© 2025 Public Radio Tulsa
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 631-2577

A listener-supported service of The University of Tulsa
classical 88.7 | public radio 89.5
KWGS Public Radio Tulsa
Here and Now
KWGS Public Radio Tulsa
Here and Now
Next Up: 3:00 PM Fresh Air
0:00
0:00
Here and Now
KWGS Public Radio Tulsa
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Sunday Puzzle: Compound word sets

Sunday Puzzle
NPR
Sunday Puzzle

On-air challenge: You'll get three words starting with the letters C, P, and R (as in the life-saving technique). For each set, give a fourth word that can follow to complete compound words or familiar two-word phrases.

Example: Chain, Priority, Registered --> MAIL (chain mail, priority mail, registered mail)

1. Cable     Patrol     Race

2. Cash     Piano     Roll

3. Cannon     Paint     Racquet

4. Changing     Powder     Rest

5. Card     Periodic     Round

6. Coast     Prison     Rear

7. Cashier's     Pay     Reality

Last week's challenge: It comes from Jim Vespe, of Mamaroneck, N.Y. Name a famous sports figure of the past. Change the third and fourth letters of the first name to a D, and you'll have the nickname of another famous American of the past. Who are these two people?

Challenge answer: Larry Bird -->  Lady Bird (Johnson)

Winner: Seth Bowling of Long Beach, Calif.

This week's challenge: This week's challenge comes from Chad Graham of Philadelphia. Think of two classic music artists with multiple top 40 hits. Their first names are near-synonyms. And their last names are both game pieces. Who are they?

Submit Your Answer

If you know the answer to the challenge, submit it here by Thursday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. ET. Listeners whose answers are selected win a chance to play the on-air puzzle. Important: include a phone number where we can reach you.

Copyright 2025 NPR

Will Shortz
NPR's Puzzlemaster Will Shortz has appeared on Weekend Edition Sunday since the program's start in 1987. He's also the crossword editor of The New York Times, the former editor of Games magazine, and the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (since 1978).