Alright, alright, let’s talk about this NYT crossword thing, you know, the one them city folks like so much. I ain’t no scholar, mind you, just an old woman who’s seen a thing or two. But I can tell ya, this crossword ain’t as scary as it looks.
First off, what is it? Well, it’s like a puzzle, see? They give you a bunch of squares all lined up, and some words going across, some going down. And they give you clues, little hints to help you figure out what words go where. Sounds complicated? Nah, it ain’t so bad.
Now, if you ain’t never done one of these crosswords before, don’t you go frettin’. Everybody starts somewhere. They say the Monday ones are the easiest. Like, real easy. Even I can do ‘em, and that’s sayin’ somethin’. Then they get harder and harder as the week goes on. Saturday? Forget about it! That’s for them brainy types. But them Monday ones, they’re good for gettin’ your feet wet. Start with them short words, you know? Like, if they say “animal that climbs trees,” well, that’s probably “ape” or something. Fill them in first, then the longer words start makin’ more sense.
- Start Easy: Monday puzzles are your friends. Don’t jump into the deep end on a Saturday.
- Short Words First: Get the little ones out of the way. They give you clues for the bigger words.
- Read the Clues Careful: Sometimes them clues try to trick ya. Read ’em slow and think about what they really mean.
They got all sorts of tricks they use in these crosswords, too. Like, sometimes they use words that sound the same but mean different things. Or they’ll give you a clue that’s a riddle or something. You gotta be on your toes, I tell ya. But that’s part of the fun, I guess. Keeps your mind sharp, like doin’ chores but for your brain.
Now, some folks say this NYT crossword is the best there is. I don’t know about all that. A crossword is a crossword, far as I’m concerned. But I guess this one’s been around a long time and folks seem to like it. They say it helps you learn new words and stuff. Maybe it does, maybe it don’t. I ain’t noticed myself gettin’ any smarter, but I ain’t got much room left to improve anyway, ha!
So, how do you get good at this crossword thing? Well, same as anything else, I reckon. Practice. Do ‘em every day if you can. Start with them easy ones, like I said, and work your way up. And don’t be afraid to cheat a little! Look up an answer if you get stuck. Ain’t no shame in it. We all need a little help sometimes. You can find this NYT crossword in the newspaper or on that there internet thing, the one them youngsters are always glued to.
And don’t go thinkin’ you need to be some kind of genius to do this. You don’t. You just need a little patience and a little bit of common sense. And maybe a dictionary, if you’re fancy like that. I just ask my granddaughter when I get stuck on a word. She knows all them big city words.
So, there you have it. My two cents on this crossword puzzle thing. It ain’t rocket science, but it can be a fun way to pass the time. And who knows, maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two. Or maybe you’ll just end up frustrated and throwin’ the newspaper across the room. Either way, it’s your own business.
But here’s one last thing, they say this Sunday puzzle is the real whopper. The big one. But don’t you go believin’ everything you hear. I reckon them Saturday ones are still harder. But try it for yourself, I always say. See what you think.
And another thing, don’t worry about how fast you are. Some folks can do ‘em in a blink, others take all day. It ain’t a race. Just enjoy yourself. That’s the important thing, right?
Well, I’ve rambled on long enough. Go on now, and try that crossword. And if you don’t like it, well, that’s just fine too. More important things in life than puzzles, that’s for sure.
Tags: [NYT Crossword, Crossword Puzzles, Puzzle Tips, Word Games, Brain Teasers, Beginner’s Guide]
