# 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:** 56
**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:** [December 17, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1101 "2019-12-17T19:25:47Z")
**His chuckling was a crime. Why?** > [@Folly](#): > > OK, really attempting to think laterally here. > > Did a chuckle or other laughing type utterance become transcribed into words somewhere? > > Perhaps into a criminal law or statute? No. ---
**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:** [December 17, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1102 "2019-12-17T20:12:38Z")
He chuckled, and there was a homicide. Did the two events occur separately? Is the manner of his chuckling relevant? (As in “ha ha ha” or “hee hee hee”) Did the chuckler commit a felony? A misdemeanor? Did he commit the crime while he was chuckling? Before he chuckled? After he chuckled? Did he chuckle while conversing with another person? Did he laugh his ass off and get arrested for littering? (by the way Biotop, IT’S NOT AS OBVIOUS AS YOU THINK!) ---
**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:** [December 17, 2019, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1103 "2019-12-17T20:25:33Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Does the incident involve some sort of wordplay? Yes I think this, and the fact that the chuckler must be male, is the key. Not that I’ve solved it, but it is clearly wordplay, and involves a male pronoun of some sort. The actual situation is not relevant, it’s the words we use to describe the situation. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1104 "2019-12-18T00:55:34Z")
\*\*reply to KnowedOut \*\* He chuckled, and there was a homicide. Did the two events occur separately? No Is the manner of his chuckling relevant? (As in “ha ha ha” or “hee hee hee”) No Did the chuckler commit a felony? No A misdemeanor? No Did he commit the crime while he was chuckling? No Before he chuckled? No After he chuckled? No Did he chuckle while conversing with another person? NR Did he laugh his ass off and get arrested for littering? No (by the way Biotop, IT’S NOT AS OBVIOUS AS YOU THINK!) I hope you will chuckle at the solution. If you get it you will know it without even asking. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1105 "2019-12-18T00:57:28Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > I think this, and the fact that the chuckler must be male, is the key. > > Not that I’ve solved it, but it is clearly wordplay, and involves a male pronoun of some sort. The actual situation is not relevant, it’s the words we use to describe the situation. You are on the right track. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1106 "2019-12-18T01:10:35Z")
Are the three rocks mentioned in your imaginary Nancy comic relevant? ETA or the tree or the house? ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2019, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1107 "2019-12-18T01:23:00Z")
I feel like I’ve heard this, or something very like it, I just can’t quite remember. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1108 "2019-12-18T04:03:49Z")
Uhhhh… did he chuckle and somebody thought he said “chug chug chug” and he got slapped with underage drinking? That’s all I got. I’m just spinning my chuckwagon wheels at this point. I say we chuck this and give up. He who chuckles last chuckles loudest. He was Chuckley, the killer ventriloquist dummy. It was Chuckles the Clown from that Mary Tyler Moore episode where an elephant thought he was a peanut and shelled him. It was Chuckles Yeager, and he got arrested for speeding. Do these puns make you want to up-chuckle? ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1109 "2019-12-18T05:20:30Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > Are the three rocks mentioned in your imaginary Nancy comic relevant? > > ETA or the tree or the house? No that was all an aside. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1110 "2019-12-18T05:36:57Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Uhhhh… did he chuckle and somebody thought he said “chug chug chug” and he got slapped with underage drinking? > > That’s all I got. I’m just spinning my chuckwagon wheels at this point. I say we chuck this and give up. He who chuckles last chuckles loudest. He was Chuckley, the killer ventriloquist dummy. It was Chuckles the Clown from that Mary Tyler Moore episode where an elephant thought he was ha peanut and shelled him. It was Chuckles Yeager, and he got arrested for speeding. Do these puns make you want to up-chuckle? I am ok with leaving this unsolved and moving onto the next puzzle. All the relevant questions have been asked and answered. You know that scene in _It’s A Wonderful Life_ where George and Mary are dancing and the floor opens up over the pool? They keep dancing closer and closer to falling in, but then they start moving in the other direction just at the last moment? You all were that close. At some point someone will solve this and post the answer. Mahaloth is right. You never know which puzzle will be solved quickly and which one not. The solution I am looking for is exactly one word. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1111 "2019-12-18T06:05:29Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > I am ok with leaving this unsolved and moving onto the next puzzle. All the relevant questions have been asked and answered. > > You know that scene in _It’s A Wonderful Life_ where George and Mary are dancing and the floor opens up over the pool? They keep dancing closer and closer to falling in, but then they start moving in the other direction just at the last moment? You all were that close. > > At some point someone will solve this and post the answer. Mahaloth is right. You never know which puzzle will be solved quickly and which one not. The solution I am looking for is exactly one word. Oh dear… I think the ‘one word’ hint was a big one… manslaughter? ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1112 "2019-12-18T06:08:17Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Oh dear… I think the ‘one word’ hint was a big one… > > manslaughter? Yes!!! ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1113 "2019-12-18T06:15:36Z")
His chuckling is a crime because it is manslaughter. Hurrah **Folly**! Special thanks to _Harper’s_ puzzlemaster Richard Maltby who had the clue (or something like it) in his cryptic puzzle a few years ago and I really struggled to get the answer then. That monthly variety cryptic is always a treat. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1114 "2019-12-18T06:17:13Z")
Groan… 😛 ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1115 "2019-12-18T06:55:41Z")
Ugh. Okay, I thought of one. It’s not a pun and it should be simple enough. _ **Jeff wanted to stop his children from watching their favorite show. Why?** _ ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1116 "2019-12-18T07:01:17Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > Ugh. > Okay, I thought of one. It’s not a pun and it should be simple enough. > > _ **Jeff wanted to stop his children from watching their favorite show. Why?** _ Were the kids spending to much time watching tv? Was there something specific he did not want them to see? ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1117 "2019-12-18T07:56:09Z")
Jeff wanted to stop his children from watching their favorite show. Why? > [@Biotop](#): > > Were the kids spending to much time watching tv? **NO** > > Was there something specific he did not want them to see? **NO** ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1118 "2019-12-18T12:35:36Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > _ **Jeff wanted to stop his children from watching their favorite show. Why?** _ Is everyone human in this puzzle? Is their favorite show a TV show? Is their favorite show hurting them? Is there anything embarrassing for Jeff in the show? (or anyone else?) Is this situation well known? Is this situation fictional or nonfictional? ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1119 "2019-12-18T12:37:43Z")
Was their favorite show on tv? Was there something he did not want the kids to hear? Human children, right? ---
**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:** [December 18, 2019, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/1120 "2019-12-18T12:46:20Z")
_ **Jeff wanted to stop his children from watching their favorite show. Why?** _ > [@Mahaloth](#): > > Is everyone human in this puzzle? YES > > Is their favorite show a TV show? YES > > Is their favorite show hurting them? NO > > Is there anything embarrassing for Jeff in the show? (or anyone else?) NO > > Is this situation well known? NO > > Is this situation fictional NO > > or nonfictional? YES > [@Biotop](#): > > Was their favorite show on tv? YES > > Was there something he did not want the kids to hear? YES > > Human children, right? YES [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=55) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=57)