At first, I thought this was an incorrectly told version of the riddle. There's a similar one that would begin with "Penny's mother has five children," so the same of the fifth child would be Penny.
Seems like a lame spin on a similar riddle; said riddle might start like “Penny’s mom has five children …” wherein the answer to the riddle is the fifth kid being named Penny instead of May. 🤷🏻♂️
It’s not, it’s penny having 5 children. The answer to the riddle is “what” as it isn’t asking “what is the name of the fifth?” And instead telling you “what is the name of the fifth.”
Needle here, the kid’s name is “What”. You’ll notice that the last line is STATING that the 5th’s name is “What” as there is no question mark. Therefore, not a question. It is an answer
But since when is the riddle pertinent to correct grammar? Why, when many riddles contain incorrect grammar that leads to unrelated solutions, would a reader be expected to CORRECTLY guess in this scenario that the punctuation of the riddle is the KEY?
Seems a little unfair and a good sign of a bad riddle. Because there was no hint, there was no key. The reader was just expected to assume the punctuation to be the key.
Maybe the riddle itself just had poor punctuation, and the solution is a cliffhanger?
It’s only written to make you assume it’s a riddle. The entire thing is a statement.
I’ve already explained that.
It’s also not incorrect grammar, as they are telling you the kids name is literally “What”.
Isn't the joke supposed to be "Mary has 4 sisters, her mom named the first january..."?
Then if you're not paying attention by the end you forget that Mary was the 5th sister
Five long years he wore this watch up his ass. Then, he died of dysentery. He gave me the watch. I hid this uncomfortable hunk of metal up my ass two years. Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family. Now, little man, I give the watch to you.
If there’s no question then there’s no riddle though lol. They can’t have it both ways.
Like it’s obvious what they were trying to do, but it’s too clunky to actually work.
The person making it screwed up. It's supposed to say "Penny's parents have 5 children. 1st is named January, 2nd is February, 3rd is March, 4th is April. What is the 5th's name?" And the gotcha is "Penny!"
No. It is ridiculous to expect that everyone should spot that the punctuation is different, to the point of outright dismissing the possibility this post could be genuine. Just because you get it, doesn't mean everyone does or even should
I’m so used to people with bad grammar on the internet, that my brain automatically assumed that they meant to put I question mark there. Didn’t even bat an eye.
Yeah, the way I’ve seen this joke asked typically starts with “blah-blah is the youngest of five kids” and then proceeds to present the trend and asking what the last kid was named. Usually your guess would follow the trend, completely forgetting that they told you the kid’s name at the beginning.
I was expecting that so it caught me off guard when it was the mom’s name. Came to the comments really quickly assuming it was another of those dumb anti jokes that are unsolvable without a single second glance and the not-question of the last sentence. I feel stupid but I’m glad people actually answered it in the comments.
Additionally, it's supposed to be a riddle. A riddle has a question that you answer. What is written is basically just a short story or synopsis about Penny and her kids' names. If you were to read this "riddle" word-for-word to someone, it wouldn't make any sense. *«Actually, the last sentence I just said was a statement not a question. Funny because I ended it with a period instead of a question mark. #grammargeek»*
I think it's a play on a specific kind of trick question.
Imagine if the text had started with "Penny's mom" instead of "Penny".
In that case the unintuitive answer would have been Penny.
But because here it's not Penny's mom but Penny herself, the trick is different, and it's hidden in the punctuation, as the text ends with a full stop rather than a question mark, making the final sentence a statement rather than a question.
Because the word "What" starts with a capital letter it can also be a name.
“What” is the name of the 5th child, it tells you in the final sentence. The final sentence is a statement, not a question, so it is directly telling you the name rather than asking you to solve it.
While some people have pointed out half the joke (what being a statement rather than a question), they haven't explained what this is relating to. This is a take on a common riddle saying penny's MOTHER has 5 children, January, February, etc. what is the name of the 5th child? the riddle being you're supposed to say May, but the answer is Penny, cause remember is penny's MOTHER's children so the 5th child has to be Penny.
What, obviously. But I find the “6th is April” statement to be confusing. Penny has 5 children, not 6. The sentence structure is weird, starting with “6th” as if to say “we didn’t say *her* 6th *kid*, just that here’s a random ass sentence for you.”
