DECAPITATIONS.
There are English words in abundance which, being shorn of their initial letter or syllable, form other words of different meanings. Such words will be considered under the heading of "Decapitations." It will always afford amusement and interest to an assembled company if some one of their number selects an appropriate series of words, and gives an impromptu arrangement, in prose, doggerel verse, or good rhyme if he can, of the several significations of the various words thus arrived at, leaving others to puzzle out the series of words from the descriptions given. In propounding the puzzle, in this and in other cases to be hereafter described, the proposer should exercise his wit and ingenuity in making it as amusing as possible. A judicious play upon words is always appreciated, and sure to cause mirth; indeed, the maxim "that the worse the pun the better the joke" should be borne in mind and acted upon when indulging in "Fireside Fun."
We proceed with a few illustrations of "Decapitations," the appropriate solution being given after each puzzle:—
My whole is a word of one syllable, and expresses a species of grain.
Behead me, and you make me very warm.
Once again, and at meal times I shall be called into requisition.
And yet again remove my initial letter, and I remain a simple preposition.
Answer: Wheat, heat, eat, at.
My whole is but an atom when complete;
You'll find it both in light and heat.
Behead me once, and you behold
A pleasure ground for young and old.
Decapitate again, and you will find
I long ago preserved mankind.
Answer: Spark, park, ark.
I have used all my whole this puzzle to frame,
But if you behead me, then murder you name;
Behead me again, and not dead as supposed,
For I still live and breathe, but am much indisposed.
Answer: Still, kill, ill.
As an illustration of "Decapitation" of words by syllables rather than by letters, we give the following:—
My whole is significant of dissolution.
Behead me, and I am a school exercise significant of construction.
Behead me again, and I denote the place attained by the exercise.
Answer: Decomposition, composition, position.
My whole is unbearable.
Beheaded, I am bearable.
Again beheaded, I am easily moved.
Once more beheaded, I remain a solid piece of furniture.
Answer: Insupportable, supportable, portable, table.
The following words, among many others, are suitable for "Decapitation":—
Abate (bate, ate); abundance (bun, dance); abroad (broad, road); bail (ail, il, French for he); bland (land, and); clout (lout, out); discomfort (comfort, fort); draft (raft, aft); drear (rear, ear); drill (rill, ill); drink (rink, ink); dwell (well, ell); encompass (compass, pass); invalid (valid, lid); chair (hair, air); seat (eat, at); shire (hire, ire); slate (late, ate); and so forth.