# 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:** 146
**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:** [March 13, 2025, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2901 "2025-03-13T23:51:14Z")
reply to dirtball: Are other people involved in this in any way (even if unwittingly)? Yes. Other animals? No. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2902 "2025-03-14T00:06:52Z")
could any other thing, or animal be used the same way, it just so happened to be a cat? THis gets to the necessity or not of it being a cat…if something else could be used to. Do they trade the cat for money? I’ve looked up non-food items rationed in WWII, its a short list: tires, cars, bicycles, gasoline, fuel oil and kerosene, solid fuels (like coal), stoves, footwear, textiles (silk, nylon, wool) metal, soap, clothing, paper, and typewriters. Are any of these items key to the solution? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2903 "2025-03-14T01:09:59Z")
. reply to Sigene: could any other thing, or animal be used the same way, it just so happened to be a cat? THis gets to the necessity or not of it being a cat…if something else could be used to. really needs to be a cat for the comic gag to work. Do they trade the cat for money? No. I’ve looked up non-food items rationed in WWII, its a short list: tires, cars, bicycles, gasoline, fuel oil and kerosene, solid fuels (like coal), stoves, footwear, textiles (silk, nylon, wool) metal, soap, clothing, paper, and typewriters. Are any of these items key to the solution? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2904 "2025-03-14T01:46:50Z")
Did they shave the cat? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2905 "2025-03-14T02:29:51Z")
. > [@Zyada](#): > > Did they shave the cat? 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:** [March 14, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2906 "2025-03-14T02:40:36Z")
Did they use it to scare another animal? Like, it’s a better scarecrow than hanging rationed clothing on a figure, because it can meow at birds? Or it gets hamsters to run in wheels that power stuff in lieu of conventional fuel, because that meow agitates rodents? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2907 "2025-03-14T02:49:03Z")
. > [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Did they use it to scare another animal? Like, it’s a better scarecrow than hanging rationed clothing on a figure, because it can meow at birds? Or it gets hamsters to run in wheels that power stuff in lieu of conventional fuel, because that meow agitates rodents? No. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2908 "2025-03-14T11:04:06Z")
so, I see two answers that could be interesting to explore. One you said the cat meowing made money for Nancy and Sluggo, AND you said they did NOT trade the cat for money. Did they actually trade the cat for something else, or did they wind up using the cat to their advantage, and still wind up with the cat? so, did they use the cat as part of a service? or did they trade the cat for the rationed product? or did they trade the cat for a service? Is the blanket used to hide the fact that its a cat? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2909 "2025-03-14T11:11:19Z")
Is it that a yowling cat’s meow can sound like something else? Maybe an air-raid siren? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2910 "2025-03-14T15:46:13Z")
reply to Sigene: so, I see two answers that could be interesting to explore. One you said the cat meowing made money for Nancy and Sluggo, AND you said they did NOT trade the cat for money. Correct Did they actually trade the cat for something else,No. or did they wind up using the cat to their advantage, and still wind up with the cat? Yes. so, did they use the cat as part of a service? No or did they trade the cat for the rationed product? No or did they trade the cat for a service? No Is the blanket used to hide the fact that its a cat? 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:** [March 14, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2911 "2025-03-14T15:47:06Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Is it that a yowling cat’s meow can sound like something else? Maybe an air-raid siren? A fun guess. But no. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2912 "2025-03-14T16:04:25Z")
did the cat meow, cause someone or something to leave or approach them? I’m going to be Sooooo pleased…or Sooooo disappointed when we solve this. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2913 "2025-03-14T16:09:47Z")
reply to Sigene: did the cat meow, cause someone or something to leave or approach them? No I’m going to be Sooooo pleased…or Sooooo disappointed when we solve this. It is the nature of these things that the solution is always sort of a let down. But this is the game we play. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2914 "2025-03-14T17:35:09Z")
Laying out what I think I know: Nancy and Sluggo intend to use the WWII rationing of something (within this list tires, cars, bicycles, gasoline, fuel oil and kerosene, solid fuels (like coal), stoves, footwear, textiles (silk, nylon, wool) metal, soap, clothing, paper, and typewriters.) to their own advantage. They get a cat and a blanket, and thanks to the cat’s meow, they are able to make money, without selling the cat itself, AND without the customer realizing that a cat was involved at all. Does the customer hear the meow? Does the customer give money to Nancy and Sluggo? Does the customer receive a physical thing in return? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2915 "2025-03-14T17:49:24Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > They get a cat and a blanket, and thanks to the cat’s meow, they are able to make money, without selling the cat itself Incidentally: could they have done this — whatever the hell it was — multiple times that day, making money the same way with the same cat? Multiple times that week or that month, always retaining the moneymaking cat? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2916 "2025-03-14T19:36:43Z")
reply to Cheesesteak: Laying out what I think I know: Nancy and Sluggo intend to use the WWII rationing of something (within this list tires, cars, bicycles, gasoline, fuel oil and kerosene, solid fuels (like coal), stoves, footwear, textiles (silk, nylon, wool) metal, soap, clothing, paper, and typewriters.) to their own advantage. I prefer to say they saw an opportunity rather than taking “advantage”. These kids may clever and mischievous, but they are always patriotic. They get a cat and a blanket, and thanks to the cat’s meow, they are able to make money, without selling the cat itself, AND without the customer realizing that a cat was involved at all. yes. Does the customer hear the meow? No Does the customer give money to Nancy and Sluggo? Yes. Does the customer receive a physical thing in return? 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:** [March 14, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2917 "2025-03-14T19:44:04Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Incidentally: could they have done this — whatever the hell it was — multiple times that day, making money the same way with the same cat? Multiple times that week or that month, always retaining the moneymaking cat? I think it might work several times, but I imagine with diminishing returns. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2918 "2025-03-14T23:08:55Z")
If they’d done everything the same, but without the blanket, would it have still worked? Did they retain both the cat and the blanket? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2025, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2919 "2025-03-14T23:29:17Z")
- > [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > If they’d done everything the same, but without the blanket, would it have still worked? Did they retain both the cat and the blanket? Yes it would have still worked without the blanket. I mean it worked better with the blanket, but I did not include the blanket in the original puzzle because I didn’t think it would help. And yes they retain both cat and blanket. ---
**Author:** ![Ana\_Byrd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Ana\_Byrd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ana_Byrd)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2920 "2025-03-15T10:04:38Z")
Did the kids take advantage of fuel rationing to market their own at-home tourist attraction? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=145) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=147)