PF Member : The Cryptic Clue Game

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Discussion Overview

The thread revolves around a game where participants create cryptic clues that hint at the usernames of members from Physics Forums. The discussion includes various clues of differing difficulty levels, guesses from participants, and explanations of the reasoning behind the clues. The scope includes playful engagement with language and usernames, with a focus on creativity and lateral thinking.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant introduces the game and provides an example clue related to the username "Greg," explaining the reasoning behind the clue.
  • Another participant guesses the answer to a clue, suggesting "Evo" for "The first trimester of Darwin's opus," which is later confirmed by the clue creator.
  • Several participants propose their own clues, such as "He's vain, but all messed up," and "He's found in the zoo, by shoeshiners and ice-cream vendors," with varying degrees of difficulty.
  • Some participants express confusion about the game, seeking clarification on the rules and the nature of the clues.
  • Multiple guesses are made for various clues, with some participants confirming correct answers while others remain uncertain or propose alternative interpretations.
  • There are discussions about the difficulty of certain clues, with some participants suggesting that others may find them too easy or too vague.
  • Participants engage in playful banter, expressing frustration at being unable to guess certain clues and discussing the nature of the usernames referenced.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the format of the game and the intent behind the clues, but there is no consensus on the answers to several clues, leading to multiple competing guesses and interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Some clues remain unanswered, and participants express uncertainty about the correctness of their guesses. The discussion includes references to usernames that may not be widely recognized, which could affect participants' ability to solve the clues.

Who May Find This Useful

Members of Physics Forums interested in wordplay, cryptic puzzles, and community engagement may find this thread enjoyable and stimulating.

Gokul43201
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In this game, I (and later, I may nominate others to help me) make up cryptic clues that reveal the usernames of PF members. Other folks guess the names (and provide the reasoning).

Here's an (medium to high difficulty) example :

Standardized test leads a free fall

Answer in white :
<< Greg.

Standardized test = GRE (there aren't too many other possibilities, are there ?)
a free fall = g; association : acceleration due to gravity [/color]

If that sounds too hard/obscure, I'll start off easier. Ready ?

Note : Answers need not be complete usernames (as in the above case)...popular contractions may be used as well.
 
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Okay, here goes...let's start with an easy one :

1. The first trimester of Darwin's opus
 
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Not entirely sure what's going on here, but Evo?
 
brewnog said:
Not entirely sure what's going on here...
For someone who isn't too sure, that's a good start. Care to post an explanation ?
 
Too easy :

2. He's vain, but all messed up
 
Another easy one :

3. He's found in the zoo, by shoeshiners and ice-cream vendors.
 
More easy stuff :

4. Selene Ursalis
 
Ivan - mix the letters

[Edit: #2, not the others ...]
 
Is nobody getting this game ? :cry: :cry: Please say something !

To help clarify, I'll post the solution to #1 (correctly answered by brewnog).

Q1. The first trimester of Darwin's opus

The answer is Evo

"Darwin's opus" refers to the Theory of Evolution. 'Evolution' is a 9-letter word, the first three of which spell Evo.

Did that help ?
 
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  • #10
Nereid said:
Ivan - mix the letters

[Edit: #2, not the others ...]
That's correct !
 
  • #11
Gokul43201 said:
Is nobody getting this game ? :cry: : cry: Please say something !

To help clarify, I'll post the solution to #1 (correctly answered by brewnog).

Q1. The first trimester of Darwin's opus

The answer is Evo

"Darwin's opus" refers to the Theory of Evolution. 'Evolution' is a 9-letter word, the first three of which spell Evo.

Did that help ?
I can do #3, and #4 (duh!), but a green thread would be rather monochromatic, wouldn't it?
 
  • #12
Am I allowed to do one? If so, this is easy for those 'of a certain (PF) age', probably impossible for anyone else: Not a dog day
 
  • #13
Okay, I leave this open for anyone to post clues. Let's keep track of numbers though.

From Nereid :

5. Not a dog day
 
  • #14
6. The start of the year starts him; the rest is us.
 
  • #15
3. zoobyshoe[/color]?

Because he's found in the zoo, by shoeshiners[/color]?
 
  • #16
brewnog said:
3. zoobyshoe[/color]?

Because he's found in the zoo, by shoeshiners[/color]?
Right again, brewnie !
 
  • #17
4. Moonbear[/color]?

Because selene is the Moon goddess, and ursalis is the bear lord![/color]?
 
  • #18
ooh! I'm too stupid to figure this out!
 
  • #19
brewnog said:
4. Moonbear[/color]?

Because selene is the Moon goddess, and ursalis is the bear lord![/color]?
Okay brewn, time for you to take a break, or make up some new clues...I'm off for a while.
 
  • #20
Here's a couple more before I leave :

Easy one :

7. " . . . _ _ _ . . ."

Medium tough :

8. That's right; he's not sinister
 
  • #21
Heyy, you said you were going to make some harder ones!

9. Between 14 - 28 m/s, and the number from a Sheffield 80's band.

Sorry if this is too vague.
 
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  • #22
Gokul43201 said:
6. The start of the year starts him; the rest is us.
Janus...
 
  • #23
10. Tastes like Turkish Delight, really!
 
  • #24
Gokul43201 said:
Here's a couple more before I leave :

Easy one :

7. " . . . _ _ _ . . ."

Medium tough :

8. That's right; he's not sinister
I'm not sure, but do we have members here named SOS or RightHanded? The first clue is morse code for "SOS" and I believe sinister is Latin for "left-handed", plus the clue mentions the word "right".
 
  • #25
Gokul43201 said:
Here's a couple more before I leave :

Easy one :

7. " . . . _ _ _ . . ."

would that be SOS2008, then?
 
  • #26
Okay 6. Janus...January starts the year (abbreviated Jan) and the rest is -us.[/color]

(I'll play more later, there are more clues than I can catch up with at the moment.)

Edit: just noticed there was already a second page! Okay, I definitely don't have time to play this now. Good game...I'll return to this one tonight.
 
  • #27
brewnog said:
10. Tastes like Turkish Delight, really!

A some what subjective clue, my answer would have to be cr@p!
 
  • #28
11. God starts the week from a distance!
 
  • #29
AKG said:
I'm not sure, but do we have members here named <blah> or RightHanded?
Correct on #7. Very close on #8...go back to the Latin.
 
  • #30
brewnog said:
9. Between 14 - 28 m/s, and the number from a Sheffield 80's band.
Trust brewnog to come up with a Def Leppard clue ! C'mon, at least give us an album, eh ?
 

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