Periodic Pun Fun - Chemical Formula - Worksheets Library - Free Printable

Here is the step-by-step solution to match each pun with the correct chemical element. I’ll go through each one logically, using wordplay and sound-alikes — that’s what “Periodic Pun Fun” is all about!

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1. Not an exciting person
→ Sounds like “boring” → Boron

2. What you do to a wrinkled shirt
→ You “iron” it → Iron

3. Superman’s weakness
→ Kryptonite → comes from Krypton

4. My brother
→ “Bro” + “mine” = Bromine? Wait… “My brother” sounds like “Br” (bromine) + “other”? Actually, think: “My brother” → “Br” is bromine, but maybe “Curium”? No… Let’s try: “My brother” → “Bro” → Bromine? Hmm. Better idea: “My brother” → “Br” is bromine, but perhaps “Tin”? No. Wait — “My brother” → “Br” + “other” → not quite. Think phonetically: “My brother” → “Mibrother” → no. Alternative: “My brother” → “Curium”? Because “Cure him”? Not matching. Let’s skip and come back.

Actually, let’s reframe: “My brother” → “Br” is bromine, but maybe it’s Barium? “Ba” + “rium” → “Barium” sounds like “barium” → not helping. Wait — “My brother” → “Bro” → Bromine is Br. But let’s check #10: “Get him” → that might be “Catch him” → “Cs” for cesium? Maybe later.

Wait — better approach: “My brother” → “Br” is bromine, but perhaps it’s Cerium? “See ‘em”? No. Let’s look at common puns:

Actually, standard answer for “My brother” in these puzzles is Bromine — because “Br” = brother? Not perfect. Wait — another thought: “My brother” → “Mine” + “brother” → “Miner”? No. Perhaps Tin? “Tin” as in “tin can”? Not fitting.

Let me jump ahead and come back.

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5. Extinct
→ “Extinct” → gone → “Gone” sounds like “Ga”? Not on list. Wait — “Extinct” → “No more” → “Neon”? No. “Extinct” → “Dead” → “Lead”? Lead is Pb. Wait — “Extinct” → “Past tense of die” → “Died” → “Di” → not there. Another angle: “Extinct” → “Erased” → “Erase” → “Er” → Erbium? Yes! Erbium — “Er” + “bium” → “Er” as in erase → extinct things are erased. That works.

But wait — “Extinct” also could be “Gone” → “Go” → not helpful. Let’s hold.

Actually, common pun: “Extinct” → “No longer exists” → “Ex” → “Xe” is xenon — not on list. Hmm.

Alternative: “Extinct” → “Dead” → “Dee” → not there. Let’s try #6.

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6. What a dog does with its bone
→ Bury it → “Bury” → Boron? Boron sounds like “borrow”, not bury. “Bury” → “Be” + “ry” → not matching. Wait — “Bury” → “Barium”? “Ba” + “rium” → “Barium” doesn’t sound like bury. “Buried” → “Be rid” → not helping.

Wait — “What a dog does with its bone” → hides it → “Hide” → “Hf”? Not on list. Or “Bury” → “Br” → bromine? No.

Another idea: “Bury” → “Be” + “ry” → “Berry” → not an element. Wait — “Bury” → “Bor” → Boron! Yes! “Boron” sounds like “borrow”, but if you say “bury” fast, it’s close to “boron”. In many pun lists, this is accepted. So Boron.

But let’s confirm later.

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7. What a doctor does to a male patient
→ Examines him → “Exam” → “Xam” → not helpful. “Check him” → “Check” → “Ch” → not there. “Treat him” → “Treat” → “Tr” → not there. Wait — “Male patient” → “Man” → “Mn” is manganese — not on list. “He” → helium — not on list.

Wait — “Doctor does to a male patient” → “Prostate exam”? Too specific. Simpler: “Looks at him” → “See him” → “Se” → selenium — not on list. “Tests him” → “Test” → “Te” — tellurium — not on list.

Another angle: “Male” → “Masculine” → “Mas” → not there. Wait — “Patient” → “Pat” → not there.

Perhaps “Cures him” → “Cure” → “Cu” is copper → Copper! Yes! Doctors cure patients. Copper = Cu. So Copper.

That makes sense.

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8. A place for washing dishes
→ Sink → “Sink” → Zinc! Zinc sounds like “sink”. Perfect.

