Well, I reckon this crossword clue’s got folks scratching their heads. It’s that one you see from the New York Times Crossword, the one that says “One of two in ‘business suits’.” Sounds mighty strange, don’t it? But don’t go worrying, we’ll get through it together, nice and slow, like a walk to the neighbor’s house on a summer afternoon.

You see, the clue is a tricky one. It’s talking about “business suits,” but not in the way you’d think. Ain’t no talk about jackets or trousers here. Nah, it’s more about words and letters. Specifically, the clue’s looking for something that appears twice in the phrase “business suits.” If you pay close attention, you’ll notice somethin’ odd… there’s a letter that keeps showing up, but it don’t always make a sound. That’s right, it’s the SILENT I.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “What’s a SILENT I?” Well, let me explain. In the phrase “business suits,” the letter I appears twice, but it don’t make a sound in either word. It’s silent! Kinda like when you’re sitting in the kitchen, and the wind’s blowing real quiet outside—nothing to hear, but you know it’s there. That’s your SILENT I.
This kind of puzzle is what they call a wordplay clue. They use quotation marks to point you in the right direction, so when you see “business suits,” they’re not talking about the kind of suit you wear to church on Sunday. Nope, they’re talking about a sneaky little letter that don’t say nothing, but is still there, tucked away in those words.
If you’re like me, you might’ve thought the answer would be something all fancy like “a tie” or “a jacket” or something else to do with clothes. But this crossword’s got a mind of its own, so the answer’s gotta be something more clever. It’s like one of them puzzles where you look at it and think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” The answer, as it turns out, is a SILENT I. Simple as that!
Now, let’s break it down:

- The clue’s asking about “business suits”—and by suits, they mean the letters in the words themselves.
- Look real close, and you’ll see that the letter “I” shows up twice, but it don’t make a sound.
- The answer, then, is a SILENT I—a sneaky little letter that’s hiding in plain sight!
So there you have it. Next time you come across a crossword puzzle with one of these tricky clues, just remember: sometimes the answer’s as quiet as a mouse. And that’s how we end up with a SILENT I, a letter that’s there but don’t make a peep. Just like how you might be sitting in your rocking chair, not sayin’ a word, but everyone knows you’re there.
Now, if you get stuck on this puzzle, don’t you worry none. There’s always help around the corner, whether it’s from the good folks on the crossword forum or just taking a moment to think it over. But that’s the fun of it, ain’t it? A little bit of thinking, a little bit of learning, and a whole lot of satisfaction when you get that answer right. So give it a go, and keep that brain sharp!
Tags:[New York Times Crossword, Silent I, Crossword puzzle, Wordplay, Business suits, Crossword Clue]