Will Shortz’s 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. Answers and entries are due back at the front desk by midnight on Saturday, November 9.

Lost Words: Collywobbles, Snollygosters, and Other Surprisingly Useful Terms Worth Resurrecting
8:45pm

Join word hound and history buff, Joe Gillard as he delves into some dark, little-explored corners of bygone English vocabulary, answering such questions as… why do we still say “therefore” but not “wherefore”? and, where did “shivviness” come from, and where did it go? If you have a favorite “lost word,” bring it along to discuss!

Cookies and Punch in the Lake Lounge Followed by Scramble Scrabble
9:30pm

Gloria and Larry Rosenthal, the founders of Words Weekend, invented Scramble Scrabble as an exclusive, annual event for this special weekend. John Williams, former head of the National Scrabble Association, will help conduct it. Seven-member teams scramble to form words using giant tiles. 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.

The Blonde in the Bathtub: Mastering the Dark Art of Tabloid Headlines
10am

Jim Willse will conduct a combination lecture/workshop on headline-writing for tabloid newspapers like The Daily News of New York City, of which he was once the editor. Learn about the history of tabloids and their lurid headlines, with plenty of classic examples. Then join with others to write headlines of your own.

Play Date with David Feldman
2:15pm

Gather in the Parlor to play a new boxed word game with David Feldman. Your choice of…

AKA (Also Known As)
Reminiscent of Password, but with synonyms substituting for obvious clues. For example, “Arachnid guy” might be Spider-Man. For 3-8 players. Courtesy of Endless Games

Jabuka
An anagram game in which letters can change when turned. For example, w’s can become e’s when turned sideways … or m’s when turned upside-down. For 2-8 players. Courtesy of Jabuka Games

Snippets
Create words that contain 3- or 4-letter “snippets” without matching your opponents’ answers. Bonuses for longest and most creative constructions. For 2-8 players. Courtesy of Master Theorem Games

Upwords
A 1980s throwback — the favorite game of Words founder Gloria Rosenthal. Create new words in a Scrabble-like grid by adding letter tiles or stacking new letters on top of existing ones. For 2-4 players. Courtesy of Winning Moves

Tea and Book Signing
4pm

Tea time in the Lake Lounge is year-round, but during Words weekend it’s also a book-signing session with the weekend’s authors.

Mohonk Puzzle Treasure Hunt
9pm

A team game by Greg Pliska. Come with a four-person team made of friends or family, or form a team when you arrive. Themed around Mohonk’s 150th Anniversary, tackle fiendish puzzles, solve a set of interconnected puzzles, and hunt for hidden clues hidden throughout the Mountain House. Prizes will be given to the first team to finish the hunt as well as one other successful team chosen at random.

The Art of the Podcast
10am

Avery Trufelman will break down one notable episode of the popular podcast 99% Invisible, which she produces — talking about the chaos, mistakes, and kismet that made it happen, and the words used in putting it together. She says her presentation might just as easily be titled “Abandon Your Plans” or “Embrace Chaos” — but “The Art of the Podcast” works well, too!

Awards
10:45am

Will Shortz leads the awards program as he reveals solutions to the packet puzzles, reads the wittiest entries in the creative competition, and names the winners of all the weekend games. Triumphant winners will choose prizes from a wide array of puzzle books from St. Martin’s Press, reference books from Merriam-Webster, and assorted word games. Leave room in your suitcase!