# 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:** 61
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1201 "2023-09-20T15:12:23Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > Did the attack fail because the crew of the target ship destroyed the paper so it wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands? > Did the paper have something legal printed on it that convinced the pirates that it would be in their best interests to abort the attack? No to all. ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1202 "2023-09-20T15:34:15Z")
Does level of technology apply? Did the way paper was packaged have an effect? Does weight figure into it? Is it three-hole punched paper that pirates can more easily carry on their hooks? ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1203 "2023-09-20T15:53:36Z")
reply to Knowed\_Out: Does level of technology apply? No Did the way paper was packaged have an effect? No Does weight figure into it? No Is it three-hole punched paper that pirates can more easily carry on their hooks? No. Har Har Arrrr! ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1204 "2023-09-20T16:08:36Z")
Are they literal pirates, in the sense of hijacking ships and cargoes? Or are they other types of pirate, e.g. illicit radio broadcasters, or people that make copies of copyrighted material? ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1205 "2023-09-20T16:18:08Z")
reply to Peter\_Morris: Are they literal pirates, in the sense of hijacking ships and cargoes? Or are they other types of pirate, e.g. illicit radio broadcasters, or people that make copies of copyrighted material? Regular old “Arrrh” ship-robbing pirates. One can conjure up hooks, parrots, skull and bones flag etc. Though that is just mostly my imagining of the tale. I think the pirate flag is the only detail I can verify from the transcript of the story. Just imagine your typical Blackbeardesque fellows and I think you get the gist of it. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2023, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1206 "2023-09-20T16:51:54Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > > Is the paper something we’re used to thinking of as paper, as in thin sheets of paper suitable for writing things on; or is it some other sort of thing that’s made out of paper? > > No, neither. How can it be neither? You’re saying that it’s neither sheets of paper suitable for writing on, nor any other form of paper. I don’t see how that’s possible. ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1207 "2023-09-20T17:01:25Z")
reply to thorny\_locust: How can it be neither? You’re saying that it’s neither sheets of paper suitable for writing on, nor any other form of paper. I don’t see how that’s possible. And therein lies a part of the mystery. But I will give you a hint. I am betting you are quite aware of this story, as it is not obscure. Once you get the answer, you will surely understand what about this paper could deter pirates in the past, but alas not anymore. ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1208 "2023-09-20T17:04:25Z")
Is this from a creative work? A song? A poem? A TV show? a movie? a story? a videogame? ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1209 "2023-09-20T17:07:29Z")
It’s Little Jackie Paper, from Puff the Magic Dragon. ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1210 "2023-09-20T17:11:24Z")
You got it Rebo! Puff’s roar causes the pirates to retreat in the song/poem. But now Jackie Paper is grown and sadly lost the protection of a mighty dragon and its roar. He’d be likely to lose to the pirates today. Good lateral thinking! I thought this might take longer! ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1211 "2023-09-20T17:14:29Z")
Something about the word “alas” in your last hint made it come to me. Good puzzle! ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1212 "2023-09-20T17:39:45Z")
**At the bottom of a large hill, more than 50 cars are involved in an accident. Some of the cars are overturned and others are resting on top of other cars. The pile-up even includes a few military vehicles and a fire truck! What happened to cause this big accident, and why isn’t it all over the news?** ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1213 "2023-09-20T17:41:40Z")
Has the world ended? ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1214 "2023-09-20T17:43:08Z")
Are they toys? ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1215 "2023-09-20T17:46:41Z")
Is this based on a true story? Were any people killed? Seriously injured? Does it matter what kind of military vehicle, e.g., tank, truck, helicopter? Were any of the vehicles positioned there on purpose? ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1216 "2023-09-20T17:54:46Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Has the world ended? **No.** > [@Ana\_Byrd](#): > > Are they toys? **Yes**. > [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Is this based on a true story? > > **No.** > > Were any people killed? Seriously injured? > > **No.** > > Does it matter what kind of military vehicle, e.g., tank, truck, helicopter? > > **No.** > > Were any of the vehicles positioned there on purpose? > > **I don’t think so.** ---
**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:** [September 20, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1217 "2023-09-20T18:16:45Z")
> [@Rebo](#): > > > [@Ana\_Byrd](#): > > > > Are they toys? > > **Yes**. Did this happen in Calvin & Hobbes? ---
**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:** [September 21, 2023, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1218 "2023-09-21T11:32:24Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Did this happen in Calvin & Hobbes? **Not that I know of.** The solution is fairly simple and general. Not in a specific place. ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1219 "2023-09-21T12:08:44Z")
It’s the large hill a section of track designed for toy car racing? ---
**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:** [September 21, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1220 "2023-09-21T14:31:19Z")
**No.** I think I picked too simple a puzzle. It’s just a child playing with toy cars outside on a small hill. Y’all pretty much solved it anyway. Next! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=60) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=62)