What's the difference between... NPR creative challenge
 

For those eager for some distraction:

On Sunday mornings, Will Shortz offers NPR listeners a weekly puzzle. This week, unusually, rather than a puzzle to be solved, it is "a creative challenge." It can be heard at about the 5:08 mark on the 6-minute podcast currently at the top of this page: http://www.npr.org/series/4473090/sunday-puzzle
(It might move, particularly after next Sunday's show.)

A paraphrase:
a conundrum or riddle beginning "What is the difference betweeen..." in which the answer involves a transposition.
The example given: What is the difference between a lucky criminal and some Saran with a garden vegetable?
Answer: One beats the wrap, while the other wraps the beat.

To submit, hit the "submit" button in the link above. [bold; 2nd paragraph under the Listen link (Thanks, Bob)]
The form will ask for your local NPR station.
Up to three entries per person.
A chance to be on the radio and a small prize are at stake.
Deadline Wed. Nov. 23.

Q. What's the difference between a magician's wand and a policeman's truncheon?

A. A magician's wand is for cunning stunts...

Thanks, Max. If I win the prize, I'll prize the win.

But I can't find the "submit" button. Could you be more specific?

PS-- Never mind. I found it. It's in bold, the second paragraph under the the "listen" link.

What's the difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a government Ofsted inspector?

One tucks features...

Edit: I suppose mine and Ann's are more spooneristic than the 'word reversal' idea of the example. Not to say unbroadcastable. ;)

I've worked out (by running my finger round the face of my watch) that 3pm ET is 8pm GMT. Do you think they'd phone us, Mark?

Here are the three I sent very quickly to prevent myself from spending the next two weeks trying to come up with better.:

1. What's the difference between an astronaut and an exhibitionist? One walks on the moon, the other moons on the walk.

2. What's the difference between a revenue agent in Arizona and a revenue agent in New Orleans? They both levy taxes, but only one taxes levees.

3. What's the difference between a window repairman and Hillary Clinton? One is forever sealing glass, the other is forever hitting the glass ceiling.

I don't think Will Shortz is going to like any of mine, Ann. He looks far too clean-cut.

What's the difference between a nun at prayer and a nun in the bath?

One has hope in her soul...

(See what I mean? In my defence, I heard this in the playground of St Mary's Primary school when I was about 9. I can't claim authorship...)

It's a good one, Mark, but the contest isn't for spoonerisms.

Hey, Ann started it! ;)

Ok. I've invented one...

What's the difference between a dog and a sexy mountaineer?

One pants in hot climes, the other climbs in hot pants.

What's the difference between an archaeologist and someone who can't make jam?

One preserves the ruin, the other ruins the preserve.

(I think I'm done now)

What's the difference between Jesus on the Sea of Galilee, and a crooked Revenue Inspector in the hills of Tennessee?

One stills the waves, the other waives the stills.


What's the difference between a woman whose dress is too short, and a TV talk show host whose ratings are declining?

One's slip is showing, the other's show is slipping.



What's the difference between a chrome plater, and a kleptomaniac dishwasher?

One plates steel, the other steals plates.



What's the difference between a supermarket cashier, and a person in Prague who publicizes closeted gays?

One checks out, the other outs Czechs.



What's the difference between a remodeler of Colonial houses, and Anthony Weiner?

One exposes his beams, and the other ... oh heck, there is no difference.


What's the difference between Lady Luck and Barak Obama?

One is Dame Luck, the other is a lame duck.

What's the difference between a man who keeps toupees in a vault and Donald Trump? One is a wig banker.

What is the difference between an eminent Comedian and Donald Trump?
One is a man of infinite jest; the other is an infinite jest of a man.

What is the difference between a Buddist and a Broker?
One heeds the bonds of love; the other heeds the love of bonds.

What is the difference between the stalking of celebrities and the Marquis de Sade?
One is a sin of fans; the other is a fan of sins.

What’s the difference between a healthy garden patch and a Bonanza star?
One’s a green lawn and the other’s Lorne Greene.

(OK, I admit that this is a Spoonerism that I have used in the past ...)

What's the difference between a Chinese meal and tell-tale stains on the sheets?

One is Fried Duck.

What's the difference between the chauffeur of a hunting party and a trigger-happy American cop?

One drives shooters; the other shoots drivers.

1,500 entries. None of us placed. The winners/runners up were, IMO, a mix of the funny and disappointing. It was an enjoyable competition.

How many entries do the weekly and monthly comps in the British magazines and WaPo tend to get? Do we know?

P.S.: Lorne Green! I love it, Jayne.