2 SQUARED (Round 3)

How to Play:

Each entry lists a pair of identical 2-letter "Scrabble eligible" words surrounded by, preceded by, or ending with blank spaces. Using the clue as a solving aid, fill in the blanks with the appropriate letters to come up with a common word.

Example:

➤ RE ___ RE ___

(Your parents did this to you from an early age)

[Answer: "A" and "D" are the letters to fill in surrounding the 2-letter "Scrabble eligible" word "RE", resulting in the word "REARED".]

Round 3:

➤ ME ___ ___ ___ ME ___ ___

(Fun and games)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ IS ___ ___ ___ ___ IS ___

(Opposite of misanthrope)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ RERE ___ ___ ___ ___

(Tape beforehand)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ DO ___ ___ DO

(Mahi Mahi)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ TI ___ TI ___ ___

(Establishing by proof or evidence)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: 2 SQUARED (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: 2 SQUARED (Round 2)

REVERSE ENGLISH (Round 1)

How to Play:

Each entry lists two clues. The first clue answer is a compound word, and the second clue answer will be a 2-word reversal phrase (or single word) of the compound word.

Example:
 
➤ Sports contest  ⇄   Round object used in a sports contest =

_____________  ⇄   _____________

[The answer to the first clue is the compound word "BALLGAME", and the answer to the second clue is the 2-word reversal phrase, "GAME BALL".]

Round 1:

➤ One's original idea or invention  ⇄   Young person's underdeveloped cerebrum =

_____________  ⇄   _____________


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Type of squash  ⇄   Cashew or almond spread, e.g. =

_____________  ⇄   _____________


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Clue to deciphering a code  ⇄   ALT or CTRL, e.g., for Microsoft application =

_____________  ⇄   _____________

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ Occurring all over the place  ⇄   How outstretched arms or legs might be described:

_____________  ⇄   _____________



⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Parvenu, maybe  ⇄   Entrepreneurial endeavor, initially =

_____________  ⇄   _____________



⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PHRASE PLAYS (Round 1)

How to Play:

Each entry consists of a two-word phrase derived from the first letters of consecutive alphabet characters followed by the same random second letter in each word. As a solving aid, clues are provided to help figure out the two-word phrase.

Example:

➤ AL ___ ___ ___ * BL ___ ___ ___

(You might draw this from an ET)

[The blanks to fill in, in order, are "I", "E", "N", "O", "O", "D", revealing the two-word phrase "ALIEN BLOOD". The rules of the game are followed by using the first two letters of the consecutive alphabet characters - "A" and "B" - followed by the same second letter in each set - "L".]

Round 1:

➤ AR ___ ___ * BR ___ ___

(Child of itinerant careeer soldier)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ BL ___ ___ ___ * CL ___ ___ ___

(Sightless circus employee)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ CR ___ ___ ___ * DR ___ ___ ___

(Insane sot)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ DI ___ ___ ___ ___ * EI ___ ___ ___

(Plunging seaduck)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ FR ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ * GR ___ ___ ___ ___

(Your affable neighborhood food merchant)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

FAMOUS NAMES: FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING (Round 2)

How to Play:

Each entry lists what appears to be a meaningless or silly multiple word phrase that actually disguises a well-known person's name. Solve the clues by figuring out the literal or homophonous synonym of each word (or phrase within the phrase).

Example:

➤ Genuflects Lout = _______ * _______

[The well-known person is "KNEELS BOOR" = NIELS BOHR, whose answer is arrived at by transliterating the two homophonic synonyms of "genuflects" ("KNEELS") and "lout" ("BOOR").]

Round 2:

➤ Small Pellet Monarch = _______ * _______


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ Male Turkey Sail = _______ * _______

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ Horny California Air Force Base = _______ * _______

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ Tumbled Indian Soup = _______ * _______


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Java British Political Party = _______ * _______


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (for your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: FAMOUS NAMES - FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING (Round 1)

4 X 4-ERS (Round 3)

How to Play:

Each correctly solved entry will reveal a well-known person whose first and last names consist of just four letters. A clue listing an appropriate "punny" anagram will help discern the mystery identity of each famous "4 X 4-ER" luminary.

