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The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:35 pm
by Mrs.Claus
I was sent this on my Facebook and thought it might be fun to try to figure it out. I've done a little bit of looking and there seems to be quite the debate regarding it. Here it is:

I turn polar bears white
and I will make you cry.
I make guys have to pee
and girls comb their hair.
I make celebrities look stupid
and normal people look like celebrities.
I turn pancakes brown
and make your champane bubble.
If you sqeeze me, I'll pop.
If you look at me, you'll pop.
Can you guess the riddle?

97% of Harvard graduates can not figure this riddle out, but 84% of kindergarten students were able to figure this out in 6 minutes or less. Can you guess the correct answer?

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:36 pm
by Noel+
Does anyone know the answer: my guess is TIME 8-)

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:55 pm
by RadioJonD
If I was a kid in kindergarten, I would have to answer no. Heck, I'm an adult and I still have to say no, I can't answer it. Must be something really simple.

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:41 am
by Jodie
The answer is No.

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:18 am
by Merry Sage
I'm thinking air but it doesn't seem to fit.

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:53 pm
by Mrs.Claus
Jodie wrote:The answer is No.


Unless you take a guess then the answer would be Yes ;) LOL

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:51 pm
by Noel+
Ah, but I did chose to answer! Time and Pressure both are responsible for all those items but which item are they looking for? :wink:

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:56 pm
by Mrs.Claus
Noel+ wrote:Ah, but I did chose to answer! Time and Pressure both are responsible for all those items but which item are they looking for? :wink:


Now to ask - would Kindergarten children understand the riddle in regards to Time or Pressure? :snowball:

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:27 am
by Noel+
No. But my theory on this riddle is that while children would say "no" out of boredom or truthfulness, there is an answer an adult could find! :wink: It doesn't say there isn't a right answer -- just that kindergarten children were smart enough to know they couldn't guess the answer to the riddle.

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:10 am
by Merry Sage
Ok, I'll admit it. I don't have the intelligence of a 5 year old. Now whats the answer???!!!!

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:55 pm
by Noel+
There are only 3 things in science that accomplish all items listed: time, light and pressure.

As for the answer: whoever wrote the riddle has to tell me! :lol:

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:43 am
by Jodie
The answer to 'can you guess the riddle' is NO...

Check out 'snopes' this has been going around for ages.

Kids would only look at 'can you guess the riddle' - they would answer NO.

Harvard Grads would try to assess and pick it to pieces - therefore would not get it.

Hope this helps

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:18 am
by Merry Sage
Doh! :smilecc:

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:45 pm
by Jodie
It is interesting though, isn't it.

I don't think there would be any one thing that would make all those things happen, perhaps this is why the harvard grads just could not see how simple it is.

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:02 pm
by Mrs.Claus
There is a poem which some believe this riddle came from. Which gives credence to the "Time" answer. Here it is:

The time has come,
winter is here
and those yellow bears disapear.

The time has past
as man looks back with a sigh
and a tear in his eye.

As time is held
boys cross their legs
but of course the toilet begs

As time marches on
Girls loose their blush
and swap a comb for their brush

As time passes
For those held high
their end is nigh

As time catches up
Everyone is equal
when we get to the final sequel

As time turns
Without it we have flour and water
With it we have breakfast for my daughter

As time revolves
How does one turn water and wine
into something so fine

As time runs out
The more in a minute you try and squeeze
the less you can do with ease.

As time ticks
All the time that has past
man cannot comprehend something so vast.

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:11 am
by Noel+
Thanks Mrs C! :smilecc:

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:34 pm
by Mrs.Claus
FYI - I really don't have an answer to this riddle. Someone said that it was a university study to see how people react. I just think it's fun to try to figure out and to learn what other people think might be the answer. :thumbs:

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:18 pm
by Noel+
It is fun! And the scientist in me likes thinking it through to the possibilities! :reindeersmile:

Re: The World's Hardest Riddle

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2008 2:29 pm
by Auntie Mistletoe
So RJD had the right answer simply by saying "no".


Runs to hide :hide: from RJD.