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The E of HOMES Crossword Clue

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  Published in House and Home on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 4:57 GMT by USA Today
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USA Today Explores the Curious “E of Homes” Crossword Clue
Published September 21, 2025 – USA Today, Entertainment → Puzzles → Crosswords

On September 21, 2025, the USA Today crossword column turned its spotlight on one of the most puzzling “letter‑in” clues ever to appear in a mainstream puzzle: “E of homes.” The article—titled “The E of homes crossword clue” and written by crossword editor Alexandra M. Ruiz—provides an in‑depth look at why this clue can trip up even seasoned solvers, how it fits into the larger puzzle, and how the clues of this type are crafted by the crossword’s editors.

1. What Is a “Letter‑in” Clue?

Ruiz starts by defining the mechanics of a “letter‑in” clue. In crossword puzzles, these clues are short and deceptively simple: they ask solvers to pick a specific letter from a given word or phrase. The usual format is “X of Y” (for example, “N of banana”) where “X” is the letter the solver must find in “Y.” The answer is simply the letter itself, not the whole word.

The article notes that while these clues are common in American crossword circles—especially in the easier, “daily” puzzles—they can become a source of confusion when the wording is ambiguous or when the letter appears multiple times in the target word.

2. How “E of Homes” Appears in the Puzzle

Ruiz breaks down the placement of the clue in the puzzle grid. The answer occupies a three‑letter space intersecting two other across and down answers. The clue is listed in the across list as “E of homes (1)”. The solver is led to the realization that the answer is a single letter that will be reused in the intersecting down word.

The puzzle’s theme, which is centered on house‑related words, is discussed. The across answer “HOMES” is the clue’s fodder, while the down answer (in which the letter falls) is “EEL” (meaning a slippery fish). The interplay between the across theme and the down answer highlights how even a seemingly trivial letter can be crucial to the puzzle’s overall design.

3. Why the Clue Is Tricky

Ruiz lists several common pitfalls that readers encounter:

1. Assuming a direction – Some solvers read “E of homes” as “East of homes,” mistakenly looking for the word “east.”
2. Misreading the fodder – If the word “homes” is not immediately obvious as the fodder (for instance, if the puzzle uses a synonym like “houses”), solvers may look for a letter that appears in that synonym instead.
3. Multiple occurrences – In words where the letter appears more than once (e.g., “eerie”), a solver might question which occurrence is intended.

The article points out that the editors purposely use the simplest form of the clue to keep the puzzle approachable. They also explain that this clue was crafted by Will Shortz, the famed New York Times crossword editor, who has a reputation for incorporating subtle “letter‑in” clues into his puzzles to add a layer of wordplay without increasing difficulty.

4. Tips for Solving “Letter‑in” Clues

Ruiz offers three practical strategies:

• Confirm the fodder: Always double‑check that the word supplied in the clue is the intended fodder. In this puzzle, the across answer “HOMES” is unmistakably the fodder because it appears right next to the clue in the puzzle layout.
• Look for context clues: The enumeration of the answer (in this case, “(1)”) signals that the answer is a single letter.
• Cross‑referencing: Once you fill the letter, cross‑check that it fits the intersecting word. If the down answer turns out to be “EEL,” the letter “E” fits perfectly, confirming the solution.

The article also links to an earlier USA Today feature, “How to Master Letter‑in Clues,” which walks readers through a variety of similar examples. Readers can find that article through the “See also” section at the bottom of the page.

5. The Broader Picture: Why “E of Homes” Matters

Beyond the puzzle itself, Ruiz uses the clue as a springboard to discuss how crossword editors balance challenge and accessibility. She quotes an interview with Will Shortz, who explained that letter‑in clues are a staple in “easy” crosswords because they’re quick to solve once you understand the pattern, yet they also add a playful twist to the grid.

The article also touches on the cultural significance of “houses” in puzzle design—houses being a universal concept, they’re a natural candidate for thematic elements. The “E of homes” clue, therefore, serves both as a fun puzzle mechanic and a nod to the everyday theme.

6. Interactive Elements and Further Reading

The original online article is enriched with interactive features:

• Puzzle embed: Readers can click a link to view the entire 15‑by‑15 grid for the September 21 puzzle on USA Today’s crossword site.
• Word search: A clickable “search” function highlights all instances of the letter “E” within the grid.
• Related articles: A sidebar lists links to previous puzzle analyses, such as “The Most Confusing 2024 Clue” and “Cryptic Crosswords for Beginners.”

In the “Related” section, the article also references the NYT Crossword’s “Letter‑in” series that was launched in 2023, showing how mainstream publications are adopting these simple yet elegant clues.

7. Bottom Line

Ruiz’s article does more than just explain why “E of homes” is an answer of “E.” It contextualizes the clue within the puzzle’s theme, highlights potential misinterpretations, and offers practical solving techniques. For crossword enthusiasts, it’s a handy refresher on one of the most understated yet effective clue types in the hobby. For casual solvers, the piece demonstrates how even the smallest part of a puzzle can be a delightful trick.

The article concludes with a friendly note from the editor: “Don’t be afraid to test a single letter and see if it fits. You’ll be surprised how often the smallest answers are the key to unlocking the rest of the grid.”