Well now, listen up, I gotta tell ya somethin’ ’bout this crossword clue that’s been botherin’ folks. The clue is “Influence through close contact,” and I reckon a lot of ya might be scratchin’ your heads wonderin’ what that could mean. Let me tell ya, it ain’t all that hard, really.
Now, when we talk about “influence through close contact,” what we’re gettin’ at is somethin’ that rubs off on ya. Ya know, like when you spend a lotta time with someone, and you start pickin’ up their ways, their habits, or even their mannerisms. It’s like when a young’un spends time with their granny, and suddenly they start talkin’ like her—well, that’s what we call a little rub off, or “rub off on” someone.
So, if you’re lookin’ at your crossword puzzle and see that clue, “Influence through close contact,” the answer you’re searchin’ for is simple: rub off on.
Let me tell ya, I’ve seen this clue a few times in the New York Times puzzle. They sure do like to throw in these tricky ones, but once ya know the answer, it’s pretty clear. It’s just like when someone teaches ya somethin’, and you go home, and before ya know it, you’re doin’ the same thing without even thinkin’ about it. That’s that “rub off on” business.
Now, I know it’s all well and good to talk about these fancy crossword puzzles, but the truth is, this idea of influence through close contact happens all around us. Ya see it in families, in friendships, and even in work places. Folks pick up little things from each other all the time. Sometimes it’s a good thing, like learnin’ a new skill, but other times, it’s a bad habit, like pickin’ up a curse word or two.
So, whenever you see that crossword clue again, you’ll know exactly what it means. It’s all about that slow, quiet influence that comes when you’re close to someone long enough that their habits, their ways of thinkin’, and even their speech start rubbin’ off on ya.
If you’re still stuck on the puzzle, here’s a little tip. It’s an 8-letter word, so you’re gonna need to stretch those brain cells. But I got faith in ya, you’ll get it. Just remember, it’s all about that closeness and how a bit of someone’s essence can stick with ya.
And that’s all there is to it, folks. The next time you’re workin’ on your crossword and see that clue “Influence through close contact,” you’ll be able to fill in that answer quick as a whip—rub off on. Ain’t no mystery to it now, is there?
So go ahead, finish up that puzzle, and don’t let it get the best of ya. And remember, sometimes we don’t even realize how much someone’s influence is rubbin’ off on us. It happens in the blink of an eye, like when you wake up one mornin’ and find yourself hummin’ a tune you never liked before, just ‘cause you heard it enough times. That’s influence for ya!
Tags：[crossword, influence, rub off on, close contact, puzzle clues, crossword clues, New York Times crossword, puzzle solution]
