Wonderful World of Words

Packet of Puzzles

When you register at the front desk, pick up your packet of word puzzles and contests created by Will Shortz and Greg Pliska. Answers and entries are due back by 10pm Saturday, November 13. There will be a submission box across from the Front Desk in the lobby. Prize winners will be announced on Sunday morning.

On the Word Beat: Linguistic Sleuthing in the Digital Age with Ben Zimmer
8:45pm

How do new words enter the language, and how can linguistic experts track them? Even when neologisms lack staying power, they speak to our endless creativity with language. Combining high-tech tools with old-fashioned detective work, we can trace the trajectories of new words and phrases with remarkable precision.

Scramble Scrabble 
9:30pm

Gloria and Larry Rosenthal, founders of Words weekend, invented Scramble Scrabble as an exclusive event for the weekend. Join us in the Lake Lounge (with cookies and punch) for this annual favorite.  Seven-member teams scramble to form words using giant letter tiles—bluffing is legal, but so are challenges! The members of the team with the highest cumulative score after three rounds will each receive copies of The New York Times crossword books from St. Martin’s Press. John Williams, former head of the National Scrabble Association, will help lead the competition along with Greg Pliska and Will Shortz.

The Puzzlemaster Presents with Will Shortz
10am

Will Shortz has been entertaining and challenging NPR Sunday listeners for many years, and here at Mohonk he presents some new games and group challenges to kick off a Saturday full of puzzling fun.

mo-HONK! A Puzzle Hunt by Eric Berlin
1:30pm

This year’s puzzle will send you on a wild goose chase!

In the tradition of the Words Weekend Puzzle Hunts run by Greg Pliska for 13 years, Eric Berlin has created an original suite of puzzles designed for team solving. Come with your own team of four or join a team when you arrive.

Game Night
8:30pm

Come gather in the Parlor for an evening of games with old friends, or make new ones. Play one of the brand-new games curated by David Feldman—winner gets to keep the game!—or enjoy a classic from past Words weekends. Words regulars are encouraged to bring their favorite board games and party games, and Greg Pliska will have some fun ideas as well.

Puzzle Packets Due!
10pm

All puzzle packet items for all groups must be turned to the submission box across from the Front Desk in the lobby in by 10pm tonight.

Highly Irregular: Why Tough, Through, and Dough Don’t Rhyme with Arika Okrent
10am

Irregular verbs, inconsistent spelling, phrases that don’t seem to follow the grammar rules—why isn’t English more orderly and logical? We don’t have to shrug and say “that’s just how English is.” English may be weird, but it’s not JUST weird. It’s weird in specific ways for specific reasons. Find out who is to blame for the weirdness of English.

And The Winner Is…
10:45am

Greg Pliska and Will Shortz lead the awards program, revealing solutions to the packet puzzles, reading the wittiest entries in the creative competition, and naming the winners of all the weekend games. Triumphant winners will choose prizes from a wide array of puzzle books from St. Martin’s Press and assorted word games. Leave room in your suitcase!