Round 3:

➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ * ___ ___ ___ ___

(All-time hits leader was a gamblin' man as well as a "SEER POET")


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ * ___ ___ ___ ___

(Did his brand of social satire comedy "HARM LOTS" of folks in the process?)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ * ___ ___ ___ ___

(After original Beatles drummer was let go in '62, he "BET STEEP" on his return to the band and his wager eventually paid off)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ * ___ ___ ___ ___

(Comedian known for eccentric behavior and drug addiction sure did like his "KID CANDY" brand of pills)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ * ___ ___ ___ ___

(Author famed for her Gothic fiction was nowhere "NEAR NICE" to her publishers who wanted the lion's share of her literary profits)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: 4 X 4-ERS (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: 4 X 4-ERS (Round 2)

THROWING IN THE VOWEL(S) (Round 2)

How to Play:

Each entry lists a string of 3 or more identical vowels surrounded by blank spaces. Using the clue as a solving aid, figure out each word (or place name).

Example:

➤ ___ ___ EE ___ E ___

(Place to store excess perishables)

[The answer is FREEZER.]

Round 2:


➤ A ___ A ___ A ___ A

(Heart of Dixie)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ I ___ ___ I ___ I

(University of Illinois sports nickname, with "Fighting")


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ OO ___ O ___ ___

(Study of living organisms)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ I ___ ___ I ___ ___ I ___ ___ I

(Birthplace of the blues)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ O ___ OO ___

(Pupal stage protective wrap)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: THROWING IN THE VOWEL(S) (Round 1)

SPOONERIZED MONIKERS IMAGINARY QUOTIENT (IQ) TEST (Round 6)

How to Play:

Fill in the two blanks in each entry to come up with a goofy "Spoonerized Moniker" and its resulting 2-word rhyming phrase. The correct answers will complete a sentence where each set of blanks is a spoonerism of the other.

Example:

➤ PETE ________ works in a slaughterhouse as a ________ PACKER.

 
[The answer to the first blank is "MACKER" (which rhymes with "PACKER"), while the answer to the second blank is "MEAT" (which rhymes with "PETE"). Thus, the answer to the riddle is "PETE MACKER works in a slaughterhouse as a MEAT PACKER."]

Round 6:

➤ BETTY ________ and her querulous husband are always engaged in ________ BICKERING.

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Every morning before work, BLAINE ________ stops by the bakery to pick up coffee and his favorite, cream cheese and ________ BAGELS.

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ CLAUDE ________ works for an insurance firm as a ________ CLAIMS agent.

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ At the cemetery, DAVE ________ spends most of his days with his fellow ________ DIGGERS.

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ The astronomer DWIGHT ________ has a particular interest in a small dense star known as a ________ DWARF.

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (for your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: SPOONERIZED MONIKERS IQ* TEST: * IMAGINARY QUOTIENT* (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: SPOONERIZED MONIKERS IQ* TEST: *IMAGINARY QUOTIENT* (Round 2)

BRAINWRACK!: SPOONERIZED MONIKERS IQ* TEST: *IMAGINARY QUOTIENT* (Round 3)

BRAINWRACK!: SPOONERIZED MONIKERS IQ* TEST: *IMAGINARY QUOTIENT* (Round 4)

BRAINWRACK!: SPOONERIZED MONIKERS IQ* TEST: *IMAGINARY QUOTIENT* (Round 5)

CELEBRITIES EXPOSED (Round 3)

How to Play:

When correctly solved, each entry in this game exposes a celebrity hiding within a common 4-letter word surrounded by blank spaces. Each entry's 4-letter word is derived from the first and last letters of the celebrity's first name and last name.

Example:

➤ B ___ ___ A * L ___ ___ ___ ___ I

(This horror flick icon retired to a tropical island paradise)

[Answer: the common 4-letter word is "BALI"; the letters to fill in are, in order, E, L, U, G, O, & S, thereby exposing the celebrity BELA LUGOSI.]

