
Crossword Clue Connections: Decoding This Week's Puzzle
2025-05-20
Author: Yan
A New Wave in Crossword Crafting
Rena Cohen made a stunning debut in the New York Times Crossword scene earlier this year, captivating solvers with a challenging puzzle inspired by the concept of a lie detector. Her innovative design, featuring the word "lie" in prominent rebus squares, mimicked the appearance of a polygraph test, ensuring that players were both engaged and perplexed.
Though her subsequent puzzles have mostly appeared on the easier side of the spectrum, it’s clear that Ms. Cohen isn’t simply catering to novice solvers. In fact, the intricacy of crafting Monday and Tuesday grids can often rival that of tougher ones later in the week, demanding a delicate balance of accessibility and cleverness. This reinforces Ms. Cohen's adaptability and skill as a constructor.
Today's Thematic Exploration
Without a revealing clue, clue 17A offers insight into today’s puzzle theme: ON MESSAGE. Each themed entry revolves around familiar expressions tied to communication. For instance, the phrases "Eye on the ball" and "Get under it!" are collectively known as CATCH PHRASES—aptly hinting at a ball game.
Additionally, a collection of terms including Mink, ferret, and stoat might be referred to as WEASEL WORDS, because they denote different types of weasels. Celebratory expressions like "Ta-da" and "All done" can be classified as FINISH LINES, while indicators like Yield, Stop, and Dead End fall into the realm of SIGN LANGUAGES.
Notable Clue Highlights
Some clues in this puzzle present a delightful challenge. For example, clue 9A asks for a [Good thing to bring to a competition], leading to the answer A-GAME—not to be confused with a non-existent term, "agame." Similarly, clue 53A for [Crafters' knives] reveals the clever answer X-ACTO, which may surprise those who have only seen it spelled differently.
An intriguing phrase, on the surface simpler yet layered, is 66A's [On the up and up], which indicates someone being LEGIT—showing that words can carry a range of meanings in different contexts.
Learn and Improve Your Skills
If you’re looking to enhance your crossword-solving prowess, consider checking out our guide, "How to Solve the New York Times Crossword." It includes explanations of common clue types, along with a Mini puzzle to test your skills.
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