Thyme Piece NYT: Crossword Puzzle Homophone Explained

\n \n The phrase \"thyme piece NYT\" refers to a classic New York Times crossword puzzle clue and answer combination. \"Thyme\" (the herb) is frequently used as a pun answer for the clue \"Time piece,\" playing on the identical pronunciation of \"thyme\" and \"time.\" This homophone wordplay is a staple of NYT crossword construction, appearing regularly since the 1990s.\n \n

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When solvers encounter the clue \"Time piece\" in the New York Times crossword, they've learned to consider \"thyme\" as a likely answer. This linguistic trick exploits the identical pronunciation of \"thyme\" (the culinary herb) and \"time\" in English. The construction \"time piece\" literally means a watch or clock, but crossword creators cleverly repurpose it to point to the herb \"thyme\" through phonetic wordplay.

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The Mechanics of the Thyme-Time Pun

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Crossword puzzles thrive on linguistic ambiguity, and homophones represent one of the most effective tools in a constructor's arsenal. The \"thyme piece\" convention works because:

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Element	Function in Crossword	Example Usage
Homophone indicator	Signals word sounds like another	\"We hear,\" \"reportedly,\" or implied through context
Visual pun	Relies on identical spelling structure	\"Time piece\" visually suggests \"thyme\" when parsed as \"thyme piece\"
Constructor shorthand	Established pattern recognized by solvers	Experienced solvers immediately consider \"thyme\" for \"time piece\" clues

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This particular wordplay has become so ubiquitous that it represents one of the most recognizable patterns in NYT crossword history. Will Shortz, the Times crossword editor since 1993, has acknowledged this construction's popularity while occasionally seeking fresh alternatives to prevent overuse.

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Historical Context of Thyme in NYT Crosswords

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The \"thyme piece\" convention dates back to at least the early 1990s, with appearances becoming more frequent as solvers grew accustomed to the pattern. According to crossword archives, this clue-answer pairing appears approximately 15-20 times per decade in the New York Times puzzle. Notable appearances include:

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• March 15, 2007: \"Time piece?\" with answer THYME (4 letters)
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• August 22, 2013: \"Herb that's a 'time piece'?\" with answer THYME
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• January 3, 2019: \"Time piece, in a way\" with answer THYME
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• September 11, 2022: \"Time piece that's not a watch?\" with answer THYME
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What makes this construction particularly clever is its dual-layered wordplay. First, it exploits the homophone relationship. Second, it creates a visual pun where \"time piece\" can be mentally segmented as \"thyme piece\"—as if referring to a piece or portion of the herb thyme.

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Why This Construction Endures

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Despite potential concerns about overuse, the \"thyme piece\" convention persists because it serves multiple purposes in crossword construction:

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1. Educational value: Introduces solvers to homophones and linguistic flexibility
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2. Accessibility: Provides an achievable \"aha moment\" for newer solvers
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3. Construction utility: Offers a reliable 4-letter answer that fits numerous grid patterns
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4. Tradition: Connects contemporary puzzles to crossword history
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Will Shortz has commented that while constructors should avoid overusing any single pattern, established conventions like \"thyme piece\" serve as important touchpoints that help build solver confidence. The NYT crossword maintains balance by pairing familiar constructions with innovative themes in the same puzzle.

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Similar Homophone Conventions in Crosswords

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The \"thyme piece\" pattern belongs to a broader category of homophone-based crossword clues that include:

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• \"Lead story in, say, the Times\" (answer: GRAPHIC, playing on \"lead\" as metal vs. \"lead\" as verb)
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• \"Bass player\" (could mean fisherman or musician)
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• \"Knight piece\" (answer: TALON, playing on chess piece vs. bird's claw)
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• \"Mussel memory\" (answer: PEARL, playing on \"mussel\" vs. \"muscle\")
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What distinguishes the \"thyme piece\" construction is its remarkable longevity and recognition factor. Seasoned solvers often anticipate this answer when seeing \"time piece\" in the clue list, demonstrating how crossword conventions evolve into shared language between constructors and solvers.

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How to Approach Similar Crossword Clues

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When encountering potential homophone clues in the New York Times crossword, consider these strategies:

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1. Listen to the clue: Mentally pronounce it to detect possible sound-alike words
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2. Check for indicators: Words like \"we hear,\" \"reportedly,\" or \"audibly\" often signal homophones
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3. Consider letter count: The answer length may suggest a particular homophone variation
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4. Think beyond literal meaning: Crossword clues rarely mean exactly what they say
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5. Review crossing letters: Existing solved letters can confirm or eliminate homophone possibilities
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For the specific case of \"time piece nyt\" searches, understanding this homophone convention explains why \"thyme\" consistently appears as the solution. This knowledge transforms what might initially seem like an error into a recognized pattern of crossword wordplay.

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