The New York Times crossword is known for its challenging and clever clues that require careful deciphering. But what about those informal favor requests that sometimes appear in the crossword puzzle? Decoding these clues can be a whole different challenge, but once you know the tricks, you’ll be able to crack them with ease.
One of the most common ways to express an informal favor request in the crossword puzzle is through the use of colloquial phrases. These phrases often involve wordplay or puns that can be tricky to spot at first glance. For example, a clue could read “Look after a stray mutt” with the solution being “dog sit”. Another common phrase that appears often is “help with a move”, which translates to “rent a U-Haul”.
Another strategy that constructors use to create informal favor requests is to turn a common phrase into a request. For instance, the clue “Give me a hand?” might seem like a question asking for help, but the answer is actually “applause”. Similarly, “Spare a few minutes?” is a clue for “time for tea”.
Sometimes, the clue will involve a word with multiple meanings, and the solver must choose the appropriate one to decode the request. For instance, the clue “Do some housekeeping” could mean “clean the house”, but in the context of the puzzle, it means “take a cut of the profits”.
The key to cracking these informal favor requests is to think outside the box and consider multiple possibilities for each clue. If a clue seems a bit too easy, it might be a trap! And don’t forget to take advantage of the grid itself – sometimes, the request is hidden within the arrangement of the answers.
In conclusion, decoding informal favor requests in the New York Times crossword puzzle can be a fun challenge for avid cruciverbalists. By becoming familiar with common phrases and colloquial language, you’ll be able to crack these clues with ease. And who knows – you might even learn some new expressions along the way!
