This here thing, it’s called exactly crossword, right? Sounds fancy, but it ain’t that hard. Just a game, like them checkers we used to play down at the general store. You got your squares, all lined up like them fields after harvest. Some going up and down, some going side to side.
They give you these…what do they call ’em? Clues. Yeah, clues. Like riddles, kinda. You gotta figure out what word they want, based on these clues. It can make your head spin if you’re not careful! It’s all about finding the right word, you see, the word that fits just exactly. That’s the key, you understand?
Now, I heard some folks say there’s lots of ways to solve these things. Some folks, they just know the answers, like they swallowed a dictionary or something. Others, they gotta scratch their heads a bit. And that’s okay! It is not a race, you know. Just enjoy the game, the process.
- First thing, you look at the clue real good.
- Then you count how many boxes there are. That tells you how long the word is.
- Then you start thinkin’ of words that fit.
Say the clue is, “Not late.” And you got five boxes. Well, you start thinkin’. “Not late”… “Early!” That’s five letters. Might be it, right? You write it in, light-like, with your pencil. You don’t want to make no mistakes, see. Sometimes there are many words that can fit, so you gotta check if it’s the right one.
Then, you try another one. Say the clue is, “A big dog.” And you got three boxes. Hmm… “Big dog”… Could be “box,” like that boxer dog my neighbor used to have. Or maybe it’s something else. You have to find the exactly word.
Now, some of these clues, they’re tricky. They try to fool ya. They might say something like, “Opposite of yes.” Well, you know that’s “no”, even though it’s not a question. It is not always straightforward. You have to read between the lines, like we do when gossiping in the village.
And if you get stuck? Well, that happens to the best of us. Just means you gotta think a little harder. It ain’t cheatin’ to ask for help. You can ask someone, or you can look it up, but you know, it’s more fun when you do it yourself.
Sometimes the clue is something like, “Just right.” And you got seven boxes. “Just right”… “Exactly“! That’s it! See? It ain’t so hard. Just gotta use your brain a little. It is a good way to kill time when you’re bored, you know.
Now, I seen these crosswords in them newspapers. Big ones, little ones, all kinds. Some folks, they do ’em every day. Keeps their minds sharp, they say. Like how we used to do them number puzzles to keep our minds from going to mush. And it is true, you know, a little puzzle a day keeps the doctor away, they used to say.
And you know what? It’s kinda fun, figuring out the words, filling in the boxes. Makes you feel good, like when you finally get that last piece of the quilt sewn on. A sense of accomplishment, you know? You look at the finished crossword, and you say, “I did that!”
These exactly crossword things, they ain’t for everyone. Some folks, they just don’t have the patience. But if you like words, and you like puzzles, then you might just like these crosswords. Give it a try sometime. You might surprise yourself. It can be a fun little challenge, you know, a way to pass the time and exercise your brain a bit.
So next time you see one of these crossword things, don’t be scared. Just remember what I told ya. Read the clue, count the boxes, and start thinkin’. And don’t forget to have fun! It’s just a game, after all. A game of words, a game of wit, a game of patience. And who knows, you might even learn a new word or two along the way. Just make sure the word is exactly what they want! This is the most important part of the game.
