P, to Pythagoras - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

This clue is a classic piece of crossword misdirection that plays on the visual similarity between letters in different alphabets. It's a staple in many puzzles and a great example of how constructors test your knowledge beyond simple vocabulary.

Clue Analysis

The clue has two distinct parts:

• "P": This refers to the capital letter 'P' from the Latin (or Roman) alphabet we use in English. The clue is pointing to the shape of the letter.
• "to Pythagoras": This is the crucial qualifier. Pythagoras was an ancient Greek mathematician. This tells us that the clue is asking for the Greek equivalent or context for the letter 'P'.

Putting it together, the clue asks: "What is the name of the Greek letter that looks like a 'P'?" It's a direct trivia question disguised as a simple letter.

Thinking Approaches

A seasoned solver might recognize this pattern instantly. For others, here's a step-by-step process:

1. Identify the key elements: The clue links a letter shape ("P") with a specific person ("Pythagoras").
2. Establish the context: Pythagoras immediately signals "Ancient Greece." This should prompt you to think about the Greek language and, more specifically, the Greek alphabet.
3. Formulate the question: The clue is asking for a Greek letter. Which one? The one that looks like a "P".
4. Access your "crosswordese" knowledge: Many Greek letters are common in crosswords (ETA, PHI, PSI, PI). You might cycle through them. You'll recall that the Greek letter Pi (Π) is the equivalent of the Roman 'P', but it doesn't look like a 'P'. The Greek letter that looks like a 'P' is actually Rho (Ρ).
5. Confirm with crossings: If you're unsure, wait for crossing clues. An 'R' or 'H' or 'O' will quickly confirm the answer.

Background Context

The Greek alphabet is a foundational element of "crosswordese" - the specialized vocabulary solvers learn over time. Constructors love using it for a few reasons:

• The letters are often short words (ETA, RHO, PSI).
• They allow for clever misdirection based on visual appearance versus phonetic value.

In this case, the confusion is between:

• Rho (Ρ): The 17th letter of the Greek alphabet. It represents the 'r' sound and is the ancestor of the Roman letter 'R'. Visually, its uppercase form is identical to the Roman 'P'.
• Pi (Π): The 16th letter of the Greek alphabet. It represents the 'p' sound and is the ancestor of the Roman letter 'P'.

This visual swap is a common trap, and knowing it is a rite of passage for many crossword solvers.

Conclusion

The clue "P, to Pythagoras" is a clever and concise way to ask for the Greek letter RHO. It relies on the solver's ability to connect Pythagoras to the Greek alphabet and to know the specific visual quirk of the letter Rho. Once you've seen this trick once, you'll spot it every time.

Hints

1. Hint 1: What language did Pythagoras speak and write in?
2. Hint 2: The clue is asking for a letter from that language's alphabet.
3. Hint 3: This letter is the 17th in its alphabet.
4. Hint 4: It's the Greek equivalent of the Roman letter 'R', but it looks like the Roman letter 'P'.

The answer is RHO.