Questions tagged [knowledge]
A puzzle whose solution relies on external sources such as tables, dictionaries, Wikipedia, or specifics that may not be common knowledge.
1,533
questions
19
votes
1answer
799 views
What is an Odious Word™?
This is in the spirit of the What is a Word/Phrase™ series started by JLee with a special brand of Phrase™ and Word™ puzzles.
If a word conforms to a special rule, I call it an Odious Word™.
Use the ...
19
votes
2answers
594 views
Seven levels through Europe
Let's take a little trip through Europe, shall we?
Each level forms a word chain. Even-numbered levels (yellow) go clockwise, odd-numbered ones (white) go anticlockwise.
Each level has ...
19
votes
5answers
2k views
- A Poem Riddle -
As the newly hired secretary of your local poetry society, one of your jobs is to go through the mess that is the archives and try and get things in some semblance of order. Currently, you are trying ...
18
votes
6answers
4k views
Who Am I? I am not sure myself
I am a number, I've a number of names.
My name is in itself.
I am hiding in plain sight.
I am damned if I don't and damned if I do.
(Perhaps this riddle would be better if it rhymed...)
...
18
votes
6answers
4k views
I am a Russian ay
I am a Russian ay,
ah, in the English way!
For many is to say,
the booty's ours, hooray!
I am an English ay,
ah, in the Russian way!
For many not to say,
and all is quite okay!
...
18
votes
6answers
2k views
Can YOU guess this Riley Riddle?
My Prefix returns us to the dark ages.
My Infix belongs to someone.
My Suffix has annoyed me since birth.
Hint 1:
Hint 2:
18
votes
3answers
933 views
Cryptic with missing capitals
Solve the clues and fill the grid. Each clue is missing a different European capital city.
Across
1. Funny beret men strike $??$ to convene (4)
3. Containers found in a $??$ plaza (...
18
votes
3answers
1k views
Cryptic cross… with words
Solve the clues and fit the answers into the grid.
Far north Silicon Valley's research & development leaders surround Jessica (8)
Pop star loses British-American distribution ...
18
votes
3answers
2k views
My Friend in Kanto
I have a friend in Kanto. He sent me a message and told me that he's looking for all sorts of creatures. Included was the following list of descriptions. I know there's a message hidden in there ...
18
votes
7answers
3k views
Sightseeing on Crack
Recently I went on an around-the-world vacation.
Unfortunately, I dropped my phone just as I was getting out of the cab at the airport before my first flight out. Not so bad in and of itself, but ...
18
votes
5answers
1k views
What prominent figure am I?
My namesakes are plentiful,
though some antiquated:
A company defunct
and a system outdated.
One unavoidable
an honor shared by few
just give it some time
it will come into view.
Two bearing my ...
18
votes
2answers
2k views
I can't remember what I was doing last night
I can't remember what I was doing last night... Could you help me figure out what I was doing?
This is what I can remember...
I was standing in a room. Some guy from another country, ...
18
votes
8answers
658 views
The Imaginary Food Riddle
I am a food you'd never find or certainly wouldn't eat
I don't exist, and yet I do, now isn't that a feat!
I am a good example of something that is wrong
I'm mentioned in the speech of some but more ...
18
votes
5answers
615 views
(According to me.)
Can you identify the six things below and determine the final answer?
First thing
My first three are the code for a port airport in Malaysia.
Next you'll need one of the least-common ...
18
votes
2answers
1k views
Stella and the president's secret notes
Jason Trump, president of the Untitled Statues Association, has left a notebook containing presumably important information lying around on his desk. Stella, his nosy assistant, takes a look only to ...
18
votes
2answers
2k views
Name that Movie
The following each describe a movie title. Figure out what they are! (I'm really bad at intros.)
1.
:*:*!!
2.
...
18
votes
4answers
1k views
The strange story of Lord Lefthide
Lord Lefthide was found dead in his mansion, to what it would seem of a heart attack. But it appears that moments before his death, he was writing some uncanny childish story. He was indeed found dead ...
18
votes
3answers
1k views
A curious little planet
Somewhere in this universe, there is an extremely tiny planet covered entirely in water. The only inhabitable surface on The entire planet is a raised Platform that keeps the animals on the planet ...
18
votes
1answer
706 views
Bob's unnecessary trip to the shops
Alice and Bob live in London, UK. On a Friday, as per usual, Bob leaves for work before Alice. At lunchtime he receives a WhatsApp message from his friend Charles:
Sorry to cancel on you last ...
18
votes
3answers
386 views
The Video Gamers' Double-Duty Crossword
"OK, so I know that you two are always arguing about what type of crosswords to do- 'Normal crosswords are too boring!' 'Cryptics are too esoteric!!' Trivia vs wordplay, yeah, I've heard both sides. ...
18
votes
2answers
492 views
Planning a round-the-world trip
My friend is preparing for her upcoming round-the-world trip and is excitedly making lists of places she wants to visit. She sent me a list of her current top 20 destinations. Mostly I see what the ...
18
votes
2answers
2k views
A sum of images
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 = ?
The answer can be given as either an image or a description of the image.
18
votes
1answer
853 views
What Is An Explain Word?
This is in the idea of the What is a Word/Group of Words group started by A Person with a new type of Word and Group of Words problems.
If a word is the best I call it an Explain word.
Use the ...
18
votes
1answer
778 views
A puzzling conversation
“I’m thinking of a word,” said Lionel. His hands moved quietly while he spoke, setting pieces in their accustomed places. “It has two zeds in it.”
“How puzzling,” said Adolf, allowing himself a ...
