In the early days of crosswords there were very few rules. In fact the first crossword ever published in the United States didn’t even have a clue for each word – the solver just had to fit the words into the grid. This changed in 1924 when Arthur Wynne’s “Word-Cross Puzzle” was published in the New York World. This puzzle had a diamond-shaped grid and clues for each word and it was an instant hit. Wynne is now credited with inventing the modern crossword.
One of the first things you need to do when solving a crossword is to look at the grid and get a feel for the layout. Is it symmetrical? Are there any words that are particularly long or short? Are there any unusual letter combinations? All of this can give you clues as to what the answers might be.
One of the most important things to remember when solving a crossword is that the clues are not always literal. A clue might be a pun an anagram or even a rebus. And sometimes the clue will be something completely unrelated to the answer. This can make solving a crossword a real challenge but it’s also part of what makes it so much fun.
If you’re stuck on a clue there are a few things you can do to try to figure it out. First think about what the clue is asking. Is it asking for a synonym? An antonym? A homonym? This can help you narrow down the possible answers.
Next look at the letters in the clue and see if they can give you any clues. Sometimes the letters in the clue will be an anagram of the answer. Other times they’ll be a rebus. And sometimes the clue will just be a series of random letters that don’t seem to mean anything. But if you look at the letters carefully you might be able to figure out what they’re supposed to represent.
If you’re still stuck try looking at the clue from a different perspective. Sometimes looking at the clue from a different angle can help you see it in a new light and figure out the answer.
Finally if you’re really stuck there’s no shame in looking up the answer in a crossword dictionary. This can be a great way to learn new words and improve your solving skills.
So whatever you do don’t give up! With a little practice you’ll be solving crosswords like a pro in no time.
What is the name of the actor who played Bert the Lion in the movie Crossroads?
Ralph Richardson
