Confusing, Seemingly-Impossible, yet Correct sentence

Question

What does this mean?

"The girl that a man that a dog that a complex that a landlord that a friend that a cat plays with helps owns houses loved seen plays piano."

Can you make any sense out of this?

Should it be saw or sees instead of seen? – Ali Oct 23 '14 at 21:17 — Ali, Oct 23 '14 at 21:17

score 12 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 23 '14 at 20:59

12

Girl
  Man
    Dog
      Complex
        Landlord
          Friend
            Cat plays with
          helps
        owns
      houses
    loved
  seen
played piano

Or: Cat plays with a friend that helps the landlord who owns a complex that houses a dog that loved a man that had seen a girl play piano.

answered Oct 23 '14 at 20:59

JonTheMon

9,910
36
56

Nice diagram. +1 – warspyking Oct 23 '14 at 21:24

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 23 '14 at 21:15

6

A cat plays with a friend.

That friend helps a landlord.

That landlord owns a complex.

That complex houses a dog.

That dog loved a man.

That man SEEN/SAW a girl.

That girl plays piano.

answered Oct 23 '14 at 21:15

Ali

698
6
12

Confusing, Seemingly-Impossible, yet Correct sentence

2 Answers2