Word Play
What do you call a sheep that does arithmetic?
A counting sheep
“Counting sheep” is a classic method people use to try to fall asleep.
Who proposed the theory of relativity, revolutionizing physics?
Albert Einstein
Einstein won the Nobel Prize in 1921, though not for relativity — for his explanation of the photoelectric effect.
Dolphin
Shark
Penguin
Octopus
Penguin
Penguins are excellent swimmers but spend most of their life on land or ice.
This person’s job is to entertain passengers on airplanes, serving drinks and snacks.
Flight Attendant / Stewardess
The first female flight attendants in the U.S. were hired in 1930; they had to be registered nurses!
This baseball player hit 61 home runs in 1961, breaking Babe Ruth’s long-standing single-season record.
Roger Maris
Maris hit his 61st home run in the last game of the season, sparking controversy over whether the record counted due to a longer season.
What kind of music do mummies listen to?
Wrap music
Wordplay jokes like this became popular in joke books during the 1950s.
What American scientist developed the first widely used polio vaccine in 1955?
Jonas Salk
The vaccine was tested on over 1.8 million children in the largest clinical trial at the time.
Apple
Tomato
Carrot
Banana
Carrot
Botanically, tomatoes are fruits, and carrots are root vegetables.
These workers rode motorcycles to deliver messages quickly across cities before widespread phones.
Messenger / Courier
Motorcycle couriers were especially common during WWII to send urgent military communications.
This American sprinter set a world record in the 100 meters at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics while famously raising a black-gloved fist on the podium.
Tommie Smith
Smith’s protest with John Carlos became one of the most iconic moments in sports history, combining athletics with civil rights.
What do you call a fake noodle?
An impasta
Puns like these are examples of homophones creating humor in English.
What element, discovered in 1940, is essential in nuclear power and weapons?
Plutonium
Plutonium-239 was used in the first nuclear bomb tested in 1945.
Violin
Trumpet
Cello
Clarinet
Trumpet (it’s a brass instrument; the others are strings or woodwind)
The violin family has been a staple in classical music since the 16th century.
This person’s job was to carefully measure and lay out film shots in Hollywood before CGI existed.
Storyboard Artist / Layout Artist
Storyboarding became standard practice in animation and movies in the 1930s, pioneered by Disney.
In 1980, this U.S. hockey team pulled off the “Miracle on Ice” by defeating the heavily favored Soviet Union.
The U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team
The team of college players went on to win the gold medal, inspiring generations of athletes.
If a cat joins the circus, what might it be called?
A purrformer
Cat-themed puns have been used in print since the early 20th century.
What 1953 discovery by James Watson and Francis Crick revealed the structure of DNA?
The double helix
Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray images were critical in revealing DNA’s helical structure, though she didn’t initially receive full credit.
Spider-Man
Wonder Woman
Sherlock Holmes
Batman
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes debuted in 1887 and relies on brains over superpowers.
Before video games, this mid-century job involved testing pinball machines and arcade games for fairness.
Game Tester / Pinball Tester
Early arcade machines sometimes had hidden tricks, and testers made sure players couldn’t cheat.
This basketball player led the Los Angeles Lakers to multiple NBA titles in the 1980s and was nicknamed “Magic.”
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson was known for his dazzling passes and versatility, winning five NBA championships during his career.
What do you call a famous cat detective?
Sherlock Paws
Puns combining famous names and animals became especially popular in children’s books in the 1960s.
In 1967, South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard made medical history by performing this groundbreaking procedure for the first time.
the first human heart transplant
The patient survived 18 days post-surgery, making global headlines and inspiring new medical research worldwide.
Godzilla
Mothra
King Kong
Rodan
King Kong
King Kong first appeared in a 1933 American film, while Godzilla and friends are icons of Japanese cinema.
These unusual workers were employed in cities to walk along rooftops and remove snow to prevent building collapses.
Rooftop Snow Removers / Snow Patrol
In cities like New York and Chicago, heavy snowfall sometimes caused roofs to collapse, creating a very dangerous but necessary job.
This NFL quarterback led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl titles in the 1980s.
Joe Montana
Montana was nicknamed “Joe Cool” for his ability to stay calm under pressure in big games.