This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
From YKTTW Working Title: Riddle For The Ages
Regarding Alice In Wonderland: somebody posted a supposed answer to the question ("They've both been written on"), spoilerified. I have removed it, and I don't think the following explanation is exactly necessary (so I am posting it here instead):
- The entire point of the riddle is that there's no answer. According to Word of God:
- I may as well put on record here what seems to me to be a fairly appropriate answer, viz: 'Because it can produce a few notes, tho they are very flat; and it is nevar put with the wrong end in front!' This, however, is merely an afterthought; the Riddle, as originally invented, had no answer at all.
- Over time, other authors came with different answers, such as "Because there is B in both and N in neither", or "Because Poe wrote on both". (See the Straight Dope's take on the question.)
