Word Games

by Emma Snow

There are numerous kinds of puzzles and word games. Crosswords, jigsaws, word searches, the list of puzzles goes on and on. Puzzles provide enjoyment to people of all ages. Thousands of people solve daily crossword puzzles published in their local newspapers.

Solving puzzles date back to the ancient times of Pompei. The first word square, known as the Sator Square, was invented in the ancient city of Pompei. A word square consists of a group of words, all equal in length, arranged to form the same words across and down. The following is a Sator Square.

R O T A S

O P E R A

T E N E T

A R E P O

S A T O R

The Sator Square spells the word ROTAS bottom to top, top to bottom, left to right, and right to left. During the ancient times, word squares had many uses. Some people used them as codes, and others used them as thank you notes!

It was not until 1913 when Arthur Wynne invented the crossword. Arthur created a variety of puzzles and had his crosswords published in the Fun Section, in the newspaper New York World. Readers loved Arthur's puzzles, and it was not long before his readers were begging for more.

It was in April 1924 when the first crossword book was published. The book was an instant success, and started a Crossword Craze. Today, there are hundreds of crosswords worldwide. There are many different styles, and are available in newspapers, magazines and books. Without a doubt, crosswords will continue to be delightful word game to future children.

About the Author:

Emma Snow works a pragmatic puzzler at the Puzzle Place http://www.puzzle-place.net and Chess Strategies http://www.chess-strategies.net leading puzzle portals.