In this engaging manual and miscellany, veteran puzzle magazine editor and publisher Michelle Arnot presents a colorful tour of the eccentric and entertaining culture of crosswords. She demystifies the lingo, revealing tricks of the trade while sharing fun trivia, tips and lore. The book uncovers the building blocks of the modern crossword, from the names, places, facts and bits of history, to the mindset that explains the universal appeal of this wildly popular pencil game. From Aare to Zasu, Four- Letter Words celebrates the mind-expanding world of the crossword and introduces the basics. "Crossword fans should tear through this like a specimen from Monday's New York Times, but Arnot's enthusiasm alone could make anyone curious into a convert." —Publishers Weekly "One of the clearest, liveliest, most entertaining writers in the world of puzzles." —Will Shortz, crossword editor, The New York Times