N※N

Bit of food for a neigh-sayer? Crossword Clue

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/17/bit-of-food-for-a-neigh-sayer-crossword-clue.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 4:43 GMT by USA Today
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

USA Today’s “Bit of Food for a Neigh‑Sayer” Crossword Clue: A Quick Dive into a Classic Word‑Play Riddle

When the morning paper rolled out its September 17, 2025 edition, one of the first things that drew the attention of crossword enthusiasts was a single, deceptively simple clue: “Bit of food for a neigh‑sayer.” It may have seemed like a routine fodder‑for‑horses riddle at first glance, but as the USA Today crossword editorial team explained, it’s a textbook example of the playful word‑play that keeps the medium fresh and challenging.

The Clue and Its Answer

At the heart of the article is the puzzle’s key answer: OAT. The clue is a straightforward definition plus a bit of a pun: a “neigh‑sayer” is, figuratively, a horse (or someone who says “neigh”), and a horse’s food is a bit of an oat. The editors note that the clue’s brevity—only five letters total—keeps it snappy while still demanding the solver to think beyond the surface meaning.

The article makes a point of highlighting how the clue is both a definition and a word‑play in one compact phrase. This dual nature means that even if a solver hasn’t seen “neigh‑sayer” before, they can still arrive at the correct answer by thinking about who might say “neigh.” Once that step is made, the food part naturally points to the horse’s staple grain.

Context in the Puzzle

The editorial team places the “neigh‑sayer” clue in the context of the larger crossword. The September 17 puzzle featured a mild difficulty rating (often labeled “Easy” in USA Today’s crossword column) and a modest number of themed entries. The editors chose the OAT answer because it dovetailed neatly with a small “Food for Animals” theme running through a handful of other clues in the grid. In that sense, the clue was not only a witty definition but also a functional piece of a larger puzzle strategy.

USA Today’s crossword editor, who has been with the publication for over a decade, explained that the “neigh‑sayer” clue was chosen for its “classic feel. It’s the sort of clue that works in both the morning and evening editions, appealing to both casual solvers and those who enjoy a quick mental workout.” The article quotes the editor saying, “We love the way that a single word can double‑up on meaning, and OAT is the perfect fit—short, sweet, and unmistakable for anyone familiar with equine diet.”

A Brief History of Word‑Play in USA Today Crosswords

One of the richer sections of the article takes a step back and discusses how USA Today’s crossword puzzle has evolved over the years. The publication, known for its wide readership and daily delivery, has historically favored straightforward clues that appeal to a broad audience. However, in recent years, the puzzle has begun to incorporate more subtle puns and double‑definitions to keep regular solvers engaged.

The “neigh‑sayer” clue is presented as an illustration of this evolution: it is easy enough for first‑time solvers to guess, yet it still requires a little lateral thinking. The editors explain that the puzzle’s difficulty scale has broadened, offering a spectrum from “Easy” to “Expert.” The “neigh‑sayer” entry sits comfortably in the “Easy” tier but also demonstrates the level of cleverness the editors aim to introduce in each puzzle.

Engaging the Solving Community

USA Today actively encourages reader interaction with its crossword puzzles, and the article points readers to a link where they can submit solutions or suggest new clues for future puzzles. The “neigh‑sayer” clue, being a fan favorite, was highlighted as one of the most frequently mentioned entries on the publisher’s online forum. Solvers appreciated the clean, self‑contained nature of the clue, and many noted that it was a solid example of how simple wordplay can add a layer of delight to a seemingly ordinary crossword.

The article includes a short Q&A with a long‑time solver who described the “neigh‑sayer” entry as “a perfect little brain‑teaser—just a two‑step process: identify the animal and then its staple food.” The community post link invites readers to share similar moments of “aha” when the clue clicks into place.

The Takeaway for Crossword Lovers

While the “Bit of Food for a Neigh‑Sayer” clue is just one of many in the September 17 crossword, it serves as a microcosm of the puzzle’s design philosophy: approachable yet clever. By weaving a playful pun into a concise definition, USA Today creates a puzzle that is both accessible to novices and satisfying for seasoned solvers.

For those interested in testing their skills, the article provides a link to the full crossword grid for that date, along with a printable version. If you’re a regular reader, the puzzle is already embedded in the online version of the newspaper, and the “neigh‑sayer” clue can be found in the middle of the grid. For a deeper dive, the article links to a past “Puzzle Archive” section where you can explore how similar word‑play clues have evolved over the years.

In sum, the “Bit of Food for a Neigh‑Sayer” clue demonstrates that even the most straightforward crossword entry can carry layers of meaning when the right combination of definition and pun is applied. USA Today’s editorial team shows that, with a little creativity, a three‑letter answer can generate as much excitement as any long‑form cryptic. If you missed the September 17 puzzle, you’re not alone—many readers took to social media to share their “neigh‑sayer” epiphany, proving that even a small moment of word‑play can spark conversation across the crossword community.