# Lateral Thinking Puzzles - third time is best! **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 18, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214 "2023-07-18T13:39:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 102
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2021 "2024-06-27T01:43:08Z")
Does “definitely a keeper” mean that he had qualities desirable as a husband? Does it mean that he had qualities desirable for some other purpose? Does it mean that he kept something? Bees? Did he die as the result of a disease? Poison? Old age? Accident? Homicide? Attacked by an animal? Did he have any relevant surviving family members? Did he have any relevant family members who died along with him? ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2022 "2024-06-27T01:47:56Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Does “definitely a keeper” mean that he had qualities desirable as a husband? **NO** > Does it mean that he had qualities desirable for some other purpose? **NO** > Does it mean that he kept something? Bees? **Yes, to keeping something. No to bees.** > > Did he die as the result of a disease? **NO** > Poison? **NO** > Old age? **NO** > Accident? **YES** > Homicide? **NO** > Attacked by an animal? **NO** > > Did he have any relevant surviving family members? **NO** > Did he have any relevant family members who died along with him? **NO** wordrequirement ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2023 "2024-06-27T01:57:09Z")
Did he die because of what he kept? Was what he kept in any way unusual? ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2024 "2024-06-27T02:14:44Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Did he die because of what he kept? **YES, KIND OF.** > > Was what he kept in any way unusual? **NO.** wordymcwordface ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2025 "2024-06-27T07:29:24Z")
What he kept: Was it living? Was it inanimate? Was it a secret? ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2026 "2024-06-27T09:42:45Z")
Is this the sort of thing where some guy (a) gets accidentally injured, but (b) would’ve totally survived, if not for bloodletting or whatever being the medical wisdom of the day? ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2027 "2024-06-27T11:37:44Z")
Was his accident related to transportation? Mistaken identity? A malfunction? ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2028 "2024-06-27T11:52:40Z")
Was he keeping something of a non-material nature? Was he keeping it real? Was his death an industrial accident? Sporting event? Did his death involve another person who happened to be famous? Was Henry a famous person in his own time prior to his death? ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2029 "2024-06-27T12:28:45Z")
Was he a “keeper” of books, and a bookcase fell on him? ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2030 "2024-06-27T12:34:44Z")
Did he actually have a job that contains or ends with -keeper? Was he a: - groundskeeper - bookkeeper - innkeeper - barkeeper - zookeeper - goalkeeper - shopkeeper ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2031 "2024-06-27T13:15:41Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > What he kept: Was it living? **NO** > Was it inanimate? **YES** > Was it a secret? **NO** > [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Is this the sort of thing where some guy (a) gets accidentally injured, but (b) would’ve totally survived, if not for bloodletting or whatever being the medical wisdom of the day? **NO** > [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Was his accident related to transportation? **NO** > Mistaken identity? **NO** > A malfunction? **YES** > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Was he keeping something of a non-material nature? **YES** > Was he keeping it real? **NO** > > Was his death an industrial accident? **Please define industrial accident for me.** > Sporting event? **NO** > Did his death involve another person who happened to be famous? **NO** > Was Henry a famous person in his own time prior to his death? **NO** I believe there is a plaque for him, now, though. > [@Rebo](#): > > Was he a “keeper” of books, and a bookcase fell on him? **NO** > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Did he actually have a job that contains or ends with -keeper? > > Was he a: > > - groundskeeper > - bookkeeper > - innkeeper > - barkeeper > - zookeeper > - goalkeeper > - shopkeeper **Yes, to having a job that ends with -keeper.** **No to all of the “keepers” in your list.** ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2032 "2024-06-27T13:32:10Z")
Was the malfunction related to his keeping job? If so, was what malfunction integral to his job (like if a zookeeper, a gate didn’t latch and he got eaten by a giraffe)? If not, then can we assume it was a more general malfunction (like a steam pipe burst)? Was the malfunction even related to working (like at work in a shop and the roof collapsed on him)? Did he contribute to the malfunction? Or was he a victim of circumstance? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2033 "2024-06-27T13:34:02Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > he got eaten by a giraffe (they are herbivores) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2034 "2024-06-27T13:34:36Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > (they are herbivores) They want you to think so. That’s how they lure you in. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2035 "2024-06-27T13:38:04Z")
Wait! Timekeeper? Is this the guy that invented a clock to wake him up by moving his bed upright and he got tangled in the ropes and got strangled? ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2036 "2024-06-27T13:41:50Z")
(I think @Saint_Cad might have it, but just in case:) Was the malfunction a malfunction of something that might broadly be described as a tool? Was it a tool typically used in his line of work? Was the thing that malfunctioned something that he had made? Is the thing that malfunctioned something common? Does it commonly malfunction? ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2037 "2024-06-27T13:42:21Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Was the malfunction related to his keeping job? **YES** > > If so, was what malfunction[ed] integral to his job (like if a zookeeper, a gate didn’t latch and he got eaten by a giraffe)? **YES** > > If not, then can we assume it was a more general malfunction (like a steam pipe burst)? **I mean, yes, but that would still be pretty important. A malfunction/incident of sorts.** > > Was the malfunction even related to working (like at work in a shop and the roof collapsed on him)? **I’m not sure what you mean. YES, he was at work and something happened.** > > Did he contribute to the malfunction? Or was he a victim of circumstance? > \*\*Victim of circumstance, I suppose only in hindsight things he did made it worse, but he is definitely a victim of circumstance. In fact, my general answer to your Q would be: > > YES, victim of circumstance 100%\*\* Good idea to focus on: - his job - the nature of the incident and what makes it obviously noteworthy compared to typical incidents ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2038 "2024-06-27T13:44:26Z")
So he was not eaten by a giraffe? Was a giraffe involved? Like shot him for more acacia leaves? ---
**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:** [June 27, 2024, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2039 "2024-06-27T13:52:43Z")
**No animals were harmed in the creation or development of this lateral thinking puzzle.** (Means “no to both”) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2040 "2024-06-27T13:55:33Z")
So this accident happened in the 1700s… Is this “keeping” job something that people still do today, in some form that would be recognizable as the same job? Is/was it a fairly common job that everyone today would probably know about? Or is it an obscure job that few people would be aware of? Or somewhere between what you yourself would consider common and obscure? Is it something he would have done every working day, all day, at his place of employment? Or would he have gone various places to do the work? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=101) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=103)