Okay, so I saw this “walk like a duck” clue in the NYT crossword today and I was like, “What the heck?” I’m not a super crossword expert or anything, but I enjoy giving them a shot on the weekends.
First, I stared at it. Blankly. Nothing came to mind. I tried to think of duck-related words. “Waddle,” obviously, but that didn’t fit. I googled “types of ducks,” “duck movements”… still nothing that worked with the crossing letters I had.
Then, I moved on. I figured I’d come back to it later. I worked on other parts of the puzzle, filling in what I could, hoping for some inspiration.
The “Aha!” Moment
After getting a few more letters around the “duck” clue, I revisited it. Suddenly, it clicked! The crossing word I got help to give me “T” at begining and also had “T” at the end. That it! It must be ‘TOTTER’!
- I typed it in.
- It fit perfectly!
I was so proud! I finished the rest of the crossword, feeling like a total champion. It’s amazing how those little victories can make your day. From now on, whenever I see a weird clue, I’ll remember this “walk like a duck” experience. I will keep trying, keep moving around, and most importantly, keep those crossing letters in mind!
