![]() Many of these constructors have gone on to submit their work to the Times or other leading crossword publishers, and Amlen is passionate about continuing to grow diversity in mainstream puzzles in the years to come. ![]() Amlen has been heartened in recent years by the rise of indie crossword communities all over the country focused on those historically underrepresented in puzzledom- the LGBTQ+ community, female constructors, and people of color. Indeed, this crossword fever extends well beyond the Times. The catalysts for this are many: the ease of access to puzzles online software that makes puzzle construction more fun and less daunting an increase in social networking and collaboration among both setters and solvers (as on XWord Info) and Deb Amlen’s Wordplay column, which she writes with an eye toward “helping those intimidated by the New York Times crossword get over their fear of the puzzle.” What’s come of this trend is a positive feedback loop of young constructors attracting young solvers who in turn become young constructors. “In the ’90s,” he says, “my sense is that the average age of constructors was in the early 50s. Will Shortz, the longtime puzzle editor for the Times, has observed a similar trend among their authors. “Historically, the audience skewed older,” says the Times’ crossword columnist Deb Amlen, “but I’ve met a lot of young people now who go to tournaments and really enjoy it.” The website XWord Info (originally the brainchild of puzzle blogger Jim Horne, now overseen by crossword constructor Jeff Chen) hosts a massive database of all Times puzzles dating back to 1942.īy many estimates, more people than ever are solving crosswords, and the puzzles are attracting new, younger segments of the population. The advantage crosswords have over dictionaries is that they can change much more rapidly-and the changes are far easier to detect, provided you know where to look. Solvers of the New York Times crossword-the mainstay of American puzzledom-have, over the past decade, borne witness to this evolution, whether they realize it or not. It is therefore essential that these platforms evolve, lest they become hopelessly out of touch with the real world. Rather than sacred scrolls, crosswords and dictionaries are mirrors held up to language that reflect how people are talking and writing at a given moment in history. ![]() Both crossword puzzle clues and Merriam-Webster definitions are crafted to reflect current usage, not to prescribe future usage. With 6-Across, underwater creature that's not actually a 6-Across Crossword Clue See 1-Across Crossword Clue "Let's go!" Crossword Clue MacDonald's jingle? Crossword Clue _-1 ("Ghostbusters" vehicle) Crossword Clue Comb home Crossword Clue Part of a palm Crossword Clue Reddish-purple side dish Crossword Clue Uncle of 1960s TV Crossword Clue Security _ Crossword Clue With 25-Across, underwater creature that's not actually a 25-Across Crossword Clue See 23-Across Crossword Clue Kazakhstan's _ Sea Crossword Clue Conformists, metaphorically Crossword Clue Mythical ship that sailed to Colchis Crossword Clue Burglarize Crossword Clue Lieu Crossword Clue Gas brand with a triangular logo Crossword Clue With 38-Across, underwater creature that's not actually a 38-Across (nor a 36-Across, for that matter) Crossword Clue See 36-Across Crossword Clue Classical performance hall Crossword Clue High-ranking Turkish officer Crossword Clue _ Jemison, first Black woman in space Crossword Clue Actress Diana of "The Avengers" Crossword Clue Arouse, as interest Crossword Clue Remain to be seen Crossword Clue With 48-Across, underwater creature that's certainly not a 48-Across Crossword Clue See 47-Across Crossword Clue Capital that ends with its state's first two letters Crossword Clue Yankees' div.Crossword puzzles, like dictionaries, often feel like linguistic authorities, solemn gatekeepers with particular-and unimpeachably correct-guidance to offer on which words to use and how to use them.
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