# 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:** 80
**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:** [January 9, 2024, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1581 "2024-01-09T19:16:11Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I asked in the comment section. I deleted my comment until I am home and can sign in to my outside-work login. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2024, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1582 "2024-01-09T19:16:31Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > No I got them both from the podcast and thought they would be fun here. Sorry should have been more transparent! Actually I thought I said in that first one I posted but obviously not. What podcast? The one in the video? ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1583 "2024-01-09T19:21:02Z")
The videos are clips from a podcast called Lateral with Tom Scott > **[Lateral with Tom Scott](https://lateralcast.com/)** > > Comedy panel game podcast about weird questions with wonderful answers, hosted by Tom Scott. It’s a bit niche but there are some good puzzles in there. I feel bad now for not pointing out the source but I thought a couple I heard would be fun for us to work out. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1584 "2024-01-12T03:24:50Z")
This one’s kind of silly and probably too easy but… Why might someone string up a doll in the public bathroom at our local grocery store? ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1585 "2024-01-12T03:28:18Z")
Was it a target to aim at? ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1586 "2024-01-12T03:38:23Z")
reply to Peter\_Morris: Was it a target to aim at? Heh heh. 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:** [January 12, 2024, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1587 "2024-01-12T03:58:50Z")
For clarification, think [this doll](https://bestdollsforkids.com/products/cherub-baby-blue-classic-baby-boy-rag-doll-and-lovey). ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1588 "2024-01-12T04:08:23Z")
Also for clarification, the answer is not anything ugly or threatening. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1589 "2024-01-12T06:00:22Z")
Was this done by a kid? An adult? Multiple adults? Is it for a kid? Does involve a (diaper) changing table? ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1590 "2024-01-12T06:19:24Z")
reply to BigT: Was this done by a kid? An adult? Multiple adults? Is it for a kid? Not sure. Probably a kid, but not for a kid. Not for anyone in particular I don’t think. Does involve a (diaper) changing table? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1591 "2024-01-12T09:58:14Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Does involve a (diaper) changing table? > Yes. This was my thought. Next question is how it is “hung”… Is the doll hung up with string (or ribbon?) Is it affixed to something? Is the doll in a particular position? Is the doll dressed in an unusual way? ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1592 "2024-01-12T12:29:35Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Is the doll hung up with string (or ribbon?) > Is it affixed to something? > Is the doll in a particular position? > Is the doll dressed in an unusual way? The normally-dressed doll is dangling upside down from a ribbon. The ribbon is attached to the doll’s foot on one end and tied to a bar on the underside of the diaper station at the other end. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1593 "2024-01-12T12:32:20Z")
Is it intended for kids to play with? ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1594 "2024-01-12T12:32:55Z")
Is it intended for kids to play with? No. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1595 "2024-01-12T12:35:24Z")
Has it got a note pinned to it? i.e. an arrow with “baby changing” ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1596 "2024-01-12T12:53:36Z")
reply to Fiendish\_Astronaut: Has it got a note pinned to it? i.e. an arrow with “baby changing” No. ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1597 "2024-01-12T12:57:00Z")
Is it intended to add a level of safety? ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1598 "2024-01-12T13:42:15Z")
Is the doll pointing? In fact does the doll act as a sign? Does it act as part of a sign? ---
**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:** [January 12, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1599 "2024-01-12T13:47:39Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Is it intended to add a level of safety? 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:** [January 12, 2024, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/1600 "2024-01-12T13:48:21Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Is the doll pointing? > > In fact does the doll act as a sign? > > Does it act as part of a sign? No to all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=79) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=81)