Here are some polyglot plays on words that should be understandable, even without much knowledge of a second language:

At an Italian restaurant I don't know whether I'm antipasto or provolone.

Have you heard about the liberated Irish woman?
Her name was Erin Go Braless.

Have you heard about the Chinese restaurant that stays open 24 hours a day? It's called Wok Around the Clock.

Have you visited the Jewish section of India's capital city?
It's called Kosher Dehli.

Does that last pun get a standing oy vaytion?

No question about it. Adolph Hitler created a terrible fuhrer.

What do you call a secondhand clothing store in India?
Whose Sari Now?

When Brutus told Julius Caesar that he had eaten a whole squab, Caesar replied, "Et tu, Bruté."

A classics teacher in Maine owns a boat that he's christened "Navego," which is Latin for "I sail" and pronounced, "Now we go."

Mexican weather report: Chili today, hot tamale.

A Mexican visiting the United States goes into a store to buy a pair of socks. He speaks no English, and the clerk doesn't know a word of Spanish.

Through pantomime, the Mexican tries to explain what he needs, without much success. The clerk brings out shoes, then tries sneakers, then slippers, then laces -- all to no avail.

Finally, he brings out a pair of socks, and the Mexican exclaims, "Eso si que es!"

Says the exasperated clerk, "Well, for crying out loud. If you could spell it, why didn't you say so in the first place?"

On a Monday morning, Mayor Ed Koch and Governor Hugh Carey gathered reporters and announced the rejuvenation of the ailing New York City transit system. The New York Daily News reporter covering the story must have thought the situation was too good to be true. His headline read: SICK TRANSIT'S GLORIOUS MONDAY.

Chico Marx once took umbrage upon hearing someone exultantly exclaim, "Eureka!"
Chagrined, Chico shot back, "You doan smella so good yourself!"

The Verbivore's Challenge for this issue is an array of letter-perfect puzzlers. The first reader to e-mail the correct answers will receive a $25 gift certificate for Borders Books and Music. All answers must be common English words.

Our apologies to participants of the last Verbivore Challenge: We experienced some technical difficulties receiving your answers. Please visit the previous Verbivore and re-submit your answers.

Language expert Richard Lederer's latest book is "Pun and Games," wordplay for kids. He comments on language for National Public Radio and other radio stations and is the Grammar Grappler for Writer's Digest. He can be reached at rlederer@tiac.net. Visit the newly-erected Verbivore web site at http://www.tiac.net/users/rlederer/index.htm