This is one i've known for many years.

Start with any number (or infact, word i might say)

At each step, take the number that represents the number of letters in the word, and use that as your next word
you inevitably end up at four, which ofcourse is the end of the line, since the word 'four' has 4 letters.

Timbuktu -> 8
Eight -> 5
Five -> 4
Four -> 4

Equivalent version in Italian, you inevitably end up with 'tre' (3)

Timbuktu -> 8
Otto -> 4
Quatro -> 6
Sei -> 3
Tre -> 3

Last edited by luca-deltodesco (2009-07-20 08:34:28)