When is a door not a door? Riddle Answer + Meaning

 
When is a door not a door

Riddle: When is a door not a door?

Answer: When it's ajar!

How To Solve It

To solve this riddle, you need to:

  • Understand the different meanings of the word "ajar."
  • Recognize the play on words involving the state of a door.
  • Discard the literal interpretation that a door's essence changes based on its state.

The riddle plays on the common assumption that a door's definition is constant, challenging us to think about states in which its identity might be questioned.

Analyzing Key Components

"When is a door not a door?"

  • Literal meaning: Asking under what circumstances a door ceases to be considered a door.
  • Contribution to the riddle: Sets up a paradoxical scenario that seems impossible, as a door's identity typically doesn't change.

"When it's ajar!"

  • Literal meaning: When the door is slightly open.
  • Contribution to the riddle: Resolves the riddle's paradox with a play on words, revealing that the door's identity hasn't changed; rather, our perception of its state has.

Breaking Down the Language

This riddle relies heavily on wordplay and the dual meaning of "ajar":

  • Pun: "Ajar" sounds like "a jar," leading to a confusion of context. The humor arises from the misunderstanding that a door could transform into a jar.
  • Figurative language: The phrase plays on the literal and figurative meanings of being "ajar." Literally, it describes a door slightly open; figuratively, it suggests the door is not fulfilling its typical function (to either be fully open or closed).

Find More Jokes

starbucks riddles

101+ Starbucks Riddles to Brew Your Mind (with Answers)

Get ready to steam up your brain with a Venti-sized challenge! Our collection of 101+ Starbucks riddles is the perfect ...

101+ Brain-Perking Coffee Riddles to Solve (with Answers)

Wake up your wit with a steamy cup of conundrums! Dive into our brew-tiful collection of 101+ coffee riddles for ...

Why did Snap, Crackle and Pop get scared

Why did Snap, Crackle and Pop get scared – Riddle answer + Meaning

Riddle: Why did Snap, Crackle, and Pop get scared? Answer: They heard there was a cereal killer on the loose. ...

101+ Zoo Animal Riddles to Test Your Wit (with Answers)

Ready to unleash your inner beast on some brain-teasers? Dive into our wild collection of 101+ zoo animal riddles that'll ...

king riddles

101+ King Riddles to Test Your Royal Wit (with Answers)

Are you ready to challenge your royal intellect? Prepare to embark on a regal quest filled with 101+ king riddles ...

spring riddles for kids

101+ Engaging Spring Riddles for Kids (with Answers)

Hop into the season of blooms and giggles with our collection of 101+ spring riddles for kids! These brain-teasers are ...

horse riddles

101+ Brilliant Horse Riddles to Test Your Wit (with Answers)

Saddle up, brainiacs! It's time to gallop through a stable of 101+ brilliant horse riddles for kids and adults that'll ...

What time do ducks wake up?

What time do ducks wake up? – Riddle Answer + Meaning

Riddle: What time do ducks wake up? Answer: At the quack of dawn Riddle Explanation + Meaning This riddle is ...

2 bodies were found frozen (Adam and Eve)

2 bodies were found frozen (Adam and Eve) – Riddle answer + Meaning

Riddle: Two archaeologists enter a cave. They stumble upon a man and a woman frozen in ice. One archaeologist says ...

riddles about video games

101+ Best Video Game Riddles to Test Your Skills (with Answers)

Ready to level up your brain with some epic riddles about video games? Dive into our treasure chest of 101+ ...

Written By

Steve

At Riddlepedia, we're not just curators; we're passionate riddle-masters, conundrum collectors, and guardians of the age-old tradition of riddling. Our mission is to deliver the most diverse, captivating, and mind-bending riddles from every corner of the globe. We see a riddle as more than a puzzle; it's a gateway to curiosity, a test of intellect, and a celebration of mental agility.