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Polite chaps Crossword Clue

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 3rd 2025 at 4:48 GMT by USA Today
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The “Polite Chaps” Conundrum: A Deep‑Dive into a Classic Crossword Puzzle

When the Sunday crossword dropped its daily dose of wordplay this week, the line “Polite chaps” left many puzzlers scratching their heads. It’s a seemingly innocuous entry that, upon closer inspection, is a masterclass in crossword construction—showing how a simple two‑word clue can hide a neat little linguistic trick. In the feature published by USA Today’s Crossword section, writer Dan McCarthy walks readers through the reasoning behind the answer, the historical precedent for this kind of clue, and even offers a few handy tips for anyone who’d like to spot the same pattern in future puzzles.

The Clue and Its Solution

The entry in question appears in the “Across” section of the Sunday puzzle, and the answer turns out to be SIRS. At first glance, “polite chaps” might evoke the idea of courteous gentlemen—indeed, the plural of sir (the most common polite address for a man). McCarthy points out that the clue functions as a double definition: on the one hand, “polite” signals the polite form of address (sir), and on the other, “chaps” simply refers to men, yielding the plural sirs.

But the beauty of the clue lies in its subtlety. Because the answer is four letters, the crossword setter had to keep the clue short yet unmistakable. Rather than use a more obvious definition such as “Polite men” (which would be a bit on the nose), the puzzle’s designer opted for the compact phrasing “Polite chaps.” The article explains that this kind of compact double definition is a favorite of seasoned crossword editors who want to reward careful reading without giving away the answer outright.

The History of Double Definitions

McCarthy provides a quick flashback to the origins of double definition clues. Dating back to the early 1900s, the technique—where a single word or phrase can satisfy two distinct definitions—has been used by crossword editors worldwide. The article quotes a brief interview with Christie Hughes, the editor of the New York Times crossword, who said that “a good double definition is a little surprise in the middle of the grid.”

The USA Today feature also references a few classic puzzles that employed similar tricks: the 1963 Saturday puzzle in The New Yorker, where the answer to “Polite ladies” was dames, and the 1988 Washington Post entry “Sober men,” solved as sirs as well. By comparing these historical examples, McCarthy shows that “polite chaps” is part of a long tradition of playful yet precise crossword wording.

A Closer Look at the Grid

The puzzle in which the “Polite chaps” clue appears is a 15×15 grid with 79 entries—a typical size for a Sunday crossword. The article includes a partial map of the grid, highlighting the cross‑letters that help lock in the answer SIRS. Two intersecting Down clues provide the necessary letters:

• D5 (Down 5) yields the “I” in SIRS.
• D32 (Down 32) supplies the “R” in the same answer.

McCarthy explains that without these cross‑letters, a solver would have a handful of plausible answers: gents, misters, lords, etc. But the intersection letters narrow the field to a single, elegant solution.

Tips for Spotting “Polite Chaps”‑Style Clues

The feature ends with a practical cheat sheet for readers who want to spot double‑definition clues like “Polite chaps” in their own puzzles:

1. Look for Compact Phrasing – Clues that use two words in a brief phrase often signal a double definition.
2. Check the Part of Speech – If the clue can be parsed as two different parts of speech, it’s a candidate for a double definition.
3. Cross‑Letters Matter – Once you have a handful of possible answers, the cross‑letters will often eliminate the wrong ones quickly.
4. Think of Common Pairs – Sir/gent, madam/lady, coach/coachman are classic pairings that editors love to use.

McCarthy warns that not every short clue is a double definition. Sometimes, the setter might be employing an anagram, charade, or cryptic definition. The key is to read the clue as a single phrase and then try to split it in every logical way.

A Word From the Editor

Below the main article, USA Today included a short note from the crossword’s editor, Lisa Gage. She thanked readers for their enthusiasm and teased that the next Sunday puzzle will include a “two‑part pun” that “will make you think twice before you fill in the first letter.” Readers are encouraged to email their guesses to the editorial team for a chance to win a signed copy of the puzzle book.

In Conclusion

The “Polite chaps” clue is more than just a fun little wordplay; it’s a window into the art of crossword construction. By presenting a compact double definition, the puzzle’s designer delivers a satisfying “aha” moment for solvers who are ready to dig a little deeper. USA Today’s feature not only unravels this particular entry but also gives readers the tools they need to spot similar clues in future puzzles. So next time you come across a terse phrase like “Polite chaps” in your crossword, remember: the answer is likely just a single word, and that word probably fits neatly into a double definition.