Oooh, We're Looking For Clues
18 October, 2012
The things you find in the Library of Congress. As you know, I’ve been neck-deep in research these last few months, assembling a new book about crosswords through the century. A long slog, but then you find a morsel like Frank Crumit’s novelty tune of 1925, Cross-word mamma, you puzzle me (but papa’s gonna figure you out).
Note the hyphen too. Back in the 1920s, crosswords were cross-words, having changed already from a word-cross (in 1913). But visit the library’s vault and savour a grab of chequered history.
And last, to keep In The Mood, let’s see if we can compile a Top Ten of crossword songs, offering or modifying existing hits (or bands) to suit the cruciverbal art. Some suggestions:
Bittersweet Homophony
Unfinished Symphony
Seven-Lettered Army
Where Is My Mind?
Checks on Speed
Moody Clues
Oobla-Dee-Oobla-DA
Together, let’s make some beautiful B&W music…
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