Kings and queens, e.g. [7]

The trick of a crossword is that context comes not from the sentence (fragments, often) but from the solution grid. A clue like this could be ROYALTY, but the crossings reveal that we’re talking about cards, not courts: TWO PAIR.

• Patrick Berry, Wall Street Journal [Second Saturday Variety Puzzle], 2/18/17

February 18, 2017February 23, 2017 by Aaron Riccio

Beam’s path? [8]

With only two words, it’s not difficult to guess that “beam” is the word being used in an unexpected sense, as a smile. There’s a delightful discovery, though, in visualizing the arc of a grin: EAR TO EAR.

• Steve Overton, The New York Times, 2/18/17

February 18, 2017February 25, 2017 by Aaron Riccio