Cracking the Code: “Currency Equivalent to 100 Jeon”
This week’s crossword puzzle threw me for a loop. I was cruising through the grid, confidently filling in clues left and right, until I hit a snag. A seemingly innocuous clue, “Currency Equivalent to 100 Jeon,” stopped me in my tracks.
Now, I’m no stranger to obscure currency references in crossword puzzles. But this one had me stumped. “Jeon”? What in the world is a “jeon”? My first instinct was to reach for Google, but even the mighty search engine couldn’t offer a clear-cut answer.
The frustration was mounting. It wasn’t just about getting the answer right, it was about understanding the logic behind the clue. What kind of currency system would have a unit called “jeon”? Was it a historical currency, a fictional one from some obscure book, or something entirely different?
I decided to dive deeper. I started by exploring the etymology of the word “jeon.” Turns out, “jeon” is a Korean word, meaning “coin” or “penny.” That was a start, but it still left me wondering about the connection to a currency system.
As I continued my research, I stumbled upon some interesting facts about the Korean currency, the won. It seemed like the won was divided into smaller units, including something called a “jeon.” Could this be the answer I was looking for?
But there was a catch. The Korean currency system has been through several reforms over the years, and the “jeon” hasn’t been used for decades. So, was the clue referring to a historical Korean currency system, or was there something else at play?
The puzzle was becoming more intriguing by the minute. I realized this wasn’t just a simple crossword clue, it was a mini-history lesson in disguise. I had to crack the code, not just to get the answer, but to understand the cultural and historical context behind it.
So, I’m reaching out to you, my fellow crossword enthusiasts. Have you encountered this clue before? Do you have any insights into the “jeon” and its connection to currency? Let’s solve this mystery together!
Available Answers:
WON.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: NY Times Crossword 19 Jul 24, Friday