The Centennial Quest
Word games were a popular form of after-dinner entertainment in 19th century England.  In Jane Austen's Emma, a particular kind of riddle, called a Charade, was used by Mr. Elton in his attempt to woo Emma.

These word games, which are related to the American version of Charades, take a word or phrase, divide it into syllables, and provide a separate riddle in verse for each part.  The syllables are designated as "first," "second," and so on, while the complete solution is called the "whole."

Debbie Lee Wesselmann S*87, in her novel Trutor & the Balloonist (MacMurray and Beck, 1997), created modern versions of this kind of riddle as clues to the mystery central to the story.  For the Graduate School's Centennial, Ms. Wesselmann penned five new charades specifically for this Quest.

To solve these word charades or riddles, you must learn to look at words and see all their meanings.  A clue for a single syllable may contain multiple clues, all hinting at a different use or homophone of the word; some words are meant to mislead, so be careful.  Those who solve crossword and cryptic puzzles may have a slight advantage here, as will skeptics and analysts.  After you learn to decipher these puzzles, you may find yourself looking at language as you never have before. Have fun!

Return to top.

Example
My first is a model in a slinky dress.
She's earthy, she's cold, she is liquid express.
The second you will find as you take a dip
And then watch T.V., within reach of a chip.
My whole, if you've gone off to College, you know.
Watch out for the drivers - the road they'll forgo.
 

Solution and Explanation
Click here for the Solution!

Return to top.

Quest Rules
There were a total of five charades released over a period of five months. Each was "active" for about one month. All solutions refer to famous people, places, or things relevant to history and the students of the Princeton University Graduate School.

Submissions were to include both the answer to the charade as well as an explanation of the derivation.  Only one entry per person, per charade was permitted.  The names of all those submitting correct entries were entered in a random drawing to determine the distribution of prizes.

To be considered, solutions submitted via email must have been received by the appropriate end date and time indicated below.  Solutions submitted via postal mail must have been received within three days of the end of the quest in question.  The schedule was as follows:
 

At the conclusion of the five quests, a grand prize drawing was held.  For each quest solved correctly (whether a prize was won or not), an entry was made in the grand prize drawing.  The winner of the grand prize was announced on July 15, 2000.

Entries for the APGA Quest are no longer being accepted.

Return to top.

Quest Prizes
The prizes included:

• unframed signed and numbered lithographs of Cannon Green by Cathleen Engelsen
• copies of the books Luminaries: Princeton Faculty Remembered edited by Patricia H. Marks or The Princeton Graduate School: A History by Willard Thorp, Minor Myers Jr., Jeremiah Stanton Finch, and James L. Axtell.
• Princeton T-shirts, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs
• Princeton U-store gift certificates

Grand Prize
The grand prize, chosen in a random drawing at the conclusion of the contest, was the winner's choice of:

(1)  A Princeton Reunions 2001 vacation weekend:  full reunions package for the winner and one guest including meals, reunion garb, tent party buttons, etc., along with two nights lodging at the Graduate College, plus a $100 Princeton U-store gift certificate.  (Travel not included.)

-- or --

(2)  A captain's chair with gold Princeton seal on the back rail (black with cherry arms or all-natural wood finish).

-- or --

(3)  A $250 Princeton U-store gift certificate.

The grand prize winner was Dr. Raymond C. Micaletti *99 CIV.

Return to top.