9. E = mc²
→ Einstein’s equation → Einsteinium

10. Get him
→ “Catch him” → “Catch” → “Cs” is cesium → Cesium

Yes! Cesium = Cs → “Catch him” → “Cs him” → “Get him”

11. Imitation diamond
→ Cubic zirconia → made from Zirconium

12. How to catch a horse
→ “Neigh” → “Ne” is neon → Neon

Because horses say “neigh”, so to catch a horse, you use “neon” — play on words.

13. A silly convict
→ “Fool” + “prisoner” → “Foolish inmate” → “In” + “mate” → Indium! Indium sounds like “in dumb” or “in dim”, but actually, “convict” → “inmate” → “In” + “dium” → Indium. Yes.

14. Sinker material
→ Fishing sinkers are often made of lead → Lead

15. What I did at the rodeo
→ Rode a bull → “Rode” → “Rhodium”? Rhodium sounds like “rode him”. Yes! Rhodium

16. A place for growing herbs?
→ Garden → “Garden” → “Ga” not there. “Herb garden” → “Herb” → “H” not there. Wait — “Growing herbs” → “Plant” → “Pt” platinum — not on list. “Soil” → “S” sulfur? Not direct.

Another idea: “Herbs” → “Spice” → “Sp” not there. Wait — “Place for growing herbs” → “Greenhouse” → “Green” → “Gr” not there.

Think phonetically: “A place for growing herbs” → “Where you grow thyme, rosemary…” → “Grow” → “Gro” → not there. Wait — “Herb” → “Erbe” → “Erbium”? Already used? Earlier I had erbium for extinct.

Wait — “Growing herbs” → “Cultivate” → “Cul” not there. Perhaps “Farm” → “Fm” fermium — not on list.

Another angle: “Herbs” → “Seasoning” → “Salt” → NaCl — not elements. Wait — “Pepper” → not element.

Wait — “A place for growing herbs” → “Garden” → “Gar” → not there. But “Garden” sounds like “Gard” → “Ga” not there.

Hold on — “Herbs” → “Thyme” → “Time” → “Ti” titanium — not on list. “Rosemary” → “Ro” not there.

Perhaps “Basil” → “Ba” barium? Barium is Ba. “Basil” starts with “Ba” → Barium? Stretch, but possible.

Wait — better: “A place for growing herbs” → “Patch” → “Pa” protactinium — not on list. “Bed” → “Be” beryllium — not on list.

I recall a common pun: “Where do you grow herbs?” → “In a herb garden” → “Herb” → “Erbe” → Erbium. But I assigned erbium to extinct earlier. Conflict.

Let’s reassigned.

Earlier for #5 “Extinct” — maybe it’s Argon? “Argon” sounds like “are gone” → extinct things are gone. Yes! That’s better.

So:

#5 Extinct → Argon (“are gone”)

Then #16 “A place for growing herbs” → “Herb” → “Erbe” → Erbium

Perfect.

17. Hug me
→ “Embrace me” → “Em” + “brace” → “Em” is not an element. “Hug” → “Hg” is mercury → Mercury! Hg = mercury. “Hg” sounds like “hug”. Yes!

18. Make sure my steak is well cooked
→ “Well done” → “Done” → “Dn” not there. “Cooked” → “Cook” → “Co” cobalt — not on list. “Steak” → “Meat” → “Mt” meitnerium — not on list.

Wait — “Well cooked” → “Rare” opposite → “Medium” → “Med” not there. “Burnt” → “Br” bromine? Not fitting.

Another idea: “Make sure my steak is well cooked” → “Don’t leave it raw” → “Raw” → “Ra” radium — not on list. “Cook” → “Cu” copper? Already used.

Wait — “Steak” → “Beef” → “Be” beryllium — not on list. “Meat” → “Me” not there.

Phonetic: “Well cooked” → “Done” → “Dun” → not there. “Finished” → “Fin” not there.

Think: “Make sure” → “Ensure” → “En” not there. “Sure” → “Shore” → not there.

Wait — “Steak” → “Cut” → “Cu” copper again? No.

Another angle: “Well cooked” → “Charred” → “Char” → “Cr” chromium — not on list.

Perhaps “Grill” → “Gr” not there.

I recall: “Make sure my steak is well cooked” → “Don’t serve it rare” → “Rare” → “Ra” not there. Wait — “Serve” → “Ser” → not there.

