easy

One night, a butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker go to a hotel. When they get their bill, however, it's for four people. Who's the fourth person?

'One night' is the name of the fourth person

Why this works

This riddle plays with the phrase "One night," which can be misinterpreted as referring to a time period rather than a name. The trick lies in realizing that "One night" is not just setting the scene; it cleverly hints that it is, in fact, the name of an additional character, making the total count four. Thus, the riddle turns our expectations on their head, inviting us to think outside the box while keeping the answer delightfully simple!

Common Wrong Answers

“A ghost”

While the idea of a ghost could fit the theme of a mysterious fourth person, there is no evidence in the riddle to suggest a supernatural element. The riddle plays on words instead.

“The hotel manager”

The hotel manager is not mentioned in the riddle, and the riddle specifically asks for the identity of the fourth person among the three named individuals.

“A friend who joined them later”

The riddle does not imply that anyone joined them after they arrived at the hotel, and the answer relies on a clever play with the phrase 'One night'.

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