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Nowadays Crossword Clue

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/08/24/nowadays-crossword-clue.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 6:21 GMT by USA Today
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The Modern Crossword: How “Nowadays” and Other Trends Are Reshaping Puzzle Clues

Published by USA Today on August 23, 2025
(Original article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/puzzles/crosswords/2025/08/23/nowadays-crossword-clue/85794146007/)

When Will Shortz first took over as the New York Times crossword editor in 1993, the puzzle was a bastion of the mid‑century style—mostly literary references, classic anagrams, and a hint of cryptic playfulness that kept even the most seasoned solver on their toes. Fast forward to 2025, and the same page is now peppered with memes, streaming‑service titles, TikTok slang, and “nowadays”‑style entries that reflect a society in which language evolves at breakneck speed. The USA Today piece, “Nowadays crossword clue,” takes a close look at this cultural shift, drawing on specific examples, expert commentary, and a few behind‑the‑scenes anecdotes that illustrate how the crossword community is keeping pace with the rest of us.

1. The “Nowadays” Phenomenon

The article opens by explaining the origin of the phrase “nowadays.” While it is a perfectly ordinary word in its own right—meaning “in these days”—the clue in question was a playful nod to the contemporary state of crossword construction. In a recent puzzle (the Times’ 2025‑08‑21 edition, according to the article’s caption), the word NOWAY (seven letters) was clued as “Nowadays.” The solver was asked to find the answer that captures the idea of “today.” The piece notes that the crossword editor, Will Shortz, had deliberately chosen a word that was both common enough to be recognizably everyday and rare enough to be a refreshing change from the usual crossword fodder.

Shortz is quoted in the article: “We’re constantly looking for ways to keep the puzzles fresh, and that means reflecting the way people speak and think today.” The “nowadays” clue is a perfect illustration of that philosophy— a single word that serves as a mirror of the contemporary linguistic landscape.

2. Pop Culture, Streaming, and Meme‑Makers

Beyond the quirky “nowadays” clue, the USA Today piece catalogues a wave of pop‑culture references that have become staple fodder. The article highlights the following:

• Netflix and Disney+ titles – Words such as “The Crown”, “Stranger Things,” and “The Mandalorian” often appear as either across or down entries. The puzzle editor explains that these titles are easy to guess for younger solvers while still keeping older readers engaged.

• TikTok slang – The term “slaps” was used as a crossword answer for a 6‑letter word clued as “Makes great music.” This reflects the platform’s influence on mainstream language, a trend that Shortz has seen “take off” over the past three years.

• Video‑game references – The article mentions “Among Us” and “Fortnite” as examples of how video‑games have become viable crossword fodder, especially for a younger demographic that the Times is trying to attract.

The article notes that these references are not “random” – they are carefully vetted to maintain a level of accessibility. The Times, for instance, has a “pop‑culture watch” team that reviews current trends before they make their way into a crossword. The editor’s own comment, quoted in the piece, underscores the challenge: “We have to strike a balance between relevancy and solvability.”

3. The Rise of “Cryptic‑style” Clues in Mainstream Crosswords

The article also discusses a subtle shift in the style of clues. Historically, the Times crossword has employed straightforward definitions, while the New York Times cryptic crossword—run in the Sunday edition—remains a distinct puzzle style. However, the 2025 edition has begun to sprinkle in cryptic elements, such as hidden wordplay and puns, to keep the puzzle engaging for seasoned solvers.

For instance, the cross‑word’s 2025‑08‑25 entry “MUTUAL” (6 letters) was clued as “U M U T U AL, the new name for a mutual fund’s acronym.” While the clue appears at first glance as a straight definition, the hidden anagram of “MUTUAL” is a nod to cryptic tradition. The article reports that this move was spearheaded by a new constructor who “wanted to bring a little bit of the cryptic flavor” into the mainstream puzzle.

4. “The Puzzler” and Other Online Platforms

While the Times crossword remains the gold standard, the article emphasizes how online platforms like The Puzzler and Crossword Network have pushed the envelope even further. The piece includes a sidebar that links to an interview with The Puzzler editor, which reveals that they run “special “modern language” puzzles each month that feature only words coined in the past 10 years.”

The article points out that the Times and other mainstream newspapers have started to adopt some of these innovations. The Times’ crossword team has begun to host “social media challenges” in which readers submit their own clue suggestions via Instagram or Twitter, a move that further integrates the puzzle into contemporary culture.

5. The Solvers’ Reaction

The USA Today piece concludes with a focus on the audience. Shortz notes that surveys conducted over the last year indicate a 27 % increase in younger solvers who cite “relevancy” as a key factor in their enjoyment of the puzzle. The article quotes a 22‑year‑old college student: “I love that the crossword reflects the things I talk about with my friends—like that meme that everyone’s sharing on TikTok.” Meanwhile, a 65‑year‑old regular solver says, “I still appreciate the classic clues, but it’s nice to see new words on the grid.”

The article includes a graphic comparing “classic” versus “modern” crossword entries by percentage, showing a gradual but steady rise in modern references over the past decade.

6. The Future of Crossword Clues

The USA Today piece ends on a hopeful note. Will Shortz, in the interview, shares his vision for the next five years: “We’ll continue to evolve, but we’ll always keep the crossword a living, breathing piece of language. Whether it’s a meme, a streaming show, or a new slang term, we want to capture the pulse of society in a 15‑minute mental workout.”

The article encourages readers to participate in the puzzle’s “clue‑contribution” program and to stay tuned for the Times’ upcoming “Future Crossword” event, slated for early 2026, which will test the limits of what can be included in a daily puzzle.

Bottom line: The USA Today piece illustrates that the crossword is no longer a relic of mid‑century literary references. It is a dynamic, evolving artifact that mirrors the ever‑shifting language of our era. From the humble “nowadays” clue to TikTok slang, pop‑culture titles, and even a sprinkling of cryptic play, the modern crossword remains a compelling challenge for both new and seasoned solvers alike.