The New York Times crossword puzzle is a popular pastime for many people, and the challenge of completing each day’s puzzle can be both fun and frustrating. One way to make the process a little easier is to learn some of the word shortcuts that are commonly used in the clues and answers. These shortcuts can help you quickly solve clues and fill in letters, making it easier to complete the puzzle.
What are Word Shortcuts?
Word shortcuts are abbreviations or shorthand that are commonly used in crossword puzzles. They can help you solve clues more quickly by providing a shorter way to write a longer word or phrase. For example, the word “doctor” might be abbreviated as “dr.” in a clue or answer.
Common Word Shortcuts
There are many word shortcuts that are commonly used in crossword puzzles. Some of the most common ones include:
- Dr. for doctor
- Mr. for mister
- Mrs. for missus
- Ms. for miss
- St. for street or saint
- Ave. for avenue
- Rd. for road
- N. for north
- S. for south
- E. for east
- W. for west
- NE for northeast
- NW for northwest
- SE for southeast
- SW for southwest
- Gov. for governor
- Sr. for senior
- Jr. for junior
- Gen. for general
- Col. for colonel
- Prof. for professor
- Rev. for reverend
- Fr. for father
- Esq. for esquire
- Co. for company
- Ltd. for limited
- Inc. for incorporated
Using Word Shortcuts
When you come across a clue that includes a word shortcut, it’s important to remember what it stands for. For example, if the clue is “Dr.’s org.” the answer might be “AMA” for American Medical Association. If you’re not sure what a shortcut stands for, you can often use the other clues in the puzzle to help you figure it out.
Another way to use word shortcuts is to look for them in the answers. Sometimes a long word or phrase can be shortened by using a word shortcut. For example, “Doctor Who actress” might be abbreviated as “JLC” for Jodie Louise Comer.
Benefits of Using Word Shortcuts
Learning and using word shortcuts can help you solve crossword puzzles more quickly and easily. By using shortcuts, you can quickly eliminate possibilities and narrow down your options, making it easier to fill in the rest of the letters. Word shortcuts can also help you remember certain clues and answers, making it easier to solve similar puzzles in the future.
Conclusion
Word shortcuts are a valuable tool for anyone who enjoys solving crossword puzzles. By learning and using these abbreviations and shorthands, you can quickly and easily solve clues and fill in letters, making the process of completing the puzzle more fun and less frustrating.