 sj |
||
|
||
BS: Why crosswords always symmetrical?
|
|
|
|||||||
|
BS: Why crosswords always symmetrical? |
Share Thread
|
||||||
|
Subject: BS: Why crosswords always symmetrical? From: MGM·Lion Date: 18 Sep 12 - 01:32 AM As a lifelong keen and inveterate cruciverbalist, I have often wondered what was the reason for the convention that croswsword squares are invariably symmetrical, in either two or all four planes. Is there a logistical explanation for this? Or is it purely a convention? ~ in which case, why? Is there any reason why puzzles would not work, or not work as efficiently, if a-symmetric? ~Michael~ |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Why crosswords always symmetrical? From: GUEST Date: 18 Sep 12 - 01:37 AM An answer from the Straight Dope |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Why crosswords always symmetrical? From: Mo the caller Date: 18 Sep 12 - 01:58 AM Because people who set them have that sort of a mind. Or because a symmetrical grid gives them something to get started on. I suppose you could have other shapes, e.g. making a picture of a cat in profile, but a 15x15 grid is nice and predictable for the typesetters. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Why crosswords always symmetrical? From: GUEST,Stim Date: 18 Sep 12 - 09:55 AM Actually, the straight dope doesn't give an answer. The New York Times says this: "Nearly all the Times crosswords have rotational symmetry: they can be rotated 180 degrees and still keep the same position of the white and black spaces. Rarely, puzzles with vertical or horizontal symmetry only can be found; yet more rare are asymmetrical puzzles, which usually indicate some sort of unusual theme is contained within the puzzle that requires breaking the symmetry rule. This rule has been part of the puzzle since the beginning; when asked why, initial editor Margaret Farrar is said to have responded "Because it is prettier."[9]" |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Why crosswords always symmetrical? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 18 Sep 12 - 02:03 PM Crosswords created for educational use are often not symmetrical. If the goal is to help fifth-graders learn a set of new vocabulary words, symmetry gets sacrificed. Such puzzles usually turn out looking more like Scrabble games than conventional crossword puzzles. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Why crosswords always symmetrical? From: GUEST,DrWord Date: 18 Sep 12 - 02:15 PM I think it's pretty obviously pure convention, and it is prettier. a crossword puzzle ain't a sudoku "Is there a logistical explanation for this?" no " . . . predictable for the typesetters." [?????] predictive of what? "a lifelong keen and inveterate cruciverbalist" ME TOO cheers dennis |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Why crosswords always symmetrical? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 18 Sep 12 - 04:46 PM Custom and elegance. You don't want staright logic in a puzzle which is about intuition and leaps of imagination. That's cryptic crosswords I mean, of course. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Why crosswords always symmetrical? From: Bernard Date: 18 Sep 12 - 06:10 PM It's one of the challenges that the people who set crosswords enjoy having to meet... a more pertinent question may be 'why not?'... |