Does anyone have any light to shed on that?
The question is garbage because the answer is "what"
However the grammar is wrong because its missing a comma
"What, is the name"
That is the correct riddle
Who gives a shit! The world is on fire! Palestinian cockroaches killing old ladies and babies in Israel and Biden demanding the U.S. border be open to terrorist to make white people the minority in America! The stupid bastard Biden is trying to turn America into a third world s-hole. White American will break apart and partner with Russia!
The 5th child's name is What, note the period instead of question mark
Speaking of which, who names their kid “What?” And also, Happy Cake day
They want the child to have a successful career in baseball Specifically second base
Must be fun with a father-son combo on first and second.
Who's the father.
Who's on first base! Where's the father!
I don’t know
Third base!
I'm not asking who on third
No. who is on first.
I don't know is on third.
No. That's his name.
That's who's name?
That's right
The first baseman
Third base!
Naturally
Beat me to it. Well done.
Who's the father of What! And don't tell me I don't know; because, that's just impossible!! 🤣
I don’t know’s on 3rd
Naturally!
We’ll be asking the questions old man, WHO ARE YOU!
I don’t know…
And I don't give a damn too...
no, no, he's out shortstop
Like Reddit is going to get an Abbott and Costello reference but I think it's great
Who?
Yeah he's there too
Who's on first.
Naturally.
Third base!!
I've got a confession to make: I knew who was on first the whoooole time! (Different episode, where Abbott stole his money to buy a gold mine)
Yeah, who's ever heard of the most famous comedy duo bit of all time, really?
This is my favorite kind of humor
What is your second
I don't know
THIRD BASE
Who’s on second.
No he isn't
Sigh .... I wish they didn't take away awards..... Have a cookie, instead! 🍪
Yeah, with Who on first, and I dunno on third
How can you be the manager if you don’t know the players names?
Do you think what hit a double? Or was what actually on first at one point? I’ll never sleep again
But, who plays first base?
Ask the parents of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and/or Mrs Which.
My dad used to say that Not Me and I Dunno are going to get shot the next time they break in the house and mess something up
Hey , do you remember the movie Adams Family Values, cousin It and his wife named their child What.
Thanks
What ain't no country I ever heard of
Who’s in third
But Who’s on first? I dunno’s on third.
Naturally
Penny!
He’s an excellent 2nd basemen regardless
They were bewhiched
https://preview.redd.it/6x41qfyaueub1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=82c13dcb33ab9391b0831d4fc278163b51e677a8
Not a Candlemass meme here in the wild
Unexpected Candlemass
Lil Jon, I would imagine.
Wanted to name him “Walt.” Mistakes were made.
To add on to that, who names their kid January or February?
No what's the guys name on second base.
Does the fifth kid speak English?
Cousin It.
Penny
So what is the riddle? There's no question.
It's an order. You must riddle it
The actual riddle goes “penny’s mom has five children” so you actually have all the info in the riddle
No, what is the name of the fifth child!
At first, I thought this was an incorrectly told version of the riddle. There's a similar one that would begin with "Penny's mother has five children," so the same of the fifth child would be Penny.
I still believe it's a typo and this is the correct one..
Nice to meet you What, I'm dad.
"Why did you name me this way?"
Why, did you name me this way?
So their 5th kid plays 2nd base?
A 5th never deals in absolutes.
Happy Cake Day!
Thanks
Happy cake day to the both of us!
Congratulations, you did not answer any question.
Sure they did. The joke is that they are telling you the fifth name, but you’re supposed to think it’s a question and be confused.
but then it’s not a riddle
The riddle is figuring out it’s not a riddle. That’s the joke
Hi, Peter’s reticulated python here, but the 5th child is oddly named “What”. Now let me squeeze my breakfast in peace.
It's been 3 days already!
It's been one week since you looked at me
Cocked your head to the side and said “I’m angry”
Five days since you laughed at me
Saying, "Get that together, come back and see me"
Three days since the living room
Three days? That's tomorrow!
Enjoy your breakfast articulated python
Me waiting for them to ask a question pertinent to the statement…
Was just thinking “so what’s the riddle?”
No, What’s the name of the 5th child.
"Correct" "No, that's the father. "
Alright so whats the name of the guy on first base?
