A, B, C or D, but not E - NYT Mini-Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's NYT Mini-Crossword features a clever clue that plays on a universally understood system: "A, B, C or D, but not E". This clue is a great example of how crossword constructors use familiar concepts in a slightly roundabout way to make you think. Let's break it down.

Clue Analysis

The clue presents a list of items: the letters A, B, C, and D. It then explicitly excludes the letter E. The immediate pattern recognition for most solvers, especially in the US, is the academic grading system. These letters are commonly used to signify levels of achievement in school.

The phrase "but not E" is a key part of the clue. While some grading systems might use an 'E', the most common American system skips from D directly to F for "Fail". By excluding 'E', the clue reinforces that it's referring to this specific, well-known system of evaluation. The question isn't asking for the next letter in a sequence; it's asking for the name of the category to which these letters belong.

Thinking Approaches

1. Categorization by Example: The clue gives you examples (A, B, C, D) and asks for the general category. Your thought process should be: "What are A, B, C, and D all types of?" The most common answer is letters of the alphabet, but in the context of a puzzle, there's usually a more specific meaning. The next logical leap is to academic marks.

2. Context is Key: The exclusion of 'E' is the context. Why would 'E' be left out? This should steer you away from thinking about the alphabet and toward a system where 'E' is often omitted, like the A-F grading scale.

3. Use the Crossings: If you're unsure, filling in even one or two crossing letters can be a massive help. For a five-letter answer, getting the first or last letter can often crack the code. For instance, if you have G _ _ _ E, the answer becomes much more apparent.

Background Context

The use of letter grades to summarize academic performance is widespread. The A-F system is most commonly associated with education in the United States. Mount Holyoke College was one of the first institutions to use a letter-based system in the late 19th century. The system we know today (A, B, C, D, F) became standardized over the following decades. The exclusion of 'E' is often attributed to the potential for students to misinterpret it as "Excellent," whereas 'F' is an unambiguous signifier for "Fail."

Conclusion

This clue is a perfect example of a definition-by-example style. By listing the common passing marks and excluding a less common one, the puzzle points directly to the concept of a GRADE. It's a satisfying solve that relies on shared cultural knowledge rather than obscure trivia.

Hints

1. Hint 1: What you might receive on a report card.
2. Hint 2: This can be a letter or a number representing performance.
3. Hint 3: It's a measure of quality or achievement.
4. Hint 4: The clue lists common examples of this academic evaluation.