The host discusses his newfound passion for New York Times crossword puzzles and shares his experience with starting from beginner-level puzzles and progressing to more challenging ones.
This podcast episode dives into the history of crossword puzzles and the woman who helped codify the rules of the game we know today.
Simon and Schuster started promoting crossword puzzles in the 1920s, after Richard Simon's aunt pointed out how much fun they were. Although early versions weren't always symmetrical, they paved the way for what would eventually become a beloved hobby.
In this episode, the hosts discuss the process of creating crossword puzzles without the use of black squares, requiring the use of 15-letter words across and down.
The rise in popularity of cryptic crosswords has caused some controversy as it is seen as a time-consuming activity. However, the clever and challenging nature of the clues has kept enthusiasts engaged.
The New York Times crossword, which has been edited by Will Shortz for over 30 years, has a significant impact on its readers and has far-reaching effects on conversation and interaction.
This episode discusses the dislike people have towards puzzles and wordplay by comparing it to crosswords and the different ways words are used in writing.
The New York Times crossword has evolved over the years, becoming more diverse and inclusive. The puzzle now includes clues that reference people of color and different cultures, while also featuring contributions from a wider variety of people, including teenagers.
The host discusses the types of themes he enjoys seeing in crossword puzzles and why constructors like to use multi-lettered answers for their themes.
A New York Times columnist shares tips for efficiently solving crosswords, and a story is shared about spending 313 days in space that changed the world.
The speaker shares his cheat to solve crossword puzzles and offers a tip on how to spot puns and wordplays in the clues.
The New York Times crossword puzzles are created and edited by a team who do not use auto-fill technology, but instead assemble the puzzle grid and clues by hand. Constructor and editor Deb Amlen offers an in-depth look into the assembly line process of creating NYT crossword puzzles.
Crossword puzzles have made a comeback since the 70s and have been shown to be beneficial for brain training and staving off dementia. Studies have also shown that doing crosswords can increase IQ test scores when advertised as brain training.
Recent research has found no evidence that possums eat ticks in the wild, contrary to the popular myth that they consume thousands of ticks per year to control tick populations.