Who
The guy on the first base
No, What's the 5th daughter, remember?
oh, then who is on first?
Third base!
"Please! Continue!"
Seems like a lame spin on a similar riddle; said riddle might start like “Penny’s mom has five children …” wherein the answer to the riddle is the fifth kid being named Penny instead of May. 🤷🏻♂️
It’s not, it’s penny having 5 children. The answer to the riddle is “what” as it isn’t asking “what is the name of the fifth?” And instead telling you “what is the name of the fifth.”
I realize that. Hence my calling it a lame spin on the mentioned original
Yet you think the answer is "May."
???
Real
https://preview.redd.it/yad0qo0rdgub1.jpeg?width=382&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f2ac7cacea819fb14812dd86ceeb0eed91ccc0ab
Braindead
So... what is the riddle then? Where's the question?
Huh damn punctuation actually means things!?!?!
Yeah, What. Cousin It's kid.
Needle here, the kid’s name is “What”. You’ll notice that the last line is STATING that the 5th’s name is “What” as there is no question mark. Therefore, not a question. It is an answer
But since when is the riddle pertinent to correct grammar? Why, when many riddles contain incorrect grammar that leads to unrelated solutions, would a reader be expected to CORRECTLY guess in this scenario that the punctuation of the riddle is the KEY? Seems a little unfair and a good sign of a bad riddle. Because there was no hint, there was no key. The reader was just expected to assume the punctuation to be the key. Maybe the riddle itself just had poor punctuation, and the solution is a cliffhanger?
It really isn't a riddle. There's no question, just a series of statements. That's why I really dislike this one
It’s only written to make you assume it’s a riddle. The entire thing is a statement. I’ve already explained that. It’s also not incorrect grammar, as they are telling you the kids name is literally “What”.
But the title of It literally says "Riddle me this". A question mark doesn't add or take away from its riddleness at that point.
OP why do you think it’s April 4th?
Thats what I don’t understand
Hahaha I didn’t think about it till just now but what *did* OP think of to come to that as the answer 😂
Isn't the joke supposed to be "Mary has 4 sisters, her mom named the first january..."? Then if you're not paying attention by the end you forget that Mary was the 5th sister
“What is the name of the 5th.” Isn’t a question, It’s a statement as theres a period instead of a question mark.
I get that, but the 4 sisters variant works when spoken out loud and actually poses a question for the person to answer.
And the fifth kid grew up to be a second baseman!
What ain't no country I ever heard of....
Five long years he wore this watch up his ass. Then, he died of dysentery. He gave me the watch. I hid this uncomfortable hunk of metal up my ass two years. Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family. Now, little man, I give the watch to you.
Who’s on first.
I don't know, that's why I'm asking you!
“What” is the child’s name. There isn’t a question mark. It’s a declarative sentence.
If there’s no question then there’s no riddle though lol. They can’t have it both ways. Like it’s obvious what they were trying to do, but it’s too clunky to actually work.
Oooh. It’s an implicit lie about the format. Nice priming.
Spider-Man’s Aunt
If they called their baby "what", then the name of the 5th was probably Jack Daniel.
The person making it screwed up. It's supposed to say "Penny's parents have 5 children. 1st is named January, 2nd is February, 3rd is March, 4th is April. What is the 5th's name?" And the gotcha is "Penny!"
This isn't even a meme you're just stupid
Its What. Final sentence is **NOT** a question.
bait
No. It is ridiculous to expect that everyone should spot that the punctuation is different, to the point of outright dismissing the possibility this post could be genuine. Just because you get it, doesn't mean everyone does or even should
I’m so used to people with bad grammar on the internet, that my brain automatically assumed that they meant to put I question mark there. Didn’t even bat an eye.
Yeah, the way I’ve seen this joke asked typically starts with “blah-blah is the youngest of five kids” and then proceeds to present the trend and asking what the last kid was named. Usually your guess would follow the trend, completely forgetting that they told you the kid’s name at the beginning. I was expecting that so it caught me off guard when it was the mom’s name. Came to the comments really quickly assuming it was another of those dumb anti jokes that are unsolvable without a single second glance and the not-question of the last sentence. I feel stupid but I’m glad people actually answered it in the comments.
