Crossed one’s fingers - NYT Mini-Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Crossed one's fingers," is a classic example of how crossword puzzles use common idiomatic expressions to point to a simple, core concept. This clue from the NYT Mini-Crossword is a great entry point for new solvers, as it relies on everyday language rather than obscure trivia.

Clue Analysis

The phrase "Crossed one's fingers" is a well-known gesture and idiom. When someone crosses their fingers, they are expressing a wish for good luck or a positive outcome. The clue is phrased in the past tense ("crossed"), which is a significant grammatical hint. This tells us that the answer is likely to be a verb in the past tense as well. The puzzle is asking for the action or emotion that this gesture represents.

Thinking Approaches

1. Idiom Deconstruction: The first step is to recognize the clue as an idiom. Ask yourself, "What does it mean when someone crosses their fingers?" The immediate answer is that they are hoping for something.

2. Tense Matching: The verb in the clue is "crossed," which is past tense. This is a strong signal that the answer will also be a past-tense verb. So, if you first think of the word "HOPE," you should adjust it to match the tense, leading you to "HOPED."

3. Synonym Ladder: Think of words related to wishing for a good outcome. You might come up with words like WISHED, PRAYED, or DESIRED. The word HOPED fits perfectly into this group and is a very common and direct synonym for the feeling expressed by the gesture.

4. Using Crossings: In a live solve, if you had a few letters from other clues, this would be a quick confirmation. For example, if the answer was H_P_D, "HOPED" would immediately click into place.

Background Context

The gesture of crossing one's fingers has a long history. One theory suggests it dates back to early Christianity, where two people would cross their index fingers to form a cross, a symbol of power and protection. Over time, it evolved into a gesture one could make alone. Today, it's a widely recognized secular sign for luck and hope. You might say, "I'm crossing my fingers that I get the job," which is a direct verbal equivalent of the answer.

Conclusion

This clue is a great example of a straightforward, idiom-based puzzle. By recognizing the common phrase and paying attention to the past tense, solvers can quickly arrive at the answer. It's a reminder that sometimes the most direct interpretation of a common expression is exactly what the constructor is looking for.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This describes the feeling of wanting a good outcome.
2. Hint 2: The answer is a verb in the past tense, just like "crossed" in the clue.
3. Hint 3: It's a synonym for "wished" or "prayed for."
4. Hint 4: It's what you did when you really wanted something to happen.