Round 3:

➤ E ___ ___ ___ S * P ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Y

(C'mon, everyone claims to have seen this dead musical icon)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ L ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ A * S ___ ___ T

(When was the final time you watched her in that super-popular TV series)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ M ___ ___ E * N ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ S

(This famous deceased director wore a size 10 this in shoes)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ A ___ ___ ___ L * A ___ ___ ___ S

(When this famous photographer couldn't capture the perfect shot, he shrugged his shoulders and uttered this expression of grief)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ D ___ ___ ___ A * R ___ ___ ___ E

(This singer / actress began her career on a challenge and this)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: CELEBRITIES EXPOSED (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: CELEBRITIES EXPOSED (Round 2)

UNLIKELY PAIRINGS (Round 1)

How to Play:

Each entry lists a set of initials that are the reverse of one another. In each case, the first set belongs to a well-known female personality, and the second set belongs to a well-known male personality. Based on the given clues, how many unlikely pairs can you unite?

Example:

➤ J L ⚥  L J =

__________ __________ ⚥ __________ __________

(Highest paid actress in the world in 2015 + NBA superstar)

[The answer to the unlikely pairing is JENNIFER LAWRENCE ⚥ LEBRON JAMES.]

Round 1:


➤ DM ⚥  MD =

__________ __________ ⚥ __________ __________

(GI Jane + 65th Governor of Massachusetts)


⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥


➤ PS ⚥  SP =

__________ __________ ⚥  __________ __________

(Author of the memoir "Just Kids" + They called him "Mr. Tibbs")


⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥


➤ AW ⚥  WA =

__________ __________ ⚥ __________ __________

(Author of a book named after a lavender hue + Famed director who was "me-tooed")


⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥


➤ BP ⚥  PB =

__________ __________ ⚥ __________ __________

(Famed 50's pin-up babe + Bond man)


⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥


➤ CS ⚥  SC =

__________ __________ ⚥ __________ __________

(Singer once married to James Taylor + Bond man)


⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥⚥

"NICHOLASNAMES" (Round 2)

How to Play:

Based on the clue, fill in the blank spaces with the appropriate letters. Then substitute a common nickname ("Nicholasname") for the given proper name in the entry to reveal a correct word.

Example:

➤ ___ ___ ___ ROBERT

(Revered African shade tree)

[Answer: The letters to fill in are "B", "A" and "O", resulting in "BAOROBERT". Next, substitute the "Nicholasname" for Robert - "BOB" - and, voila, the answer to the clue is revealed: "BAOBOB".]

Round 2:

➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ JAMES

(You might need this if you get locked out)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ THOMAS ___ ___ ___ ___

(This was once used on scalps)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ARTHUR

(You might require this if your wheels are dead)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ CHESTER

(Carom)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ALFONSO ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

(Forage crop)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: "NICHOLASNAMES" (Round 1)

BIRDBRAINWRACK (Round 3)

How to Play:

Fill in the blanks preceding, surrounding or ending the letters to reveal a bird hidden in the word.

Example:

➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ KY

(Stylishly luxurious)

[The word is "swanky" and the hidden bird is SWAN.]

Round 3:

➤ MA ___ ___ ___ ___ Y

(Hokum)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___ LATE

(Model after)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ TOMA ___ ___ ___ ___

(Native hatchet)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ ABLE

(Naively believing)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ R ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ FUL

(Ruing an action or decision)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: BIRDBRAINWRACK (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: BIRDBRAINWRACK (Round 2)

HIGHFALUTIN CIRCUMLOCUTIONS (Round 4)

How to Play:

Translate the highfalutin circumlocutory language of each entry to distill a common adage, apothegm, aphorism, axiom, maxim, phrase, proverb, saw, or saying.

Example:

➤ It is not necessary to shed lacrimal drops over toppled bovine secretions.

"_____ _____ _____ _____ _____."

(5 word phrase)

[Answer: "Don't cry over spilled milk."]

Round 4:

➤ Each committed to a single person's welfare and at the same time a single person committed to each's welfare.

"_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____."

(7 word phrase)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ Refrain from discharging a weapon until the sclera of the opponent's sight organs are visible.

"_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____."

(10 word phrase)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ Retiring just after the sun goes down, and arising just after the morning crepuscular hour, ensures a masculine person be of sound mind and body, as well as rich and perspicacious.

"_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____."

