Inside Outside Riddle

You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.

I’m Grant Barrett.

And I’m Martha Barnette.

And Grant, I have a riddle for you.

Oh, please, yes.

You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What is it?

A pumpkin.

A pumpkin.

Potatoes, because you peel potatoes.

No, because you eat it all.

You’re warm.

You’re warm.

It’s a starch.

I’m a little warm.

You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside.

Tapioca.

Cassava.

I don’t know.

I’m thinking of yucca.

I’m thinking of starches.

I don’t know.

Another name for tapioca is cat’s eyes. Did you know that?

Cheetos, because you open the bag, and then you eat the orange off your fingers, and you throw out the starchy stuff in the middle.

No, no, no.

It’s corn on the cob.

Oh, I love corn on the cob.

Throw it the outside.

Okay, good.

Eat the inside.

Okay.

That’s a good one. I’ll take that home and see what my son says.

Oh, okay.

What else do you have for me there?

How about this one?

You go in one hole and come out three holes. When you’re outside, you’re inside. And when you’re inside, you’re outside. What is it?

Oh, is it an aviary?

Is it a birdhouse?

Is it a hospital?

Because you go in and you have a baby and you come out with twins. Three whole people come out.

I am loving your answers.

Is it H-O-L-E or W-H-O-L-E?

It’s H-O-L-E.

Oh, I don’t know.

Go in one hole and come out three.

It’s a sweater.

Oh, oh, it’s true. When you’re outside, you’re inside. When you’re inside, you’re outside.

It’s a sweater.

A sweater.

But I really like your answer.

I’m struggling here.

I’m trying, you know.

I’m enjoying hearing your brain work.

Sure, right.

Yes.

And we’d enjoy hearing from you. Call us to talk about language, 877-929-9673, or send us an email. The address is words@waywordradio.org.