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Julieanne Smolinski, Will Shortz Debate Over 'Illin''

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The New York Times Crossword Puzzle is the highlight of many a wordsmith's day and one in particular found a discrepancy in the newspaper's Saturday edition (Jan. 7) when a slang word wasn't given its proper meaning.

Freelance editor and writer Julieanne Smolinski questioned crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz' inclusion of the word "illin'," which by hip-hop standards is usually defined by being all things excellent and positive. However, the definition that made it onto the pages of the famed crossword puzzle didn't match up to what is widely known and rapped about on Nas' 'Illmatic,' Beastie Boys' 'Licensed to Ill,' Red Cafe's 'I'm Ill' or T.I.'s 'I'm Illy,' a song Smolinski referenced when she contacted Shortz -- with a "z" for hip-hop, of course -- about the error.

"The clue for 28 down reads 'Wack, in hip-hop,' and the answer provided is 'ILLIN.' These are not the same things, at all!" Smolinski, who's penned articles for GQ, MTV and Details, wrote to the NY Times. In response, Shortz defended the meaning by citing the Dictionary of American Slang, the Dictionary of Contemporary Slang and the online Urban Dictionary. From his perspective, illin' is the exact opposite of her argument.

The BoomBox spoke with Julieanne Smolinski about this great hip-hop debate and why she decided to take precious time out of her day to defend a word coveted by rap enthusiasts everywhere.

"Well, I'm really busy and important, as both a writer and humanitarian," she tells The BoomBox. "But I'm also a dedicated puzzle solver, and the Saturday crossword is sacred. I won't have it besmirched by error. Besides, the actual copy on Times website where you submit corrections invites you to contact them if you are 'concerned about the paper's journalistic integrity.' So, I had a responsibility."

Now that the Internet is taking sides over what illin' actually means, people may think Shortz and Smolinski are at odds. However, that's not the case; she didn't feel slighted at all by his reply. "I actually wasn't annoyed at all -- Shortz is a hero of mine," Smolinski reveals. "I do, however, take slight issue with his sources. A slang dictionary written by a guy who died in 2002 at the age of 81? Yes, slang is mutable, but I wouldn't exactly call that current."

For more on Julieanne Smolinski's thoughts on illin', Will Shortz and the prized crossword puzzle, follow her on Twitter here.


Watch Julieanne Smolinski on 'The Colbert Report'

Watch 'You've Got Will Shortz on Making a Crossword Puzzle' You've Got Will Shortz on Making a Crossword Puzzle

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289 Comments

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C. Ruth

I think the issue isn't whether "illin'" means something bad or good, since it's well-attested both ways, much like "bad" itself. The important distinction, to me, maps onto something like the "ser/estar" distinction in Spanish. In that case, "illin'" would be an "estar"-type word, and "wack" would be a "ser"-type word. If I say you're "illin'" I'm referring to your current state, but if I say you're "wack" I am referring to your essence. I don't think the two are directly substitutable and therefore, they are not synonyms.

January 15 2012 at 11:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Loveyou

My friend just told me a nice place ,(Mix ed Sin gle.. С'⊙M )- It's a nice place for people who wanna start a short or long-term relationship....no bounds or extremes in front of true love.+++++Life is short. Enjoy yourself. {{-_-}}

January 11 2012 at 10:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lovecady

My best frie'nd ,she just has announced her wedding with am'illionair'e young man! They met via .C {Mix ed S ingle.Co m }-it is the largest and best club for wealthy people and their admirers to chat online. …you don’t have to be rich there ,but you may meet one!

January 11 2012 at 10:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dvdfrnzwbr

i'm illin like a villain on penicillin

January 11 2012 at 8:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
my93bella

ARE YOU F#$@ING KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!

January 11 2012 at 6:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
NawlinzNative

EBONICS is not a language, as SPANISH is not AMERICAS 1st language!!! let's try plain ENGLISH. it's worked for years.

January 11 2012 at 5:15 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
robhllnd2

Guess there will be a " RAP 101" course in our schools now.

January 11 2012 at 4:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
thespamthing

Can't you guys tell by her trendy chic hipster glasses and traditional myspace pose?- she's obviously a witty young professional with an occasional wild side and an awesome taste in music that a lot of people have never heard! I agree, she really is busy and important. In fact, right now she's probably busily writing in her Tumblr and blogspot about how egocentrics are so last year, and steadily tracking her shift into vegan diet in her special diary she keeps in the pocket of her vintage high-waisted jeans!

And just look at that fresh new coat of red lipstick dancing on her ironic smirk and the cocky eyebrow raise- it practically screams "I know all about hip-hop slang!".

I don't know what everyone else is complaining about, but this definitely was necessary to be interrupted by and read in my ritualistic email checking, and I'm on her side 100%! I mean, just look at her; she's illin!

January 11 2012 at 3:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jusalitlprik

they need to keep that ebonics **** in the getto where it belongs

January 11 2012 at 3:20 AM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
danny

Its' not a real word. Lets get smart and stop the stupidity that these morons spew and call art.

January 11 2012 at 3:10 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply

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