Last Updated on April 15, 2020
Travel riddles can be a great way to pass the time during a long journey. Especially if you are mid-flight and there is no in-flight wifi.
This popular puzzler might leave you scratching your head for a while.
The Riddle Explained
The success of this riddle lies in an unusual use of the word “take”.
When we take something in English it usually refers to picking up an object.
So when we first read the riddle “the more you take” we are imagining picking up something. Like taking a book from the table. Taking a handkerchief from your pocket, or taking candy from a baby.
In this case, we are “taking a step”. This riddle really made me think about how we use the word “take” sometimes.
The thing that we are taking, in this case, is “the footstep”. We are referring to “taking a step” like we would “taking a breath”. No objects are picked up. The taking is an action and the thing that moves is your own body.
So could “taking a breath” be an equally valid answer?
I actually think it could.
When we “take footsteps” won’t don’t actually leave anything physical behind.
Sure if we walk on a beach we leave behind footprints. But footprints wasn’t the answer.
So what does it mean to leave behind a footstep?
Not much really. We leave the location where the step was taken behind us as we walk down a path, but we also leave behind the location where the breath was taken when we walk down a path.
Therefore in conclusion… the riddle is a little stupid 🙂
But then riddles usually need to be a little stupid for them to work.
Funny Wrong Guesses
There are a few funny wrong guesses around the internet for this riddle.
- Time
- Poop
- Laxative pills!
- Breathing
- Tequila Shots!
- Love
I propose that everyone on the internet gets together and changes the correct answer to this riddle to “laxative pills”. That would be a fun riddle!
And btw… no cheating next time!