Nonkosher sandwich, in brief - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Nonkosher sandwich, in brief," is a great example of a straightforward yet cleverly phrased puzzle. It combines a descriptive element with a structural hint, guiding the solver to a very common three-letter answer. Let's break down how to deconstruct this clue and arrive at the solution.

Clue Analysis

The clue has two distinct parts that work together:

1. "Nonkosher sandwich": This is the definition. A kosher diet follows Jewish dietary laws, known as Kashrut. One of the most well-known rules is the prohibition of pork. Therefore, the clue is pointing to a sandwich that contains a pork product, most likely bacon or ham.

2. "in brief": This is the wordplay or structural indicator. It tells us that the answer is not the full name of the sandwich but a shortened version, an abbreviation, or an initialism.

Combining these, we are looking for the common abbreviation for a sandwich that contains pork.

Thinking Approaches

A solver might approach this in a couple of ways:

• Start with the abbreviation: What are the most common abbreviated sandwiches? PB&J and BLT immediately come to mind. Now, test them against the "nonkosher" part. A PB&J (peanut butter and jelly) is generally kosher. A BLT, however, contains bacon. Bacon is pork, which is not kosher. This fits perfectly.

• Start with the definition: What are some nonkosher sandwiches? A ham and cheese sandwich, a bacon cheeseburger, or a BLT. Now, which of these is commonly referred to "in brief"? While you might see "ham & cheese," it's not as standard an initialism as BLT. The answer quickly becomes clear.

For a three-letter answer, getting even one crossing letter can confirm your hypothesis instantly. If you have B??, ??T, or B?T, the answer becomes almost certain.

Background Context

The BLT is a classic American diner sandwich. The name is an initialism that stands for its primary ingredients: Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato. The bacon is the key to this clue's angle. Because it is a pork product, it renders the entire sandwich nonkosher according to Jewish dietary law. This specific cultural reference is a favorite among crossword constructors as it provides a slightly more interesting way to clue a very common entry.

Conclusion

This clue is a perfect entry-level example of how definition and wordplay merge. By understanding that "nonkosher" points to a specific ingredient (pork) and "in brief" signals an abbreviation, the solver can confidently deduce the answer. It's a reminder to always pay attention to every word in the clue, as each one serves a purpose.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This is a very common sandwich often referred to by its initials.
2. Hint 2: The ingredient that makes this sandwich nonkosher is a type of cured pork.
3. Hint 3: The initials stand for the three primary ingredients.
4. Hint 4: The ingredients are a pork product, a leafy green, and a red fruit.

The answer is BLT.