# 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:** 149
**Author:** ![Unreconstructed\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/76d3ee/32.png) [@Unreconstructed\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unreconstructed_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2962 "2020-05-24T01:05:50Z")
Was this an actual real event? A fictional depiction of a real event? Did this happen in the 21st century? Latter half of the 20th? Earlier? Was it a real bird? An artistic representation of a bird? A figure of speech involving a bird? Just to be 100% clear, were these definitely real, living, flesh and blood cows? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2963 "2020-05-24T03:25:53Z")
**reply to Unreconstructed Man** : Was this an actual real event? **Yes**. A fictional depiction of a real event? **Again, certain aspects are liberties taken with a real event. After all, for example, who can know what a cow hears? But as far as the puzzle goes, I think it is valid enough.** Did this happen in the 21st century? **No** Latter half of the 20th? **No** Earlier? **Yes** Was it a real bird? **Yes** An artistic representation of a bird? \*\* No. But I do not know the exact conversation the cows overheard.\*\* A figure of speech involving a bird? **No** Just to be 100% clear, were these definitely real, living, flesh and blood cows? **Yes** ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2964 "2020-05-24T11:03:23Z")
Were the cows part of some scientific demonstration? Were they in an artistic demonstration? Part of a religious demonstration? Part of a political demonstration? Were the cows unusual or unique in some way? Was the bird a common North American Bird? ---
**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:** [May 24, 2020, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2965 "2020-05-24T11:41:24Z")
Were the cows being celebrated? Offered for sale? Was the cows owner being celebrated? Did the human attendees to this event know the cows were going to be there, was their presence known beforehand or was it a surprise to them? ---
**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:** [May 24, 2020, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2966 "2020-05-24T13:21:19Z")
Was the ballroom crowd literally in a ballroom (as opposed to being that same sort of crowd, but in some other locale)? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2967 "2020-05-24T14:36:38Z")
**reply to Go\_Arachnid\_Laser** : Were the cows part of some scientific demonstration? **No** Were they in an artistic demonstration? **No** Part of a religious demonstration? **No** Part of a political demonstration? **No** Were the cows unusual or unique in some way? **Yes** Was the bird a common North American Bird? **Not common I don’t think, but a North American bird**. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2968 "2020-05-24T14:46:49Z")
**Two cows are standing in a ritzy New York hotel ballroom crowd, mingling while they enjoy their “hay on ice” cocktails. They overhear someone talking about a bird. Why?** +++++ **reply to Cheesesteak** : Were the cows being celebrated? **Yes** Offered for sale? **No** Was the cows owner being celebrated? **Yes**. Did the human attendees to this event know the cows were going to be there, was their presence known beforehand or was it a surprise to them? **I do not think it was a surprise.** ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2969 "2020-05-24T14:49:29Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Was the ballroom crowd literally in a ballroom (as opposed to being that same sort of crowd, but in some other locale)? **Yes. In a ritzy New York hotel ballroom literally.** ---
**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:** [May 24, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2970 "2020-05-24T15:53:59Z")
Were at least one of these specific cows… …intended for use in producing dairy products? …intended for slaughter for beef? …intended for use as beasts of burden? Did at least one of the cows come from a breed that is typically… …intended for use in producing dairy products? …intended for slaughter for beef? …intended for use as beasts of burden? ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2971 "2020-05-24T15:57:46Z")
Were the cows unusual because of: -Something they had done? -Something that had been done to them? -Their particular breed? -Their place of origin? -Some unusual physical feature? -Their owner being a relevant person? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2972 "2020-05-24T16:04:16Z")
**reply to Chronos** : Were at least one of these specific cows… …intended for use in producing dairy products? **Yes** …intended for slaughter for beef? **No** …intended for use as beasts of burden? **No** Did at least one of the cows come from a breed that is typically… …intended for use in producing dairy products? **Yes** …intended for slaughter for beef? **No** …intended for use as beasts of burden? **No** ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2973 "2020-05-24T16:12:13Z")
**replynto Go\_Arachnid\_Laser** Were the cows unusual because of: -Something they had done? **Yes** -Something that had been done to them? **Yes** -Their particular breed? **No** -Their place of origin? **No and Yes, depending on which cow you mean.** -Some unusual physical feature? **No** -Their owner being a relevant person? **Somewhat** ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2974 "2020-05-24T16:17:45Z")
Just to be clear, one of these cows was a male bull. But they were both guernseys which are dairy cows. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2975 "2020-05-24T16:28:06Z")
Okay. Um. Vaccines. Something related to vaccines? Something medical at all? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2976 "2020-05-24T16:30:33Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Okay. Um. Vaccines. Something related to vaccines? > Something medical at all? **No to all** ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2977 "2020-05-24T17:22:42Z")
Was there something to do with charity? Like donating a cow to a starving family so they can have milk? Were these the only cattle in attendance? Would you have been able to tell by looking at the cows that there was something unusual about them? Was the bird a specific bird? A species? A group of birds? Was the bird a sort that might commonly be kept as a pet? Was the specific bird in question captive or wild? Were the cows part of some sort of innovation? Was it something to do with breeding? Was there something unusual about the milk they produced? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2978 "2020-05-24T17:40:37Z")
\*\* reply to SurrenderDorothy\*\*: Was there something to do with charity? **No** Like donating a cow to a starving family so they can have milk? **No** Were these the only cattle in attendance? **Yes** Would you have been able to tell by looking at the cows that there was something unusual about them? **No** Was the bird a specific bird? **Yes** A species? **No** A group of birds? **No** Was the bird a sort that might commonly be kept as a pet? **No** Was the specific bird in question captive or wild? **Wild I suppose** Were the cows part of some sort of innovation? **No** Was it something to do with breeding? **No** Was there something unusual about the milk they produced? **No** ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2020, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2979 "2020-05-24T17:50:32Z")
Did the cows take part in some sort of relevant event in their past? ---
**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:** [May 24, 2020, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2980 "2020-05-24T18:24:20Z")
Were the cows advertising mascots? If yes, were they specifically Elsie and Elmer (or at least, meant to represent them)? ---
**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:** [May 24, 2020, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/2981 "2020-05-24T18:25:12Z")
Were the cows advertising mascots? If yes, were they specifically Elsie and Elmer (or at least, meant to represent them)? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=148) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=150)