cruciverse

English

Etymology

cruciverbalism +‎ -verse

Noun

cruciverse (uncountable)

1. The fandom of crosswords.
   • 2023 November 14, David Bukszpan, Crosswordese: The Weird and Wonderful Language of Crossword Puzzles, Chronicle Books, →ISBN, page 279:

     The author also [Acknowledges as a gift] — specifically in terms of research for this book, but also to the cruciverse in general — the colossal compilation of data at xwordinfo.com

2. A hypothetical parallel universe that speaks crosswordese; the set of words used in crosswords, especially those that are obscure or not considered part of standard language.
   • (Can we date this quote?), David Bukszpan, Crosswordese Info‎^[1]:

     The answer TWOD is one of the weirder-looking answers in the cruciverse, but perhaps the place where it most makes sense.

   • 2019 June 24, ulaca, “Times 27385 - ‘Armless Fun”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)‎^[2]:

     MOTIF - MOT (test for used cars in the UK) IF (the poetical id of the cruciverse)

   • 2024 November 4, “Guardian Cryptic 29,531 by Vulcan”, in Fifteensquared‎^[3]:

     “decar” must also be an acceptable word in the cruciverse. Also dehorse, debike, deboat, de-e-scooter…