Thursday, June 16, 2011

Off-Day Puzzle #4: The Limericks

Happy Puzzle Day! Here's today's edition:

The strangest man I'd ever meet,
Once dropped $62,141 on the street,
     As I stooped to retrieve em,
     He said "nah, just leave 'em"
"I feel as though I'd be a cheat!"

The strangest man I'd ever meet,
Once dropped $49,202 on the street,
     As I stooped to retrieve em,
     He said "nah, just leave 'em"
"Someone will find it a treat!"

The strangest man I'd ever meet,
Once dropped $57,162 on the street,
     As I stooped to retrieve em,
     He said "nah, just leave 'em"
"Cash these days is obsolete!"

The strangest man I'd ever meet,
Once dropped $97,743 on the street,
     As I stooped to retrieve em,
     He said "nah, just leave 'em"
"But don't ask me for a receipt!"

The strangest man I'd ever meet,
Once dropped $51,918 on the street,
     As I stooped to retrieve em,
     He said "nah, just leave 'em"
"I got an ample balance sheet!"

The strangest man I'd ever meet,
Once dropped $42,936 on the street,
     As I stooped to retrieve em,
     He said "nah, just leave 'em"
"afa adfe dad vaeab kea x eszlw jseq!"

_____________________________________________________

The strangest man I'd ever meet,
Once dropped $361,102 on the street,
     As I stooped to retrieve em,
     He said "nah, just leave 'em"
"The answer is -----------!"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hint (12:27pm PT): A=0, Z=25. Plus, there was no significance to the missing letters in the title - I've corrected it.

Hint #2 (1:19pm PT): Note the dollar figures in the first 6 limericks add up to the dollar figure in the last limerick, which is offset from the other limericks with a horizontal line.

Hint #3 (1:20pm PT): Think base 26.

Hint #4 (2:00pm PT): It's basically an addition problem with only the bolded parts included (and to avoid confusion, I've unbolded the exclamation points at the end of each line).

Puzzle Rules: The solution to the puzzle is a fairly recent Dodger. Comment freely in the thread, but if you have the solution, please don't give it away to everyone in the comments section. Instead, do the following:

  • Email us the first and last name of the players, along with your reasoning. Submitted answers without the reasoning, or those submitted with the incorrect reasoning, will count for participation only, even if the answer itself is correct. And please include your screen name somewhere in the email; and
  • Post a comment simply saying you have emailed your solution attempt. We may not be able to reply to your original email promptly, so please be patient and check back on the comment thread for the latest news; we may confirm correct answers there.

You have until midnight PT tonight to submit your answer. Answer will be posted tomorrow morning. Good luck!

Not familiar with SoSG's off-day puzzle competition? Read up here. And join the fun!

32 comments:

Nostradamus said...

Got nothing so far. Not without ideas, just results.

Kyle Baker said...

42!

QuadSevens said...

When are the humping bears coming back? At least then I'd have some entertainment while not being able to solve the puzzle.

ubragg said...

I'm stuck, too...

Kyle Baker said...

(taps dances for Q7's entertainment)

QuadSevens said...

Thanks Dusty. I feel better now.

QuadSevens said...

Until I can solve this thing, it'll be more fun to finish the limerick with frustration.

The strangest man I'd ever meet,
Oce dropped $361,102 on the street,
As I stooped to retrieve em,
He said "nah, just leave 'em"
"The answer is fuck it, I'm beat!"

Nostradamus said...

*patently wallowing in my own ignorance until a hint is forthcoming*

Dusto_Magnifico said...

+1 on the hint... couldn't really get anywhere.

Eric Karros said...

Will post hint shortly...

Josh S. said...

Ha! You guys are all stuck!





Uh, so am I.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

guess sent.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Try youtubing 361102... pretty funny at least.

Eric Karros said...

Sorry folks, I've been in meetings all day. Hint posted.

Eric Karros said...

will get to emails soon very shortly

ubragg said...

Answer sent! Hint #3 did the trick.

Eric Karros said...

Yes! Congrats:

1. UBragg

Eric Karros said...

Steve S I replied to your email, you are very very close...

Eric Karros said...

^I meant Steve K...

Todd Etter said...

answer submitted...

Eric Karros said...

Newcomer BCCSweet is in with the 2nd correct answer!

1. UBragg
2. BCCSweet

Jason said...

Answer sent.

Eric Karros said...

Correct answers are starting to roll, or at least trickle, in. Latest congrats to Jason:

1. UBragg
2. BCCSweet
3. Jason

Steve K said...

Answer in!

Kyle Baker said...

" It's basically an addition problem"

(cries)

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Ive added it up 3 different way 3 different times each and it still doesn't make sense.

Greg Finley said...

Sent!

Eric Karros said...

One more correct answer!:

1. UBragg
2. BCCSweet
3. Jason
4. Steve K

Greg, I sent you a follow-up email...

Nostradamus said...

Answer sent.

Eric Karros said...

Mr C in!:

1. UBragg
2. BCCSweet
3. Jason
4. Steve K
5. Mr C

Steve Dittmore said...

Completely forgot today was off day... Not that there is much reason to perk up for game days lately. Going for participation points here Sons.

spank said...

P.Ditty is my Homeboy!

Owwwww!!!!!!