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Cut off my head, and singular I am, Cut off my tail, and…

“Cut off my head, and singular I am, Cut off my tail, and plural I appear; Although my middle's left, there's nothing there! What is my head cut off? A sounding sea; What is my tail cut off? A rushing river; And in their mingling depths I fearless play, Parent of sweetest sounds, yet mute forever.” quote by Thomas B. Macaulay
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“Cut off my head, and singular I am, Cut off my tail, and plural I appear; Although my middle's left, there's nothing there! What is my head cut off? A sounding sea; What is my tail cut off? A rushing river; And in their mingling depths I fearless play, Parent of sweetest sounds, yet mute forever.”

Thomas B. Macaulay

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The riddle describes a word that changes meaning when its first or last letter is removed, revealing a sea and a river, and a silent parent of sounds.

In simple terms: A word that transforms into sea and river when trimmed.

Key Takeaway

Explore wordplay and hidden meanings.

Themes

language creativity logic

Mood

playful curious

Type

riddle educational

When to use this quote

  • puzzle solving
  • teaching language
  • creative writing
  • brain teasers
  • education

Key Concepts

linguistics metaphor wordplay

Questions to Reflect On

  • What word fits all clues?
  • How does altering a word change its identity?
A Different Perspective

The answer may be ambiguous without context, limiting its usefulness.

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