Final answer:
The kind of coat can only be put on when wet is a coat of paint. When paint is wet, it can be applied to a surface, like a coat, but once it dries, it cannot be put on anymore.
Step-by-step explanation:
The riddle cleverly utilizes wordplay surrounding the term "coat" to create a playful and deceptive scenario.
It introduces the dual meaning of "coat" as both an item of clothing worn on the body and a layer of paint applied to a surface.
The ambiguity arises as the riddle prompts the reader to consider the act of applying a "coat" to a surface, suggesting the possibility of donning a coat when, in fact, it refers to applying a coat of paint.
Once the wordplay is unraveled, the underlying humor emerges, highlighting the shift in perception from a wearable garment to a layer of dried paint.
This riddle showcases the nuances of language and the playfulness that can be derived from exploiting the multiple meanings of a single word, engaging the reader in a delightful moment of linguistic discovery.