Gingerbread house with gumdrops. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Visual Description: Unfounded fairytale fright.
VURSI = VIRUS, VLATI = VITAL, DEPRAA = PARADE, NOPYLE = OPENLY — Giving us: ISITLPDEL
Clue/Question: There was a rumor going around that she was a witch . . . she wanted to – – –
Illustration by Theodor Hosemann (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Answer: “DISPELL“ IT
(Now, this is more your classic, stinky pun! Ya gotta love it! None of today’s clue words are new, but all of the jumbles appear to be new. For whatever reason, I had a tough time getting “openly”. Maybe, because the jumble came across as a two syllable word? Nice job, Mr. Hoyt. The answer letter layout was another fine jumble. I can see a number of you having some difficulty in solving this. Although, it was very apparent that the second word had to be IT. A great Hansel and Gretel-esque cartoon from Mr. Knurek. Be well and do good, friends.) — YUR
Unclerave's Wordy Weblog 
Isn’t dispel the correct spelling of dispell?
Yes. That’s why DISPELL is the pun and why they put quote marks around it. She’s mixing up something – a potion? – and reciting some kind of spell, to make people – at least the kids – forget that they think she’s a witch. They could have gone with DIS-SPELL also, I suppose. You have to allow for a little poetic license. — YUR
Thank you for your response.
My dictionary shows dispel can mean to drive away, scatter, or dissipate a rumor.
That is what the witch is trying to do.
There is no need for a pun, or quotes if this spelling was used.
Right, but making the answer a silly pun is the whole point of the Jumble. She’s trying to dispel the rumors by casting a spell. Besides the answer being a pun, there is also irony in her actions. Once one tries to over analyze these answers . . . the joke is lost. — YUR 🙂
Yes, yes! I loved this one. Had to back into openly, but that’s OK!!!! The guyz continue on their roll. Always entertaining! LL
Love the enthusiasm, LindaLee! — YUR 🙂