A puzzle or problem that requires creative or difficult thinking to solve, often one that tricks you or makes you think in unexpected ways.
Compound of 'brain' (Old English 'brægen') and 'teaser' (from 'tease,' meaning to annoy or perplex). Emerged in early 20th century American English as puzzles and riddles became popular entertainment.
Brain teasers became wildly popular during the 1960s-70s as people wanted mental entertainment that couldn't be solved by simple calculation—they required lateral thinking, which scientists discovered uses different parts of the brain than regular problem-solving.
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