Where Does THAT Fit In?
Will Shortz, puzzle master of The New York Times, has devised a new type of word game. It's so much fun that I had to try making up my own quiz, following his format.
You might call Shortz's game "Odd Items Out." Of the four items in each set, you select one item that doesn't fit in a category with the other three. Then you select a SECOND item that doesn't fit in ANOTHER category with the other three.
Here's an example: Madison Lincoln Roosevelt Albany
Answer: Roosevelt isn't a state capital. Albany isn't a president.
Now you try it:
1. Freebooters Buccaneers Raiders Seahawks
2. Baltic Ventnor Caspian Mediterranean
3. Carter Cleveland Detroit Washington
4. Trojans Spartans Athenians Badgers
5. Kennedy Logan Clinton Reagan
6. Colt Mustang Filly Corvette
7. Chevrolet Jackson Ford Lincoln
8. Denver Chicago Cats Oklahoma
9. Bucks Rams Bulls Lakers
10. Babe Tiger Catfish Squirrel
11. Cougar Owl Skylark Thunderbird
12. Exodus Jaws Titus Leviticus
Answers:
1. Freebooters aren't a professional football team. Seahawks aren't pirates or marauders.
2. Ventnor isn't a major sea. Caspian isn't a property in the game of Monopoly.
3. Carter isn't a major U.S. city. Detroit isn't a president.
4. Athenians aren't a major college sports team. Badgers aren't residents of ancient Mediterranean city state.
5. Logan isn't a president. Clinton isn't a major U.S. airport.
6. Filly isn't a car. Corvette isn't a horse.
7. Chevrolet isn't a president. Jackson isn't a car.
8. Denver isn't a Broadway musical. Cats isn't a U.S. city or state.
9. Rams aren't a pro basketball team. Lakers aren't a male mammal.
10. Babe isn't an animal. Squirrel isn't a legendary athlete.
11. Cougar isn't a bird. Owl isn't a car model.
12. Jaws isn't a book of the Bible. Leviticus isn't a movie.
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Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Connecticut, invites your language sightings. His book, "Mark My Words," is available for $9.99 on Amazon.com. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via email to WordGuy@aol.com or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
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