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Sunday Puzzle: SPA Day

Sunday Puzzle
NPR
Sunday Puzzle

On-air challenge

Today we're going to the spa. Every answer is a familiar two-word, phrase or name in which the first word starts with S and the second word starts PA-.

Ex. Purchasse of beer at a grocery --> Six pack

1. Something you install on a roof to generate energy

2. Photon, electron, or neutron

3. Dish scrubber

4. Money you get when you leave a job

5. Miscellaneous sheets to jot notes on

6. All-male social event

7. What's used to put graffiti on a wall

8. What you tear open in order to sweeten your coffee

9. Figure celebrated on March 17

10. Most populous city in Brazil

11. Political group that's to the left of the Democrats

12. Small bit of facial hair below the lower lip

13. Extra items at a repair shop

14. Informal term for a know-it-all

Last week's challenge

Think of a state capital and say it out loud. Change one vowel sound in it to name something many schoolkids study. What things are these?

Answer: Phoenix —> Phonics

Winner

Momo Brennan of Honolulu, Hawai'i

This week's challenge

This week's challenge comes from Schwartz, of Florence, Ore. Think of a means of transportation in seven letters. Change the fifth letter to a U and read the result backward. You'll get a common Latin word followed by its English synonym. What words are these?

If you know the answer to the challenge, submit it here by Thursday, September 10 at 3 p.m. ET. Listeners whose answers are selected win a chance to play the on-air puzzle. Important: include a phone number where we can reach you.

Copyright 2026 NPR

Will Shortz has been the puzzle master for NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday since the program's start in 1987.