Today I’m going to start a new series that will run on Saturdays for the rest of the year: a Qudoku puzzle set that spells out an adverbial pun, also known as a "Tom Swifty."
"I know who turned off the lights," Tom hinted darkly.
A Tom Swifty is a pun, usually bad, that plays off the way an adverb describes a speaker and simultaneously refers to the speaker's statement.
"I’d like to make a toast," Tom said warmly.
The name comes from the Tom Swift book series for young readers. The authors went to great lengths to not use "said" and—at least by today’s writing standards—overused adverbs and descriptive phrases. So young Tom rarely said anything without a qualifying adverb. A Tom Swifty pun is a parody of this style.
But be warned: sometimes the pun is in a homophonic verb, without any adverb! Or a phrase, with double meaning. Technically, such a pun isn’t a Tom Swifty…but close enough for my purposes. And it’s generally a double-groaner, which makes it all the more fun!
"My garden needs another layer of mulch," Tom repeated.
"Don't let me drown in Egypt!" pleaded Tom, deep in denial.
With that for background, here’s your first Swifty Sudoku challenge. Have fun, and groan loud!
HUBCAP
Saturday Swifty Sudoku: 6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once
DRIVEN
6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once
SOFTLY
6x6 Word Sudoku Puzzle
Each row, column, 2x3 rectangle and set of circled cells contains the letters in the word exactly once
Copy circled letters to the corresponding numbered cells in the quote grid to spell out the Tom Swifty
Solution first thing in the morning. I hope you laugh, or at least chuckle feebly, while you groan!
Thanks,
--Dave
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