Alright now, let’s talk about this thing called “factory seconds for short” that shows up in the New York Times crossword. Now, I know you might be scratchin’ your head, wonderin’ what on earth they mean by that! Don’t worry, I’ll break it down nice and simple for ya.
See, this crossword thing – it’s kinda like a game, real popular in the newspapers, especially the New York Times. This puzzle’s been around for years, and every day, folks sit down with their coffee and try to solve these tricky little words. Now, these puzzles ain’t all the same every day; no, no. They start real easy on Monday, and by the time you hit Saturday, oh my, it gets hard as nails!
Now, here’s the kicker – this clue, “factory seconds for short”, it’s just one of the hundreds of clues that pop up in these puzzles. If you’ve been tryin’ to crack it, let me tell ya, the answer is “IRREGS”. Ain’t that a strange little word? Lemme explain what it means.
So, “factory seconds” is a fancy way of sayin’ items that ain’t perfect. You know, like if a factory’s makin’ clothes or dishes or whatnot, sometimes a few items come out with a little chip or a stitch outta place. They ain’t quite right to sell at full price, but they’re still good enough for folks who don’t mind a tiny flaw here or there. Well, those are “seconds” – just means they’re irregulars, or in this case, “IRREGS” for short.
But why do they put “for short” in the clue? That’s to tell ya that the answer isn’t the full word “irregulars”; it’s just the nickname for it, you see? So instead of the long fancy word, we get “IRREGS”.
Now, if you’re wonderin’ why anyone would want factory seconds, I tell ya – they’re cheaper! Folks who don’t mind a few flaws here or there can save a good bit of money on these items. And believe it or not, sometimes those flaws are so small, ya can hardly see ’em!
The New York Times Crossword – A Little History
For those of ya who are real curious about these crosswords, they’re put together by all kinds of folks – they call ‘em constructors – and then they’re checked over by this fella Will Shortz, who’s been the editor for NYT crosswords since 1993. He’s the one who keeps it interesting and makes sure that it gets harder each day of the week. So if you start on Monday, it’s a breeze, but by Saturday, well, good luck to ya!
Every day, folks look forward to tryin’ these puzzles, and sometimes, clues like “factory seconds for short” get people all mixed up. But now ya know – the answer’s IRREGS, and it makes sense once ya understand the whole idea of seconds and factory irregulars.
Why People Love Crosswords
Now, I know some of ya might be thinkin’, why do people spend all that time on crosswords? Well, it’s a fun little brain exercise, I tell ya. Some folks even say it helps them think sharper. Plus, there’s somethin’ real satisfyin’ about figurin’ out those clues, especially the tricky ones like “factory seconds for short”. And let me tell ya, once ya get one, it’s hard to stop – kinda like chips; ya just keep goin’ till it’s done!
How To Get Better At Crosswords
If you’re new to crosswords, start on Monday when it’s easiest, and work your way up. You’ll pick up all kinds of crossword tricks and learn those funny little words that pop up, like IRREGS. Over time, you’ll notice the same kinda clues come up, and then it gets easier. Another thing you can do is look up guides or hints – there’s no shame in it, especially if you’re just startin’ out!
Wrapping Up
So next time you see “factory seconds for short” in the New York Times Crossword, ya won’t be stumped. Just remember, it’s IRREGS, short for those factory-made items that ain’t perfect but are still good enough. And now ya know a little more about how these puzzles work, so give ‘em a try! Just start on Monday, and by Saturday, you’ll be ready for the tough stuff.
Happy puzzlin’!
Tags：[NYT Crossword, Factory Seconds, IRREGS, New York Times Puzzle]
