For decades, the crossword was the quiet background noise of the Ontario morning commute—a crumpled page on the GO Train or a coffee-stained relic in a diner booth. It was viewed as a “solitary” hobby for the retired. But lately, something has shifted. From the tech hubs of Waterloo to the cafes of West Queen West, the crossword has undergone a massive cultural glow-up.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!1. From “Dusty” to “Digital”
The resurgence didn’t happen in a vacuum. The “Wordle-ification” of the internet turned wordplay into a competitive social sport. What was once a neglected hobby is now a digital status symbol. Sharing your daily grid isn’t just about showing off your vocabulary; it’s about proving you have the mental stamina to finish what you started.
2. The Dopamine of the “Click”
Errett often highlights the power of wit. In a world of “passive” scrolling, the crossword demands “active” engagement. There is a specific, addictive dopamine hit—the “Aha!” moment—when a cryptic clue finally reveals itself. It’s the ultimate mental palate cleanser for a brain fried by 24-hour news cycles.
3. The New Social Currency
While the act of solving remains solitary, the culture around it has become communal.
- Pub Trivia & Clubs: Toronto and Ottawa have seen a rise in “puzzling in public.”
- The Shared Struggle: Complaining about a particularly brutal Saturday New York Times clue has become a new form of digital bonding.
4. A Structured Escape
In an era of “infinite” content, the crossword is finite. It has a beginning, a middle, and a definitive end. For Ontarians looking to reclaim their attention spans from the “attention economy,” the 15×15 grid offers a rare sense of completion. It’s not just a game; it’s a temporary fortress of logic in a chaotic world.