Wait — “Cooked” → “Heat” → “He” helium — not on list. “Hot” → “Ho” holmium → Holmium! Holmium sounds like “hold ‘em” or “hot ‘em”? Not quite.

“Make sure my steak is well cooked” → “Keep it hot” → “Hot” → “Ho” → Holmium

Yes, that’s a stretch but acceptable in puns.

Alternatively, “Well done” → “Weldon” → not there. Let’s go with Holmium for now.

19. The police raid is a goer!
→ “Raid” → “Ra” + “id” → “Ra” is radium — not on list. “Goer” → “Go” → not there. “Police raid” → “Bust” → “Bu” not there.

Wait — “The police raid is a goer” → means it’s happening → “On” → “O” oxygen? Not direct.

Another idea: “Raid” → “Red” → “Re” not there. “Goer” → “Gore” → “Ge” germanium — not on list.

Phonetic: “Police raid” → “Cop bust” → “Cop” → “Co” cobalt — not on list. “Bust” → “Bu” not there.

Wait — “Is a goer” → “Going” → “Go” → not there. “Proceeding” → “Pro” not there.

Perhaps “Raid” → “Attack” → “At” astatine — not on list.

I think this is Radon? “Raid on” → “Radon”! Yes! “The police raid is a goer” → “raid on” → Radon

Perfect.

20. A cowboy’s foe
→ Cowboy vs Indian → “Indian” → Indium

Already used for #13? #13 was “silly convict” → indium. Conflict.

#13 “A silly convict” → “Inmate” → “In” + “dium” → indium.

#20 “Cowboy’s foe” → traditionally “Indian” → so also indium? Can’t reuse.

Unless #13 is something else.

“A silly convict” → “Fool in jail” → “Jail” → “Ja” not there. “Convict” → “Con” → “Co” cobalt — not on list. “Silly” → “Goofy” → “Go” not there.

“Silly convict” → “Dumb prisoner” → “Dumb” → “Db” dubnium — not on list. “Prisoner” → “Inmate” → still indium.

Perhaps “A silly convict” → “Idiot behind bars” → “Id” → not there.

Another idea: “Silly” → “Nuts” → “Nu” not there. “Convict” → “Crook” → “Cr” chromium — not on list.

Wait — “Silly convict” → “Moron in cell” → “Cell” → “Ce” cerium → Cerium! Cerium sounds like “see ‘em” or “seerium”, but “cell” + “moron” → not direct.

“Behind bars” → “Bars” → “Ba” barium → Barium

But barium is for #16? We have conflict.

Let’s list what we have so far and assign uniquely.

Let me make a table mentally.

Elements available: Argon, Cesium, Erbium, Krypton, Oxygen, Sulfur, Arsenic, Cerium, Europium, Lead, Radon, Tin, Barium, Copper, Holmium, Mercury, Rhodium, Tungsten, Boron, Curium, Indium, Neon, Scandium, Zinc, Bromine, Einsteinium, Iron, Neptunium, Silicon, Zirconium

Puns solved so far:

1. Not exciting → Boron (boring)

2. Wrinkled shirt → Iron

3. Superman's weakness → Krypton

4. My brother → ?

5. Extinct → Argon (are gone)

6. Dog with bone → Boron? But boron used. Wait, #1 is boron. Can't reuse.

Problem: each element used once.

So #1: Not exciting → Boron

#6: Dog with bone → must be different.

"What a dog does with its bone" → buries it → "bury" → which element sounds like bury?

"Bury" → "Be" + "ry" → not there. "Bury" → "Barium"? "Ba" + "rium" → "barium" doesn't sound like bury.

"Bury" → "Br" bromine? Bromine is Br, "br" as in brother, not bury.

Another idea: "Bury" → "Inter" → "In" + "ter" → not there. "Dig" → "Di" not there.

Perhaps "Hide" → "Hi" not there. "Conceal" → "Ce" cerium → Cerium

"Cerium" sounds like "see 'em", but if you say "conceal" fast, not really.

Wait — "What a dog does with its bone" → "Chew" → "Ch" not there. "Gnaw" → "Gn" not there.

I recall a common pun: "What a dog does with its bone" → "Bury it" → "Boron" is often used, but if boron is taken by #1, then problem.

Perhaps #1 is not boron.

"Not an exciting person" → "Boring" → definitely boron.

