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I recently received a letter pleading for help finding a common word, other than angry and hungry, that ends in -gry.

Having family members who challenged me with riddles since I was first able to hear, I knew exactly what this desperate person was referring to. I've heard this riddle in a variety of forms, but the one that makes the most sense to me is:

Angry and hungry are two words that end in -gry.
There are three common words in the English language.
What is the third word? Everyone knows what it means, and if you've listened carefully, I've already provided the answer.

Since there aren't any other common words ending in -gry, it must be a trick question.

There are two plausible answers:

• Language -- Asking for the third word in "the English language."
• What -- Explicitly stating "What is the third word."

I think this riddle is brought to you by the same folks who go around saying stuff like, "I don't remember how to spell your name. How do you spell it?" Then after you tell them, they say, "No, stupid! The correct spelling is I-T!" This, of course, is followed by a big laugh.

If you'd like more information on this topic, here are some additional links:

• Jesse's Word of the Day Column
• Herb Weiner's Critique of the Ask Marilyn Column
• Walt Meier's Essay
• Michael B. Quinion's I Spy GRY
• Tempe Public Libary's Explanation

• North of Boston Library Exchange
• Santa Cruz Public Library
• Arlet Ottens' List

Finally, you might be interested in my other sites:

• The Word Gamer's Paradise!
• The Madison Wordplayers
• My word games: Breakdown, Code Breaker, Grid Lock, and Woidz

Thanks for stopping by,
Dave Friedman
Vandelay Games