THE PROBLEM OF ZIG AND ZAG

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 115, 16 May 1936, Page 29

THE PROBLEM OF ZIG AND ZAG

What is a "zag"? Or, to put the question,in another way, which part of a "zig-zag" is the "zig" and which is the "zag.': This is but one of the many puzzling problems which puzzled puzzlers as they met'during the Washington Birthday weekend for the 105 th semi-annual convention of the National Puzzlers' League, Inc., an organisation composed of some 600 of the country's foremost puzzle' devotees (says the "Christian' Science Monitor"). Serious consideration of this perplexity of the zigs and zags was urged upon the members present, it being pointed out that, although the best dictionaries define a zig as "a line at ah angle to a zag" and a zag, likewise, as "a line at an angle to a zig, in a zigzag course," there is nothing to indicate which part is which. It was the concensus of many present that this was a highly important point, since, in describing the zig-zag course taken by a boat or an automobile, it might easily become necessary to state whether some certain action took place as the vehicle was "zigging," or possibly while it was ''zagging." -■■ - Clerks at the Walt Whitman Hotel, however, were no.less puzzledthan the puzzlers themselves. "Has C. Saw registered yet?" The question put across the desk left the clerk- speechless, and the addressee, somewhat embarrassed at being so caught, fumbled in his pocket,-drew out' a "Puzzler's Directory," arid-after a moment's eon* sultation, tried 'again. "I beg your pardon, 1 had forgotten his real name. I'm looking for Lewis C. Trent, of New York. Has he registered yet?" Yes, Mr. Trent, better known to all Puzzledom as C. Saw, had indeed registered. He was on hand with "silver bells," for this was his twenty-fifth anniversary as secretary of the National Puzzlers' League. He has rarely missed a convention during the last forty years. ' ' . . ■ ■ ■"■. ' -■ ■ 'Hotel porters were no less puzzled,

for many a wrinkled brow and shaking of heads might have been noted as they gathered : up the innumerable scraps o£ paper left in the various meet' ing rooms after the puzzlers departed. Scribbling paper plays a large part in the art of puzzling, and .many a word square or diamond found its start in the challenge ■of a fellow-puzzler to "build a diamond," or perhaps it might be a square, "on the word-sesqui-tertial." One member of the leagiie hot only accepted the . challenge on this particular thirteen-letter word, But has just completed a series of thirteenletter word, diamonds iwith.the letter "Q" in each of the .thirteen positions .in the word. .■'... '_ . . .■ Takefiis diamond' on Sesquitertial, for example: . '~ . " . . ,-. s . ■"...■:. MEC • ROSOW ; BENQUET . . RECOUNTED . MONOLITERAL.. SESQUITERTIAL : COUNTERSIGN . WETERSOON ~ : TERTION ' • , DAIGN . . LAN ' L Here we find "Q" in fourth posi-; tion in the word. Kee Pon—that's his norn—has completed thirteen, such word .dlahjorids witlithe Q's.ahd has now. turned his attention tp-the. Z's,_ hoping to be abje,to duplicate his.accomplishment.. . . . " .But, one may reasonably.ask, what has he accomplished when he has finished?" Of what, use islt to him? The answer is that' aside fyom being a mere hobby^ puzzling teaphes accuracy in spelling arid the meaning of words, it enlarges the .Vocabulary, sharpens the wits, aYvd affords a mental, relaxation which at the same time develops patience. . ~ '