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Arts & Culture

Sunday Puzzle: Common threads

Sunday Puzzle
NPR
Sunday Puzzle

On air challenge

I'm going to name three things. You tell me something they all have in common.
Ex. Telephone   Saturn   Tree stump   -->   RINGS

1. Face   Needle   Hurricane

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2. Hospital   Pickup truck   Flower garden

3. Pen   Finger   Waiter

4. Fireplace   Rustic cabin   Ship's captain

5. Geisha   Car engine   Celebrity

7. Men's clothing store   Deck of cards   Law firm

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8. Fish   Map   Butcher

9. Tavern   N.F.L.   Room with an open window

Last week's challenge

Last week's challenge came from Michael Schwartz, of Florence, Ore. Name something in 7 letters that's designed to help you lose weight. Insert the letters EP somewhere inside this word to get a two-word phrase naming things that are likely to add weight. What words are these?

Answer: pie plates

Winner

Shyra Latiolais of New Orleans, Louisiana.

This week's challenge

This week's challenge comes from Tom Streit, of Crozet, Va. A man said to a friend: "I'm thinking of a 9-letter word that contains my name, Ian ("I-A-N"), embedded somewhere inside it. If you replace my 3-letter name with your 4-letter name, you'll get a familiar word in 10 letters." What are the two words, and what is the name of Ian's friend?

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