So #6 must be something else.

Another thought: "Bury" → "Earth" → "Er" erbium → but erbium is for #16.

Let's swap.

Set #5 Extinct → Argon (are gone)

#16 Growing herbs → Erbium (herb -> erbe)

#6 Dog with bone → ?

Perhaps "Bury" → "Ground" → "Gr" not there. "Soil" → "S" sulfur → Sulfur? Sulfur sounds like "sulfer", not soil.

"Bone" → "Calcium" — not on list.

Wait — "Dog" → "Canine" → "Ca" calcium — not on list.

Perhaps "Fetch" → "Fe" iron — already used.

I think I need to accept that "bury" -> "boron" is intended, but since #1 is boron, maybe #1 is different.

"Not an exciting person" -> "Dull" -> "Du" not there. "Bland" -> "Bl" not there. "Tedious" -> "Te" tellurium — not on list.

"Boring" is best for boron.

Perhaps #6 is "Tin"? "Tin" as in tin can, dog buries in tin can? Weak.

Another idea: "What a dog does with its bone" -> "Saves it for later" -> "Save" -> "Sv" not there. "Later" -> "La" lanthanum — not on list.

Let's look at #4 "My brother" -> perhaps "Br" bromine, and #6 is something else.

Set #4: My brother -> Bromine (Br = brother)

Then #6: Dog with bone -> ?

Still stuck.

Perhaps "Bury" -> "Be" beryllium — not on list.

I recall that in some versions, "What a dog does with its bone" is "Bury it" -> "Boron", and "Not an exciting person" is "Boring" -> also boron, but that can't be.

Unless the puzzle allows reuse, but typically not.

Perhaps "Not an exciting person" is "Argon" (are gone), but argon is for extinct.

Let's try a different assignment.

Let me search for standard answers online in my knowledge.

From memory, common periodic table puns:

- Not exciting: Boron

- Wrinkled shirt: Iron

- Superman's weakness: Krypton

- My brother: Bromine (Br)

- Extinct: Argon (are gone)

- Dog with bone: Bury it -> Boron? Conflict.

Wait, perhaps "Dog with bone" is "Tin" because dogs bury bones in tin cans? Unlikely.

Another possibility: "What a dog does with its bone" -> "Chew" -> "Cu" copper, but copper is for doctor curing.

Let's list all and solve systematically.

Let me write down the puns and possible matches:

1. Not an exciting person - Boron (boring)

2. What you do to a wrinkled shirt - Iron

3. Superman's weakness - Krypton

4. My brother - Bromine (Br)

5. Extinct - Argon (are gone)

6. What a dog does with its bone - ?

7. What a doctor does to a male patient - Copper (cure him)

8. A place for washing dishes - Zinc (sink)

9. E = mc² - Einsteinium

10. Get him - Cesium (catch him)

11. Imitation diamond - Zirconium

12. How to catch a horse - Neon (neigh)

13. A silly convict - Indium (inmate)

14. Sinker material - Lead

15. What I did at the rodeo - Rhodium (rode him)

16. A place for growing herbs? - Erbium (herb)

17. Hug me - Mercury (Hg)

18. Make sure my steak is well cooked - Holmium (hot 'em) or perhaps "Well done" -> "Weldon" not there. Another idea: "Cooked" -> "Heat" -> "He" not there. "Steak" -> "Meat" -> "Mt" not there. Perhaps "Grill" -> "Gr" not there. Let's say Holmium for now.

19. The police raid is a goer! - Radon (raid on)

20. A cowboy's foe - Indian -> Indium, but indium is used for #13.

Conflict between #13 and #20.

"A silly convict" could be "Cerium" (see 'em in jail?) or "Barium" (behind bars).

"Cowboy's foe" is definitely "Indian" -> Indium.

So perhaps #13 is not indium.

"A silly convict" -> "Fool in prison" -> "Prison" -> "Pr" praseodymium — not on list. "Jail" -> "Ja" not there.

"Silly" -> "Nuts" -> "Nu" not there. "Convict" -> "Crook" -> "Cr" chromium — not on list.

"Behind bars" -> "Bars" -> "Ba" barium -> Barium

Then #16 "Growing herbs" -> if barium is used, then what? "Herb" -> "Erbe" -> erbium, but erbium is for #16.

If #13 is barium, then #16 can be erbium.

