answers on a postcard

phrase

Emphasising that the speaker has no idea of the answer to a question, especially an outlandish question (but with no expectation that answers will literally be sent by mail).

“I haven't got a clue why there was a goat in the corner of the room. Answers on a postcard for that one, please.”

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Meanings

phrase
  1. UKhumorousEmphasising that the speaker has no idea of the answer to a question, especially an outlandish question (but with no expectation that answers will literally be sent by mail).

    I haven't got a clue why there was a goat in the corner of the room. Answers on a postcard for that one, please.

noun
  1. pluralplural of answer on a postcard

Origin

From the former practice of radio presenters asking listeners to mail in answers to competitions on postcards, these being easier to process in volume since no envelope was involved.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

answers on a postcard. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/answers%20on%20a%20postcard

MLA

“answers on a postcard.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/answers%20on%20a%20postcard. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “answers on a postcard,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/answers%20on%20a%20postcard.

Source: answers on a postcard on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.