Word Games

[Boatbuilder]

No, nothing like that Daisy.

[Domino]

Could it be Kentucky - the only state that doesn't feature in the Perry Como song 'Delaware'? If I remember correctly, all the others do.

Dave

[Boatbuilder]

That's exactly right, Dave. Well spotted.

Oh what did Del-a-ware boy, what did Delaware
What did Del-a-ware boy, what did Delaware
She wore a brand New Jersey,
She wore a brand New Jersey,
She wore a brand New Jersey,
That's what she did wear
One, two, three, four
Oh, why did Cali-fon-ia
Why did Cali-fon
Why did Cali-fon-ia
Was she all alone
She called to say Ha-wa-ya
She called to say Ha-wa-ya
She called to say Ha-wa-ya
That's why she did call
Uno, due, tre, quattro
Oh what did Missi sip boy
What did Missi sip
What did Missi sip boy
Through her pretty lips
She sipped a Minne sota
She sipped a Minne sota
She sipped a Minne sota
That's what she did sip
Un deux trois quatre
Where has Oregon, boy
Where has Oregon
If you wan Al-ask-a
Al-ask-a where she's gone
She went to pay her Texas
She went to pay her Texas
She went to pay her Texas
That's where she has gone
Eins zwei drei vier
Oh how did Wis-con-sin boy
She stole a New-brass-key
Too bad that Arkan saw, boy
And so did Tenne-see
It made poor Flori-di, boy
It made poor Flori-di, you see
She died in Miss-our-I, boy
She died in Miss-our-I
Oh what did Del-a-ware boy, what did Delaware
What did Del-a-ware boy, what did Delaware
Songwriters: IRVING GORDON
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC,Universal Music

[Courtenay]

Oh dear. I remember an American girl told me about that song once, but the only part of it she could remember was "How did Wiscon-sin? She stole a New-brass-key..."

[Boatbuilder]

You can now learn it all - and 'sing-a-long', Courtenay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NztfOSyCCFM

[Domino]

Which is the odd one out in the following list of five-letter words, and why?

ABATE; CAPER; CRAMP; FEMUR; GRATE; KAYAK; SCOWL; SEWER.

Dave

[Courtenay]

You can now learn it all - and 'sing-a-long', Courtenay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NztfOSyCCFM

Ah, Perry Como — one of Gran's favourites, though I don't remember her having this one on vinyl. Thanks, John.

ABATE; CAPER; CRAMP; FEMUR; GRATE; KAYAK; SCOWL; SEWER.

KAYAK, because it's the only palindrome. Again, I'm sure that's not the "real" answer, but it's an answer.

[Anita Bensoussane]

KAYAK, because the others have got a bird or animal in the middle (i.e. the middle three letters spell out a bird or animal)?

[Courtenay]

Oh there you go — looks like I was right for the wrong reason. Well done, Anita.

[Domino]

Well done, Anita. As you say, they all have three-letter names of an animal in the middle, whereas in kayak it's at the end. (Technical point, Anita, a bird is an animal.)

Courtenay, full marks for spotting that KAYAK was the only palindrome, and even fuller marks for knowing it wasn't the real answer. Too obvious.

Dave