Brain Teasers
Tom Swifties Return
Language
Language brain teasers are those that involve the English language. You need to think about and manipulate words and letters.Language
A Tom Swifty is a play on words. Tom speaks, and the way he is said to speak is a pun - both meanings are relevant.
e.g. "I love hot dogs", Tom said frankly. "Frank" connects how he spoke and the hot dog! [Frankfurter!]
The Tom Swifty can also use a phrase or homophone.
e.g. "You didn't order enough carpet", said Tom with a cold stare.
"Cold stare" expresses his annoyance and suggests uncarpeted stairs!
Choose one of the listed words or phrases to fill each gap.
** CLUES **
1. "I'm OK...leave me alone...I can swim" said Tom _____.
2. "Eins, zwei, drei, funf", said Tom _____.
3. "We'll never reach our reserve price at this auction", said Tom _____.
4. "Your tuna casserole is yummy", said Tom _____.
5. "I've never been in a car accident", said Tom _____.
** WORD LIST **
boldly, fearlessly, in denial, intently, morbidly, recklessly, strangely, superficially, thankfully, under duress
** YOUR TURN! **
Think of a better Tom Swifty for one of Tom's statements in the teaser, and maybe write it as a comment.
e.g. "I love hot dogs", Tom said frankly. "Frank" connects how he spoke and the hot dog! [Frankfurter!]
The Tom Swifty can also use a phrase or homophone.
e.g. "You didn't order enough carpet", said Tom with a cold stare.
"Cold stare" expresses his annoyance and suggests uncarpeted stairs!
Choose one of the listed words or phrases to fill each gap.
** CLUES **
1. "I'm OK...leave me alone...I can swim" said Tom _____.
2. "Eins, zwei, drei, funf", said Tom _____.
3. "We'll never reach our reserve price at this auction", said Tom _____.
4. "Your tuna casserole is yummy", said Tom _____.
5. "I've never been in a car accident", said Tom _____.
** WORD LIST **
boldly, fearlessly, in denial, intently, morbidly, recklessly, strangely, superficially, thankfully, under duress
** YOUR TURN! **
Think of a better Tom Swifty for one of Tom's statements in the teaser, and maybe write it as a comment.
Answer
1. in denial2. fearlessly
3. morbidly
4. superficially
5. recklessly
If you really need an explanation, scroll down...
Tom Swift was an adventure hero created by American writer Victor Appleton. In the books, many of Tom's remarks were written with an adverb or adverbial phrase. From this style, the term "Tom Swifty" has come to be used for this form of word play.
** EXPLANATIONS **
1. In the Nile (River)
2. Vier is German for 4 ... it was missed out - "vier"lessly
3. More bids needed at the auction
4. SuperFISHally
5. Tom spoke recklessly - that he was "wreck"less
Hide Answer Show Answer
What Next?
View a Similar Brain Teaser...
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
Solve a Puzzle
Comments hidden to avoid spoilers.
Follow Braingle!