Spade and Marlowe, for short WSJ Crossword Clue

By Date: JAN 3, 2026 Follow on Google

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Clue

The most common and recent 3-letter answer for "Spade and Marlowe, for short" is PIS.
The clue refers to famous fictional detectives Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe. The abbreviation 'PIs' stands for 'Private Investigators,' which both characters are.
This clue was last seen in the WSJ Crossword on January 03, 2026.
PIs is short for private investigators, individuals hired to conduct private investigations.
Some film noir figures, for short, Hired detectives, for short, Magnum and Spade, for short, Detectives, for short, Greek consonants

The clue “Spade and Marlowe, for short” is a classic crossword staple, frequently appearing in puzzles like the WSJ crossword. For the puzzle dated January 3 2026, the definitive 3-letter answer is: PIS.

Expert Tip: When you’re stuck, try to analyze the structure of the clue itself. Is it a direct definition, a pun, a fill-in-the-blank, or a pop culture reference? Identifying the type of clue you’re dealing with is a key skill for improving your solving speed.

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