Then #20 cowboy's foe -> indium.

Good.

So:

#13: A silly convict -> Barium (behind bars)

#16: A place for growing herbs -> Erbium (herb)

#20: A cowboy's foe -> Indium (Indian)

Now #6: What a dog does with its bone -> still unsolved.

Options left: Arsenic, Cerium, Europium, Oxygen, Sulfur, Tin, Tungsten, Curium, Neptunium, Scandium, Silicon

" Bury it" -> which of these sounds like bury?

" Bury" -> "Be" not there. "Bury" -> "Br" not available.

" Bury" -> "Earth" -> "Er" not available.

" Bury" -> "Ground" -> "Gr" not there.

" Bury" -> "Inter" -> "In" not available.

Perhaps "Hide" -> "Hi" not there.

Another idea: "What a dog does with its bone" -> "Saves it" -> "Save" -> "Sv" not there. "Keeps it" -> "Keep" -> "Kp" not there.

" Gnaws on it" -> "Gnaw" -> "Gn" not there.

" Chews" -> "Ch" not there.

Perhaps "Tin" because dogs sometimes chew tin cans? Weak.

Or "Silicon" -> "Si" -> "sigh" not related.

" Oxygen" -> "O" -> "oh" not related.

" Sulfur" -> "S" -> "ess" not related.

" Arsenic" -> "As" -> "ass" not appropriate.

" Cerium" -> "Ce" -> "see" -> "see the bone" not burying.

" Europium" -> "Eu" -> "you" not related.

" Tungsten" -> "W" -> "double u" not related.

" Curium" -> "Cm" -> "cm" not related.

" Neptunium" -> "Np" -> "np" not related.

" Scandium" -> "Sc" -> "sc" not related.

" Silicon" -> "Si" -> "si" not related.

This is tough.

Perhaps "Bury" -> "Be" beryllium — not on list.

I recall that in some sources, "What a dog does with its bone" is "Bury it" -> "Boron", and "Not an exciting person" is "Boring" -> also boron, but that can't be for this puzzle.

Perhaps for #6, it's "Tin" as in "tin can" where dogs bury bones, but that's forced.

Another thought: "Bone" -> "Calcium" — not on list. "Dog" -> "Canine" -> "Ca" not on list.

Perhaps "Fetch" -> "Fe" iron — used.

Let's consider "What a dog does with its bone" -> "Digs a hole" -> "Dig" -> "Di" not there. "Hole" -> "Ho" holmium — but holmium is for #18.

#18: Make sure my steak is well cooked -> if not holmium, what?

" Well cooked" -> "Done" -> "Dn" not there. "Cooked" -> "Heat" -> "He" not there. "Steak" -> "Beef" -> "Be" not there.

" Rare" opposite -> "Well-done" -> "Weldon" not there.

" Charred" -> "Char" -> "Cr" not there.

" Burnt" -> "Br" bromine — used for #4.

Perhaps "Grill" -> "Gr" not there.

Another idea: "Make sure my steak is well cooked" -> "Don't serve it raw" -> "Raw" -> "Ra" radium — not on list. "Serve" -> "Ser" not there.

" Cook" -> "Cu" copper — used.

Perhaps "Oven" -> "Ov" not there.

I think "Holmium" is the best bet for #18, as "hot 'em".

Then for #6, perhaps "Silicon" -> "Si" -> "sigh" not related.

Let's look at #21: Attaching a leg joint -> "Hip" -> "Hf" hafnium — not on list. "Joint" -> "Jo" not there. "Attach" -> "At" astatine — not on list. "Leg" -> "Le" not there.

" Knee" -> "Kn" not there. "Ankle" -> "An" not there.

" Attach" -> "Fix" -> "Fx" not there. "Connect" -> "Co" cobalt — not on list.

" Joint" -> "Jt" not there.

Perhaps "Hip" -> "H" hydrogen — not on list.

Another idea: "Attaching a leg joint" -> "Screw it in" -> "Screw" -> "Sc" scandium -> Scandium

Yes! Scandium sounds like "scan 'em" or "screw 'em", but "attach" could be "screw", so Scandium

Good.

#22: A policeman -> "Cop" -> "Co" cobalt — not on list. "Officer" -> "Of" not there. "Lawman" -> "La" not there.

" Police" -> "Po" polonium — not on list. "Sheriff" -> "Sh" not there.

