For this week’s puzzle, Quiz Guy John Chaneski is inventing new breeds of dogs by changing one letter in the name of an existing breed. If you take a Rottweiler, for example, then change one letter in the breed’s name, you’ll have a new mutt that can exist on carrots, parsnips, turnips, and the like. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “One Letter Makes a New Dog Breed”
You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.
I’m Martha Barnette.
And I’m Grant Barrett, and we’re joined by our quiz guy, John Chaneski in New York.
Hi, John.
Hi, Grant.
Hi, Martha.
Hi, John.
What is up?
Well, I have a letter change puzzle for you today. We’ve done these before, but this is admittedly one of the strangest letter change quizzes I think I’ve ever done. I’ll give you the name of a breed of a dog. Then I’ll describe a new version of that breed that has one letter changed in its name, and you tell me the new name.
Okay?
Okay.
For example?
For example, start with a Rottweiler. The new breed can live on carrots, parsnips, turnips, and the like. That means you’ve got a…
Carrotweiler.
That’s a good guess, but no, we’re changing a letter, not adding letters.
Oh, just one letter.
So Rottweiler needs a letter changed.
Right.
How about a Rootweiler?
Yes, a Rootweiler.
Yeah.
Look for a word within the name of the dog and then change one of the letters. Now, quite often, these new breeds have some very useful characteristics, as you’ll soon see. Here’s a tip. Write the name of the starter dog down, and then, like I said, look for a word within that name, okay?
Gotcha.
Here are some more. Start with a pug. The new breed can tap a keg of beer and pour you a pint.
A mug, a plug?
A glug?
No, just change one letter.
Oh, change it.
Oh.
Yeah.
Why can’t we get this?
That’s okay.
Where do you go for a mug and a pint?
That’s right, a pub.
A pub dog, yeah.
Start with a Labrador Retriever. The new breed is very useful for hailing a taxi.
Labrador Retriever.
Yeah.
Cabrador.
Yeah, Cabrador.
Yeah, Cabrador Retriever.
Yeah.
Useful in New York and Chicago.
Start with a Bulldog. This new breed gives off light you can read by.
A bulb dog.
A bulb dog, yes. You can save a lot of energy that way.
I’m imagining a bulldog with a firefly butt.
Yeah.
It links on and off.
I think it’s a great idea.
Start with a beagle. The new breed is large and floats and can sink a ship.
A bargle?
No.
No, not a bargle.
Close, though.
Beagle?
It’s large and cold and can float and can sink a ship.
Burgle.
A burgle, yes.
An icebergle, yes.
Oh.
Start with a chihuahua. The new breed is always in style.
A chiquahua?
A chiquahua?
Yes, a chiquahua, yes.
Start with a great dane. The new breed is very at home on the beach.
Great dune?
A great dune, yes.
Start with a Yorkshire terrier. The new breed can be trained to use eating utensils.
A Forkshire Terrier.
Yes, a Forkshire Terrier.
I’d like to see a picture of that.
Why not?
Start with a Pomeranian. The new breed can give Babe Ruth a run for his money as the Sultan of Swat.
Homeranian.
Oh, Homeranian, yes.
Oh, we’re on a roll now.
Start with a Springer Spaniel. The new breed can instantly tell you the price of an item at the supermarket checkout.
Really?
I just imagine you walking around with these little barcode scanners.
There you go.
Springer Scanule.
A Springer Scanule.
Yes, very good.
Now, finally, start with the Dalmatian, the new breed. Hardly any change at all. It’s still man’s best friend.
Palmatian.
Yes, a Palmatian.
Palmatian.
That’s great.
That’s so sweet.
I’ll see you guys next time.
Arf, arf.
I’m loving all these mental pictures.
So great.
Bye, John.
Thanks, buddy.
Bye, John.
Thanks.
Bye, Martha.
Bye, Martha.
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