Four Letter Words
Opposite of right
What is left? Switching to the nondominant hand for everyday tasks challenges the brain by building neural connections.
If you’re a fan of meat grilled over charcoal, you know this W charcoal grill’s brand name
What is Weber? The original kettle grill was inspired by a marine buoy
This popular beach is in South Florida on a man-made island.
What is Miami Beach? The city is bordered by two national parks, Biscayne National Park and the Everglades National Park, so there’s plenty of nature to explore.
In August, these insects’ chirps could raise Rumpelstiltskin from his sleep.
What are crickets? The higher the temperature, the more frequent the chirps. Today, the expression “crickets” is used to indicate silence on a subject.
Term meaning “of or relating to the sea or ocean”; also relating to navigation by watercraft
What is marine? One example is marine biologists, who study the ocean and everything that lives in it.
You can easily measure servings of meat using this four-letter upper-body part.
What is palm? One palm equals one three-ounce serving of meat, and a whole hand is equal to a serving of fish
This flying creature’s name also describes a slab of meat sliced nearly in half and unfolded flat.
What is butterfly? Butterflying is a technique used to grill a thick cut of meat so the inside cooks and stays moist without burning the outside to a crisp
This landmark was built in France for the 1889 celebration of the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution
What is the Eiffel Tower? Originally, it was built to last only 20 years. Its antenna was used during World War I to jam German communications
Humming and whirring are associated with this flying animal.
What is the hummingbird? Hummingbirds take 150 breaths per minute. Don’t try this at home
An image of a place, city, state, or the world, drawn to scale
What is a map? A globe is one type of map of the world. A bound collection of maps is called an atlas.
To breathe in short gasps
What is pant? Dogs are notorious for panting (and slobbering) after vigorous exercise. Panting is their way of cooling down
Manual ice-cream makers require this type of salt
What is rock? Manual ice-cream makers require rock salt, not table salt, to drop the temperature of the salt brine below freezing
One of Greece’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos sits atop the Acropolis in the heart of Athens
What is the Parthenon? The country is full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of the most impressive is Meteora, a unique landscape of towering rock formations with Byzantine monasteries perched on top
On a sunny summer day in the neighborhood, often you can hear the racket made by these yard machines
What are lawnmowers? Mowing the lawn is frequently near the top of many men’s honey-do lists—right after taking out the garbage.
Spooky term that describes a deserted village or town with remains of infrastructure and buildings
What is ghost town? Examples include Death Valley in California; Pripyat, Ukraine, the city affected by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant meltdown; and Hashima Island, Japan, which once was densely populated by workers who worked in the mines for Mitsubishi but was abandoned in 1974
B word for “sad” or “listless”
What is blah? When repeated two more times, it means “and other words that mean very little,” according to Cambridge Dictionary
Never apply barbecue sauce to meat at this stage of the grilling process.
What is early (or anything close)? Barbecue sauce has sugar in it, which burns. Apply the sauce near the end of the grilling process—just long enough for it to caramelize without burning to a crisp
This European country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world
What is Italy? It has 60 sites. The runner-up is Germany (54), followed by France (53).
Sizzling sounds often indicate food is being prepared on this summer staple.
What is the backyard grill? The sizzling sounds and the accompanying aromas are no longer relegated to summer; grilling has become an all-year activity
A barrier that restricts the flow of water in a river or creek, whether built by people or created by animals
What is dam? Beavers are notorious for creating dams; it’s their life’s work. Hoover Dam was built in the early 20th century to harness the water from the Colorado River to provide hydroelectric power.
The concluding passage of a musical piece
What is coda? It derives from the Latin cauda, meaning “tail.”
Wooden planks are often used to hold this type of fish on the grill
What is salmon? Planks are soaked in water before use, which allows the grill to act as a smoker. Common types of planks include maple, applewood, and hickory
The Serengeti National Park is in this country
What is Tanzania? The name translates to “endless plain,” and it’s the location of the world’s largest animal migration, involving more than one million wildebeest, antelopes, and zebras. In addition to its huge population of animals, it is also known for its geological wonders
When you hear the crackling sound coming from this, get ready to sing some songs or tell your favorite ghost story.
What is a campfire? Always remember fire safety during and after a campfire. The best way to put out the fire safely is to douse it with water. If you have time, wait until the logs have turned into embers. Keep pouring water until you no longer hear any hissing from the embers. Then stir the ashes to ensure that there’s nothing still burning. Keep dousing and stirring until nothing is burning.
A navigable route by waterway
What is sea lane (or shipping route or shipping lane)? Major shipping routes include the Panama Canal, Suez Canal, and St. Lawrence Seaway.