Hermans
The Oxford Word Challenge 

A Fiendishly Difficult Word Game
Hermans
‘Hermans’ are sentences that use a pun on a person’s name, modelled on the sentence: ‘She’s my woman,’ said Herman. Hermans can include more complicated examples like: ‘What comes after H?’ said I, Jay, Kay, Ella, and Emma.
Suggest appropriate female names for the speakers of these sentences.
Example: ‘Bless this meal,’ said . . .
Answer: Grace.
1. ‘Can you see I’ve been dieting?’ said . . .
2. ‘Is that a horse I hear?’ asked . . .
3.‘Everything in the garden is lovely,’ said . . .
4.‘I’m an egotist,’ said . . .
5.‘I only just got up,’ said . . .
6.‘I’m shrinking!’ said . . .
7.‘Sing doh, ray, me, fah, soh, te, doh,’ said . . .
8.‘This house has two lavatories,’ said . . .
9.‘I’m the greatest,’ said . . .
10.‘Anna’s not going anywhere,’ said . . .
Now suggest suitable male first names for the speakers of these sentences:
11. ‘I am the winner,’ said . . .
12. ‘I cannot tell a lie,’ said . . .
13.‘That can’t be a window,’ said . . .
14.‘I’ve finished the excavation,’ said . . .
15.‘On your knees!’ shouted . . .
16.‘I’m only joking,’ said . . .
17.‘Do you like my telescope?’ said . . .
18.‘I can’t get mumps twice,’ said . . .
19.‘How does that famous soliloquy start?’ asked . . .
20.‘Over and out,’ said . . .
See the Answers
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