Latin list shortener, in brief - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Latin list shortener, in brief," is a classic example of what solvers call "crosswordese" - a term that's far more common inside the puzzle grid than in everyday conversation. It's a great clue for beginners to learn, as it tests knowledge of common abbreviations and a little bit of Latin, both frequent flyer topics in the world of crosswords.

Clue Analysis

Let's break down the clue's components:

• "Latin list shortener": This part tells us we're looking for a term with roots in the Latin language that is used to truncate a list. This immediately brings a few candidates to mind, like etc. or i.e.. However, the specific function of shortening a list of people is key here.
• "in brief": This is a standard crossword signal that the answer is an abbreviation. It's the puzzle's way of saying, "Don't give me the full phrase, just the shortened form."

Putting these pieces together, we're searching for the abbreviated form of a Latin phrase used to shorten lists, particularly lists of names.

Thinking Approaches

A seasoned solver might see this clue and fill in the answer almost instantly. But if you're working through it, here are a couple of effective approaches:

1. Keyword Trigger: The word "Latin" combined with "in brief" should trigger a mental list of common Latin abbreviations found in puzzles: E.G., I.E., V.S., and today's answer. The "list shortener" part helps you zero in on the correct one.
2. Contextual Application: Think about where you've seen such a term. If you've ever read an academic paper or looked at a bibliography, you've likely seen a citation like "Smith, Jones, & Williams (2023)". If there were more authors, it might be written as "Smith et al. (2023)". This context points directly to the answer.
3. Leveraging Crossings: This is a four-letter answer with common letters. If you're unsure, getting even one or two crossing letters (like the 'E' or the 'L') can make the answer pop into your head.

Background Context

The answer is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase et al., which stands for et alii (masculine plural), et aliae (feminine plural), or et alia (neuter plural). In all cases, it translates to "and others".

Its most common use is in academic and legal citations to refer to a work with multiple authors without having to list every single one. For example, a paper by Johnson, Miller, Davis, and Chen might be cited as "Johnson et al."

It's important not to confuse it with etc. (et cetera), which means "and the rest" or "and other things". You'd use etc. for a list of objects (e.g., "bring plates, cups, napkins, etc."), but et al. for a list of people.

Conclusion

"Latin list shortener, in brief" is a quintessential crossword clue. It's a test of recognizing common abbreviations and a bit of academic convention. Once you've learned this one, you'll spot it instantly in future puzzles. It's a reliable piece of fill for constructors and a confidence-booster for solvers.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This is a common abbreviation used in academic citations or bibliographies.
2. Hint 2: It's used when a work has multiple authors, to avoid listing them all.
3. Hint 3: The full phrase in Latin means "and others".
4. Hint 4: It's a four-letter abbreviation, often seen with a period at the end.

The answer is ETAL.