Each January, the editorial desk of The Guardian's crossword column conducts an intriguing linguistic experiment. The team examines the various 'words of the year' selected by major dictionaries, testing whether they have truly entered common parlance by checking if they have appeared in crossword grids. Historically, crosswords have often been quicker than lexicographers to capture shifts in language.
The Verdict on 2025's Winning Words
According to the latest analysis, 2025's crop of dictionary winners has made little impact on the puzzling world. The terms VIBE CODING (chosen by Collins) and PARASOCIAL (selected by Cambridge) are entirely absent from recent puzzles. There is, however, an expectation that SLOP, in its new AI-generated context as named by Merriam-Webster, will soon make an appearance. The editor notes this usage feels genuinely useful and is moving towards wider understanding.
The most elusive entry is Dictionary.com's choice, the enigmatic SIX-SEVEN. The other prominent selection, Oxford's RAGE BAIT, comes closest to common crossword usage, leading to the conclusion that 2025 was another "non-bumper crop" for linguistically significant new terms.
A Star-Solver's Plea and the Path to 'Genius'
The column also highlights a surprising fan: actor Rhea Seehorn, star of Pluribus. In a recent profile by Stuart Heritage, Seehorn immediately pleaded for help, stating, "I'm an avid crossword puzzler, but I cannot beat the Guardian crossword. I cannot crack it."
The editor's response is reassuring. Since April 2024, The Guardian has provided the key. Their quick cryptic puzzle uniquely explains how the wordplay functions, offering a clear entry point. From there, solvers can progress to the beginner-friendly 'quiptic', perhaps using the paper's guides or a friend's help. The natural next steps are Monday's puzzles and, eventually, the most challenging series of all: the Genius puzzle. "There is no problem here," the editor assures Seehorn and fellow aspiring solvers.
December's Cheesy Conundrum Explained
The column delves into a recent head-scratcher: December's prize Genius puzzle, set by Pangakupu. The solution involved a hidden quote from G.K. Chesterton: "Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese." This theme cleverly mandated that answers like GRUMBLIER and RIOT ACT be entered into the grid as the cheese names LIMBURGER and RICOTTA. The author's surname, CHESTERTON, was itself concealed within the puzzle's fifth column.
This month's new Genius puzzle is now available, published in January for a specific reason. The editor also thanks readers for their clue submissions for the entry CAT BURNS, announcing the winner and runners-up.
The winning clue, praised for its fresh, Wikipedia-heading style, was "Tom Brooks (music producer)". Runners-up included AlfBaked's elaborate summary and a collaborative effort from Newlaplandes and Falconbridge. Readers are now invited to submit clues for the next challenge word: CODE.
188 Words for Rain by Alan Connor is published by Ebury (£16.99). To support The Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
