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Constructing => General Discussion => Topic started by: ebirnholz on April 13, 2009, 10:09:54 PM

Title: Which is worse: Crosswordese, or too many abbrev.?
Post by: ebirnholz on April 13, 2009, 10:09:54 PM

I just wanted to guage the opinion of other constructors here on the situation for one of my puzzles.

I've made a 15x15 grid, with 78 words.  Currently, there are 3 prefixes/suffixes, 6 abbreviations, and 2 words that the website www.crosswordese.com (http://www.crosswordese.com) considers to be "crosswordese."  I've figured out a way to take out 1 of the crosswordese terms, which is the word NIB (which I can change to NEB, as in the abbreviation for Nebraska).....but that would leave me with 7 abbreviations.

I don't know what to make of this.  Considering that at least 9 of the 78 entries are either prefixes, suffixes, or abbreviations, I'm wondering if it's a bad thing if I add one more abbreviation to the puzzle in order to delete a crosswordese term.

So what do you think?  Should I go for one less crosswordese term, or one less abbreviation?

Title: Re: Which is worse: Crosswordese, or too many abbrev.?
Post by: Doorbell on April 15, 2009, 12:30:04 PM

I wouldn't consider NIB to be crosswordese -- it's the point of a pen.  It's been used a number of times in NYT puzzles, even on a Monday.  I personally would pick NIB over NEB.

Title: Re: Which is worse: Crosswordese, or too many abbrev.?
Post by: Todd G on April 15, 2009, 11:36:56 PM

I'll second what Doorbell said, and I voted that crosswordese was worse.  NIB is fine, and better than NEB.  But if it makes you feel better, you might try NAB or NUB instead.

Title: Re: Which is worse: Crosswordese, or too many abbrev.?
Post by: Delaine on April 30, 2009, 06:53:59 PM

Agreed - Nib is much better than another abbreviation - and I also wouldn't consider nib to be crosswordese