from the INTRODUCTION... A CONUNDRUM is a riddle in the form of a question, the answer to which involves a pun. Originally the term was applied to any quaint expression. It is thus, in its modern form, a union of the elaborated riddle and the impromptu pun. from the book..... Why is the old elm on Boston Common like the ladies of Boston? Because they are well hooped. How long should a lady's crinoline be made? A little over two feet. Why are ladies who wear large crinolines ugly? Because they are not even passable. Why are washerwomen unreasonable? They expect soft water when it rains hard. Why are they the greatest of coquettes? They wring men's ruffled bosoms.