow the scope of the riddle $\endgroup$
    – Keelhaul
    Feb 3, 2020 at 15:43

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

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