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        riddles >> general problem-solving / chatting / whatever >> What is the difference between Puzzle and Riddle?
        
(Message started by: balanagireddy.tcs on Feb 12^th, 2007, 10:59pm)

Title: What is the difference between Puzzle and Riddle?
Post by balanagireddy.tcs on Feb 12^th, 2007, 10:59pm

What is the difference between Puzzle and Riddle?

Title: Re: What is the difference between Puzzle and Ridd
Post by towr on Feb 13^th, 2007, 1:04am

I'd say in general a riddle has a simpler answer. And a puzzle calls for a solution rather than just an answer.

Although that sentiment is not really expressed in the dictionary definitions
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=puzzle
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=riddle

Title: Re: What is the difference between Puzzle and Ridd
Post by Icarus on Feb 13^th, 2007, 4:52am

"R" has one more mark than "P".
"i" is two vowels before "u".
"z" is the sibilant form of "d".

I hope that helps clear it up! :P

Title: Re: What is the difference between Puzzle and Ridd
Post by rmsgrey on Feb 13^th, 2007, 7:30am

The distinction I draw is that a riddle has a recognisable answer, but no (obvious) way to arrive at that answer from the question. A puzzle has a line of attack that lets you progress towards a solution.

For example, I would class a cryptic crossword as a puzzle made up of a number of riddles

Title: Re: What is the difference between Puzzle and Ridd
Post by Noke Lieu on Feb 13^th, 2007, 4:01pm

I concur.

A jigsaw Puzzle...

Riddle of Sphinx.

Title: Re: What is the difference between Puzzle and Ridd
Post by TenaliRaman on Feb 14^th, 2007, 10:30am

A puzzle is a problem that puzzles (verb, meaning : Be uncertain about; think about without fully understanding or being able to decide) you.

A riddle is a problem that riddles (verb, meaning : perforate with many holes) you.

-- AI

Title: Re: What is the difference between Puzzle and Ridd
Post by THUDandBLUNDER on Feb 14^th, 2007, 1:04pm

on 02/14/07 at 10:30:10, TenaliRaman wrote:

A riddle is a problem that riddles (verb, meaning : perforate with many holes) you.

But according to the OED these two meanings have different roots.

Title: Re: What is the difference between Puzzle and Ridd
Post by TenaliRaman on Feb 15^th, 2007, 1:18am

on 02/14/07 at 13:04:19, THUDandBLUNDER wrote:

But according to the OED these two meanings have different roots.

Yeah i know ;D, but i guess i wanted to just see the pun of it.

You read a puzzle (without knowing its a puzzle), you realise its a puzzle, you think over it, you try to solve it, and then give up. You read a riddle (without knowing its a riddle), you never realise its a riddle, you throw the paper away thinking its an AD for some toothpaste.

-- AI