| Clue | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Wild-goose chase | New York Times | 16 Apr 2021 |
| Prank involving a futile search | Wall Street Journal | 10 Oct 2019 |
| Prank involving a futile search | ||
| Prank involving a wild-goose chase | ||
| Futile search | ||
| Elaborate practical joke where the victim is left in the dark charged with an impossible task |