All articles tagged with #wordplay
The New York Times Sunday crossword features a complex theme by Adam Wagner, utilizing six rectangular grids that rotate clockwise or counterclockwise to form 12-letter answers. The puzzle relies on the Coriolis effect to explain the shift in rotation direction halfway down the grid, creating a symmetrical and challenging layout for solvers.
Brian Callahan’s first Saturday crossword for The New York Times features a low-word-count pinwheel grid with 64 entries, challenging solvers with obscure trivia and wordplay.
Josh Wardle, the creator of Wordle, launches Parseword—a daily cryptic crossword-style game designed to teach players the rules of cryptic clues through a single clue and target word, offering a slower, learning-focused experience versus Wordle's quick play.
Adam Aaronson’s New York Times crossword showcases an EG theme: every theme entry is a two-word phrase with the first word starting with E and the second with G (e.g., ETHNIC GROUP, ENDOCRINE GLAND). The clues and syntax—such as “e.g.” and “for one”—signal the gimmick, but there’s no revealer; solvers discover the pattern gradually while the piece also reflects on language, culture, and the constructor’s anecdotes.
Madeline Cash's debut novel Lost Lambs turns a dysfunctional family into a zany, wordplay-rich satire that blends a quirky crime caper with a tender dramedy of parental longing, populated by eccentric neighbors and precocious kids; the book shines in its witty banter and inventive set pieces, including a running gnat gag whose payoff lands emotionally in the extermination sequence.
Hannah Slovut-Einertson's themeless crossword puzzle features clever clues and smooth solving, with notable entries like BAD APPLES, SEED MONEY, MULLET, PARENTESE, and ONE MAN BAND, showcasing her skill in puzzle design and word association.
The article provides hints, answers, and strategies for the December 27, 2025, NYT Connections puzzle, including clues for four groups themed around airline classes, attributes, vocations, and alcoholic beverage endings, along with information about the game's features and scoring tools.
The article reviews Robert S. Gard's challenging Saturday crossword puzzle for The New York Times, highlighting its complex clues, clever wordplay, and thematic references to cosmic and aquatic themes, with explanations of some of the tricky clues and answers.
The article reviews a Sunday crossword puzzle by John Kugelman that features a clever theme where solutions are phrases formed by adding a letter to a common term, changing its meaning, with examples like 'classy matey' for 'classmate' and 'fishy hooky' for 'hooky.' The puzzle is praised for its witty clues, creative execution, and challenging yet enjoyable wordplay.
The NYT crossword for September 22, 2025, features a 'Simpsons'-themed puzzle with the recurring sound 'D'OH!' at the end of multiple answers, including Bordeaux, Trudeau, Super Nintendo, and cookie dough, celebrating the show's enduring cultural impact and clever wordplay.
The Sunday Puzzle challenges listeners to identify famous people whose names are geographical locations, such as cities, states, or countries, based on clues provided in a quiz format.
The article reviews a challenging Sunday crossword puzzle by Adam Wagner and Chandi Deitmer, centered around a hidden 'EYE' rebus theme inspired by the children's game 'I Spy,' featuring eight long theme entries with clever wordplay and layered clues, showcasing their collaborative creativity and puzzle design skills.
Aidan Deshong and Akshay Seetharam, college students, collaborated on a challenging crossword puzzle featuring innovative geometry and fresh clues, including debut entries like Waluigi and concepts like jamais vu, showcasing creative wordplay and puzzle design.
Jesse Guzman debuts his third NYT crossword puzzle, featuring challenging clues, inventive grid design, and eccentric entries like Bowser, Koopa Troopa, Angelica, and Celine Dion, showcasing his creative approach to puzzle construction.
The article reviews Blake Slonecker's intricate Saturday crossword puzzle, highlighting its symmetrical design, clever clues, and unique entries like FAIR ISLE SWEATER and ARMAGEDDON CHESS, while also sharing personal insights and the constructor's background.