How we fact-check, update and correct puzzles
We want to hear your thoughts on the Easy Mode newsletter. Share them by filling out our short survey. “This may be unsavory and sacrilegious to talk about, BUT everyone makes mistakes. And in this day and age where everything is edited and vetted by numerous eyes and continually updated, revised and corrected, I am sure it is few and far between (if ever) that mistakes make it to the final versions. But when it comes to the games, is there any record of historical errors, misprints or (substantially) inaccurate clues or answers?” — Anonymous From Christina: Everyone makes mistakes, including the crossword editorial team. We have a process we follow when we publish factually inaccurate clues, which involves fixing the clue online and issuing a correction in print the next day. We may also make an announcement on social media if the mistake is public enough. One rather amusing error we had to correct recently was flagged to us on Instagram. We had written the clue [Elite group whose members include Steve Martin and Geena Davis], which was a “fact” that was “confirmed” by multiple online sources. But on the day the puzzle was published, Steve Martin posted on Instagram: “Hey NYT crossword, FYI, I’m not a member of MENSA and never have been. Just a regler guy.” You can’t argue with the man himself! In this case, we changed the clue and also posted on social media about the error. I spoke with the puzzle editor Will Shortz, who keeps a personal record of mistakes that have been made in the crossword during his tenure. Will said, “Despite careful checking of every puzzle, and testing and rechecking by a crack backup team, sharp-eyed Times readers find four to five mistakes a year. And they aren’t bashful about letting me know.” Here are some other interesting mistakes that Will has logged over the years:
Problem: While the Road Runner cartoons show Acme-branded blasting powder, detonator, nitroglycerin and a “Junior Explosive Kit,” there is no evidence that Acme made TNT.
Problem: Booker T. and the M.G.’s were a strictly instrumental band.
Problem: Lotto is a betting game of choosing numbers; it doesn’t involve scratching off tickets.
Problem: Pixar movies are created on a computer, so they have no physical cels.
Problem: While a southpaw could conceivably jab with his left hand, by nature he’d jab with his right.
Problem: Though Toronto is in Canada, two N.B.A. cities in the U.S. are farther north: Minneapolis and Portland, Ore.
Solve Friday’s Crossword on Easy Mode!
In today’s Wordplay column, Deb Amlen writes about today’s dynamic puzzle. For expert hints on today’s puzzle, read her column. Were you able to solve the Friday puzzle with Easy Mode? We want your input! Share your experience with us on the X platform, on Threads or by email. A Quick Cool-DownHow fast can you solve today’s Mini?
Get a ClueMy favorite clue from last week is 49-Down from Friday, Nov. 7. I enjoy clues that play with common idioms and take them literally. 49-Across: Clear one’s name, say?
How are we doing? Thanks for playing! Subscribe to New York Times Games. If you were forwarded this newsletter, you can sign up to receive it regularly here. P.S. The answer to Get a Clue is ERASE.
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