(13 word phrase)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

 ➤ Provide a hominid being with an ichthyic being and the former entity's alimentary needs may be met for a 24 hour period; notwithstanding, provide instruction to the hominid being on the methods of extracting ichthyic beings from their aqueous habitat with the final result being the hominid entity's alimentary requirements will be met for the duration of his existence.

"_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____."

(24 word phrase)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ The quality of not availing oneself to be present ensures that the symbolic organ of nostalgia and love enlarges to a greater point of affection.

"_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____."

(6 word phrase)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (for your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: HIGHFALUTIN CIRCUMLOCUTIONS (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: HIGHFALUTIN CIRCUMLOCUTIONS (Round 2)

BRAINWRACK!: HIGHFALUTIN CIRCUMLOCUTIONS (Round 3)

4 X 4-ERS (Round 2)

How to Play:

Each correctly solved entry will reveal a well-known person whose first and last names consist of just four letters. A clue listing an appropriate "punny" anagram will help discern the mystery identity of each famous "4 X 4-ER" luminary.

Round 3:

➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ * ___ ___ ___ ___

(TV grandpa wielded a big stick but when it was time for servin' up hot dogs, he used a mighty "WEE GRILL")


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ * ___ ___ ___ ___

(Shoe icon who loved to hear his "MOM CHANT" the mantra of her son's successful business model)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ * ___ ___ ___ ___

(Eccentric, hugely talented singer actress once labeled as "DA GAY GAL")


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ * ___ ___ ___ ___

Mid-1990s super-model caught puffing a joint in church in the scandal that came to be known as the "MASS TOKE")


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ * ___ ___ ___ ___

(Australian actor in "The Castle" liked to pick up women in "A NICE BAR")


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: 4 X 4-ERS (Round 1)

6-DAY WORKWEEK

How to Play:

There are just two rounds of play in this game involving the 3-letter abbreviations of the days of the week. In both Rounds, fill in the blanks at the beginning or in the middle of each entry with the appropriate 3-letter day of the week abbreviation to complete a common word. THEN, at the end of the two rounds, complete the mini-Round 3 that will reveal which day of the week the Creator rested.

Round 1:                                                     

➤ ___ ___ ___ GGERY

➤ ___ ___ ___ URNALIA

➤ ___ ___ ___ STROUS

➤ ___ ___ ___ DING

➤ ___ ___ ___ VOLOUS

➤ ___ ___ ___ DANCE

Round 2:

                                 
➤ S ___ ___ ___ EN


➤ RE ___ ___ ___ ED


➤ DE ___ ___ ___ IC

➤ UN ___ ___ ___ ISFIED

➤ A ___ ___ ___ DER


➤ OU ___ ___ ___ STLE

Day the Creator Rested:

➤ VIR ___ ___ ___

               

➤ STA ___ ___ ___ SQUE

THROWING IN THE VOWEL(S) (Round 1)

How to Play:

Each entry lists a string of 3 or more identical vowels surrounded by blank spaces. Using the clue as a solving aid, figure out each word (or place name).

Example:

➤ ___ ___ EE ___ E ___

(Place to store excess perishables)

[The answer is FREEZER.]

Round 1:


➤ ___ OO ___ OO

(Black magic)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ A ___ A ___ A ___

(Desert "train")


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ E ___ E ___ E ___ ___

(Haunted grounds, perhaps)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ I ___ I ___ I ___ ___

(Placing restrictions on)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ EE ___ E ___

(Disposable tissue)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

EMBEDDED U.S. PRESIDENTS (Round 1)

How to Play:

The objective of this executive stumper is to figure out which U.S. president is embedded in a logical or silly 2-word phrase. Based on each entry's correct answer, the embedded president's identity will be hinted at through the first 2 letters of his first and last name. (Note: presidential middle names are not used.)

Example:

➤ SEWA ___ ___ * ___ ___ STE

(This president figured out what to do with the White House's excess excreta)

= GEORGE WASHINGTON

[Answer: Fill in the blanks with the letters "GE" & "WA" to complete the answer to the clue: "SLUDGE WASTE" - revealing the 2-letter first and last name initials of the embedded president, "GEORGE WASHINGTON".]

