Auto-Stumped
Now and then, making puzzles, I flummox myself.
Typically this happens when I return to a stash of older puzzles, their answers lost or adrift in the scrimmage – and I can’t solve them!
Here on this blog, back in November, I ran a mystery list of words, beseeching passersby for the hidden link. That same list (appearing below) remains a conundrum to us all. Can you see the connection? Once upon a time, I did – but not any longer. Your help please:
PUBLIC
SARIN
ZANILY
CONDOM
ISLE
SAVANT
++
Meantime, yesterday, the custard pie splatted back in the maker’s face. This time the list comprises eight celebs – supposedly linked – but I’ve forgotten the secret formula.
Composing Radar Traps, a code puzzle for the Sydney Morning Herald, requires me to conjure up curious octets, such as New Age Fads, Hangover Cures, One-Name Performers and Monopoly Variations. The quest is endless, and kinda fun.
In the celeb category, the eight famous names may be linked by containing birds (Charlize Theron, Wes Craven, Petula Clark etc) or being one-time jailbirds (Ozzy Osbourne, Courtney Love, Mark Wahlberg and so forth.). You get the idea.
So what the hell connects this A-list? Sadly the nexus has left the building, and my memory. Your help please:
Lord Mountbatten
Freddie Mercury
Billy Graham
Judy Garland
Heidi Klum
Liv Tyler
Mozart
Queen Nefertiti