# 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:** 230
**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 12, 2021, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4583 "2021-04-12T10:00:22Z")
Are the bear and rodent famous fictional characters? Pooh bear? Paddington bear? Mickey Mouse? Bugs Bunny? Peter Rabbit? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4584 "2021-04-12T10:25:40Z")
Fictional, yes; Pooh, Paddington, Mickey, Bugs, Peter, no. ---
**Author:** ![CardboardBoxx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardboardboxx/32/7079_2.png) [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4585 "2021-04-12T10:45:05Z")
Was a show about a bear supposed to be on TV but actually the show with the rodent was, showing she didn’t really watch? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4586 "2021-04-12T10:46:37Z")
> [@CardboardBoxx](#): > > Was a show about a bear supposed to be on TV but actually the showe with the rodent was, showing she didn’t actually watch? She was being honest, and no alibi was at stake. ---
**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 12, 2021, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4587 "2021-04-12T10:46:56Z")
Is the bear a non-animated comic character? Is the bear an animated cartoon character? Is the bear a character from a book? Is the rodent a non-animated comic character? Is the rodent an animated cartoon character? Is the rodent a character from a book? Is the bear a specific individual? Is the rodent a specific individual? Is the nature of the crime relevant? Did the wife know of the crime? Was the mention of the wrong animal a momentary mistake on the wife’s part (i.e., would a few moments of self-reflection have revealed to her “Ooh, I shouldn’t have said that”, or the like)? Was the mention of the wrong animal the result of a mistake of fact (“Oh, I thought that character was on a different show”)? Is the nationality of the criminal relevant? Is the nationality of the wife relevant? Was a language barrier relevant? Was a cultural difference relevant? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4588 "2021-04-12T11:01:22Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Is the bear a non-animated comic character? > Is the bear an animated cartoon character? > Is the bear a character from a book? > > Is the rodent a non-animated comic character? > Is the rodent an animated cartoon character? > Is the rodent a character from a book? Let me make sure I understand what you mean: if, instead of bears and rodents, I’d been talking about, say, _Superman_, would you expect me to say “yeah, a non-animated comic character, _and_ an animated cartoon character, _and_ a character from a book” — _and_ also to agree if anyone asks about a live-action TV show _and_ a video game, and so on? > [@](#): > > Is the bear a specific individual? > Is the rodent a specific individual? Yes to both. > [@](#): > > Is the nature of the crime relevant? > Did the wife know of the crime? No. Yes. > [@](#): > > Was the mention of the wrong animal a momentary mistake on the wife’s part (i.e., would a few moments of self-reflection have revealed to her “Ooh, I shouldn’t have said that”, or the like)? I don’t believe so. It’s hard to be _sure_, but I think there’s pretty good evidence that, no, she had ample time and plenty of reason to reconsider her remark, and that it didn’t dawn on her. > [@](#): > > Was the mention of the wrong animal the result of a mistake of fact (“Oh, I thought that character was on a different show”)? No, her comment was accurate. > [@](#): > > Is the nationality of the criminal relevant? > Is the nationality of the wife relevant? > Was a language barrier relevant? No to all three. > [@](#): > > Was a cultural difference relevant? …arguably? But that’s kind of a stretch; it feels like I could mislead you by saying “no”, and that I could mislead you by saying “yes”, and I’d rather not go down either road. ---
**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 12, 2021, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4589 "2021-04-12T15:19:46Z")
Is the rodent: - mouse - rat - squirrel - porcupine - beaver - guinea pig - hamster - rabbit / hare (technically, no longer classed as rodents, but often still described as such) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4590 "2021-04-12T16:03:46Z")
A rat. ---
**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 12, 2021, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4591 "2021-04-12T21:17:13Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Let me make sure I understand what you mean: if, instead of bears and rodents, I’d been talking about, say, _Superman_ , would you expect me to say “yeah, a non-animated comic character, _and_ an animated cartoon character, _and_ a character from a book” — _and_ also to agree if anyone asks about a live-action TV show _and_ a video game, and so on? All of the questions are independent. They could have multiple yeses. ---
**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 12, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4592 "2021-04-12T21:25:12Z")
Is the arguable cultural difference based on age? On occupation? Are the rat and the bear part of the same fictional continuity? Do they typically mostly appear in the same works? (one possible wild-assed guess) Is the rat (in its primary form of depiction) a puppet? Is the bear? (another possible wild-assed guess) Is the rat Scabby, the union mascot? ---
**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 12, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4593 "2021-04-12T21:40:37Z")
Is the rat from: - Ratatouille - Secret of NIMH - TMNT - The Wind in the Willows - Muppets - Pearls Before Swine - Dilbert - Flushed Away - Willard/ Ben ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4594 "2021-04-12T21:43:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Is the arguable cultural difference based on age? On occupation? No to both. > [@](#): > > Are the rat and the bear part of the same fictional continuity? I don’t believe so. > [@](#): > > Do they typically mostly appear in the same works? …not sure what you’re asking. > [@](#): > > (one possible wild-assed guess) > Is the rat (in its primary form of depiction) a puppet? Is the bear? From a look at various definitions: yes, they appear to qualify. > [@](#): > > (another possible wild-assed guess) > Is the rat Scabby, the union mascot? No. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4595 "2021-04-12T21:44:38Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Is the rat from: > > - Ratatouille > - Secret of NIMH > - TMNT > - The Wind in the Willows > - Muppets > - Pearls Before Swine > - Dilbert > - Flushed Away > - Willard/ Ben Nope. ---
**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 12, 2021, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4596 "2021-04-12T21:55:36Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > …not sure what you’re asking. As an example, Miss Piggy and Cookie Monster are part of the same continuity, both being Muppets and both being friends of Kermit, but they almost never appear together. But that was mostly a follow-up question, mostly rendered moot by them not being in the same continuity. Ooh, thought of another one: Is the bear a literal ursine? Is the rat a literal rat? (as opposed to, say, a hirsute gay man and an organized-crime informant) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4597 "2021-04-12T21:59:23Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Ooh, thought of another one: Is the bear a literal ursine? Is the rat a literal rat? (as opposed to, say, a hirsute gay man and an organized-crime informant) Literal. (I mean, in the sense that Kermit is a _literal_ frog, even if he rides a bicycle and pitches ad campaigns and winds up marrying a pig.) ---
**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 12, 2021, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4598 "2021-04-12T22:40:56Z")
Were they cheating in some kind of game, quiz or test? On a TV show? They gave the correct answer(s) to a different question(s) showing they had advance knowledge? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4599 "2021-04-12T22:47:48Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Were they cheating in some kind of game, quiz or test? > On a TV show? > > They gave the correct answer(s) to a different question(s) showing they had advance knowledge? Nope. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2021, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4600 "2021-04-13T02:13:42Z")
If it helps, the criminal had a doctorate. ---
**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:** [April 13, 2021, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4601 "2021-04-13T06:40:22Z")
Would it help to know the type of crime? Never mind, you answered this eariler. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2021, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/4602 "2021-04-13T10:19:37Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Would it help to know the type of crime? As you said, I don’t see how; but, just in case: it was drugs. The guy was selling drugs while he was still in school, and, well, he kept right on moving product after he got his degree, is all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=229) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=231)