The daily crossword puzzle often presents us with delightful brain-teasers, and today’s challenge was no exception. There’s a particular
crossword clue
that truly made me pause, ponder, and appreciate the cleverness of the constructors: “Like Hawaii, among the 50 states.”
At first glance, this
crossword clue
seems deceptively simple. Hawaii is, well, Hawaii! It’s a beautiful island state, a popular tourist destination, known for its unique culture and stunning volcanic landscapes. But the qualifier, “among the 50 states,” immediately signals that we’re not just looking for a descriptor of Hawaii in isolation. Instead, the clue demands a characteristic that sets Hawaii apart within the context of the entire United States. It’s about its distinction relative to the other 49.
This is where the magic of a well-crafted
crossword clue
truly shines. It forces you to think beyond the obvious, to consider the nuances of geography, perhaps even history or political status, that make Hawaii unique within the federal union. What makes Hawaii different from, say, Kansas, or New York, or even Alaska, when considering their position relative to the contiguous United States? The puzzle isn’t asking for a general fact about the state; it’s asking for a specific, defining attribute that applies to Hawaii
and not
to the vast majority of its sister states.
When tackling such a
crossword clue
, my mind immediately goes through a mental checklist. Is it about location? Its island nature? Its non-contiguous status? Is it the last state admitted? Is it the only one with a certain type of climate? The beauty of this particular
crossword clue
is how it narrows down your options without explicitly stating the category. It points you towards a geographical or physical distinction that is exclusive or nearly exclusive to Hawaii among the 50 states.
Consider the implications of “among the 50 states.” Many states share borders with other states. Many are landlocked. Many are coastal. Some are geographically large, others small. But Hawaii holds a singular position in a very specific geographical sense when compared to the others. It’s this precise distinction that the
crossword clue
is nudging you towards. The answer isn’t something that could also apply to Maine, or Florida, or California. It’s something that makes Hawaii a true outlier, in a way that’s quite fundamental to its very existence as a state.
This kind of
crossword clue
is a prime example of why we love these puzzles. They challenge our general knowledge, yes, but more importantly, they sharpen our ability to connect disparate pieces of information, to infer meaning from clever wordplay, and to think laterally. The satisfaction of unraveling a
crossword clue
like this, of pinpointing that exact characteristic that the constructor had in mind, is incredibly rewarding. It’s that “aha!” moment when the lightbulb goes off, and you realize the simple yet profound truth about Hawaii’s place among the other states.
So, take a moment to ponder this particular
crossword clue
. What makes Hawaii stand out in this very specific context? What is that defining geographical or positional trait that it shares with no other, or very few, of the other 49 states? It’s a classic example of a clue that’s not trying to trick you with obscure trivia, but rather to guide you to a well-known fact viewed from a specific, comparative angle. The solution truly is elegant in its simplicity once you recognize the unique status Hawaii holds within the US map. It’s a fantastic brain workout, and a reminder that even familiar places can hold unique distinctions when viewed through the lens of a clever
crossword clue
.
Available Answers:
WETTEST.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 0619-25 NY Times Crossword 19 Jun 25, Thursday