Tag Archives: Something Different

Written on Oct, 31, 2015 by in , | 6 Comments.

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Devil-Cross-69-Something-Different

And now for something completely different.


It’s time for another “Something Different” puzzle! If you’ve never tried one before, here’s how it works: most of the answers are made-up, nonsense phrases. But you can still solve the puzzle since the short answers are often legitimate words and the crazy clues are generally straightforward enough to lead you to the correct answer. If you have the clue [Sort of like Republican presidential candidate Donald], the answer might be TRUMPISH. Just make sure to keep an open mind while you solve and, most of all, have fun with it; these are remarkably fun to write, after all.

On a more somber note, you may have heard the sad news that the crossword world lost another giant: Henry Hook recently passed away at the age of 60. I did not know him personally; I never spoke to the man in person. But I do know that he had a very, very creative imagination for puzzles. I also learned that Henry was a pioneer of the “Something Different” puzzle along with the late Merl Reagle. Obviously I owe both men a lot just for that alone. With both of these puzzle legends passing on within two months of one another — along with the fact that today’s a day for dressing up and being a little crazy anyway — today seemed like as good a day as any for a crazy crossword.

Enjoy the puzzle. Rest in peace, Henry.

(Tip of the hat to Erik Agard, whose puzzle this week has a similar shape.)

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Written on Mar, 21, 2015 by in | 19 Comments.

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Devil-Cross-12-Something-Different


Time for a “Something Different” puzzle — with some hot triple- and quintuple-stack action! If you’re new to this kind of puzzle, here’s how it works: most of the answers are completely made up words and phrases that would never pass muster in standard crosswords, but you can still figure them out because the clues are straightforward enough to lead you to the correct answers. For instance, a clue like [Tool you might use to call a toy dog] might yield the answer PUG WHISTLE. The short answers are usually legitimate answers, so that’s where you should start to solve the grid. I wrote a couple of these puzzles last year, and it’s remarkably fun to create them — the vast, wide open space in the grid allows you to jam in some really insane answers, and the clues are just as crazy. Trip Payne has made other “Something Different” grids that you can check out here.

In other puzzle news: the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament is next week in Stamford, Connecticut. If you’re attending, come say hi to me there. That’s an order.

Enjoy the puzzle. There will be a new one on March 28 (and I’ll be handing out copies at the ACPT).

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