Why do crosswords have to be symmetrical? [more inside]
posted by cmoj on Nov 12, 2009 - 10 answers

I've taken a huge step into the dark side of dorkdom, and I've begun writing my own crosswords. Mostly for fun, mostly to see if I could actually do it. Turns out I can. Now, how can I go about getting these published somewhere? Online, magazines, newspapers--I really have no idea how to start. Suggestions?
posted by John of Michigan on Oct 10, 2009 - 5 answers

A friend and I once tried to complete a cryptic crossword. Neither of us seem to have the right sort of mind for this, so we only managed to work out a handful of answers. To this day we're haunted by one of the clues that mocked our lateral thinking abilities. It's been five years! Help us end the mystery: Short battle for sausage (8 letters).
posted by xchmp on Feb 12, 2009 - 43 answers

There are lots of pages that display portraits of professional and amateur athletes next to their statistics. Where can I find portraits and statistics/rankings of the people who compete in more intellectual/less physical competitions? I'd love to see what the best (and not so great) chess, scrabble, and crosswords players look like.
posted by eisenkr on Jan 22, 2009 - 6 answers

My girlfriend is mildly addicted to cryptic crosswords. She’s also mad about History. Is there a book available that combines the two? [more inside]
posted by Del Chimney on Nov 25, 2008 - 12 answers

Free, printable, daily or weekly, online cryptic crossword? [more inside]
posted by not sure this is a good idea on Jul 26, 2008 - 19 answers

Looking for good crossword puzzle books. I enjoy the Boston Globe puzzles online (alas, no Sundays unless I subscribe) and usually get a kick out of the themed puzzles in the print edition of The Onion. [more inside]
posted by horseblind on Apr 4, 2008 - 10 answers

I'm putting together a company newsletter and am looking for freely licensed and printable crossword and sudoku puzzles that I could put in the newsletter. [more inside]
posted by thecjm on Apr 3, 2008 - 4 answers

Where can I find free printable crossword puzzles online for this lazy Sunday and beyond? [more inside]
posted by iamisaid on Mar 23, 2008 - 5 answers

What is the best software for creating crosswords, preferably ones that can be submitted to the New York Times, although I have no allusions here? Price and convenience, plus a good dictionary are concerns. It would also be great if this program is easily used by a ten year old. He is the driver, but I may want to use it myself a few times.
posted by caddis on Jan 2, 2008 - 6 answers

Anyone very familiar with Milorad Pavic's Landscape Painted with Tea? (english translation) [more inside]
posted by juv3nal on May 24, 2007 - 5 answers

What are some really fun computer-based word and/or trivia games for one player? Online or desktop-based are fine. [more inside]
posted by tastybrains on Apr 23, 2007 - 51 answers

How do I solve the Sunday Times crossword puzzle? [more inside]
posted by adrober on Jan 21, 2007 - 26 answers

I've invented my own type of unique, newspaper-publishable, word game. I would like to either make weekly editions of it to sell to weekly newspapers... [more inside]
posted by vanoakenfold on Nov 5, 2006 - 6 answers

Does anyone know of the research paper (study) where they had people do a day-old crossword and they claimed that those people were able to solve those easier than new crossword puzzles? I saw it referenced in "Waking Life" and was wondering if it were a real paper.
posted by tasty on Sep 16, 2006 - 8 answers

I love doing cryptic crosswords. I can spend hours over some clues and not get the answers. [more inside]
posted by tellurian on May 12, 2006 - 13 answers

Does the NY Times ever rerun its crossword puzzles? [more inside]
posted by jetskiaccidents on Jul 12, 2005 - 13 answers

Why is it so hard to find a magazine of 100% crossword puzzles? Do crossword puzzle creators charge more than other puzzle creators? [more inside]
posted by Slack-a-gogo on Mar 5, 2005 - 9 answers