“They’re in it for the long haul” crossword clue refers to people who are committed to a particular career or organization for an extended period, often their entire working lives. Lifers are individuals who have dedicated themselves to a single profession or employer, demonstrating long-term loyalty and perseverance.
How often do Crossword Clues Change in the NYT
The Crossword Clue NYT makes efforts to minimize repetition, especially of the same clue within a given week, some reuse of clues is common and often necessary to create a coherent and solvable puzzle. The frequency of clue changes in the New York Times crossword puzzles varies depending on several factors:
- Themed PuzzlesFrom Monday to Thursday, the NYT crosswords typically feature a central theme that connects the longest answers in the puzzle. These themed clues are often repeated symmetrically throughout the grid.
- Difficulty LevelEasier puzzles at the beginning of the week tend to reuse clues more frequently to aid in solving, while later puzzles in the week feature more unique clues to increase difficulty.
- CrosswordeseCertain short words and phrases, known as “crosswordese,” appear repeatedly in puzzles due to their common letter patterns and ease of fitting into the grid. Examples include “ESSES” and “EKE”.
- Constraints and LimitationsConstructing crosswords involves working within certain constraints, which can sometimes lead to repeated clues or less-than-ideal fill. Editors and constructors strive to keep clues fresh, but some repetition is inevitable.
- Evolving MeaningsOver time, the meanings of clues can change, as evidenced by an interactive piece published by the NYT exploring this phenomenon.