Riddles have delighted and entertained people for millennia, with the earliest known example, "The Riddle of the Sphinx," dating back over 4,000 years to ancient Sumer. Riddles test our creative thinking and problem-solving skills, often using metaphorical language and double meanings. Some, like today‘s topic "What do you call an old snowman?" are simple and silly, while others are devilishly tricky.
The History and Benefits of Riddles
The ancient Sumerians and Egyptians are known to have used riddles, but they likely originated even earlier in human history. Many cultures have long oral storytelling traditions incorporating riddles. The Old Testament of the Bible contains several riddles, such as Samson‘s famous "Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness" (the answer involved a lion and a beehive).
In 18th century England and America, riddles became a popular pastime among adults in social settings like dinner parties. Today, riddles are often associated with children‘s entertainment and education. Studies have shown that riddles and puzzles help develop important cognitive skills in kids, including:
- Lateral thinking (approaching problems creatively from new angles)
- Vocabulary and language skills
- Reading comprehension
- Logic and reasoning
- Mental flexibility
- Concentration and memory
So cracking the answers to tricky riddles is more than just fun – it‘s giving your brain a workout too! Riddles have become ingrained in popular culture, from Lewis Carroll‘s fanciful stories to Batman‘s arch-nemesis The Riddler to the recent fascination with escape rooms.
Riddle Me This: What Do You Call an Old Snowman?
One of the joys of riddles is that the answer is often hiding in plain sight. Such is the case with our headlining head-scratcher: "What do you call an old snowman?"
The simple answer: "A puddle of water!"
As snow is made of frozen water, an old snowman that has melted away will revert back to a liquid state. Let‘s unpack the science behind this a bit further.
The Science of Snowmen and Melting
Snow forms when atmospheric water vapor freezes into ice crystals, which then collide and stick together as they fall through the air, forming snowflakes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), snow will only fall if the air temperature is below freezing throughout the entire atmosphere, from the clouds to the ground.
Several factors influence how long a snowman will last before melting:
Air temperature: The warmer the temperature rises above 32°F/0°C, the faster a snowman will melt. Snowmen will last longer during cold snaps.
Humidity and wind: Dry air and wind can cause snow to sublimate (turn directly from solid to gas) rather than melt, especially if temperatures remain below freezing.
Ground temperature: If the ground is still cold and frozen when a snowman is built, it will slow the melting process compared to wet, thawed ground that emits heat.
Size and density: A large, tightly packed snowman will take longer to fully melt than a small, loosely built one with a lot of air pockets.
Sun and shade: Direct sunlight will speed up melting, while a snowman built in the shade will have some protection.
Icy layers can prolong a snowman‘s life. Some recommend "curing" a finished snowman by sprinkling cold water over it and letting it refreeze. Commercial snowman kits may include a hard, clear plastic shell that fits over the snowman for added defense against the elements.
Snowmen By the Numbers
Just how common are snowmen? Some notable statistics:
According to a 2020 YouGov poll, nearly 75% of Americans have built a snowman at some point in their lives.
Japan holds the Guinness World Record for most snowmen built in one hour, with 2,036 constructed by hand in the town of Akabira in 2011.
The United States and Canada both have ample annual snowfall to support snowman building. The American cities that receive the most snow include Boonville, NY (193 inches/490 cm), Lead, SD (201 inches/510 cm), and Truckee, CA (202 inches/513 cm) according to NOAA data.
A typical snowman contains 7,920 cubic inches (130,000 cubic cm) of snow, weighing about 90 pounds (41 kg), based on the density of compacted snow.
The Evolution of Snowmen in Culture
Snowmen have appeared in artwork since the Middle Ages, but the term "snowman" didn‘t enter the English language until the 18th century. Early references describe snowmen as crude, ephemeral folk art – a far cry from today‘s jolly, carrot-nosed Christmas icon wearing a top hat and scarf.
Frosty the Snowman – originally a song, then an animated TV special – helped establish snowmen as a universal symbol of holiday cheer in contemporary America. The 1950 Gene Autry song "Frosty the Snowman" describes a snowman magically brought to life, while the 1969 cartoon special by Rankin/Bass remains a seasonal viewing tradition.
Other famous snowmen in popular culture include:
- Olaf from Disney‘s Frozen (2013)
- The monstrous Bumble from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
- Jack Frost (and his adversary Kubla Kraus) from Jack Frost (1979)
- The murderous snowman in the horror movie Jack Frost (1996)
- The Abominable Snowmen of the Himalayas from Doctor Who (1967)
- Calvin‘s mischievous snow creations in the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes (1985-1995)
The Business and Technology of Snowmen
In recent decades, advances in technology have allowed people to engage with snowmen in new ways:
3D printing has been used to create custom cookie cutters, ice cube trays, and even full-size snow sculpture molds in the shape of snowmen.
Drones equipped with cameras can capture aerial photos and videos of impressive snowmen and snow creations for social media sharing.
Smart home assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home can help you find snowman building tips, play snowman-themed music, and even tell snowman jokes.
There are several thriving businesses centered around snowmen and winter fun:
Flexible Flyer, the classic sled company, sells plastic snowman mold kits to help sculpt the perfect snowman.
Frosty Mountain in Frostburg, MD is a popular snowman-themed park featuring a 20 ft. tall snowman.
Professional snow sculptors like the Snow Alchemists in the UK specialize in making custom snow and ice creations, including giant snowmen for winter festivals and events.
Environmental Concerns and the Future of Snowmen
Climate change is impacting when, where, and how often people are able to build snowmen. According to Climate Central, the number of days with snow on the ground is declining across much of the United States, especially on the first and last days of the snow season.
Rising global temperatures mean that many areas are seeing winter precipitation falling as rain instead of snow. When snow does fall, it melts more quickly. Some scientists predict that snowmen could become an increasingly rare sight in the future, which could negatively impact winter tourism and recreation industries in some communities.
Final Thoughts
From fanciful riddles to 3D printing to sobering climate research, who knew the humble snowman could connect to so many aspects of history, culture, and science? The silly answer that an old snowman is nothing more than a puddle belies the surprisingly rich and complex role snowmen have played in our collective imagination and experiences for generations.
Perhaps the ultimate lesson of the snowman is to appreciate the fleeting magic of childhood and life‘s simple pleasures. Or maybe it‘s a reminder that even the coldest, hardest hearts can melt with a little warmth and cheer. Either way, may your own snowman memories never melt away.
