Lifestyle

Sunday Puzzle: Roman numeral 9

Published

2 months ago

October 12, 2025

On-air challenge

Today’s theme is the Roman numeral 9. Every answer is a word, name, or phrase ending in the letters -IX. (Ex. Religious cross –> CRUCIFIX)

1. Something added at the start of a word to make a new word

2. Largest city in Arizona

3. Popular streaming service

4. Number of letters in the alphabet

5. The composer Mendelssohn’s first name

6. Keanu Reeves film with three sequels

7. Shape of a DNA molecule

8. 1960s-’70s TV detective series starring Mike Connors

9. Snack consisting of granola, dried fruit, and nuts

10. “Purple Haze” guitarist

11. Longtime queen of the Netherlands

12. Throw away

13. Fancy synonym for “long-winded”

14. Something added on at the end of a book

Last week’s challenge

Last week’s challenge came from Mike Reiss, who’s a showrunner, writer, and producer for “The Simpsons.” Think of a famous singer. Replace the last three letters of the first name with an E. Also replace the last three letters of the last name with an E. The result will be a world-famous location. What singer is this?

Challenge answer

Whitney Houston, White House

Winner

Dan Dabrowski of Alexandria, Virginia.

This week’s challenge

This week’s challenge comes from Joel Moorhead, of Downers Grove, Ill. Think of a word that means exceptionally good. Add two letters at the end of to make a word that means the exact opposite. What words are these?

If you know the answer to the challenge, submit it below by Thursday, October 16 at 3 p.m. ET. Listeners whose answers are selected win a chance to play the on-air puzzle.

Lifestyle

Here are the 2026 Golden Globe nominations

Published

7 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Press Room

Here are the 2026 Golden Globe nominations : NPR

Here are the 2026 Golden Globe nominations Marlon Wayans and Skye P. Marshall presented the nominees for the 83rd Golden Globes this morning. The awards ceremony will be held on Jan. 11, hosted by Nikki Glaser.

December 8, 20258:12 AM ET

YouTube

Marlon Wayans and Skye P. Marshall presented the nominees for the 83rd Golden Globes this morning. You can watch the announcement above.

The Golden Globes awards ceremony will be held on Jan. 11, hosted by Nikki Glaser.

Brittany Snow as Nina Jarvis and Claire Danes as Aggie Wiggs in The Beast in Me.

Lifestyle

What Should a 21st Century Mechanical Watch Look Like?

Published

8 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Press Room

What Should a 21st Century Mechanical Watch Look Like?

Perhaps more like a screen. A decade after Apple Watch, industrial design legend Marc Newson returns to watchmaking to partner with Ressence, the Belgian startup known for its dome-like crystal designs. Newson aims to challenge a watchmaking industry that’s become obsessed with technical innovation at the expense of design.

Lifestyle

Sunday Puzzle: Swapped first and last letters

Published

19 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

On-air challenge

I’m going to give give you clues for two words. Switch the first and last letters of the answer to the first clue to get the answer to the second. (Ex. Nutmeg or ginger / Long, heroic poems –> SPICE & EPICS)

1. Make a grand speech / Muse of love poetry
2. What a skull and crossbones signifies / Wandered around

3. Words to a song / Saint for whom the Russian alphabet is named

4. Yell / Amounts equal to ten $100 bills

5. Assignments for delivery drivers / Former Supreme Court Justice David ______

6. Small bag with a shoulder strap / Some gate fasteners

Last week’s challenge

Last week’s challenge came from Al Gori, of Cozy Lake, N.J. Name a place where games are played. Move the last two letters to the beginning. Change the new last letter to an “H.” The result, sadly, is what you might have when you leave this place.

Challenge answer

Casino, no cash

Winner

Mike Rombach of Pleasanton, California.

This week’s challenge

This week’s challenge comes from Mike Reiss, who’s a showrunner, writer, and producer for “The Simpsons.” Think of a famous living singer. The last two letters of his first name and the first two letters of his last name spell a bird. Change the first letter of the singer’s first name. Then the first three letters of that first name and the last five letters of his last name together spell another bird. What singer is this?

If you know the answer to the challenge, submit it below by Thursday, December 11 at 3 p.m. ET. Listeners whose answers are selected win a chance to play the on-air puzzle.