It is Wednesday and we are looking at a mid-week puzzle with some tricky clues. You might find them challenging, but take a deep breath and look at the grid from a different angle. If you are not in the mood for the struggle, join me as I check out the best clues of the NYT Crossword of Feb 4 and its central theme.
Alongside the main theme of the grid (check 62-Across), we have some fantastic clues that I will review at the end of the analysis. I am sure you are curious now, so let me take the wheel and begin our NYT Crossword analysis for Feb 4!
Theme of NYT Crossword: Feb 4
First of all, I want to review the 62-Across clue and its three related entries. The 62A question is: “Seinfeld catchphrase… or, when parsed as three words, how a participant of 17-, 30- or 47-Across might be greeted?” In the classic sitcom Seinfeld, Jerry utters a weird greeting to his neighbor: HELLO NEWMAN.
Now we move to 17-, 30-, and 47-Across, which are among the trickiest clues in the grid. 17-Across (Native American rite of passage) solves to VISION QUEST. Meanwhile, 30-Across (Jewish rite of passage) and 47-Across (Amish rite of passage) are BAR MITZVAH and RUMSPRINGA, respectively.
Actually, “Hello, New Man” works perfectly as a greeting for a participant who has just completed these rites. Without the 62-Across revealer, it was almost impossible to find the answers, but that is exactly why constructors design a revealer clue!
Best Clues of NYT Crossword: Feb 4
4-Down (Jobs in “Heat” and “Ocean’s Eleven”) refers to two movies with a central theme but very different approaches. Ocean’s Eleven has a humorous tone with lighthearted jokes. However, Heat is a dark crime movie with deep psychological depth (do not confuse it with the Noir genre). I am sure you know the answer to this one (Cheating allowed: HEIST).
In 2010, Usher released the hit song “OMG” whose “Oh Oh Oh” chant is etched in the memory of his fans. It is funny to know that the “oh oh oh” was actually sampled from a crowd shouting at a concert! By the way, the title of that song is the answer to 11-Across.
Throughout the history of cinema, many movies have become part of the collective memory of cinephiles. However, there are a few that find their place in history and become eternal in the heart of the human race. Casablanca is one of those masterpieces in which Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman shine like rare diamonds. 15-Across asks us for the “Casablanca” actor’s nickname: BOGIE.
Today’s Wednesday puzzle was a Vision Quest of its own! Did you catch the HELLO NEWMAN pun right away, or did the RUMSPRINGA clue leave you scratching your head? Share your solving times and your favorite Seinfeld moments in the comments!
If you need the answers for daily crossword puzzles like the NYT Crossword or the NYT Mini, make sure to check Daze Puzzle every day to find the solutions you need in record time.
