This is a riddle (_logos_, a word, and _griphos_, a riddle) in which a
word is made to undergo several changes. These changes are brought
about by the addition, subtraction, omission, or substitution of a
letter or letters. The following, by the late Lord Macaulay, is an
excellent example:
"Cut off my head, how singular I act:
Cut off my tail, and plural I appear.
Cut off my head and tail--most curious fact,
Although my middle's left, there's nothing there!
What is my head cut off?--a sounding sea!
What is my tail cut off?--a flowing river!
Amid their mingling deaths I fearless play
Parent of softest sounds, though mute for ever!"
The answer is _cod_. Cut off its head and it is _od_ (odd, singular);
its tail, and it is Co., plural, for company; head and tail, and it is
o, nothing. Its head is a sounding C (sea), its tail a flowing D
(river Dee), and amid their depths the cod may fearless play, parent
of softest _sounds_ yet mute for ever.