Eye-Catching Restaurant Signs
Restaurants often place sidewalk signs to showcase their daily specials. But some eateries are getting even more creative in their efforts to grab the attention of people passing by.
A Mom Encounters a Puzzling Riddle
One mom, Lacey Read-Cue, was left stumped after reading a café’s sign — and not because it listed complicated menu items.
Instead, the café had written out a clever riddle that really challenged pedestrians to think.
The Internet Is Stumped Too
Lacey wasn’t the only one scratching her head — the brain teaser ended up baffling countless people online as well. Are you ready to see if you can solve it?
The Tricky Chalkboard Message
The café’s chalkboard displayed this riddle:
“What has 4 letters, sometimes 9 letters, but never has 5 letters.”
If you’re confused, you’re not alone.
Lacey Shares the Riddle Online
Lacey posted the riddle to social media, and it quickly went viral. She wrote:
“This really screwed w my head 😂😭”
While some people excel at word puzzles, others struggle to see the answer right away. One Facebook user commented:
“Hey bro WHATS THE ANSWER?!?!?!”
Plenty of others expressed their frustration, too.
Let’s Solve It Together
Like many riddles, once you see the answer, it feels obvious. You’re left wondering how you ever missed it.
The trick is that most people read it as a question, since it starts with the word “What” — but it actually ends with a period, making it a statement, not a question.
Breaking Down the Riddle
Here’s how to see it clearly, one part at a time:
- “What has 4 letters.” — That’s correct: W-H-A-T has four letters.
- “Sometimes has 9 letters.” — Count them out: S-O-M-E-T-I-M-E-S equals nine letters.
- “But never has 5 letters.” — N-E-V-E-R is five letters long.
It’s a classic wordplay that makes you want to slap your forehead once you realize what it means.
Reactions from Social Media
People flooded Lacey’s post with comments like:
“Well I get it now and I can’t believe I was so confused for so long 🙄 I can’t live my life in peace now.”
and
“Once I got it, I was really mad at myself I made it harder than what it was lol”
More Clever Signs from Inversnecky Café
This café’s witty sign isn’t a one-time thing. Located in the beautiful city of Aberdeen, UK, Inversnecky Café serves tasty food and drinks, and entertains customers and pedestrians alike with their funny messages.
Their Humor and “Dad Jokes”
The staff often come up with hilarious puns, which BuzzFeed once described as “Dad jokes.” These clever lines always spark a laugh.
For example, one of their chalkboard signs once read:
“Bread is like the sun. It rises in the yeast and sets in the waist.”
Where to Find More
If you can’t visit Aberdeen in person, you can still enjoy their witty humor online.
The café regularly posts photos of their funny signs on their Facebook page, sure to brighten anyone’s day.
