A woman shoots her husband, then holds him underwater for five minutes. Next, she hangs him. But five minutes later they both go out and enjoy a wonderful dinner. How?

Why this works

At first glance, this riddle seems to weave a dark tale of violence, but it cleverly disguises a more innocent scenario behind its seemingly sinister actions. The key lies in the words we often take for granted; “shoots” refers not to an act of aggression but to taking a photograph. Next, when she “holds him underwater,” it’s not a desperate act but rather part of the developing process in photography, where prints are submerged in water to fix the image. Finally, when she “hangs” him, it’s about drying the print after development, not a tragic end. This riddle plays on our preconceived notions of the words involved, leading us down a path of morbid imagery instead of the delightful revelation of a creative hobby. The “aha moment” arrives when we realize that every action described aligns perfectly with the steps of developing a photograph, transforming what could have been a grim story into a charming depiction of art. It’s a testament to the power of language and perspective—how easily our interpretations can shift when viewed through a different lens. Fun fact: This riddle taps into the rich history of photography, a craft that dates back to the early 19th century. The word “photography” itself comes from the Greek words for "light" (photos) and "drawing" (grapho), meaning "drawing with light." So next time you snap a picture, remember that you’re not just capturing a moment; you’re engaging in a tradition that has fascinated humanity for centuries!