The thrill of the daily crossword puzzle lies in its delightful unpredictability. One moment, you’re confidently sailing through a series of straightforward definitions; the next, you’re staring down a particularly cryptic or wonderfully specific
crossword clue
that demands a deeper dive into your mental lexicon. Today, we’re going to unpack the fascinating layers of a
crossword clue
that often gives solvers pause, a phrase that beautifully blends the academic with the precise: “Alumni notes datum.”
At first glance, this
crossword clue
might seem rather direct, yet its elegance lies in its specificity and the subtle demands it places on our understanding of both common phrases and Latin singulars. Let’s break down why this particular
crossword clue
is such a masterclass in puzzle construction and what makes it so satisfying to eventually crack.
The “Alumni notes” portion of the
crossword clue
immediately conjures images of university magazines, college newsletters, or dedicated sections in institutional publications. These are the pages where former students share updates on their lives, careers, achievements, and sometimes even personal milestones. It’s a repository of individual narratives, a collection of snippets that paint a picture of where the graduating class has scattered and what they’re up to now. This common context is crucial for understanding the
crossword clue
fully.
Then we come to “datum.” This is where many solvers might initially stumble, or perhaps, where the cleverness of the
crossword clue
truly shines. In common parlance, we often hear “data” used, typically as a plural noun referring to multiple pieces of information. However, “datum” is its singular form – a single, distinct piece of information. This distinction is vital in the world of crosswords, where precision in number (singular or plural), tense, and part of speech is paramount. A
crossword clue
like this isn’t just testing your general knowledge; it’s testing your grammatical exactness.
So, when we combine “Alumni notes” with “datum,” the
crossword clue
isn’t asking for the entirety of the alumni notes, nor is it looking for “data” in a general sense. Instead, it’s seeking a singular, specific piece of information that would be commonly found or highlighted within those alumni updates. What single item, what lone factoid, what specific announcement fits perfectly into that category?
This kind of
crossword clue
is a fantastic example of how compilers challenge us to think laterally and precisely. It requires us to move beyond the surface meaning of words and consider their context, their etymology, and their exact grammatical implications. The joy of solving such a
crossword clue
isn’t just in filling in the squares; it’s in the journey of mental exploration it provokes. It reminds us that every word has a story, and every phrase, especially in a crossword puzzle, has a hidden depth waiting to be uncovered.
For avid solvers, a
crossword clue
like “Alumni notes datum” represents the very best of the genre: challenging, educational, and ultimately, deeply rewarding. It’s these moments of delightful mental gymnastics that keep us coming back to the daily grid, eager for the next linguistic puzzle. We love a
crossword clue
that makes us think twice, and this one certainly does.
Available Answers:
YEAR.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 1121-25 NY Times Crossword 21 Nov 25, Friday