Merriam-Webster’s new Crossword Puzzle Dictionary by Merriam-Webster
Some people casually pick up the crossword puzzle, fill in a few answers and then call it a day. (Jon Stewart does his in ink!) Those people are not my mom. She’s a crossword fanatic, complete with an endless supply of sharpened pencils, a sturdy clipboard, last week’s puzzles cut out of the newspaper and neatly stacked, and a battered, almost-falling-apart copy of her crossword puzzle dictionary.
Which is why I’m going to buy her Merriam-Webster’s new Crossword Puzzle Dictionary as soon as the 4th edition comes out on July 1. It’s the perfect gift for any crossword puzzle proficient—whether you need to know a four-letter word for butter substitute (oleo) or a poet’s muse (erato).
And for those of you who are looking to improve your own crossword puzzle game, here are a few pro-tips courtesy of my mom:
WORK A SECTION AT A TIME
With so many questions, it’s easy to get distracted and try to pick out the answers you instantly know. But according to my mom, the best strategy is to work one section at a time, letting that lead you to a new section. It also keeps you from missing or skipping questions.
IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT THE VOWELS
Agua, area, ions, islet, oui, oreo – the same words show up in puzzle after puzzle. And those words tend to be packed with vowels, small transitional words that help link in larger answers. Once you’ve done enough puzzles, you’ll start to instantly recognize these questions and answers.
IF YOU GET STUCK, MOVE ON [giveaway giveaway_id=2144 side=”right”]
Don’t dwell too long on any answer; instead move on to a nearby section. Not only will you uncover more letters to help you decipher the original clue, but if you come back to the question with fresh eyes, you’ll have a better chance of figuring it out.
ALWAYS LOOK FOR A THEME
Even puzzles that claim they don’t have a theme still usually do – whether it’s a saying that spreads across the whole crossword, related puns, or alliteration. The faster you figure it out, the easier the puzzle will be. And, as far as my mom is concerned, “saying” puzzles are the best ones.
IT’S OK TO CHEAT
If you get completely stumped, reach for your crossword puzzle dictionary. It doesn’t matter how long you stare at something—if you truly don’t know the answer, you won’t be able to solve the puzzle. There’s no shame in reaching for that book and looking up a word or clue!
Buy this Book!
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