# Lateral Thinking Puzzles. Let's do it again! **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [October 23, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193 "2019-10-23T21:32:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 138
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2742 "2020-04-29T00:07:56Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > Was it a competition involving the ability to do something? Something adults don’t normally do? > > Was he under 10? under 5? under 2? No to the competition involving things adults don’t normally do. I am not sure if I can pinpoint the contest date. I will say 6-7 years old is the embarrassing thing, which is not the contest itself. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2743 "2020-04-29T01:16:34Z")
So the competition was and is not something that would be embarrassing when done by an adult? Was he an unusually intelligent child? An unusually precocious child? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2744 "2020-04-29T01:46:03Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > So the competition was and is not something that would be embarrassing when done by an adult? > > :shrugs: > > It was a contest only kids were in, I think. A contest for kids, so I guess it would be odd to have adults in it. > > Was he an unusually intelligent child? > > Perhaps? Irrelevant > > An unusually precocious child? > > NO kk ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2745 "2020-04-29T02:16:48Z")
Was Roger being in the contest a cause of the embarassing thing? Was Roger winning the contest a cause of the embarassing thing? Was the embarassing thing something that happened once? Happened over a period of time? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2746 "2020-04-29T03:00:48Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > Was Roger being in the contest a cause of the embarassing thing? > > NO > > Was Roger winning the contest a cause of the embarassing thing? > > YES > > Was the embarassing thing something that happened once? Happened over a period of time? > > ONCE kk ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2747 "2020-04-29T03:58:56Z")
Would knowing what the contest was about, help? Was the embarassing thing an incident involving a specific person? Multiple people? A famous person or people? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2748 "2020-04-29T11:15:20Z")
Was the competition of children mostly boys, mostly girls, or presumably equally mixed/irrelevant? Was the competition athletic? Artistic? Scholastic? Was it a spelling bee? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2749 "2020-04-29T15:26:35Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > Would knowing what the contest was about, help? > > It would nudge you in the right direction, yes. It would not lead directly to an immediate solution, but would help. > > Was the embarassing thing an incident involving a specific person? Multiple people? A famous person or people? > > Specific person: Other than him. I mean, he is a specific person and was the one embarrassed. > > Multiple people: Well, yes, multiple people were involved. > > Famous person/people: Fame is subjective. I will say that a massively famous person is involved in some capacity. Probably some lesser famous people too? > > Note: Roger is not famous, though. If you disagree later, I’ll be surprised. > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Was the competition of children mostly boys, mostly girls, or presumably equally mixed/irrelevant? > > Irrelevant and I have no idea. > > Was the competition athletic? Artistic? Scholastic? > > Artistic(kind of?) No to athletes or scholastics. > > Was it a spelling bee? > > NO You guys \*are \*moving in the direction of a solution. These questions are not irrelevant, at least as far as I can see. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2750 "2020-04-29T15:50:51Z")
Was the competition a look-alike competition? Something else concerning Roger’s appearance? Did the embarassing thing involve Roger saying something he shouldn’t ? Going somewhere he shouldn’t ? Making a mistake about something? Was the embarassing thing embarassing to Roger at the time it happened? ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2751 "2020-04-29T15:53:15Z")
Is the embarrassment associated with the giving of the award or an award ceremony? ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2752 "2020-04-29T16:16:14Z")
Did somebody get Roger’s name wrong? Did he get stuck with an undesirable nickname? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2753 "2020-04-29T17:48:45Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > Was the competition a look-alike competition? Something else concerning Roger’s appearance? > > **NO** > > Did the embarassing thing involve Roger saying something he shouldn’t ? Going somewhere he shouldn’t ? Making a mistake about something? > > **NO - not in any ways you mean** > > Was the embarassing thing embarassing to Roger at the time it happened? > > **NO** > [@Folly](#): > > Is the embarrassment associated with the giving of the award or an award ceremony? **NO** > [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Did somebody get Roger’s name wrong? > > **NO** > > Did he get stuck with an undesirable nickname? > > **NO - but he was afraid he would!** Keep going. This one is working out pretty well. Inch by inch getting closer. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2754 "2020-04-29T18:02:09Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Inch by inch getting closer. Does it involve Niagara Falls? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2755 "2020-04-29T18:09:12Z")
Regarding the nickname he feared, would it work with the name Roger to make an embarrassing combination? ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2756 "2020-04-29T18:09:12Z")
Did the competition have anything to do with a movie or tv show? ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2757 "2020-04-29T18:17:50Z")
If Roger had not been in the military, would he have been less worried about his secret getting out? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2758 "2020-04-29T18:52:43Z")
Was it a performing arts competition? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2759 "2020-04-29T19:10:31Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Does it involve Niagara Falls? **NO** > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Regarding the nickname he feared, would it work with the name Roger to make an embarrassing combination? \*\*NO. In fact, his actual name is not Roger and his actual name is irrelevant. \*\* > [@Folly](#): > > Did the competition have anything to do with a movie or tv show? **NO, but also a little bit…just a little bit…yes.** > [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > If Roger had not been in the military, would he have been less worried about his secret getting out? MAYBE. However, a definite YES to him being in the military making him feel more embarrassed/worried about the secret. > [@Chronos](#): > > Was it a performing arts competition? Basically a talent contest. So yes? ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2760 "2020-04-29T19:25:13Z")
Did the contest have corporate sponsors? Was the contest associated with a celebrity? Is Roger’s military rank relevant? ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2020, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2761 "2020-04-29T19:29:54Z")
Was the combination of the name of the prize and “Roger’s” name a factor? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=137) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=139)