1171. In the bonus segment that aired for Grammarpaloozians in November, we look at the early history of crossword puzzles and their surprising political uses. Natan Last explains how the “New York Times” crossword, which premiered during World War II, was used to boost morale and support the Allied war effort. We also look at the cultural frenzy of "crossworditis" in the 1920s and why libraries banned the puzzles as frivolous.

Find Natan Last at Natanlast.com.

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The crossword puzzle's role in World War II and the fight against Nazism.

Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers.

The crossword puzzle's role in World War II and the fight against Nazism.