Quip-Find Blog

Photo:  Stephen Driscoll/Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis

Last Thursday the Pope addressed new ambassadors to the Vatican and lectured them about fairness in the world economy.  The gist of his revolutionary message is contained in this puzzle.

Photo: jazz.com

Woodrow Charles “Woody” Herman (1913-1987)

Today would have been the 100th birthday of the jazz musician, singer and band leader.  To mark the occasion, we offer this two-diagram puzzle; the answer is something that Herman said about his vocation.  (The band leader’s last name can also be found in the second diagram.)

Diagram A:

Diagram B:

Illustration: en.wikipedia.org

Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson (1824-1863)

One of the best-known Confederate generals, Jackson died 150 years ago today from gunshot wounds inflicted eight days earlier by his own troops during nighttime confusion following the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia.  The answer to the following two-diagram puzzle is his last words, as recorded by his physician.

Diagram A:

Diagram B:

Dr. Benjamin Spock (1903-1998)

The famous pediatrician and author of Baby and Child Care was born 110 years ago today.  The answer to this two-diagram puzzle is advice he gave about human potential.

Diagram A:

Diagram B:

Photo:  english.illinois.edu

Robert Penn Warren (1905-1989)

The answer to this two-diagram puzzle is something the American poet, novelist and literary critic said about good fortune.  Warren was born 108 years ago today.

Diagram A:

Diagram B:

Photo:  Drew Angerer/EPA

 The following two-diagram puzzle features something that Mark Barden, the man shown speaking above, said during a Rose Garden press conference about a legislative development yesterday.  (1) + (2) is what he said; (3) is where he is from.

Diagram A:

Diagram B:

Today’s puzzle features something a famous attorney (pictured above) said; (1) is what he said and (2) is his name.  He was born 156 years ago today.

Illustration: www.biography.com

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Today is Thomas Jefferson’s 270th birthday.  This puzzle contains something he said about the essentials of life.  (Take a moment to toast him on his birthday!)

(Note:  This puzzle involves one “wraparound” or “hidden adjacency”:  A is adjacent to N, even though it does not appear to be.)

Photo: www.doctormacro.com

Bette Davis (1908-1989)

Bette Davis, star of film, television and theater, offers a bit of philosophy in the puzzle below.  Tomorrow, April 5, would have been her 105th birthday.

Tennessee Williams (1911-1983)

Today, March 26, would have been the 102nd birthday of the American playwright.  The quip hidden in the following puzzle is something he said about good fortune.