Common time for lunch - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Common time for lunch," is a classic example of a straightforward, definitional clue often found in early-week puzzles like a Monday or Tuesday NYT Crossword. It relies on everyday knowledge and direct association, making it a great foothold for solvers to build upon.

Clue Analysis

The clue can be broken down into two parts:

• "Common time": This suggests a typical, standard, or widely recognized point in the day.
• "for lunch": This specifies the context. We're looking for the time most associated with the midday meal.

Putting them together, the clue is asking for the specific hour that is culturally understood as the standard time for lunch. The answer is a four-letter word representing this time.

Thinking Approaches

When you encounter a clue like this, several thought processes can lead you to the answer:

1. Direct Association: The most immediate approach is to ask yourself, "When do people usually eat lunch?" The middle of the day is the most common answer, which leads directly to the specific hour.
2. Word Brainstorming: You could list common times of day: morning, midday, afternoon, evening, midnight. Then, consider specific hours. The one that stands out for lunch is 12 o'clock.
3. Using Crossings: If you're stuck, checking the crossing letters is always a solid strategy. For a four-letter answer, even one or two letters can confirm your hunch. For example, if you have _ O O _, the answer becomes almost certain.

Background Context

The concept of a midday meal is ancient, but the specific timing has evolved. In many Western cultures, the industrial revolution helped standardize the workday, establishing a midday break. This break, often taken around 12:00 PM, became the standard lunch hour. This time marks the sun's highest point in the sky (solar noon), which has historically been a key marker for dividing the day.

Conclusion

"Common time for lunch" is a perfect example of a clue that rewards general knowledge and cultural awareness. It's a simple, elegant clue that provides a satisfying and quick fill, helping to build momentum as you solve the rest of the puzzle.

Hints

1. Hint 1: Think about the middle of the day.
2. Hint 2: It's a specific hour on the clock.
3. Hint 3: This time is often associated with a high sun.
4. Hint 4: It's represented as 12:00 PM.

The answer is NOON.