36 inches - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "36 inches," is a classic example of a straightforward, definitional clue often found in early-week crosswords. It's a direct test of common knowledge, designed to give solvers a confident start and a solid anchor point in the grid. There's no wordplay or trickery here, just a simple fact.

Clue Analysis

The clue is a quantity and a unit: "36 inches". In crossword terms, this is asking for the name of the larger unit of measurement that is equivalent to 36 inches. The lack of a question mark or any playful language signals that we should take the clue at face value. The answer will be the singular noun for this unit of length.

Thinking Approaches

For a clue this direct, there are a few ways your brain might get to the answer:

1. Direct Recall: This is the most common path. Most solvers who use the imperial system will have memorized this conversion in school. The number 36 immediately triggers the association with the larger unit.
2. Unit Ladder: If you're momentarily stuck, you can think through units of length. Start with an inch. What's the next common unit up? A foot, which is 12 inches. What's 12 x 3? 36. This leads you to realize that 36 inches is three feet, which is the definition of the answer.
3. Using Crossings: Because the answer is a very common word, even getting one or two letters from intersecting clues will likely make the answer pop into your head. For example, if you have __R D, your brain will almost certainly fill in the blanks.

Background Context

The yard is a fundamental unit of length in both the British imperial and US customary systems of measurement. While its exact length has varied historically, the international yard was legally defined as exactly 0.9144 meters in 1959.

This word is a favorite for crossword constructors because of its dual meaning. It can refer to the unit of measurement, but it also commonly refers to a piece of land surrounding a house (e.g., a backyard or front yard). This versatility allows for a wide range of cluing possibilities, from the straightforward definition we see here to more playful clues like "Place for a rake?" or "Lawn's location?"

Conclusion

"36 inches" is a perfect example of a crossword's foundational building blocks. It's a fair, unambiguous clue that rewards general knowledge and helps solvers build momentum. Recognizing these simple definitional clues is a key skill for speeding up your solve times, especially on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This is a standard unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems.
2. Hint 2: It is equal to exactly three feet.
3. Hint 3: This unit is commonly used to measure fabric or distances in American football.
4. Hint 4: The word for this unit is also a term for the grassy area around a house.

The answer is YARD.