<P> The term "lateral - thinking puzzle" was popularised by Paul Sloane in his 1992 book Lateral Thinking Puzzlers . </P> <P> One situation puzzle would be: </P> <P> A man walks into a bar, and asks the bartender for a drink of water . The bartender pulls out a gun, points it at the man, and cocks it . The man pauses, before saying "Thank you" and leaving . What happened? </P> <P> The question - and - answer segment might go something like this . </P>

A man walks into a bar and asks for a glass of water the bartender pulls a shotgun