Quiz Guy John Chaneski offers a test of wits that cruciverbalists will love, especially if they’re into cryptic crosswords, those punny, perplexing clues. The classic example is the clue “First place,” which isn’t so vexing if you think about it in biblical terms. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Perplexing Crossword Clues Word Game”
You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.
I’m Martha Barnette.
And I’m Grant Barrett, and it’s the guy with the crossword hat and the checkerboard shirt.
And what’s he using as a belt?
It looks like measuring tape?
That’s weird.
It’s our quiz guy, John Chaneski.
Hello, Grant.
Hello, Martha.
You know, it’s very, very funny that you happened to mention my crossword shirt and my crossword tie, because today’s quiz is about crosswords.
Oh, boy.
Yes.
Oh, boy.
On social media people, someone once said lately, who still loves crosswords?
And, of course, the question blew my mind because all my friends are not only crossword fans.
They’re connoisseurs.
Some of them are crossword legends.
Now, if you’re the kind of person who has a favorite constructor, chances are you have a favorite clue, a clue you’ve come across, that you find to be particularly clever.
Now, I’ve mentioned this before.
My favorite go-to has always been first place, a four-letter answer.
You remember what that is?
The first place was Eden.
Eden, right.
Always a favorite of mine.
Very clever, simple clue.
Now, I’m going to give you some classic crossword clues that I’ve recently come across that I think are very clever.
And you give me the answers, of course.
A lot of these are usually featured with a question mark after them because they’re sort of punny, like this one.
Chamber of Commerce.
Five letters.
Chamber of Commerce.
Store.
Store, yes.
Very good.
I’m going to write that one in.
Good.
This one’s similar.
It makes a lot of money.
Four letters.
A mint.
Yes, a mint.
Nice.
And it freshens your breath as well.
Let’s see this one.
Class struggle.
Four letters.
Class struggle.
Four letters.
Let’s see.
So this is something, the pun is, maybe it’s about schools and not socioeconomics.
Test?
Yes, test, test.
While you were thinking, I did also think to myself, oh, you know, quiz could also work for this.
Yeah, or exam, very good, three possibles.
How about this one?
Serves well done, four letters.
Aces.
Aces, yes, nice.
Going, Martha.
I like this one.
October surprise.
Three letters.
Pie.
Pie is always a pleasant surprise, but no, it’s not pie.
October surprise.
Oh, is it at the end of the month?
Oh, yeah.
Boo.
It’s boo.
Yes.
Nicely done.
Finally, one of my favorites.
Put away the groceries.
Three letters.
Eat.
Eat, yes.
I love all these crossword clues.
Thank yous to all the great constructors who created these classic clues.
I culled them from all the works of all the puzzles I’ve worked on.
Joe Fagliano, Sean Kennedy, Lynn Lempel, Mike Shank, Patrick Blendauer, David Kahn, Catherine Seta, Ed Sessa, Ashley Solveria.
I love these people.
They are my heroes.
So go out and do a crossword.
Thank you, John.
Thank you, guys.
I’ve got to get on my puzzles.
I’m a little bit behind my crossword puzzles.
You know, we’d love to hear your favorite crossword puzzle clues or any joke or pun or a little bit of wisdom that you’ve got to share that has to do with language or words or speaking or writing well,
877-929-9673 or email words@waywordradio.org.
