Some of the best riddles are only a few words long. This one asks: What has a lock but no key? It’s easy to start thinking about doors, gates, padlocks, and old cabinets. But the puzzle has nothing to do with opening a door.
Think about the word “lock”
In everyday English, a lock can mean a fastening device secured with a key. But it can also refer to something else entirely. The trick is recognizing that one ordinary word can have two very different meanings.
Take a moment to think of other expressions that use the word “lock” before reading on.
The answer
A lock of hair. A lock of hair is a strand or small bunch of hair. It is a “lock,” but it doesn’t have a key and doesn’t need one.
This is a classic example of a wordplay riddle. The question encourages you to picture a metal lock, then rewards you for switching to the less obvious meaning of the same word.
Why familiar riddles remain fun
Riddles like this work well around the dinner table because they don’t require special knowledge or complicated calculations. They ask you to listen closely to the wording and consider more than one interpretation.
Did you think of hair, or were you picturing a door? Share this little challenge with someone who loves old-fashioned riddles.
