Marked Twain?

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Marked Twain? A Clue That’s Deep as the Mississippi

Ah, the joys of crossword puzzles! That feeling of triumph when you finally crack a tricky clue, the satisfaction of seeing the grid fill up with black and white squares, the quiet hum of accomplishment. But sometimes, a clue comes along that throws you for a loop, leaving you scratching your head and muttering, “What in the world?”

This week, I stumbled upon a clue that had me puzzling for far longer than usual. It’s one of those deceptively simple-looking clues that hides a bit of wordplay and requires a bit of outside-the-box thinking. The clue?

“Marked Twain?“

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Twain? Mark Twain? The author? Is this some kind of literary reference?” And you might be right, but don’t be fooled by the obvious. This clue is playing a bit of a trick on us. It’s a bit of a word puzzle within a word puzzle.

So, how do we tackle this cryptic clue?

First, let’s consider the word “Marked”. What does it signify? Does it suggest a specific action? Does it point to a particular kind of symbol?

Next, let’s consider “Twain”. We know Mark Twain was a writer, but could it be something else entirely? Could it be a numerical value? A geographical term?

The key to unlocking this clue lies in understanding the connection between these two words. It’s a connection that’s a bit subtle, but once you spot it, the answer will become clear.

I encourage you to take a moment to ponder this clue. Think about the different meanings of the words involved. Consider how they might relate to each other.

And if you’re still stumped, don’t worry! We’ll explore the possible answers and the reasoning behind them in the coming days. Stay tuned!

Marked Twain?

Available Answers:

DOG-EARED.

Last seen on the crossword puzzle: NY Times Crossword 30 Aug 24, Friday