“Really?” - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Really?", is a classic example of how crossword puzzles capture the nuances of spoken language. It's short, punchy, and enclosed in quotation marks, all of which are important signals for the solver. This type of clue tests your ability to translate a common expression into its crossword-friendly equivalent.

Clue Analysis

The clue "Really?" is a single word, but the punctuation does a lot of heavy lifting.

• Quotation Marks: The most crucial element here. In crosswords, quotation marks almost always signify that the clue is a spoken phrase, dialogue, or a title. The answer will be a corresponding spoken phrase.
• Question Mark: This tells us the answer is likely a question itself.
• The Word "Really?": This word expresses skepticism, surprise, or a request for confirmation. We're looking for another short question that serves the same conversational purpose.

When someone says, "It's snowing in July," you might respond with "Really?". You could just as easily respond with, "Is it?". The answer, ISIT, perfectly captures this conversational back-and-forth.

Thinking Approaches

1. Deconstruct the Punctuation: The first step is to see the quotation marks and immediately think, "This is something someone would say." This shifts your mindset from looking for a synonym in a thesaurus to thinking about conversational equivalents.

2. Rephrase the Clue: Ask yourself, "What's another way to say 'Really?' when responding to a statement?"

   • "You don't say?" (Too long)
   • "No kidding?" (Too long)
   • "For real?" (Possible, but "ISIT" is more common in puzzles)
   • "Is that so?" (A bit formal, but on the right track)
   • "Is it?" (This fits the bill perfectly)

3. Anticipate Crossword Conventions: Experienced solvers know that short, two-word phrases are often run together in the grid without a space. Phrases like "AS IF," "I DO," "OR SO," and "IS IT" are staples. Recognizing this pattern helps you see "ISIT" as a single grid entry.

4. Use the Crossings: For a short entry like this, even one or two crossing letters can confirm the answer instantly. If you have I _ I _, the answer becomes almost certain.

Background Context

This clue is a great example of a "conversational" or "colloquial" entry. Constructors use these common, everyday phrases to make puzzles feel fresh and relatable. They also serve a practical purpose: short, common-letter words like ISIT are incredibly useful for filling out tricky sections of the grid. They provide flexibility while connecting longer, more complex entries. Learning to spot these common phrases is a key step in becoming a faster, more confident solver.

Conclusion

The clue "Really?" is a straightforward but elegant piece of cluing. By paying close attention to the quotation marks and considering the conversational context, the solver can quickly arrive at the equivalent question, ISIT. It's a reminder that crosswords aren't just about vocabulary; they're also about understanding how we communicate.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This is a phrase used to express doubt or surprise.
2. Hint 2: The answer is a two-word question.
3. Hint 3: The question seeks confirmation of a statement just made.
4. Hint 4: The first word is a form of the verb "to be".

The answer is ISIT.