Okay, so, I was trying to figure out a crossword clue today, and it got me thinking about how much I enjoy these puzzles. The clue was “One is used in basketball but not in hockey.” Man, these things can be tricky! It wasn’t just about knowing sports, but also about understanding how words can be twisted and played with. These crossword puzzles really get your brain going, you know?
First, I scribbled down everything I knew about basketball and hockey. I mean, I’m not a super fan, but I know the basics. You’ve got your hoops, your nets, and that orange ball in basketball. Hockey’s got the ice, the puck, and those sticks. So, I’m thinking, what’s in basketball that’s not in hockey?
Then it hit me – these clues aren’t always straightforward. They love to use puns and wordplay. So, I started to jot down related words, anything that came to mind. I listed things like “shot,” “goal,” “court,” “rink,” just brainstorming, really.
- Looked up some crossword tips online.
- Read that these clues often involve double meanings.
- Started to see a pattern in how they’re structured.
I spent a good chunk of time just staring at the clue, letting my mind wander. I even googled a few things about crossword strategies, just to get some ideas. You wouldn’t believe the kind of stuff people come up with for these puzzles!
Found The Answer!
After a while, I circled back to the word “shot.” In basketball, you take a shot at the basket. But in hockey, you shoot a puck. Could it be related to that? I played around with words related to “shot” and then it dawned on me – “shot clock”! That’s it! There’s a shot clock in basketball to keep the game moving, but there’s no such thing in hockey. I filled in “SHOTCLOCK” in the puzzle, and it fit perfectly. Felt pretty good, I gotta say. It’s like a little victory when you finally crack one of these.
Anyway, that’s how I spent part of my day. Solving that crossword clue was more than just a game; it was a whole process. And it reminded me why I like doing these puzzles so much. It’s not just about knowing stuff, but also about being creative and persistent. Just wanted to share that little adventure with you all. Maybe you’ll look at your next crossword a bit differently now, too!
