It's Only Words

2006-11-30 - 9:57 a.m.

People who know me - and this includes you all - know that I'm a game player. Board games, card games, word games, RPGs...done 'em all. I'd even do CCGs if I could afford to.

I enjoy occasionally doing the crossword puzzle in the OC Register. Usually there'll be a space that I can't fill without a couple letters. You all know how that goes. Then the light goes on, you say "OHHHH, of course" and fill it in.

But sometimes I come across a word I don't know. Never heard of it. So I say "o-kayyyy, whatever" and move on.

But last night's puzzle was so screwy.

A four letter word for "not kosher" - TREF.
Five letter word, "climbing vine" - LIANA (I'd first thought of KUDZU).
Five letter word, "Gannet goose" - SOLAN.
Five letter word, "Shop talk" - ARGOT.

Here was the kicker:
Five letter word, "Brilliant success" - ECLAT.

ECLAT? When did this become a word? Has ANYONE you know EVER said this? "Oh, my dear fellow - you certainly had an ECLAT, you did! Well done!!"

Brin occasionally helps out when I have a stumper. A hint here and there and I can usually get another six or seven words, at least.

But we both decided that this puzzle wasn't written in English.

I did work out the cryptogram:

As a rule, a man who doesn't know his own mind hasn't missed much. - Author Unknown

It might even be me.

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You know how, sometimes, your can't find your cordless phone? Well...

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Brin is on her way down for another visit. And I have a few stops to make before I pick her up at the airport.

Till tomorrow.

Be seeing you.

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