Something Rhymes with Purple Torquemada
Jan 19, 2021
Dive into the world of crosswords as the hosts explore their fascinating history and cultural impact. Learn how the first crossword was created over a century ago and its rise to fame with notable fans, including the Royals. Discover the clever art of cryptic puzzles, featuring examples and techniques that will challenge your wordplay skills. From wartime mysteries to literary references, this journey reveals the joy of crosswords and invites listeners to share their own tricky clues. Plus, enrich your vocabulary with intriguing new words!
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Gielgud's Crossword Quirk
- Gyles Brandreth recounts Sir John Gielgud completing a Times crossword in about ten minutes and filling in a whimsical answer he didn't understand.
- Gielgud valued the pastime and joked that completing crosswords was his only exercise despite smoking nonstop.
Crossword's Newspaper Origin
- Arthur Wynne created the first published crossword, called a "word cross," in 1913 as a seasonal newspaper feature.
- That simple innovation evolved quickly into the global pastime we now call the crossword.
Book Publication Sparked Craze
- Simon & Schuster published the first crossword book in 1924 and sold 400,000 copies in a year.
- That publication sparked the worldwide crossword craze and mainstream adoption.