" Cop" -> "Cu" copper — used.

Perhaps "Badge" -> "Ba" barium — used for #13.

" Uniform" -> "Un" not there.

" Patrol" -> "Pa" protactinium — not on list.

" Beat" -> "Be" not there.

I recall: "A policeman" -> "Cop" -> "Co" not there, but "Officer" -> "Of" not there.

Another idea: "Police" -> "Po" not there, but "Constable" -> "Co" not there.

Perhaps "Sheriff" -> "Sh" not there.

" Deputy" -> "De" not there.

Let's think phonetically: "A policeman" -> "He arrests people" -> "Arrest" -> "Ar" argon — used.

" Catches criminals" -> "Catch" -> "Cs" cesium — used for #10.

" Enforces law" -> "En" not there.

Perhaps "Guard" -> "Gu" not there.

I think this might be Tin? "Tin" as in "tin star" for sheriff? Stretch.

Or Lead — used for #14.

Another common pun: "A policeman" -> "Cop" -> "Co" not there, but "Officer" -> "Of" not there.

Perhaps "Beat cop" -> "Beat" -> "Be" not there.

Let's skip and come back.

#23: Part of the mouth that tastes -> Tongue -> "Tong" -> "Tg" not there. "Taste" -> "Ta" tantalum — not on list. "Mouth" -> "Mo" molybdenum — not on list.

" Tongue" -> "Tung" -> Tungsten! Tungsten sounds like "tongue stone" or "tung" for tongue. Yes! Tungsten

#24: Stewed beef again! -> "Stew" -> "Stu" not there. "Beef" -> "Be" not there. "Again" -> "Ag" silver — not on list.

" Stewed" -> "Cooked" -> "Cu" copper — used.

" Beef" -> "Meat" -> "Mt" not there.

" Again" -> "Re" not there.

" Stewed beef" -> "Hash" -> "Ha" not there.

" Leftovers" -> "Left" -> "Lf" not there.

Perhaps "Recycle" -> "Re" not there.

Another idea: "Stewed beef again" -> "Same old thing" -> "Old" -> "Ol" not there. "Same" -> "Sm" samarium — not on list.

" Repeat" -> "Re" not there.

" Encore" -> "En" not there.

Perhaps "Second helping" -> "Second" -> "Se" selenium — not on list.

I recall: "Stewed beef again" -> "Hash" -> "Ha" not there, but "Beef stew" -> "BS" not there.

Another thought: "Stewed" -> "Simmered" -> "Sim" not there.

Perhaps "Boiled" -> "Bo" not there.

Let's consider "Again" -> "Once more" -> "More" -> "Mo" not there.

" Another round" -> "Round" -> "Rn" radon — used for #19.

Perhaps "Leftover" -> "Left" -> "Lf" not there.

I think this might be Cerium? "See 'em again" -> "Cerium" sounds like "see 'em", so "stewed beef again" -> "see 'em again" -> Cerium

Yes! That works.

#25: The animal coat is sold -> "Fur" -> "Fu" not there. "Coat" -> "Co" cobalt — not on list. "Sold" -> "So" not there.

" Animal coat" -> "Hide" -> "Hi" not there. "Skin" -> "Sk" not there.

" Sold" -> "Sale" -> "Sa" not there.

" Fur" -> "F" fluorine — not on list.

" Pelt" -> "Pe" not there.

" Leather" -> "Le" not there.

Perhaps "Wool" -> "W" tungsten — used for #23.

" Hair" -> "Ha" not there.

Another idea: "Animal coat" -> "Pelt" -> "Pel" not there.

" Sold" -> "Market" -> "Ma" not there.

Perhaps "Trade" -> "Tr" not there.

I recall: "The animal coat is sold" -> "Fur sale" -> "Fur" -> "Fu" not there, but "Sale" -> "Sa" not there.

" Auction" -> "Au" gold — not on list.

Perhaps "Bid" -> "Bi" bismuth — not on list.

Another thought: "Coat" -> "Jacket" -> "Ja" not there.

" Sold" -> "Gone" -> "Go" not there.

Perhaps "Disposed" -> "Di" not there.

Let's think: "Animal coat" -> "Hide" -> "Hi" not there, but "Hide" sounds like "hyd" -> hydrogen — not on list.

Perhaps "Skin" -> "Sk" not there.

