
Beginning in 1988, players in the final round of
Wheel of Fortune were automatically shown the letters R, S, T, L, N, and E. Were the producers treating them like dummies? Like complete idiots? Not really. They were just keeping things interesting since those were the most likely letters to be picked. Still, it helps me segue into this week's word play. Below are titles in either the
Complete Idiot's Guide series or the
...For Dummies series. If the letters R, S, T, L, N, and E were given, the puzzles would be solved. Try to fill them in yourself, then take a
guess as to which series (
Idiots or
Dummies) it's from. For instance, if I gave you:
KAMA SU--A ("The classic how-to on sensuality")
You'd fill in the T and the R to get "KAMA SUTRA". If you also went on to guess "
The Complete Idiot's Guide To The Kama Sutra" you'd be right on that account, too. For now, it would appear the dummies are not all that interested in Sanskrit dirty books.
I'm not coming out of left field with this week's Word Play. It was inspired by the
news this week that Green Party leader
Elizabeth May has co-penned a Dummies book with
Zoe Caron. It's
Global Warming For Dummies. Global warming doesn't seem to be getting the press it did a year ago, but "it's the economy, stupid" sure does. Don't worry. I'm not getting political on you, May's book simply sparked this week's theme.
Feel free to do all ten at home, but
only answer one in the comment section. That way ten people will get to play along.
1. G---I-G A -A--OO ("this book walks the reader through every step of the process: making the big decision, handling the physical event, and finally, taking proper care of your own personal work of art.")
2. -XI-----IA-I-M ("a handy guide to Nietzsche, Sartre, and Kierkegaard’s favorite philosophy")
3. FAMI-Y --U-IO- P-A--I-G KI_ ("You'll find out all about tracking down lost [...] members, deciding what type of event to have, coordinating entertainment,food, lodging, and more!")
4.-H- O-D W--- ("when it comes to saddling up and learning the entire history of [...], you feel like one tired cowpoke.")
5. B---I-G O- HO--- -ACI-G ("The last two years have seen a record number of Americans tune in for climatic Triple Crown races featuring Smarty Jones and Funny Cide")
6. -H- WO--D OF HA--Y PO---- ("explores all aspects of the wizarding world and explains factually in terms of their relationship to historical, literary, religious, scientific, or mythological roots.")
7. DIFFICU-- CO-V---A-IO-- ("approach [...] with confidence, avoid blaming, overcome defensiveness, and make better decisions")
8. BUZZ MA-K--I-G WI-H B-OG- ("In this instant-communication world, buzz means business!)
9. B-COMI-G A P---O-A- --AI--- ("Want to turn your passion for fitness into a lucrative career?)
10. WA-HI-G-O-, D.- ("Whether you want to pay homage to history, marvel at the seat of power, take in world-class museums and art galleries, or see the cherry trees in bloom...")