Day, in Dijon - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

This clue, "Day, in Dijon," is a classic example of a foreign language translation clue, a staple in many crossword puzzles. These clues are generally straightforward once you decipher the two key components: the word to be translated and the language it needs to be translated into. Let's break down how to solve this one.

Clue Analysis

The structure of the clue is designed to be helpful. The comma separates the two parts:

• "Day": This is the English word you need to find a foreign equivalent for.
• ", in Dijon": This part provides the geographical context. Dijon is a well-known city in France, famous for its mustard and as the capital of the Burgundy region. The location points directly to the French language.

So, the puzzle is simply asking: What is the French word for "day"?

Thinking Approaches

For a solver, the mental checklist for this type of clue should be:

1. Identify the pattern: Recognize the "[English word], in [foreign place]" format. This almost always signals a direct translation.
2. Pinpoint the language: Ask yourself, "Where is Dijon?" The answer, France, gives you the target language.
3. Access your vocabulary: Search your memory for basic French words. Even if you don't know the word for "day" directly, you might know related phrases.
4. Use word association: Think of common French greetings or related English words. The greeting "Bonjour" literally means "good day." Breaking it down gives you bon (good) and the word you're looking for. Similarly, English words with French roots like journal (a daily record) or journey (originally a day's travel) share the same root.

Background Context

The word JOUR is one of the most fundamental words in the French language. Its Latin ancestor, diurnus (meaning "daily"), also gave us the English word diurnal. The connection is clear in many English words we use every day:

• Journal: A daily log or newspaper.
• Journey: Historically, the distance one could travel in a day.
• Sojourn: A temporary stay.
• Adjourn: To postpone proceedings to another day.

Recognizing these connections can be a powerful tool for solvers, turning a potential guess into a confident answer.

Conclusion

"Day, in Dijon" is a perfect entry-level crossword clue. It tests geographical knowledge and basic vocabulary in a clear, unambiguous way. By recognizing the pattern and using word association, solvers can quickly and confidently fill in the grid. It's a great reminder that sometimes the most direct path is the right one.

Hints

1. Hint 1: The clue asks for a word from a specific European language.
2. Hint 2: The city of Dijon is a key pointer to the language required.
3. Hint 3: The clue is asking for the French translation of the word 'day'.
4. Hint 4: This word is the root of English words like 'journal' and 'journey'.

The answer is JOUR