Utah or Maine, in Washington, D.C.: A Crossword Conundrum
Ah, the daily ritual: coffee brewing, the paper unfolding, and the satisfying click of pen against newsprint as I dive into the crossword. Today’s puzzle presented a seemingly simple, yet deceptively tricky clue: “Utah or Maine, in Washington, D.C.“
Immediately, the gears in my brain started turning. “Utah” and “Maine” are, of course, states within the United States. “Washington, D.C.,” presents a location – the nation’s capital. This clue screams for a link, a connection between states and the District of Columbia.
At first glance, geographic proximity seemed a dead end. Neither Utah nor Maine are particularly close to Washington, D.C., discounting any sort of literal answer. This suggests a metaphorical or conceptual bridge between the provided elements. Crossword constructors love those.
My next thought leaped to political representation. Each state has senators and representatives in Congress, which convenes in Washington, D.C. Is the answer perhaps referring to a senator or representative
from
Utah or Maine? It’s a possibility, and definitely worth investigating. However, the absence of any indication regarding a person’s name or title gives pause. The clue feels too general for a specific individual.
Another angle to explore is the concept of statehood itself. Washington, D.C., despite being the capital, has a complex relationship with statehood. There has been, and continues to be, substantial debate surrounding whether it should become its own state. Could “Utah or Maine, in Washington, D.C.” be hinting at something relating to the ongoing statehood discussions? Perhaps the answer is related to the history of either Utah or Maine’s path to statehood, or some kind of relevant legislation that affected the District of Columbia?
Branching out a little further, let’s consider the cultural or historical ties between Utah, Maine, and Washington, D.C. Perhaps a significant event that occurred in the capital involved either state? A landmark legal case, a historical agreement, or even a unique cultural exhibition. These connections, even if obscure, could provide the needed solution.
The phrase “in Washington, D.C.” is interesting. It emphasizes the
location
. Could the answer be found
within
Washington, D.C.? For example, a monument, a museum exhibit, a street name, or even a local business with a connection to either state. Think of famous institutions, historical places, or even something smaller.
The brevity of the clue is also worth noting. Often, a shorter clue implies a relatively common or well-known answer. This suggests we might be overlooking something obvious.
Now, before I delve any deeper into this puzzle, I’ll leave you with these initial thoughts. Consider the clues, the states, the location, and the underlying context. What link can you find that binds them all together? It’s a tricky one, but that’s what makes crosswords so appealing. Good luck!
Available Answers:
AVENUE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Tuesday’s Daily By Noelle Griskey / Ed. Patti Varol