World's First Crossword Puzzle
This is the World's First Crossword Puzzle. It originally appeared on December 21, 1913, in the FUN section of the New York World newspaper. It was created by Arthur Wynne, and he originally it called a "Word-Cross" puzzle.
Wynne's original 'clue numbering' scheme used two numbers for each word -- and did not separate 'ACROSS' clues from 'DOWN' clues. We have changed the puzzle to use the standard clue numbering scheme.
In all other ways, the puzzle appears exactly as it did nearly a hundred years ago. Be aware that a few of the clues are quite obscure, and unlike most current puzzles, one word appears twice.
Please wait while our interactive puzzle gets loaded. Then CLICK inside the gray rectangle to start.
Scroll down to see the complete list of clues.
| ACROSS | DOWN |
| 2 What this puzzle is | 1 To govern |
| 4 What bargain hunters enjoy | 2 Part of your head |
| 6 A written acknowledgement | 3 A fist |
| 8 Such and nothing more | 4 A talon |
| 9 To cultivate | 5 Part of a ship |
| 11 A bird | 6 A day dream |
| 12 A bar of wood or iron | 7 Exchanging |
| 14 Opposed to less | 8 What we should all be |
| 15 What artists learn to do | 10 To sink in mud |
| 16 What this puzzle is | 11 The fiber of the gomuti palm |
| 18 Fastened | 13 A boy |
| 19 An animal of prey | 17 A pigeon |
| 21 Found on the seashore | 18 One |
| 22 The close of the day | 20 A river in Russia |
| 24 To elude | 21 To agree with |
| 25 The plural of is | 23 An aromatic plant |
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