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Stretch your mind at the spa — today’s puzzle pairs an S-starting word with a PA-starting partner in familiar two-word names and phrases. Play along: clues point to common terms you likely use every day. See how many you can solve before checking the challenge to enter.
How the S + PA wordplay works
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The game asks for two-word answers. The first word begins with the letter S. The second word begins with the letters PA. Each clue points to a recognizable phrase, name, or compound that fits this pattern. For example, buying a bundle of beers at a store gives the answer “six pack.”
Clues to solve (S + PA)
- Equipment mounted on a rooftop to harvest electricity
- A particle type: could be a photon, electron, or neutron
- Tool for scouring dishes
- Compensation you receive when leaving a job
- Various sheets kept nearby for quick notes
- A social gathering limited to men
- Material used to create graffiti on a wall
- A small packet you rip open to sweeten a drink
- A historical or cultural figure honored on March 17
- The largest city by population in Brazil
- A political faction to the left of mainstream Democrats
- A tiny tuft of hair below the lower lip
- Spare components or extras at an auto or repair shop
- An informal, teasing term for someone who acts like they know everything
Quick note on approach
Work by pairing common S words with PA words. Think of everyday objects, people, or labels. Read answers aloud to see if they sound like familiar two-word terms.
Last week’s trick and its solution
The previous puzzle asked participants to pick a state capital, alter a single vowel sound, and reveal something many students study. The revealed pair was Phoenix → Phonics.
Reader spotlight: recent winner
Congratulations to Momo Brennan of Honolulu, Hawai’i for being selected from last week’s entries.
This week’s special riddle from Schwartz
Contributor Schwartz, from Florence, Oregon, offers a layered word puzzle. Find a seven-letter mode of transport. Replace its fifth letter with a U, then read the new string backward. The result will be a common Latin word followed by its English synonym. What two words do you get?
How to submit your answer
Send your entry using the official form linked below. Include a phone number so producers can reach you if your answer is chosen. Entries must arrive by Thursday, September 10 at 3 p.m. ET.
- Submit here: npr.formstack.com/forms/sunday_puzzle
- Deadline: Thursday, September 10 at 3 p.m. ET
- Required: a phone number where we can contact you
