Confounding Compounding

RAY: The verb must be singular when the two components of the compound subject refer to the same thing. For example, the verb takes the singular form when you say, "My closest friend and college roommate was the best man at my wedding." Because it's the same person, right?

Then again, maybe he has a split personality. I think that qualifies as a compound subject, but we'll find out.

Do we have a winner?

TOM: Yes we do! Her name is Julie Quinn from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and for having her answer selected at random from among all the correct answers that we got, Julie has won a $26 gift certificate to the Shameless Commerce Division of cartalk.com where she can pick up one of our official Car Talk jerseys. It's gray and black with three-quarter-length sleeves, and it says "Car Talk Plaza, Our Fair City," right there on the front, boom.

[ Car Talk Puzzler ]