Damon Gulczynski wants to make sure you’re paying attention.
Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky Clues
THURSDAY PUZZLE — Verbal communication is a funny thing. I might say something to someone and assume the person heard me correctly, both in words and intent. Successful communication, however, does not happen as often as we would like.
Damon Gulczynski’s puzzle isn’t difficult, but it may be easier to solve if you really focus on what he’s saying in the clues. I needed to repeat them to myself a few times before I understood what was going on. At some point, you may even slap your forehead, saying, “Ohh, that’s what he meant,” followed by, “You know what? That’s pretty clever.”
Today’s Theme
Eggcorns are words or phrases that are misheard or misinterpreted. If the misinterpretation occurs in a musical lyric, it is called a mondegreen. (Think “There’s a bathroom on the right” instead of “There’s a bad moon on the rise” in “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.)
Mr. Gulczynski has written some crafty theme clues that contain eggcorns, and, once you understand what he means, the answers will make much more sense.
I can tell you, for example, and with apologies to the French, that Americans don’t think of the EIFFEL TOWER as a [Rod-shaped parasite]. We might, however, refer to it as a “Paris sight” or “site” (both are appropriate here).
We are having trouble retrieving the article content.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Source: Elections - nytimes.com
