You’re staring at the grid. The black-and-white squares are mocking you. The clue says "words on a statue honoring Washington," and you’re probably thinking about granite, cherry trees, or maybe some noble Latin phrase about being the "Father of His Country."
Stop. You’re overthinking the history and underthinking the "New York Times" sense of humor.
Crossword puzzles are basically professional-grade gaslighting. When the NYT mentions "Washington" in a Saturday puzzle, they aren't always talking about the guy on the dollar bill. Sometimes, they're talking about Denzel.
Words on a Statue Honoring Washington: The NYT Twist
If you’re stuck on this specific clue, the answer usually boils down to a clever bit of wordplay regarding Denzel Washington. When he wins an Oscar, he gets a "statue." What’s written on it? BEST ACTOR.
Yeah. It’s that kind of clue.
Honestly, it’s brilliant and annoying at the same time. The puzzle construction relies on your brain automatically going to the National Mall. You picture the towering marble of the Washington Monument or the equestrian statues scattered across D.C. You start counting letters for "E Pluribus Unum" or "Commander in Chief." But the NYT loves a pivot. By using a famous surname without a first name, they trick you into a historical mindset when you should be thinking about Hollywood.
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Denzel Washington has won two Academy Awards—one for Glory (Best Supporting Actor) and one for Training Day (Best Actor). If the squares in your puzzle fit BEST ACTOR, you’ve found your man. This isn't just a random guess; it’s a recurring trope in modern crosswords to use celebrity names as misdirection for historical figures.
Why We Get This Wrong
We’ve been conditioned. From second grade onwards, "Washington" is the guy in the wig.
When you see "statue," your mind doesn't go to a twelve-inch gold-plated man named Oscar. It goes to a public square. This is what Will Shortz and the NYT team call a "misdirection clue." They want you to struggle. They want that aha! moment to feel earned, even if it makes you want to throw your phone across the room.
But let's say the answer isn't "Best Actor." What if the puzzle actually is talking about George?
If the clue is literal, you might be looking for something like PATER PATRIAE (Father of the Country) or the simple, haunting FIRST IN WAR. The most famous inscription on a George Washington statue—specifically the one by Jean-Antoine Houdon in the Virginia State Capitol—actually has a massive block of text. It talks about "uniting to the endowments of the hero the virtues of the patriot."
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Nobody is fitting that into a crossword grid.
Literal Statues and Their Real Words
If you're looking for real-world inscriptions on actual stone statues of George Washington, the variety is actually kinda wild.
- The Wall Street Statue: Right outside Federal Hall in New York, the base is pretty straightforward. It marks the spot where he took the oath.
- The Greenough Statue: This one is weird. It’s the "Enthroned Washington" where he looks like a shirtless Zeus. The inscription on the back is in Latin: Simulacrum istud ad magnum libertatis exemplum nec sine ipsa duraturum. Basically: "This statue is for a great example of liberty, which will not survive without liberty itself."
- The Richmond Statue: As mentioned, this is the gold standard of Washington statues. The pedestal has a long-winded tribute written by James Madison.
But let’s be real. If you’re here because of the NYT Crossword, 99% of the time, the answer is about the movie star.
The Art of the Crossword Misdirection
Learning how to solve the NYT Crossword is basically learning a second language. "Washington" could be George, Martha, Denzel, Kerry, or even the state. "Statue" could be an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony, or a literal monument.
You've gotta stay fluid.
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The clue words on a statue honoring Washington is a classic example of why the Saturday puzzle is a nightmare. It strips away the context. It leaves you with a vague noun and a famous name.
If you're ever stuck like this again, ask yourself: "Is there a celebrity with this last name?" Usually, the answer is yes. This works for "Jackson" (Michael or Samuel L.), "Ford" (Harrison or Gerald), and "Lincoln" (Abraham or the car... though the car doesn't get many statues).
How to Beat the NYT at Its Own Game
- Check the Day of the Week: Monday clues are literal. Saturday clues are liars. If it's late in the week, "Washington" is almost certainly not the first president.
- Count the Letters: "Best Actor" is nine letters. "First in War" is ten. "Pater Patriae" is eleven. Use the grid to eliminate the historical options first.
- Think Slang: Sometimes the NYT gets "hip." It's rare, but it happens. They might use a term related to Denzel's roles.
- Look for Cross-references: Often, a nearby clue will hint at the theme. If there's another clue about "Hollywood accolades," you know for sure you're looking for "Best Actor."
Actionable Tips for Crossword Success
If you want to stop getting tripped up by these clues, start building a mental "alt-dictionary."
When you see "Star," don't just think "Sun." Think "A-lister" or "Asterisk." When you see "Washington," immediately think "Denzel." It sounds cynical, but it’s the only way to survive the weekend puzzles.
Next time you open the app and see a clue about a statue, take a breath. Look at the surrounding letters. If you see a B or an A popping up in the grid where the statue words should be, you’re looking at an Oscar winner, not a Founding Father.
Stop looking at the history books and start looking at IMDb. It’ll save you a lot of frustration and probably a few Google searches. Trust the wordplay, ignore your initial instinct, and remember that in the world of the New York Times, Denzel is just as monumental as George.