# 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:** 24
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/461 "2023-08-12T17:28:42Z")
Was the day’s weather described as “wicked”? ---
**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:** [August 12, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/462 "2023-08-12T17:46:25Z")
Dammit, this is the third in a row I’ve had to skip by dint of just knowing the trivia… ---
**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:** [August 12, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/463 "2023-08-12T17:48:57Z")
> [@Jegpeg](#): > > Was the day’s weather described as “wicked”? **NO.** ---
**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:** [August 12, 2023, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/464 "2023-08-12T18:49:44Z")
Not sure I’d expect to see weather described with this word for good or bad, but “sick”? ---
**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:** [August 12, 2023, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/465 "2023-08-12T21:11:45Z")
It isn’t a word that used to mean “negative or bad” and now means “positive or cool”. I could have made this a grandfather and granddaughter. ---
**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:** [August 12, 2023, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/466 "2023-08-12T21:57:52Z")
Was the weather described as being good or bad for a particular activity? Described as being typical for a season or setting? Was the weather characterized as being good or bad in some way? Was it described in a way that is not normally used for weather? ---
**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:** [August 12, 2023, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/467 "2023-08-12T23:09:24Z")
Was the weather described with an idiomatic expression? If so, is it one that has fallen out of use among younger people? Or one that has gained popularity among younger people? ---
**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:** [August 12, 2023, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/468 "2023-08-12T23:31:18Z")
I know this one, too. Was the weather described as being good or bad for a particular activity? No Described as being typical for a season or setting? No Was the weather characterized as being good or bad in some way? Not really… Was it described in a way that is not normally used for weather? Yes Was the weather described with an idiomatic expression? No If so, is it one that has fallen out of use among younger people? Or one that has gained popularity among younger people? ---
**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:** [August 12, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/469 "2023-08-12T23:40:41Z")
Erm, @Chronos, are you answering for the question setter? Should you be doing that? I think that only the question setter should answer guesses. Just my opinion. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/470 "2023-08-13T00:38:14Z")
> [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > Was the weather described as being good or bad for a particular activity? > > **NO**. > > Described as being typical for a season or setting? > > **NO** , at least I don’t think so. > > Was the weather characterized as being good or bad in some way? > > **BAD**. I guess good and bad are subjective, but the father is more right than the daughter. > > Was it described in a way that is not normally used for weather? > > **YES** > [@dirtball](#): > > Was the weather described with an idiomatic expression? > > **NO** , but kind of. It’s not idiomatic expression as I understand what that means, but there is almost a simile or metaphor in it. > > If so, is it one that has fallen out of use among younger people? > > **It is not a common expression and never was.** > > Or one that has gained popularity among younger people? > > **NO** It’s not a common expression and never was. It’s a comparison that the Dad sees one way and the girl sees another. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/471 "2023-08-13T00:38:35Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Should you be doing that? I think that only the question setter should answer guesses. Just my opinion. I did not look over Chronos answers, but I’d go with mine. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2023, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/472 "2023-08-13T15:49:25Z")
Is this a real book? A classic book? One some of us are likely to have read? Would knowing more about the book help to solve the puzzle? Would the confusion be specific to the people in any way? Or would the puzzle be the same if the roles were switched, if it were two female friends in their 40s, etc.? Influenced by their ages? Influenced by their genders? Would knowing more about the people help to solve the puzzle? ---
**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:** [August 13, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/473 "2023-08-13T18:21:57Z")
> [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > Is this a real book? > > YES > > A classic book? One some of us are likely to have read? > > Possibly, but not a certainty. > > Would knowing more about the book help to solve the puzzle? > > If you had it right in front of you, it would help. Not needed, though. > > Would the confusion be specific to the people in any way? Or would the puzzle be the same if the roles were switched, if it were two female friends in their 40s, etc.? > > It wouldn’t work with two people in their 40’s. > > Influenced by their ages? > > Ages, yes. > > Influenced by their genders? > > Nol > > Would knowing more about the people help to solve the puzzle? > > You just need to know he is older and she is younger. If you guys get close enough, I’ll reveal the answer. Not looking for you to quote a book you don’t know is being asked about. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/474 "2023-08-13T23:36:28Z")
I’m about 99.99% sure that I know exactly which book and which line, so I won’t participate, but I did want to say: Nice puzzle! ---
**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:** [August 13, 2023, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/475 "2023-08-13T23:47:56Z")
Is the difference in interpretation due to events or change in culture (like the daughter/granddaughter growing up post 9/11 or in a world where texting was common)? Is it due to some difference that has always been and will always be there between older and younger people (like… idk, aching joints or gray hair) Does it have anything to do with global warming? ---
**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:** [August 14, 2023, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/476 "2023-08-14T00:42:17Z")
> [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > Is the difference in interpretation due to events or change in culture (like the daughter/granddaughter growing up post 9/11 or in a world where texting was common)? > > **NO, not culture.** > > Is it due to some difference that has always been and will always be there between older and younger people (like… idk, aching joints or gray hair) > > **NO** > > Does it have anything to do with global warming? > > **NO** Fair and good questions. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2023, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/477 "2023-08-14T01:00:19Z")
We’re told that “the father thought the setting was a cloudy, overcast day. The daughter thought it was a clear, sunny day.” Could those perceptions have just as easily been reversed for the purposes of our puzzle, with the father thinking it was sunny and the daughter thinking it was cloudy? ---
**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:** [August 14, 2023, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/478 "2023-08-14T01:29:37Z")
**No. Not in my opinion, 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:** [August 14, 2023, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/479 "2023-08-14T12:38:25Z")
I don’t think guessing the exact description from the book is likely, so let’s see if you can all get close enough by figuring out as specific a misunderstanding(or difference in understanding) the father and daughter could have over the setting/weather in a book. They read the same book and both could make a case that their interpretation is correct. If you are interested, the author even clarified later when this situation was presented to him. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2023, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/480 "2023-08-14T14:15:20Z")
You say the book is written in English, but are the father/daughter native speakers of English? Was it a winter day? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=25)