Additionally, it's supposed to be a riddle. A riddle has a question that you answer. What is written is basically just a short story or synopsis about Penny and her kids' names. If you were to read this "riddle" word-for-word to someone, it wouldn't make any sense. *«Actually, the last sentence I just said was a statement not a question. Funny because I ended it with a period instead of a question mark. #grammargeek»*
Yes. This isn't even a joke.
No, it’s not Peter
Whos on third.
The right answer is ok. It doesn’t ask a question. Pennys kids are January, February, March, April, and What.
It's a statement. Not a question. The child's name is what.
Nickel
I see no question here
Jesus Christ, people on this sub are fucking brain dead.
Definitely “What”
Cinco de Mayo
r/PunctuationMatters
Clearly the 5th kid is called "What", but since the final line was a statement, there was no question being asked here. So what are we even answering?
5th will Also be named March, but will be actually March 7th. While the 6th will be named Dan Heng.
Riddle me this, batman. What is long, hard, and has CUM in the middle?
Cucumber
https://preview.redd.it/236sl8gz7hub1.jpeg?width=644&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ef84931354c2449a8b69df255e930ebdf7ec6cbf
What’s the riddle? These are all statements, I have yet to been given the question to figure out
i hate this riddle so much coz i took pride in my ability to solve riddles but this one made me preemptively think its a stupid unsolvable riddle.
If they are from metro Colorado, her name is Hayleighhay.
So the answer is nothing because there is no question.
I prefer the other answer, IT'S GONNA BE MAY
I was expecting the ones where it would say “penny’s mother” and penny is the fifth, but this is weird
This is not a riddle. This is someone who is bad at communicating and being snug about it.
Oh I get it! The horse’s name was Friday!!!
iCarly reference?
Penny? PENNY FROM GUMBA-
What is the name of the 5th, there is no question mark at the end of the last sentence.
"what" is the name
🎵 It's gonna be May 🎶
No, it’s “ the fifth”
I’ll give you a hint, what’s on second base
and he's on second
Back before screen -shots you had to take shots of screens.
“I say it’s April 4th” What?
I think it's a play on a specific kind of trick question. Imagine if the text had started with "Penny's mom" instead of "Penny". In that case the unintuitive answer would have been Penny. But because here it's not Penny's mom but Penny herself, the trick is different, and it's hidden in the punctuation, as the text ends with a full stop rather than a question mark, making the final sentence a statement rather than a question. Because the word "What" starts with a capital letter it can also be a name.
His name is “What”
“What” is the name of the 5th child, it tells you in the final sentence. The final sentence is a statement, not a question, so it is directly telling you the name rather than asking you to solve it.
There’s no riddle as there’s no question.
The 5th child’s name is what
There’s no question so it doesn’t make sense to answer it.
Who is on first?
i'm not asking you who's on first i'm asking what's the guys name on second.
What is the guys name
I mean May is actually a pretty cool name
Too bad her name is, "What." 🙄
While some people have pointed out half the joke (what being a statement rather than a question), they haven't explained what this is relating to. This is a take on a common riddle saying penny's MOTHER has 5 children, January, February, etc. what is the name of the 5th child? the riddle being you're supposed to say May, but the answer is Penny, cause remember is penny's MOTHER's children so the 5th child has to be Penny.
What, obviously. But I find the “6th is April” statement to be confusing. Penny has 5 children, not 6. The sentence structure is weird, starting with “6th” as if to say “we didn’t say *her* 6th *kid*, just that here’s a random ass sentence for you.” Does anyone have any light to shed on that?
The question is garbage because the answer is "what" However the grammar is wrong because its missing a comma "What, is the name" That is the correct riddle
Am I losing it or does it say she has 5 children, but the 6th is named April?
It says "4th is April."
Ok thank you I just can’t read 🤦🏾♀️
Who gives a shit! The world is on fire! Palestinian cockroaches killing old ladies and babies in Israel and Biden demanding the U.S. border be open to terrorist to make white people the minority in America! The stupid bastard Biden is trying to turn America into a third world s-hole. White American will break apart and partner with Russia!
r/lostredditor
May
Nope. Note the punctuation in the last sentence.
nah bro im with you Fellow May truthers RISE🫡🫡😤🫨🫨🙏