Browsing Month February, 2008
Thinking Inside the Box
Greetings from American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in New York City, where Grant and I will be presenting awards after the finals this year. We’re having a fine old time, as is everyone else here. And after trying a few brain-busting puzzles this evening, I have a world of respect for what these die-hard cruciverbalists manage more…
The Bloody Origin of “Shambles”
Chicago Tribune language columnist Nathan Bierma writes about the curious word “shambles.”Its etymology is kind of grisly — rather like that of dreary.
Correction of the Day
From the corrections section in London’s Guardian newspaper on Feb. 6, 2008: Whether the romance of the French president and Carla Bruni was very pubic only they can say. We meant to say it was very public (Sarkozy marries royally with Versailles wedding night, page 15, February 4). Oops.
Calling All Cruciverbalists
As NPR Puzzlemaster and New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz mentioned yesterday on NPR’s “Weekend Edition,” my co-host Grant Barrett and I will be appearing at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, the nation’s oldest and largest crossword competition. If you’re going to be there, please do make a point of saying hello! We more…
