Word with crop or shotgun - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Word with crop or shotgun," is a classic example of a "common link" or "phrase completer" clue. It asks for a single word that can be placed before two different words ("crop" and "shotgun") to create two well-known phrases. This type of clue tests your knowledge of common idioms and phrases.

Clue Analysis

The structure of the clue is straightforward: find X in the phrases X crop and X shotgun. Let's break down each part:

"Word with crop": This immediately brings to mind equestrian activities. A riding crop is a short, flexible whip used by a horse rider as an aid.
"Word with shotgun": This points to a very common American idiom. To ride shotgun means to sit in the front passenger seat of a car.

The challenge is to find the single word that fits both contexts. The word must be a gerund (an "-ing" verb form acting as a noun or adjective) to fit both phrases correctly.

Thinking Approaches

When you encounter a clue like this, a good strategy is to tackle each part separately and then look for the overlap.

Brainstorm for "crop": What words precede "crop"? You might think of cash crop, cover crop, or even ear crop. Keep these in mind, but focus on common phrases. The idea of a tool used with a horse might come to you, leading to riding crop.
Brainstorm for "shotgun": What words precede "shotgun"? You might think of adjectives like pump-action or double-barreled. However, the clue is looking for a word that forms a phrase describing an action or position. This should lead you to the idiom riding shotgun.
Find the Intersection: Once you've generated riding crop and riding shotgun, the common word, RIDING, becomes clear. It's the only word that logically and idiomatically completes both phrases.

Background Context

The two phrases have very different origins, which makes the clue interesting.

A riding crop is a straightforward term from the world of equestrianism, describing a tool used while riding a horse.
The phrase "riding shotgun" has a more colorful history. It originates from the days of stagecoaches in the American Old West. The person sitting next to the driver was often armed with a shotgun to protect the coach from bandits. This historical role has evolved into the modern slang for occupying the front passenger seat.

Conclusion

The answer elegantly connects the world of horse riding with American slang about car travel. By identifying the two distinct phrases, "riding crop" and "riding shotgun," solvers can confidently fill in the grid with the common link. This clue is a great reminder of how language evolves and creates interesting intersections.

Hints

Hint 1: This word describes an action or a position.
Hint 2: It can refer to an equestrian activity or a specific seat in a vehicle.
Hint 3: In one phrase, it's what you do on a horse. In the other, it describes the person sitting next to the driver.
Hint 4: The two phrases are "___ crop" and "___ shotgun."