A riddle is a traditional verbal expression which contains one or more descriptive elements, the referent of which is to be guessed. The answer is often unexpected, albeit traditional. Riddles aim to demonstrate the knowledge or cleverness of the questioner and to challenge the knowledge or wit of the audience.
Riddles may have originated from the repertory of cult ceremonials; apart from this religious significance, they served as a means of making a trial of wisdom. Currently riddles are mostly a means of amusement and education for children.
A prolific modern form of the riddle is the riddle-joke.
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Article by Evangelos Gr.Avdikos on riddle-jokes, which use word patching for parodying social situations.
Collection of 67 Chinese lantern riddles (in Chinese) with introduction, from a collection of Chinese books at SOAS.
Collection of 67 Chinese lantern riddles (in Chinese) with introduction, from a collection of Chinese books at SOAS.
Article by Evangelos Gr.Avdikos on riddle-jokes, which use word patching for parodying social situations.
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