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About this quote

What does it mean?
This is a classic riddle question from a game show.
In plain terms
Is it bigger than a bread box?
What can you take from it?
Simple questions can frame complex guessing games.

Where it applies

  • playing games
  • telling jokes
  • guessing

Putting it to work

  • use classic references
  • engage listeners
  • build tension

Questions to consider

  • Why do riddles remain popular?
  • What makes a question fun to ask?

Another view

Out of context the question lacks meaning or purpose.

More from Steve Allen

  1. In a rational society we would want our presidents to be teachers. In our actual society we insist they be cheerleaders.

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  2. Men will take almost any kind of criticism except the observation that they have no sense of humor.

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  3. Impartial observers from other planets would consider ours an utterly bizarre enclave if it were populated by birds, defined as flying animals, that neverthele…

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