I think this might be Sulfur? "Sulfur" sounds like "sulfer", not related.

" Oxygen" -> "O" -> "oh" not related.

" Arsenic" -> "As" -> "ass" not appropriate.

" Europium" -> "Eu" -> "you" not related.

" Curium" -> "Cm" -> "cm" not related.

" Neptunium" -> "Np" -> "np" not related.

" Silicon" -> "Si" -> "si" not related.

" Tin" -> "Sn" -> "sn" not related.

" Barium" used.

Perhaps "Zinc" used.

Another idea: "The animal coat is sold" -> "Fur is gone" -> "Gone" -> "Go" not there. "Sold" -> "Sold out" -> "Out" -> "Ou" not there.

" Market" -> "Ma" not there.

Perhaps "Auction" -> "Au" not there.

I recall a pun: "The animal coat is sold" -> "Fur sale" -> "Fur" -> "Fu" not there, but "Sale" -> "Sa" not there.

Wait — "Coat" -> "Outer layer" -> "Outer" -> "Ou" not there.

Perhaps "Pelts" -> "Pel" not there.

Let's consider "Sold" -> "Vended" -> "Ven" not there.

Another approach: "Animal coat" -> "Hide" -> "Hi" not there, but "Hide" sounds like "hyd" -> not helping.

Perhaps "Skin" -> "Sk" not there.

I think this might be Tin for "tin can" or something, but weak.

Let's look at #26: Roman god of the sea -> Neptune -> Neptunium

Yes! Neptunium is named after Neptune, Roman god of the sea.

#27: Deliberately lighting fires. Has a hiccup. -> "Lighting fires" -> "Ignite" -> "Ig" not there. "Fire" -> "Fi" not there. "Hiccup" -> "Hic" -> "Hi" not there.

" Lighting fires" -> "Start fire" -> "Start" -> "St" not there. "Spark" -> "Sp" not there.

" Hiccup" -> "Hic" -> "Hi" not there.

" Deliberately" -> "On purpose" -> "Purpose" -> "Pu" plutonium — not on list.

" Arson" -> "Ar" argon — used.

" Firebug" -> "Fi" not there.

" Pyromaniac" -> "Py" not there.

" Hiccup" -> "Hic" -> "Hi" not there, but "Hic" sounds like "hic" -> not element.

Perhaps "Has a hiccup" -> "Hiccups" -> "Hic" -> "Hi" not there.

Another idea: "Lighting fires" -> "Burn" -> "Bu" not there. "Flame" -> "Fl" not there.

" Ignition" -> "Ig" not there.

Perhaps "Combustion" -> "Co" cobalt — not on list.

I recall: "Deliberately lighting fires" -> "Arson" -> "Ar" argon — used.

" Has a hiccup" -> "Hic" -> "Hi" not there, but "Hic" sounds like "hic" -> not helping.

Perhaps "Fire" -> "Fe" iron — used.

Another thought: "Hiccup" -> "Hic" -> "Hi" not there, but "Hic" could be "hydrogen" — not on list.

Perhaps "Gas" -> "Ga" not there.

Let's consider "Has a hiccup" -> "Spasm" -> "Sp" not there.

" Jerk" -> "Je" not there.

Perhaps "Interrupted" -> "In" not there.

I think this might be Oxygen? Because fire needs oxygen, and "has a hiccup" might mean it's interrupted, but weak.

Or Sulfur for matches, but not direct.

Another idea: "Lighting fires" -> "Match" -> "Ma" not there. "Strike" -> "Str" not there.

" Flint" -> "Fl" not there.

Perhaps "Kindle" -> "Ki" not there.

Let's look at #28: A cry for compassion -> "Mercy" -> "Mer" -> Mercury! But mercury is used for #17.

#17 is "Hug me" -> mercury (Hg).

So conflict.

"A cry for compassion" -> "Please" -> "Pl" not there. "Help" -> "He" not there. "Pity" -> "Pi" not there.

" Mercy" -> "Mer" -> mercury — used.

" Compassion" -> "Com" not there.

" Sympathy" -> "Sy" not there.

" Aid" -> "Ai" not there.

" Relief" -> "Re" not there.

Perhaps "SOS" -> "So" not there.

Another idea: "Cry" -> "Weep" -> "We" not there. "Tear" -> "Te" not there.

" Sob" -> "So" not there.

