On-air challenge: Today's puzzle is sort of a true/false test. Every answer is a familiar two-word phrase or name with the initials T- F-.
Ex. Rest for a few minutes --> TAKE FIVE
1. The I.R.S.'s 1040, for example
2. Like an 800-number telephone call
3. Basketball infraction involving unsportsmanlike behavior
4. Variant of a sport in which tackling isn't allowed
5. African insect that causes sleeping sickness
6. Who's said to leave money under a pillow for a child
7. Legal entity in which assets are set aside for a loved one
8. Two-pronged device to help musicians determine pitch
9. Idaho city on the Snake River
10. Former "S.N.L." comedian who created "30 Rock"
11. Where the action is on a stock exchange
12. Amount that a cabbie charges
13. What "Tempus fugit" means in English
14. Our current year, Two thousand ___
Last week's challenge: Last week's challenge came from listener Steve Baggish, of Arlington, Mass. Name certain weapons. Remove the middle four letters. The remaining letters, spelled backward, describe what these weapons do.
Challenge answer: bayonets --> stab
Winner: Alan Christensen of Shoreline, Wash.
This week's challenge: This week's challenge comes from listener Warren Bergmann, of Neenah, Wis. Think of a word for a person who helps you. Copy the last three letters and repeat them at the front, and you'll get a new, longer word that names a person who hurts you. What words are these?
If you know the answer to the challenge, submit it here by Thursday, January 18th at 3 p.m. ET. Listeners whose answers are selected win a chance to play the on-air puzzle. Important: include a phone number where we can reach you.
Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.