Consider a simple crossword puzzle formed of four five-letter words, joined at the corners by their initial and final letters. For example:

   B A S I C
   R       A
   E       D
   A       E
   D E B I T

In classic crossword style, the first word across (BASIC) would be 1 across, BREAD would be 1 down, CADET would be 2 down, and DEBIT would be 3 across.

Now, consider a similar crossword with the following clues:

Across:
1. Caesar, for one
3. Grout and mortar guy

Down:
1. _____ whale
2. Anagram of "dinar"

        ¹       ²
                 
                 
                 
        ³        

There are two independent solutions. Find both.

If "grout and mortar" is "plaster", and "getting plastered" means getting drunk (i.e. being a "toper") then...
1A = Roman, 3A = Toper, 1D = Right, 2D = Nadir
Also, someone who works with grout and mortar is also a "maker". And if "dinar" is accepted as an anagram for "dinar" (by transposing zero letters...GROAN....) that yields:
1A = Salad, 3A = Maker, 1D = Sperm, 2D = Dinar
Edited on November 14, 2003, 1:20 pm

Posted by Dan on 2003-11-14 11:59:59