Ogden Nash and Those Uncomfortable Textures: A Crossword Dive
Ogden Nash. The name alone conjures images of playful rhymes, delightfully skewed perspectives, and a generally rebellious attitude toward poetic convention. He was the master of the unexpected turn, the king of the deliberately awkward meter, and a champion of finding humor in the everyday absurdities of life. So, naturally, when I encountered a crossword clue hinting at his work, I knew I was in for a treat.
The clue in question? “I don’t mind ___ / Except as meals. / And the way they feels”: Ogden Nash.
Immediately, the distinct rhythm of Nash’s poetry started buzzing in my head. That distinctive AABB rhyme scheme, the casual, conversational tone, the focus on a seemingly mundane detail – it all screamed Nash. He had a knack for elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary, dissecting it with wit and turning it on its head. He could take something as commonplace as a sneeze, a diet, or even, in this case, the subject of our clue, and transform it into a comedic masterpiece.
This particular snippet, with its focus on both the acceptance and the repulsion associated with the unknown subject, is particularly intriguing. The initial declaration of “I don’t mind ___” suggests a degree of tolerance, perhaps even indifference. It’s as if the speaker is attempting to rationalize or minimize their aversion. However, the subsequent clauses reveal the true source of their discomfort: the culinary aspect and the sensory experience.
The phrase “Except as meals” immediately introduces a cultural or personal prejudice. Whatever this thing is, it’s not something the speaker considers palatable. This could be due to taste, texture, societal norms, or a combination of all three. It sets the stage for the final, and perhaps most telling, revelation.
“And the way they feels.” This is where Nash truly shines. The seemingly simple phrase speaks volumes. It goes beyond mere taste or visual appeal and delves into the realm of tactile sensation. It evokes a sense of visceral unease, a reaction that transcends rational thought. It’s the feeling of something squishy, slimy, or prickly against the skin, a sensation that can be difficult to articulate but instantly recognizable.
The beauty of this particular fragment lies in its ambiguity. It leaves the reader – or in this case, the crossword solver – to fill in the blank, to conjure their own image of the object that elicits such a complex and contradictory response. It’s a testament to Nash’s skill as a poet that he can evoke such vivid imagery and emotion with so few words.
Think about the things in your own life that you tolerate in principle but find unsettling in practice. What foods do you avoid because of their texture? What creatures inspire a shiver of unease despite their harmlessness? Nash’s poetry often forces us to confront these uncomfortable truths, to laugh at our own quirks and prejudices.
So, as you ponder this crossword clue, consider the various possibilities, the textures, the culinary taboos, and the Ogden Nash-ian spirit of playful subversion. Let the rhymes guide you and let the humor illuminate your path. You might just find the answer hiding in plain sight. Good luck and happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
EELS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 0723-25 NY Times Crossword 23 Jul 25, Wednesday