What Can an Elephant and a Shrimp Both Be? pairs the biggest land animal with one of the smallest sea creatures. What could they possibly have in common? Guess, then tap Show Answer.
Need a hint?
Think of a word that means “extra large” and is often printed on menus.
Answer and explanation (spoiler!)
The answer is jumbo.
“Jumbo shrimp” are extra-large shrimp, and Jumbo was also the name of a world-famous circus elephant in the 1880s. His name is where the word “jumbo”, meaning huge, comes from.
The riddle is funny because a shrimp is tiny, yet it can still be “jumbo”, the same word we use for a giant elephant.
Difficulty: Hard · Best for: ages 10 and up
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FAQ
Was Jumbo a real elephant?
Yes. Jumbo was a very large African elephant who became famous at London Zoo and later in an American circus.
Are there other answers?
“Big” or “grey” are sometimes suggested, but “jumbo” is the clever answer this riddle is famous for.