On February 2nd, 2024, the NYT Mini Crossword presented a clue that left some solvers scratching their heads: “With 6-Across, ‘peaks’ on a desert mount”. This clue, typical of the Mini Crossword’s style, relied on a playful use of language to arrive at the solution. Let’s unpack the wordplay and reveal the answer!
The clue hinges on the word “peaks.” While our minds might immediately jump to mountain tops, the context suggests a different kind of peak.
“Peaks”: In this case, “peaks” cleverly alludes to the humps on a camel’s back.
“Desert mount”: This phrase further solidifies the clue, pointing towards an animal commonly found in desert environments and used for riding.
The Hump-Backed Truth: Revealing the Answer
The answer to the “peaks on a desert mount” clue is CAMEL. This 5-letter word perfectly embodies the clue’s hints, highlighting the animal’s distinctive humps and its association with desert landscapes.
The Significance of 6-Across
The clue’s wording, “With 6-Across,” suggests that the solution to the intersecting clue, 6-Across, likely provided additional hints towards “CAMEL.” Unfortunately, without access to the February 2nd, 2024 Mini Crossword grid, we can only speculate about the nature of 6-Across.
Beyond the Solution: Exploring Deeper Themes
This seemingly simple clue offers a gateway to explore a range of fascinating topics:
Camel Adaptations: Delving into how camel humps actually function as an adaptation for desert survival (storing fat, not water, as is often mistakenly believed) can provide valuable insights into these incredible creatures.
Crossword Culture: The rising popularity of mini crosswords, particularly the NYT Mini, reflects a growing appreciation for wordplay and mental agility.
The “Aha!” Moment: Unpacking the psychology behind solving wordplay clues and the satisfaction derived from cracking the code can shed light on why puzzles like crosswords are so enduringly popular.
Beyond the Camel: Analyzing other instances in the NYT Mini Crossword where animal-related clues utilized clever wordplay would provide a broader context for this particular puzzle and highlight the creativity of crossword constructors.
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