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Every Sunday, word lovers get a fresh brainteaser that blends language play with a dash of whimsy. This week’s puzzle asks you to turn a single-O word into a new word by doubling that O. It’s simple to state and tricky to execute, the kind of challenge that rewards close reading and lateral thinking.
How the double‑O rule works and an example
The game gives you sentences with two blanks. Fill the first blank with a word that contains a single letter O. If you double that O, you form a different word that completes the second blank. Use that pairing to finish the sentence.
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Example: In a college lecture, the math ___ explained a difficult ___. Answer: PROF → PROOF.
Ten new sentences to solve — double the O to finish each line
- Road Runner opened a ___ that sold Acme products in the Looney Tunes ___.
- For his next African epic, will director James ___ decide to film in ___?
- On our trip out West, we watched a flock of birds ___ above the ___ Dam.
- Claiming a stubbed toe made for a ___ excuse for playing ___ from school.
- On a Wild West film set, a nail ___ seems an odd business beside a ___.
- Among the ___ of workers at the poultry farm, one man made sure each ___ was well cared for.
- To give the steak a ___ texture, the chef will ___ it in gravy.
- Russian novelist Nikolai ___ has become so popular he now gets nearly a ___ hits online.
- Riding a bus in Glasgow, I asked a ___ to ___ over.
- The losing candidate for mayor in ___, Delaware, is demanding a ___.
Last week’s brainteaser and the solution
Letters-only challenge
Last week’s puzzle invited readers to use only the letters in the phrase FACES NORTH, with letters reusable, to spell a familiar seven-word expression. The word lengths were 4, 3, 3, 6, 3, 3, 5.
Solution: Can’t see the forest for the trees.
Who won and this week’s bonus challenge
Reader spotlight
Congratulations to Nori Aquino of Sacramento, California, whose entry was selected.
Extra puzzle for the week
Here’s an additional challenge from James Ellison of Jefferson City, Missouri. Pick a famous movie villain. Insert one letter to convert that villain’s name into a household brand. Then change one letter in that brand to form the surname of a different famous movie villain. Name the two characters and the product.
How to enter — rules and deadline
If you think you know the answers, send them in. Entries must arrive by Thursday, August 20 at 3 p.m. ET. If your answer is chosen, you may be invited to play the puzzle on air.
- Include a phone number where producers can reach you.
- Winners will be contacted to arrange participation.
- One entry per person, unless otherwise noted.
