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To Win An Anagrammy, Just Sing A Song Of Scrambled Letters

On-air challenge: This week's puzzle was inspired by crossword constructor Merl Reagle, who died earlier this month.

One of Merl's most classic crosswords was titled "Anagrammys," in which he took the titles of popular songs and recast them with an anagram of one word. For example, his clue was "Anagrammy-winning poker song?" and the answer was "Dealer of the Pack." Of course, that was a play on "Leader of the Pack," which was a hit for the Shangri-Las in 1964.

Given an answer, you name the song. All you have to do is anagram one word in the made-up title you're given to complete the correct title.

Last week's challenge, from listener Sandy Weisz of Chicago: Name a famous military figure of the past 50 years. The first three letters of his first name and the first three letters of his last name are both well-known military abbreviations. Who is it?

Answer: Colin Powell (Col. and P.O.W.)

Winner: Susan Reinert of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Next week's challenge: Name a famous movie in eight letters that has had multiple sequels. The title is one word. Rearrange its letters to get a two-word phrase for a satchel. What is it?

Submit Your Answer

If you know the answer to next week's challenge, submit it here. Listeners who submit correct answers win a chance to play the on-air puzzle. Important: Include a phone number where we can reach you Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

NPR's Puzzlemaster Will Shortz has appeared on Weekend Edition Sunday since the program's start in 1987. He's also the crossword editor of The New York Times, the former editor of Games magazine, and the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (since 1978).