Our Puzzle Maestro John Chaneski has a great variation of his classic Tom Swifty game, based on adjectives that fit their subjects. For example, how did the citizens feel upon hearing that the dictator of their small country shut down the newspapers? Beware of puns! This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Tom Swifty Word Game”
You’re listening to A Way with Words. I’m Martha Barnette.
And I’m Grant Barrett. And we’re joined once again by that master of the quiz world, John Chaneski. Hello, John.
Hi, Grant. Hi, Martha.
Hello, John. Hi.
I’m back. Ready to master your quizzes for you.
What’s magical? What do you got for us?
Well, I’m trying to sort of invent a new form of wordplay. Now, you guys know Tom Swifties, right?
Yeah, sure.
Easily hand me that keystone, Tom said archly.
Yes.
I dress on the left, Tom said fittingly.
I’m going to give you something similar.
I’m going to give you a little question about a situation, and the adjective is the answer we’re going for, okay?
Okay.
And if I have to, I’ll give you an anagram of the answer, and we’ll see who gets it first.
Here we go.
Okay.
Did you hear about the contest winner who won a knighthood?
He was what?
The anagram is rid purses.
Rid purses.
Rid purses.
He was surprised.
Surprised.
He was surprised.
Aha.
Okay, I get it.
Did you hear about the small country where the dictator closed down all the newspapers?
The people there are what?
Depressed.
They’re depressed, yes.
Oh, good, Grant.
Well, they would be.
Good.
No anagram needed.
Did you hear about the boy who was trying to get to sleep?
When his mom blew out the candle, he was…
Delighted.
He was delighted, yes.
Yes.
Grant, these are puns, and you’re getting them.
What’s going on?
Yeah, right?
You must know thy enemy.
Oh, boy.
He’s coming over the dark side now.
Did you hear about the couple who called off their wedding?
They ended up feeling very what?
I don’t know, but they disavowed each other.
That’s not bad.
That’s not bad.
I have an anagram.
It’s design aged.
Design aged.
Disengaged.
Oh, very good.
Disengaged is right.
Disengaged, perfect.
Yes.
Nice.
Did you hear about the captain of the sailing ship?
When the wind died down, he was what?
Deflated.
That’s not bad, but for an anagram I have dead guests.
Disgusted.
He was disgusted.
Disgusted.
Very nice.
Very good, yeah.
Hey, did you hear about the really smart kids on Christmas morning?
They were what?
This one has a single word anagram.
It’s fidget.
Gifted?
Gifted.
That’s right.
Very good.
Perfect.
Very good.
Did you hear about the greedy merchant down at the seaport?
He’s quite what?
For an anagram I have, is flesh.
Is flesh.
Selfish.
Selfish.
Yes.
Oh, because he sells fish.
He sells fish.
Oh, I get it.
He probably sells shellfish, I guess.
By the seashore.
Did you hear about the guy whose dog ran away?
On the plus side, his home is…
For an anagram, I have set slops.
Spotless.
Yes.
His dog ran away and I was almost spotless.
Oh, no.
Oh, no.
That was really bad.
She kind of works out, I guess.
I think I left a mark.
Did you hear about the guy who sells white walls all day long?
He’s pretty…
Tired.
Yeah, that guy.
Did you hear about the happy masochist?
He’s really what?
The anagram is eat pub.
Upbeat.
Upbeat, yes.
Very good.
This is the last one.
Here you go.
Did you hear about the two spies who worked very well together?
They were quite…
The anagram is overcoat pie.
Overcoat pie.
It’s a word for spy?
It’s a word for someone who’s doing something for you.
Maybe I should take this one for myself.
Okay, please do.
The answer is cooperative.
Cooperative.
There you go.
Oh, cooperative.
John, every week you make me feel really slow.
It’s good for my humility.
Oh, no.
You guys are great.
Thanks, buddy.
Really appreciate the quiz this week.
Thanks a lot, John.
Thanks, guys.
It was a lot of fun.
Take care.
Bye-bye.
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