A simple language puzzle from Riddles and Conundrums, 1924, by Paul William Kearney, who reminds us that word puzzles “are very popular at parties.”
- What ant is joyful? Jubilant.
- What ant is proud? Arrogant.
- What ant is youngest? Infant.
You get it. Now it’s your turn. I had fun with these (in no small part to them being so accessible). Here are ten I liked. Numbers 1 and 9 I did not know (nor even have a good guess). Maybe you will.
- What ant is oldest?
- …is learned?
- …is well-informed?
- …is trustworthy?
- …is proud?
- …is angry?
- …gossips?
- …is a beggar?
- …is adventurous?
- …gives orders?
- And one from me: What ant walks?
He lists many more, such as -age, -city, pat-, and the tired eggs-. Paul’s pervasive enthusiasm for games and puzzles I found grating, and his list of eggs- puns nearly did me in.
Answers.
adamant, savant, conversant, confidant, arrogant, indignant, informant, mendicant, errant, commandant, ambulant.