[youngoldlady]

12 "Enigmas" From The 1890s For Literal Children That I, A Grown Adult, Was Totally Stumped By​

Audrey Engvalson


I love looking through old books. I love the historic smell when I open them and the Ben Gates-style of care I need to use to turn the pages. Recently, I found a super old children's book of "riddles and enigmas" from the 1890s. IDK what kids were doing back then, but these are pretty dang hard! See if you can solve them.

Street & Smith / Via loc.gov
I'll give you the riddle, then scroll down to see the answer. FYI, the answer is upside-down to make it 25% harder to cheat. Good luck!
1."If you a musical instrument behead, a sweeter-toned one will you leave behind."

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ǝʇnlɟ
2."A word of three syllables, seek till you find, that has in it the 26 letters combined."

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ʇǝqɐɥdlɐ
3."What is that which you have and everyone else has at the same time?"

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ǝɯɐu ɐ
4."I never was but always am to be; None ever saw, you may never see, And yet I am the confidence of all who live and breathe on this terrestrial ball."

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ʍoɹɹoɯoʇ
5."Round the house, and round the house, and makes but one track."

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ʍoɹɹɐqlǝǝɥʍ
6."My first brings joy to all around; my second may bring sorrow, my whole but once a year is found, and maybe yours tomorrow."

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ʎɐpɥʇɹᴉq
7."What is that which is too much for one, enough for two, but nothing at all for three?"

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ʇǝɹɔǝs ɐ
8."What is that which goes up the hill, and down the hill, and spite of all yet standeth still?"

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pɐoɹ ɐ
9."What is that which lives in winter, and dies in summer, and always grows with its roots upward?"

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ǝlɔᴉɔᴉ uɐ
10."In spring, I am gay in my attire. In summer, I wear more clothing than in spring. In winter, I am naked."

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ǝǝɹʇ ɐ
11."By me, men often upward go. Behead – a reptile it will show."

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ɹǝppɐl
12.Finally, "My first may be seen, my second may be heard. My whole is the name of a sweet-singing bird."

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ʞɹɐlʎʞs