" Wail" -> "Wa" not there.

Perhaps "Appeal" -> "Ap" not there.

I recall: "A cry for compassion" -> "Mercy" -> mercury, but if mercury is taken, then what?

Perhaps "Plea" -> "Pl" not there.

Let's see what's left.

After assigning what we have, let's list assigned:

1. Boron

2. Iron

3. Krypton

4. Bromine

5. Argon

6. ?

7. Copper

8. Zinc

9. Einsteinium

10. Cesium

11. Zirconium

12. Neon

13. Barium

14. Lead

15. Rhodium

16. Erbium

17. Mercury

18. Holmium

19. Radon

20. Indium

21. Scandium

22. ?

23. Tungsten

24. Cerium

25. ?

26. Neptunium

27. ?

28. ?

29. ?

30. ?

Elements left: Arsenic, Europium, Oxygen, Sulfur, Tin, Tungsten is used, Curium, Silicon

Tungsten is used for #23.

Left: Arsenic, Europium, Oxygen, Sulfur, Tin, Curium, Silicon

For #6: What a dog does with its bone -> perhaps "Tin" as in tin can, or "Silicon" not likely.

" Bury" -> "Be" not there.

Another idea: "What a dog does with its bone" -> "Saves it" -> "Save" -> "Sv" not there, but "Keep" -> "Kp" not there.

" Gnaw" -> "Gn" not there.

Perhaps "Chew" -> "Cu" copper — used.

I think I found it: "What a dog does with its bone" -> "Bury it" -> "Boron" is intended, but since boron is used, perhaps for #6 it's "Arsenic" because "arsenic" sounds like "a scene" or something, not related.

Perhaps "Europium" -> "Eu" -> "you" -> "you bury it" not direct.

Let's consider #22: A policeman -> perhaps "Cop" -> "Co" not there, but "Officer" -> "Of" not there.

" Sheriff" -> "Sh" not there.

" Deputy" -> "De" not there.

" Constable" -> "Co" not there.

Perhaps "Beat" -> "Be" not there.

Another common pun: "A policeman" -> "Cop" -> "Co" not there, but "Law enforcement" -> "Law" -> "La" not there.

Perhaps "Badge" -> "Ba" barium — used.

" Uniform" -> "Un" not there.

I recall: "A policeman" -> "Cop" -> "Co" not there, but in some lists, it's "Tin" for "tin star", so Tin

Then for #6, perhaps "Silicon" or "Sulfur".

#25: The animal coat is sold -> "Fur sale" -> "Fur" -> "Fu" not there, but "Sale" -> "Sa" not there.

" Sold" -> "Gone" -> "Go" not there.

Perhaps "Auction" -> "Au" not there.

Another idea: "Animal coat" -> "Hide" -> "Hi" not there, but "Hide" sounds like "hyd" -> not helping.

Perhaps "Skin" -> "Sk" not there.

I think "The animal coat is sold" -> "Fur is marketed" -> "Market" -> "Ma" not there.

Perhaps "Trade" -> "Tr" not there.

Let's consider "Sold" -> "Vended" -> "Ven" not there.

Another thought: "Coat" -> "Outer garment" -> "Outer" -> "Ou" not there.

Perhaps "Pelts" -> "Pel" not there.

I recall a pun: "The animal coat is sold" -> "Fur sale" -> "Fur" -> "Fu" not there, but "Sale" -> "Sa" not there.

Wait — "Coat" -> "Jacket" -> "Ja" not there.

" Sold" -> "Disposed" -> "Di" not there.

Perhaps "Liquidated" -> "Li" lithium — not on list.

Let's look at #27: Deliberately lighting fires. Has a hiccup. -> "Arson" -> "Ar" argon — used.

" Fire" -> "Fe" iron — used.

" Hiccup" -> "Hic" -> "Hi" not there.

" Has a hiccup" -> "Interrupted" -> "In" not there.

Perhaps "Gas" -> "Ga" not there.

Another idea: "Lighting fires" -> "Ignite" -> "Ig" not there.

" Spark" -> "Sp" not there.

" Flame" -> "Fl" not there.

Perhaps "Combust" -> "Co" cobalt — not on list.

I think this might be Oxygen because fire requires oxygen, and "has a hiccup" might mean the fire is sputtering, but weak.

Or Sulfur for matches.

But let's see #28: A cry for