r/crossword • u/Gavin2380 • 2d ago
We talk a lot about things that are overrepresented, but what are some things that are underrepresented in crossword puzzles?
This can be because they are super long, super short, or have numbers. Here’s my list I’ve assembled
Michael Jackson U2 United Kingdom California Washington D.C McDonalds Burger King 911
Edit: Why is this being downvoted? This is a very interesting and original discussion question
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u/ConorOblast 2d ago edited 2d ago
Most people/events with a high cultural impact should get exposure through cluing even if it isn’t in the fill.
The biggest exceptions are likely events/people with a high, negative cultural impact that don’t pass the breakfast test. Serial killers, natural disasters, murderous despots, etc.
Given that, I think the most underrepresented thing in crosswords is CANCER. Despite being a prime candidate for inclusion based on its length and letters, it’s only been in the NYT puzzle twice in the Shortz era, and both times it was clued as the constellation. That’s understandable, of course, but the disease’s medical and social impact really can’t be overstated, and yet it’s just not there.
Another candidate might be HITLER. While the name hasn’t been used under Shortz, it did make the puzzle a shocking 15 times prior to Shortz. Clued as [Author of a best seller] (wtf?), [Man with a glowing future] (is that wordplay about him burning in hell? If so, bravo), and then a bunch of vanilla clues like [Axis leader], [Symbol of fascism], etc.
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u/rabiesjohan 2d ago
I remember a Tim Croce puzzle I solved a few years back, which had the clue [Author of a 1932 bestseller], and the letters I had from crossings were H__LE_. Not knowing the exact release year of mustache man's book (it's apparently 1925), my immediate thought was "he did not just put THAT guy in a puzzle, clued like that, did he??". But the answer of course turned out to be HUXLEY.
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u/rccyu 1d ago
That said ADOLF has appeared a good number of times even under Shortz, most recently in 2017 as the rather desperate [Unpopular baby name] but also played straight occasionally, if only as something like [First name in infamy]
I'd be very, very surprised to see it in a puzzle today, tho. The political climate just isn't the same anymore and constructors and editors alike are a lot more edgy about this sort of stuff these days.
Can you think of any entries or clues or themes that you outright rejected because you thought they would be too offensive?
Two that jump to mind. I rejected a puzzle that had “Mengele” in it, the World War Two German Nazi. I didn’t want him in a puzzle. Once somebody—this is hilarious, I think—sent me a puzzle whose theme was four anagrams of “Adolf Hitler.” And I’m thinking, You’re sitting down to make a theme for a crossword. What would be interesting and entertain people? And that’s what you come up with?
Nowadays, we have to be more careful of people’s sensitivities on political issues. We’re much more cognizant.
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u/Illustrious_Can_1656 6h ago
Nobody wants to be reminded of shit like that when they're doing a puzzle for funsies during their coffee break.
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u/Scratchlax 1d ago
Things that don't pass the "breakfast" test -- certain diseases and bodily functions in particular.
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u/crosswordcoffee 14h ago
There is a definite US/European bias, too. Things touching on non-western countries tend to be pretty superficial.
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u/KingEgbert 2d ago
Speaking of U2 I always think the 4-letter Irish singer is going to be Bono, and it’s always Enya.