The “Met a Man on London Bridge” Riddle Answered

Another day of staying at home and another round of random Facebook riddles. In the past, we have looked at the Your Parents are at the Door riddle and the Mr. Smith has Four Daughters riddle. Now, it seems, the newest one that's getting people on social media is all about a man on the London Bridge whose name we know, but it is never said.

There seem to be a few variations of the riddle, but they tend to have the same answer.

I met a man on the London Bridge. He tipped his had and drew his name. In this riddle I told you his name.

Another version seems to be a touch better put together.

I met an old man on London Bridge. As the sun set on the ridge, he tipped his hat and drew his name and cheated at the guessing game. What was the man's name.

Finally, the best of the three. At least this final one made a bit more grammatical sense and adds in his last name as well.

As I was walking across the London Bridge, I met a man who drew his hat and drew his cane, and in this riddle, I said his name. What is it?

WARNING: The answer to this riddle is below. Don't say I didn't warn you! 

The first two, once I tell you the answer, might only make sense when you say it again out loud. The man's name? It's Andrew. The word play of and + drew when read makes us think the word "drew" is a verb. Say it out loud and sprinkle in some emphasis of "and drew" and it will all make sense.

The last one seems to be the more original riddle. We actually get a first and last name with it, according to various sources I have run across. When I tell you, it might make a bit more sense. The third variation tells us the man's name is Andrew Hiscane. I realize it's a bit of a stretch, but it also makes sense when you say it aloud.

The riddle is steadily circulating around, and I think quite a few people who post it don't really know the true answer. I mean, it has to be true if it's on the internet, right? I ran across this Twitter post that speaks volumes to the amount of times I have seen this riddle posted on Facebook already today.

That pretty much sums up my entire feelings about being home during the stay-at-home order for everything I see on social media at this point.