cross-word puzzles

[Benjamin Zimmer]

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 17:58:37 -0500, I wrote:

>The Post was publishing these "crossword enigmas" in its Puzzle Department
>at least a year before that:
>
>-----
>Washington Post, Apr 22, 1883, p. 2
>
>147 -- Crossword enigma.
>My first is in fashion, not in mode; my second is in lane and not in road;
>my third in peach and not in fruit; my fourth in bottle and not in cruet;
>my fifth in seat and not in trim; my sixth in terror and not in grin; my
>seventh in honey and not in sweet; my eighth in leave, also in retreat. My
>whole is a magic potion.
>-----

Whoops, I included my own typo in this one.  It should read:

"...my fifth in neat and not in trim..."


--Ben Zimmer