The World's Hardest Riddle

[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?

[Noel+]

Does anyone know the answer: my guess is TIME

[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.

[Jodie]

The answer is No.

[Merry Sage]

I'm thinking air but it doesn't seem to fit.

[Mrs.Claus]

The answer is No.

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

[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?

[Mrs.Claus]

Ah, but I did chose to answer! Time and Pressure both are responsible for all those items but which item are they looking for?

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

[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! 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.

[Merry Sage]

Ok, I'll admit it. I don't have the intelligence of a 5 year old. Now whats the answer???!!!!

[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!

[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

[Merry Sage]

Doh!

[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.

[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.

[Noel+]

Thanks Mrs C!

[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.

[Noel+]

It is fun! And the scientist in me likes thinking it through to the possibilities!

[Auntie Mistletoe]

So RJD had the right answer simply by saying "no".


Runs to hide from RJD.