18
votes
1answer
640 views
A mysterious email from the Historical Society
You are a secret agent in the service of the KGB, recently deployed on a highly dangerous mission to infiltrate MI6. After a delay when your superiors thought your cover had been blown before you even ...
18
votes
3answers
643 views
Another Sensational Crime Fiction?
William Herschel III, heir to the Herschel Paper Company, is dead. His body was found in fishing gear, discovered near the family estate's lake by his Labrador. Police immediately suspected foul play. ...
18
votes
1answer
491 views
Mr Ling Designed My Jewellery
I wonder about my wife sometimes. She's getting harder to comprehend all the time.
Take last weekend, for example:
my nephew had come over to visit and was telling me all about the movie club that ...
18
votes
1answer
517 views
Superb Undeniably Awesome Legend!
Never try to ignore, b'lieve in the pentagonal head of mine.
It gives you my first three, out of nine.
As a rightful person, look and say to my face.
Three of these and thrice more, ...
17
votes
14answers
6k views
Pokémon, Gotta Guess Them All!
Below are some "rebus" that lead to names of different Pokémons. However, here is the catch: The rebuses do not all explicitly lead to the name of Pokémons. The rebuses may be describing the Pokémon's ...
17
votes
8answers
4k views
That which bends but does not break
Though a different shape, my form I take
From that which bends but does not break.
Two in love, or simply lust,
Doing as they feel they must.
The rhythm of a heart that beats,
The changing ...
17
votes
4answers
2k views
The gang's all here
Of us there are three
one of which is part tree;
The other one you should not fear,
but it will make you burst in tears;
As for the last one, and there is no bluffing,
that's the one you'll ...
17
votes
3answers
2k views
The city of fortune & failure
In Unit nine in Xiamen I live,
Away from the windows.
Although I'm not edible,
I'm quite tasty if followed by Ed and Eddy.
Committed no crime,
I will be executed.
You might ...
17
votes
2answers
416 views
Ordering a word list
I think I've alphabetized this word list correctly, but my friends keep telling me it's not in the right order. Can you help me spot the mistake?
divvy, dry, dues, Eden, elf, fear, knee, opt, pet, ...
17
votes
3answers
1k views
Where Mongol herds graze
One of us – largest outside polar regions;
another one's island's shared with Indonesians;
a third one is found at the edge of the first,
a break from the dryness to quench people's thirst....
17
votes
2answers
1k views
Elizabeth's six destinations
The ship departed from the Lisbon harbour. Elizabeth sat in her cabin, holding a small USB device in her hand. The important information it contained was meant for the authorities of six foreign ...
17
votes
2answers
993 views
Gladys unchained
This puzzle is part 2 of Gladys' journey across the globe. If you're new to the series, feel free to start at the beginning: Introducing Gladys.
Dear Puzzling,
Today I spent the ...
17
votes
2answers
618 views
Written every which way
Looking for the name of a country.
This puzzle is part of Recycling old answers.
17
votes
1answer
2k views
Where is Grandpa going next? A Grandpa Mystery
First Grandpa goes to Biloxi in China
Then he goes to Del Norte in Spain
Then he goes to Manchester in France
Then he goes to Sydney in ________?
Fill in the blank and tell me why.
17
votes
2answers
617 views
Some of our Professors are Missing
It has emerged that four members of the mathematics department at Farthingbottom School have been working on a top-secret code-breaker for the government.
Unfortunately for them (and the school) ...
17
votes
1answer
711 views
Mathematical rebus: $x^2+15600=649x$
Which name of a large American city does the following equation represent?
$$
x^2+15600=649x
$$
17
votes
2answers
749 views
Rebuses with an unknown symbol
Each picture features the same unknown symbol. What does it mean? Where would you place it fit in the final answer?
17
votes
1answer
791 views
A Tale of Snake and Coffee
I had the strangest dream last night:
I am in field of red stones. I start walking around until a smell of
fresh coffee catches my attention. I follow it until I see a large
cave, and in its ...
17
votes
3answers
683 views
Traversing Africa: A Cryptic Journey
Each answer is a place, landmark or attraction in Africa, one per country. The answers first traverse all countries on the mainland by crossing land borders, and then the remaining ones go around the ...
17
votes
1answer
547 views
Cassocks and castles
I start at one end of the table.
Replace my ending with a ton of ice, and I sip my beer.
Then remove my ending, and I sit in a Scandinavian castle.
Put a girl in between, and I walk around in my ...
17
votes
5answers
1k views
One of us carries a shield
Hi, I'm Jackie. I'm pretty sure you know me already, but in any case it's nice to meet in person. I'd like to talk a little bit about my little group.
I wouldn't call myself our leader in any ...
17
votes
1answer
774 views
Jack was not there…Need to find him!
If you don't remember me, I am Aidan. I was in search of Detective Jack a few months back. And after a hard fought battle, I reached where he called me. But, unfortunately, when I reached the ...
17
votes
1answer
459 views
What do these U.S. states have in common?
The following U.S. states have something in common that is not shared by any other state:
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Louisiana
Maryland
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
...
17
votes
1answer
2k views
Hacker's Love Letter
You work for an organisation that has been tracking a malicious hacker, attempting to get a copy of the code she has been using so as to reverse-engineer a counter-hack. You tailed her to London, ...
17
votes
2answers
744 views
Headbanging Emojis
Maybe you remember my emoji loving friend. To make it short, he heard about the current music challenge and sent me this (click for bigger version):
(Emoji art supplied by Emoji One.)
17
votes
6answers
458 views
Wikipedia Says So #2
Previous puzzle of this kind: #1
A bird without wing, body, feet or tail,
An invention am I who can effortlessly sail.
I am unlike my lowly brothers who only deliver mail;
Surging over the ...
