# The describe y in x number of words challenge. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 16, 2003, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189 "2003-06-16T11:54:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/1 "2003-06-16T11:54:22Z")
It goes like this - describe something in a certain number of words(e.g. explain how to make toast in exactly 52 words, or why is the matrix the best film ever in 4 words), then set the next challenge. You have to be coherent as possible. If someone says “describe the colour of an apple in seven million words” feel free to decline their challenge. I’ll submit the first challenge - explain how to make toast in exactly 52 words… ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/2 "2003-06-16T11:59:01Z")
Take a slice of bread. The slice needs to be heated to an extreme degree for a limited amount of time. This results in the outer surfaces of the bread becoming crisped and brown. When it is brown and crisped on both sides, it has metamorphosed into a substance known as “toast”. Review the Matrix Reloaded in eight words. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/3 "2003-06-16T12:14:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > \*\*Review the Matrix Reloaded in eight words. \*\* Don’t believe the hype – it blows big chunks. Describe current US foreign policy in 13 words. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/4 "2003-06-16T12:26:48Z")
**Do believe the hype – or we will blow big chunks out of you.** Describe the difference between capitalism and communism in 37 words. ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/5 "2003-06-16T12:26:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Describe current US foreign policy in 13 words. Suck it up, Middle East - we own you. Everyone else: you are next. Okay. Describe how the “manufactured pop band” trend will end in 40 words. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/6 "2003-06-16T12:29:01Z")
Howdy! We are here to liberate your oppressed people! (Ohh, is that oil?) Describe how to buy a cat in 14 words. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/7 "2003-06-16T13:34:28Z")
(Dang, in order to play, I’d have to pick the best “foreign policy” simulpost – which is impossible, they’re all excellent. I’ll have to hang out and wait until the direction of the thread becomes clearer.) ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/8 "2003-06-16T13:39:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Slacker \* > \*\*Describe how to buy a cat in 14 words. \*\* Don’t buy from breeders. See which shelters have cats for adoption. Then, neuter them! Tell us and decribe the worst show on TV in 17 words. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/9 "2003-06-16T13:51:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > \*\*Describe the difference between capitalism and communism in 37 words. \*\* Under capitalism, the free market redistributes the wealth according to supply and demand and one’s business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. Under communism, the state redistributes the wealth according to perceived need. Either way, you’re pretty much screwed. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hamadryad \* > \*\*Okay. Describe how the “manufactured pop band” trend will end in 40 words. \*\* Eventually it will be revealed that the performers we’ve seen on TV are all neutered clones and all the actual singing has been done by one short, ugly person in a backroom studio somewhere using a lot of vocal alteration. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/10 "2003-06-16T14:05:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jr8 \* > \*\*Describe current US foreign policy in 13 words. \*\* _Delenda est Mesopotamia_ - I mean _Syria_ - I mean _Persia_ - or whoever is next. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/11 "2003-06-16T14:28:53Z")
Do I win some sort of prize for having one question answered the most times? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mouthbreather \* > \*\*Tell us and describe the worst show on TV in 17 words. \*\* _I’m a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here_ - Fame junkies are (unfortunately) rescued from the Australian jungle. Describe your favorite conspiracy theory in five words. ---
**Author:** ![Latch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f475e1/32.png) [@Latch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latch)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/12 "2003-06-16T14:33:04Z")
There was a second gunman. Describe your favourite food (without saying what it is) in 10 words. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/13 "2003-06-16T14:37:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jr8 \* > \*\*Do I win some sort of prize for having one question answered the most times? _I’m a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here_ - Fame junkies are (unfortunately) rescued from the Australian jungle. > Describe your favorite conspiracy theory in five words. \*\* **Kennedy: alive in Area 51.** ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/14 "2003-06-16T14:56:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Latch \* > \*\*Describe your favourite food (without saying what it is) in 10 words. \*\* Tasty seafood in arachnid form - great with butter and lemon. Explain the importance of hygeine in 13 words. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/15 "2003-06-16T15:10:03Z")
> [@](#): > > Explain the importance of hygeine in 13 words. You’ll never, ever get laid if you smell like a goat – trust me. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/16 "2003-06-16T15:12:37Z")
Oops, forgot the challenge. Explain the extinction of the dinosaurs in 37 words. ---
**Author:** ![criminalcatalog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@criminalcatalog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/criminalcatalog)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/17 "2003-06-16T15:15:40Z")
uh… NEXT?? ---
**Author:** ![criminalcatalog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@criminalcatalog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/criminalcatalog)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/18 "2003-06-16T15:19:46Z")
Who really knows how the dinosaur age ended? Was is a giant comet? Starvation?? Maybe we should invent time-travel someday so that we can go back and see first-hand - the only way to be sure. How do you bake German Chocolate Cake? Explain in 14 words. ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/19 "2003-06-16T15:29:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by criminalcatalog \* > \*\*Who really knows how the dinosaur age ended? Was is a giant comet? Starvation?? Maybe we should invent time-travel someday so that we can go back and see first-hand - the only way to be sure. > > How do you bake German Chocolate Cake? Explain in 14 words. \*\* I buy a box of German Chocolate Cake mix. Also frosting. Prepare as directed. Why do mosquitos exist? Justify these vampiric beasts in 23 words. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189/20 "2003-06-16T15:34:42Z")
As a vector for the organism which causes malaria. Also to bite the hell out of unsuspecting tourists to hot countries. Explain the origin of the universe in 12 words. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-describe-y-in-x-number-of-words-challenge/182189.md?page=2)