Riddle: How many seconds are in a year?
Answer: 12
Riddle Explanation + Meaning
This riddle might first seem like it's asking about time, specifically how many seconds you can count in a whole year.
However, the trick lies in the play on words and the double meaning of "seconds."
When we hear the question, we might start thinking about the 60 seconds in a minute, the 60 minutes in an hour, and so on.
But the riddle isn't talking about time in the usual sense.
Instead, it’s referring to the "2nd" day of each month.
Every month has a second day – that’s where the "12 seconds" come from, because there are 12 months in a year.
So, there are 12 "seconds" in a year if we're talking about the 2nd day of the month.
This explanation shows the cleverness of the riddle, making us rethink the question and appreciate the wordplay involved.