Round 1:

➤ BA ___ ___ * ___ ___ ONLIGHT

(This president was enamored of a nearby Mexican state's special lunar glow)

= ____________________

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ DESPERA ___ ___ * ___ ___ ICKS

(This president, criminal through and through, has a bagful of 'em)

= ____________________


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ MEXIC ___ ___ * ___ ___ URNEY

(This president once took a long trip south of the border)

= ____________________

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ REH ___ ___ * ___ ___ CENSE

(This president once applied for a permit to operate a drug recovery center)

= ____________________

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

INITIAL PUBLIC PERSONAE (Round 3)

How to Play:

Each entry lists a made-up organization or association whose acronym is the initials of a well-known person. Who might these initial findings reveal? Clues are given as a solving aid to help expose the initial public personae responsible for the fictionalized concerns.

Example:

➤ Society for Literature and Comedy = ________ ________ ________

(This American humorist would be a good candidate to head up the SLC.)

[The answer is SAMUEL LANGHORNE CLEMENS.]

Round 3:

➤ Department of Healthy Love = ________ ________ ________

(This roamer, dreamer and erotic writer became a charter member of the DHL.)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Humanist Language Movement = ________ ________ ________

(This early 20th century irascible writer and cultural critic wrote a treatise on the HLM.)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Union Support Group = ________ ________ ________

(To counter the REL (Rebel Elders League), this battlefield strategist but poorly performing chief executive founded the USG.)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Consortium of Storytellers in Literature = ________ ________ ________

(This Oxford and Cambridge academic parlayed his successful stories into the worldwide CSL.)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Religion of Worldly Empathy = ________ ________ ________

(Transcendentalist who loved humanity so much he founded the RWE.)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: INITIAL PUBLIC PERSONAE (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: INITIAL PUBLIC PERSONAE (Round 2)

3-STRING CIRCUS (Round 3)

How to Play:

Each entry contains a string of 3 consecutive letters of the alphabet surrounded by blank spaces. Based on the given clue, fill in the blank spaces with appropriate letters to come up with a common word.

Example:

➤ L ___ M ___ N

(Crappy car, perhaps)

[The blank letters to fill in surrounding the consecutive 3-string "L-M-N" are "E" and "O" , revealing the word "LEMON".]

Round 3:

➤ ___ L ___ M ___ ___ N ___

(Scaling)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ M ___ NO ___ ___ ___ ___

(Humdrum routine)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ NO ___ P ___ ___ ___

(Winter road clearer)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤  OP ___ Q ___ ___

(Nontransparent)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Q __ __ R __ S

(Personal peculiarities)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: 3-STRING CIRCUS (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: 3-STRING CIRCUS (Round 2)

3 X 3-ERS (Round 2)

How to Play:

Each entry, when correctly filled in, will reveal the name of a well-known person whose first and last names are comprised of just three letters. Solve the anagram clues to reveal the identities of the mystery "3 X 3-ers".

Round 2:

➤ ___ ___ ___  * ___ ___ ___

(To Plop)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___  * ___ ___ ___

(To Laze)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___  * ___ ___ ___

(Of Meds)

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___  * ___ ___ ___

(Kill 'im)



⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___  * ___ ___ ___

(Mom Tix)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: 3 X 3-ERS (Round 1)

"PHIL" IN THE BLANK (Round 4)

How to Play:

Each entry requires you to "PHIL" in the blank with a male or female first name. Clues are given as a solving aid to reveal a name subsumed into the word.

Example:

➤ This person has a macabre fascination with death:

NECRO __________ IA

[The person's name is “PHIL” and the word is “NECROPHILIA”.]

Round 4:

➤ This person is steps ahead of everyone else:

AD __________ D


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ This person is always self-assured he's right:

CON __________ D


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ This person is suffering from Montezuma's Revenge:

DIAR __________


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ This person is a Chief Executive:

GO __________ OR


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ This person knows how to hold an advantage over someone:

LE __________ GE


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: "PHIL" IN THE BLANK (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: "PHIL" IN THE BLANK (Round 2)

BRAINWRACK!: "PHIL" IN THE BLANK (Round 3)

MISSING PERSONS CASES (Round 4)

How to play:

Using the clues and connector word as a solving aid, fill in the blanks in each entry to reveal the identity of a well-known "missing person". 

