We build "Word Ladders" by changing one letter at a time at each step while maintaining the exact order of letters from the previous word, naturally at each step we have to form a proper word, until all letters of the initial word are changed:

B I G
B I T
B A T
C A T
Let us change the rules.
At every step only one letter may be changed.
Once changed you have to keep that letter.
All letters from the previous word must occupy a new position, in effect we create an anagram of those letters but with one replaced.

S P A N
P A N T
T R A P
R A T E
T I E R

Now, can you change PORE into a medicinal container and DRUM into summer confections that it might also contain? No letters of the original word are to be present in the final one.

Be prepared to offer of your own making too. Maybe add the thought to your Parlor Games list.

(In reply to More Laddergrams.... by Dej Mar)

Dej Mar!

I love the associations! 
Stopwatch!  Team 1 has word pair(x) and Team 2 has pair(y).
                  Teams swap word pairs. Winner is on the better time!


Typically in word problems you post some which are often considered to be uncommon for a range of reasons including general usage, antiquity or some other specifity.

I have found the words not enclosed in my dictionary but am wondering about the others:
PLAT,  KNAR, ANKH, [NARC], [RANI], [PEIR].

Posted by brianjn on 2010-06-15 00:26:24