Short Stuff: The NY Times Crossword

# Summary

In this episode, Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating history of the New York Times crossword puzzle, tracing how it became an American institution. They explore the legendary editors who shaped the puzzle over decades—from Margaret Farrar, who established it as an escape from World War II news, through the humorous reign of Will Weng, to the modernizing force of current editor Will Shortz. The hosts reveal surprising facts like how the puzzle difficulty increases throughout the week, how regular people submit puzzles for publication, and how Shortz dramatically changed the demographic of puzzle creators by actively seeking younger voices, making crosswords relevant to new generations.