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Latest post Mon, Feb 26 2007 4:11 PM by Philip. 8 replies.
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Philip  +  332800 Sat, 24 Feb 07 07:02 PM

Today's show on NPR included this word puzzle.  A common English plural word (common in the plural, rather than the singular, I believe) that has no letters in common with the singular form.  Any ideas?

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Pucca  +  332805 Sat, 24 Feb 07 07:21 PM
Philip, it's Saturday...do you really make us think about it?Smile [:)] It's too difficultStick out tongue [:P]

Will you give us a clue?Big Smile [:D]
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Philip  +  332809 Sat, 24 Feb 07 07:31 PM

 Pucca wrote:
Philip, it's Saturday...do you really make us think about it?Smile [:)] It's too difficultStick out tongue [:P]

Will you give us a clue?Big Smile [:D]
The only clue they gave was that one word is longer than the other, although both a short.  And I'm sure they indicated that the plural is more common than the singular.

I'm not playing the part of one who knows the answer, by the way.  I haven't a clue.

Anonymous, 2 yr 270 days ago
what about "I" and "we"?
Anonymous, 2 yr 270 days ago
They also said one of the forms of the word showed in Lord of the Rings
Anonymous, 2 yr 270 days ago

A little research revealed that "kine" is an obscure plural form of "cow" that shows up in Tolkien's work. 

Crescent_star2000  +  333243 Mon, 26 Feb 07 05:05 AM

Yup, I agree with anon.

COW --> KINE

will be classified as a "Irregular Germanic Plural Noun" (Like Child >> Children, Ox >> Oxen, etc.)

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Philip  +  333257 Mon, 26 Feb 07 06:31 AM
 Anonymous wrote:

A little research revealed that "kine" is an obscure plural form of "cow" that shows up in Tolkien's work. 

By George, I think you've got it!  Send it in to "Car Talk" on NPR!
Philip  +  333374 Mon, 26 Feb 07 04:11 PM

If you are familiar with the show, you won't be surprised by this response to my submission of the solved puzzle:

First, we have to be certain you have the correct answer. We start by sending your answer to Paul Murky, at Murky Research. Murky, working with our Statistician Marge Innovera, will place your puzzler answer in one of two heaps: "not even close" and "pretty much right."

Assuming it passes by Paul and Marge, your answer will then be zipped along to Central Processing, where it will be date and time stamped, and searched for attached currency. Next, it will be shipped electronically to our Correct Answer Verification Center, where our legions of lackeys once again search your answer for currency-- just in case someone at Central Processing missed it. Then, they make certain that your response fits the criterion we have established for correct answers.

Please note that since we're often unsure of what the right answer is ourselves, we have very wide latitude in determining what constitutes a correct answer. Incorrect answers, however, will be sent to the Jehovah's Witnesses, for immediate inclusion in their mailing list.

Lastly, correct answers will be sent to Ms. Shirley Wright, who operates under the auspices of the Committee for Reviewing Answers to Puzzlers. There, operating under complete secrecy, Ms. Wright will pick a winner.

If your response is selected as this week's winning entry, we'll announce your name on the air. Youýll also get a gift certificate to our Shameless Commerce Division, which if youýre smart, you'll trade to an unsuspecting coworker for a cup of coffee and twenty-five cents.

Cordially,

Tom and Ray Magliozzi
Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers

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