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Rebade

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A hybrid of the rebus and alternade. The reading of the rubric (these terms are explained under rebus) is divided into two or more shorter words by taking alternating letters in order. For example, the rubric might be RBF H T with the reading being RBF, eliminated H, see T. The three parts, obtained by taking every third letter of the reading, would be ONE = remade, TWO = blithe, THREE = finest. These parts would be clued in the accompanying verse. Here’s another example:

REBADE (4, 4, 3)
 
6
 
My shoulders THREE; my face grows ashen:
TWO mini—enter ONE! says fashion.
=Treesong

The solution: ONE = midi, TWO = exit, THREE = sag. Write the solution letters alternately to make the rubric reading appear: me: six, a digit.

For more information, see Solving and Composing the Rebus and Rebade.

In the subade (suber alternade—see suber), the reading is reversed before being divided into shorter words or phrases. For example, TLGHG gives the reading: set T before L, G, H, ge. Reversed and divided: ONE = egret, TWO = globe, THREE = hefts.

SUBADE (5, 5)
 
h p
 
His maladroitness plagued him
Till he wished that he were dead.
He tried to TWO his wrists, but missed,
And cut his ONE instead.
=Treesong

The solution: ONE = palms, TWO = slash. (The reading: h’s small as p.)

The rebade was invented by Treesong in January 1974.

See also

Foo

Bar

Baz

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