© 2026
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scam Advisory: We have been made aware that an online entity is posing as Joe Donahue to invite authors and other creatives onto our radio shows. The scammers then attempt to charge guests an appearance fee for exposure/publicity.
Please note: WAMC does not charge guests to appear on the station and any email about appearing on a WAMC program will come from a wamc.org email address.

Sunday Puzzle: It takes two (or three)

Sunday Puzzle
NPR
Sunday Puzzle

On-air challenge: Today's puzzle is fun enough for two! Name these pairs (and one triplet).

Ex. Name two colors that start with the letters "G-R-E" —> green and grey.

  1. Two states that start with "A-L-A"
  2. Two state capitals that start with "H-A-R"
  3. Two parts of the body that start with "C-H-E"
  4. Two board games that start with "C-H-E"
  5. Two universities in New York State that start with "C-O-L"
  6. Two breakfast cereals that start with "F-R-O"
  7. And three French wines that start with "C-H-A"

Last week's challenge: Last week's challenge comes from Steve Baggish, of Arlington, Mass. Using only the letters of PANDERS, and repeating them as often as desired, spell a certain entrée at a seafood restaurant (3-6 3 7).

Challenge answer: Pan Seared Red Snapper

Winner: Dan Tatje of Georgetown, Texas.

This week's challenge:  Think of a classic American author, whose first and last name's are each one syllable. The last name, when said aloud, sounds like part of the body. Insert the letters "A-S" into the first name and you have the location of this body part. Who is the author?

Submit Your Answer
If you know the answer to the challenge, submit it here by Thursday, November 21st, 2024 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 2025 NPR

NPR's Puzzlemaster Will Shortz has appeared on Weekend Edition Sunday since the program's start in 1987. He's also the crossword editor of The New York Times, the former editor of Games magazine, and the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (since 1978).