Putting aside the light-hearted pop psychology claim for a moment, this viral riddle is a fascinating exercise in perception, critical thinking, and defining objects. The true number of holes you find reveals more about how you process information than it does about your actual personality.
Unraveling the Layers: What is a “Hole”?
To solve this riddle, we must first agree on the definition of a hole in the context of a piece of clothing like these shorts.
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A “hole” is an opening that goes completely through the material from one side to the other.
Let’s break down the potential openings in the image:
1. The Obvious Openings (2)
There are the two large, ragged circles cut out of the front fabric, one on each leg. These are undeniably holes that pass all the way through the material.
2. The Functional Openings (4)
Shorts are clothing, and they have necessary openings for function:
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The Leg Openings (2): The two large openings at the bottom of the legs, necessary for putting the shorts on.
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The Waist Opening (1): The single, large opening at the top, where the drawstring is, necessary for putting the shorts on.
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The Pockets (2): The image shows two pockets. While the pocket openings themselves are holes, the pockets are typically bags sewn onto or into the garment. If the holes are just the pocket entrances, they are typically considered openings, not holes through the entire structure like a tear. For the purpose of the common riddle answer, we often count just the two main openings to the pockets.
The Two Most Common Answers Explained
The riddle is designed to make people think beyond the surface.
The “Surface-Level” Answer: 2 Holes (A)
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