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I have a feeling that today’s Brain Game may be tough. You’ll prove me wrong, won’t you? Anyway, here’s a quick list of five words selected just for you:
INHARMONIOUS
URINALYSIS
MARSHMALLOWS
JOURNALISM
SYNONYMOUSLY
Now, one thing may immediately jump out at you about the words in that list: None of them contain the letter E, and that gets you on the right track. But check a little closer, and you may discover something even more specific and unusual about these five words when compared to most others that are anywhere near as long. (And yes, the title of today’s Brain Game is a subtle, if obscure, hint.) What do these words have in common?
Here’s the SOLUTION.
Comments (14)
Comment
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Sandy,
What about the Y?
posted by Ed on 12-18-2008 at 8:09 am
It depends if you phoneticly say the letter or the NAME OF THE LETTER. In Sandy’s example answers C rhyms with E Because you say CEE not “SSS” or “K” phonics…
Sandy, using his rules and logic, is right.
posted by Kevin on 12-18-2008 at 8:18 am
Second time in a week that Sandy has decided to cover up his mistake rather than admit it.
posted by Zach on 12-18-2008 at 9:03 am
You’re absolutely right, Zach. Medical problems are affecting my work and may force me to give up the Brain Game. My sincere apologies.
Having said that, my purpose in “fixing” Brain Games when necessary is not to cover up my own mistakes; I’ve made more than my share. I do it to ensure that those who visit the site after the “fix” don’t become confused after reading the comments and wondering what the heck they’re talking about.
posted by Sandy on 12-18-2008 at 9:39 am
No, Kevin and Sandy are both right. That’s a tough one, though. I certainly didn’t get it.
posted by Kelsey on 12-18-2008 at 9:39 am
zed doesn’t rhyme with E…. :P
good one ~ i only noticed that the T wasn’t in there…
Hmmmm… my recaptcha is telling me i have an eyes delivery. usually i only work with fat and lung sample… heehee
posted by Amanda on 12-18-2008 at 12:11 pm
Well, I was stumped this time. Sandy, you rock.
posted by Ophelia on 12-18-2008 at 1:35 pm
Sandy,
I hope you don’t stop doing these Brain Games. It’s is my favorate daily routine. I hope you feel better with whatever is ailing you.
posted by Ed on 12-18-2008 at 1:46 pm
I agree with Ed! The Brain Game almost always stumps me (okay, I admit it!), but I love attempting to solve them, Sandy!
posted by Orange on 12-18-2008 at 6:16 pm
Lay off Zach. Last time I checked, all humans were fallible.
posted by Bex on 12-18-2008 at 6:20 pm
Thanks, folks; I’m glad you enjoy them and appreciate your support. Don’t blame Zach, though; he’s right. You folks should expect your daily dose of mental_floss to be top-shelf material.
I’ve been working towards that goal for a long time now… the first quiz Kara and I wrote for mentalfloss.com (and for mental_floss magazine) was back in 2002. Few (if any) of you probably remember when the only daily content on the site was a daily Fact and Quiz, eh?
A New Year is coming… things will be better!
posted by Sandy on 12-18-2008 at 7:59 pm
Bex, if you know what I was talking about, you certainly don’t show it.
Sandy, I hope you get well. I don’t have a problem with the quality, and mistakes don’t bother me. My only request is that you mark the puzzle as “revised” if you change it.
posted by Zach on 12-18-2008 at 8:56 pm
That’s a good idea, Zach. I’ll find a way to mark them as such when things like this occur. Thanks!
posted by Sandy on 12-18-2008 at 9:22 pm
I also noticed that each word in the list of word contains another word
INHARMONIOUS – harmonious
URINALYSIS – urinal/analysis
MARSHMALLOWS -marsh/mallow/allows
JOURNALISM – journal
SYNONYMOUSLY -synonymous
posted by AG on 12-18-2008 at 11:42 pm