Today’s New York Times crossword puzzle starts easily.
1 Across: “Home to Santa’s workshop.” 4 letters. Hmmm…”North Pole” doesn’t fit. So…just “Pole,” right?
Okay. 1 Down: “Affluent Connecticut town.” Also 4 letters.
Wow. I can’t think of any towns that start with “P.” Or even any 4-letter affluent Connecticut towns. Well, maybe Avon…
I’ll try the next one on the top line. 9 Across: “Minnesota NHL team from 1967 to 1993.” That’s simple: “North Stars.” But wait — there are only 5 letters. So…just “Stars,” no?
Aha!
Every answer on the top is missing “North.”
Why would that be?
Oh yeah! Because they’re on the top line — in other words, the “North”!
So that must mean, um — the bottom line would be “South.”
Let’s check it out. 67 Across is “Country hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics.” I haven’t paid attention yet, but I’m guessing it’s not South Africa. What about…South Korea?
Yep — there are 5 squares. Bingo!
So back to the top — 1 Down. I’m betting every answer on the left side starts with “West.”
Which would make that “affluent Connecticut town” — the one with only 4 letters, starting with a “P” — “Westport”!
It’s a clever crossword. And I’ll be sure to thank Times puzzle editor Will Shortz for it personally, next February.
You know — when he makes his annual appearance at the Westport Library Crossword Competition!
Will Shortz at the Westport Library, last February.
(Hat tip: David Schwartz)