This week’s head-scratcher from Quiz Guy John Chaneski is like a puzzle about similes. In fact, it is a puzzle about similes. For example, say you’re looking for a word to complete the phrase dead as a. You might choose the name of a bird, or you might mention something from the hardware store. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Similar Similes”
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 look over there, I’d know that sashay anywhere.
It’s our quiz guy, John Chaneski.
If Bigfoot can sashay, I’d be doing the Bigfoot sashay right now for sure.
Thank you, Martha and Grant.
Sometimes common knowledge says that two things are the best example for something.
Now, here’s my example.
Two things are dead.
One is a bird, the other is hardware.
So if I said, as dead as a blank, one of you could answer…
Dodo.
Dodo.
And the other could answer…
Yes, doornail, right.
Now, only one thing apparently is pretty.
So if I said, as pretty as a blank, either of you could say…
Picture.
Yes, picture.
Very good.
So either two things are as blank as blank, or one thing is a blank as blank.
Let’s see what we get.
Here are more.
To my surprise, two animals are happy.
If I said, as happy as blank, one of you could answer…
A clam.
A clam, and the other one could answer…
Oh, happy as a pig in, let’s say, mud.
Let’s say mud, indeed, yes. Let’s go with mud.
Now, there are lots of cool vegetables, but apparently only one vegetable is as cool as blank.
Either of you could answer…
A cucumber.
A cucumber, of course. Very good.
Only one, one flower is fresh.
If I said as fresh as blank, either of you could answer…
A daisy?
Yes, a daisy, as fresh as a daisy.
To my surprise, two fictional characters from the same source can be mad.
If I said as mad as blank, one of you could answer…
As a hatter.
A hatter, and the other could answer…
A march hare.
Yes, a march hare.
Lots of things are solid.
So how come only one thing is solid?
If I said as solid as blank, either of you could answer solid as a rock.
Yes, either of you could sing solid as a rock.
Very good.
Anyway, so those are some similes.
Those are similar to similes.
They’re exactly like similes.
So there we are.
Thanks, John.
Thank you, guys.
We really appreciate it.
We’ll talk to you next week.
Give our best to the family.
And good luck with the trivia that you do all around Brooklyn.
Thank you.
And thanks very much.
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