Example:

➤ Cool jazz cat on even KEEL:

 ___ ___ KEEL ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

[Answer: the missing person is “DuKEELlington".]

Round 4:

➤ Father of nuclear physics was always on the search for ultimate TRUTH:

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ TRUTH ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Heliocentric astronomer who grasped the big-picture SCOPE of the solar system:

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ SCOPE ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ "Mission Impossible" regular who preferred to live INLAND rather than on the coast:

___ ___ ___ ___ INLAND ___ ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ Memorable American lyricist who was a ranter and RAGER at times:

___ RAGER ___ ___ ___ ___ ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ It took A WHILE to come up with this NBA star who fits into the game pattern:

___ AWHILE ___ ___ ___ ___ ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: MISSING PERSON CASES (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: MISSING PERSON CASES (Round 2)

BRAINWRACK!: MISSING PERSON CASES (Round 3)

CITY CONNECTIONS (Round 1)

How to Play:

Each entry lists a common word that bridges the gap between two cities of the world. See how many connections you can make.

Example:

➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ DAMSEL ___ ___

[Answer: the word "DAMSEL" connects the two cities "AMSTERDAM" and "SELMA".]

Round 1:

➤ ___ ___ ___ VERMIN ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ ___ ___ STONY ___ ___ ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ NOISE ___ ___ ___ ___ ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ RAGEQUIT ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ ___ ___ LANKY ___ ___ ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

+/- FACTOR (Round 4)

How to Play:

Each entry comes with a +/- clue and a missing +/- letter in parentheses at the beginning or ending of the series of blank spaces. Using the +/- clue as a solving aid, fill in the blanks and the missing +/- letter will reveal either a longer / shorter common word, or a longer / shorter well-known person's last name.

Example: (common words)

➤ Legal +/- Terrible =

( ___ ) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

[The missing +/- letter is "L"; the answer to the clue is “(L)AWFUL", with “LAWFUL” being the + answer to the clue “Legal”, and “AWFUL” being the - answer to the clue “Terrible”.]

Example: (well-known person's last name)

➤ New York Times Crossword Puzzle Editor +/- "Small" comedian =

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ( ___ ) 

[The missing +/- letter is "Z"; the answer to the clue is “SHORT(Z)”, with “SHORTZ" being the + answer to the clue “New York Times Crossword Puzzle Editor” (Will Shortz), and “SHORT” being the - answer to the clue "'Small' Comedian” (Martin Short).]

Round 4:

Common Words:

➤ Raise a sensitive topic +/- Joint butt =

( ___ ) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ What you might do to a paper bag +/- Give a disheveled appearance to =

( ___ ) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

➤ Not straight +/- Swindled =

( ___ ) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


Well-known Persons:

➤ He once said, "I am acid" +/- He once said, "I am the greatest" =

( ___ ) ___ ___ ___


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ American actor whose real Name was Jerome Silberman +/- He once said, "I can resist everything except temptation" =

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ( ___ )


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛

PAST ROUNDS (For your solving pleasure!):

BRAINWRACK!: + / - FACTOR (Round 1)

BRAINWRACK!: + / - FACTOR (Round 2)

BRAINWRACK!: + / - FACTOR (Round 3)

DIPLOMATIC COUNTRY MERGERS (Round 1)

How to Play:

The answer to each entry is a common 6-letter word derived from combining the first 3 letters of two different countries. As this puzzle's foreign ambassador, how many diplomatic country mergers can you negotiate?

Example:

➤ All of a ________, these two countries finally signed a peace compact.

(The two countries are ________ & ________.)

[The answer is "SUDDEN", derived from Sudan and Denmark.]

Round 1:

➤ You can ________ like little lambs in the ample pasturage of these two countries.

(The two countries are ________ & ________.)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ These two countries held a summit in the Italian seaport resort of ________.

(The two countries are ________ & ________.)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ No pointing the ________ at one another in citing blame for the animosity expressed between these two countries.

(The two countries are ________ & ________.)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ When traveling in these two countries, visitors are required to also wear a ________, normally reserved for Sikhs only in said countries.

(The two countries are ________ & ________.)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛


➤ It's good to hear that relations between these two countries are finally returning to ________ after years of turmoil.

(The two countries are ________ & ________.)


⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