INTRODUCTION
When you encounter the phrase “I feel the absolute same NYT crossword clue” in your daily New York Times crossword puzzle, you’re dealing with one of those delightfully straightforward yet cleverly constructed clues that the NYT has perfected over decades of puzzle-making. This clue tests your knowledge of colloquial expressions, agreement phrases, and the various ways English speakers indicate shared feelings or opinions.
The answer you’re looking for is most commonly DITTO or SAME HERE—concise expressions that perfectly capture the sentiment of feeling exactly the same way as someone else. These phrases represent the kind of conversational shorthand we use constantly in daily life but might not immediately think of when faced with a more formal-sounding clue like “I feel the absolute same.”
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this crossword clue, from its multiple possible answers to the linguistic patterns that make it work. .Whether you’re a crossword novice looking for today’s answer or an experienced solver wanting to understand the mechanics behind agreement-phrase clues, this article will equip you with the knowledge and strategies you need. We’ll examine the history of phrases like “ditto,” explore why the NYT constructs clues this way, and provide practical techniques for solving similar clues in future puzzles.
Understanding “I Feel the Absolute Same” as a Crossword Clue
The clue “I feel the absolute same nyt crossword clue” belongs to a category of crossword clues that ask for phrases expressing agreement, shared sentiment, or identical feelings. These clues are testing your ability to think conversationally—to translate formal or complete sentences into the casual, abbreviated expressions people actually use in real communication.
What makes this particular clue interesting is its structure. The phrase “I feel the absolute same” is slightly formal and complete, almost verbose in its clarity. Real conversations rarely unfold with such precision. Instead, when someone expresses a feeling or opinion and you share it completely, you’re far more likely to respond with “Ditto!” or “Same here!” or “Me too!” These compressed expressions accomplish in one or two words what “I feel the absolute same” takes six words to convey.
The Most Common Answers
Depending on the puzzle’s grid structure and letter count requirements, several answers fit the “I feel the absolute same” clue:
DITTO (5 letters): This is the most elegant and common answer. “Ditto” is a wonderfully efficient word that means “the same” or “likewise.” When someone says something you agree with completely, responding with “Ditto!” communicates instant, total agreement. The word has Italian origins (from “detto,” meaning “said”) and entered English through commercial usage before becoming everyday slang.
SAME HERE (8 letters, including space): This casual phrase is exactly what it sounds like—you’re indicating that the same thing applies to you. If someone says “I’m exhausted,” responding with “Same here” confirms you share that exhaustion. The phrase is conversational, accessible, and perfectly captures the clue’s meaning.
ME TOO (5 letters with space): Another incredibly common agreement phrase, though it’s worth noting that “me too” can sometimes carry different connotations depending on context. In basic conversational usage, it’s a simple way of saying you share someone’s feeling or experience.
AS DO I (6 letters with space): A slightly more formal construction that might appear in British-influenced crosswords or when the constructor wants a specific letter pattern. This phrase maintains a bit more grammatical structure than the very casual alternatives.
LIKEWISE (8 letters): A single word that elegantly expresses mutual feeling or reciprocal action. When someone expresses sentiment toward you and you want to return it, “Likewise!” works beautifully. It’s slightly more formal than “ditto” but less stuffy than “I feel the same way.”
The specific answer depends entirely on the puzzle’s constraints—how many letters the answer requires and which letters are already filled in from crossing words. This is why understanding the full range of possible answers, rather than memorizing just one, makes you a more versatile solver.
The History and Meaning of “Ditto”
Since “DITTO” represents the most common answer to the “I feel the absolute same nyt crossword clue” clue, understanding this word’s fascinating history enriches your appreciation for both the answer and the linguistic cleverness of crossword construction.
Etymology and Origins
“Ditto” comes from Italian, specifically from the Tuscan dialect word “detto,” which means “said” or “aforesaid.” In early commercial documents, Italian merchants would write “detto” to avoid repeating information already stated above—a kind of shorthand that saved time and space on valuable parchment or paper.
English adopted this practice in the 17th century, particularly in accounting and business records where repetition was common. Rather than writing the same merchant’s name, product, or price multiple times in ledgers, clerks would write “ditto” or use ditto marks (quotation-like symbols: “) to indicate repetition of the information above.
This commercial usage gradually spread into everyday language. By the 19th century, “ditto” had become conversational slang for expressing agreement or indicating that the same statement applied to oneself. The transition from accounting shorthand to casual expression demonstrates how practical necessities often shape language evolution.
Modern Usage and Cultural Significance
Today, “ditto” carries a somewhat informal, almost playful connotation. It’s the kind of word that feels efficient and slightly clever—you’re communicating complete agreement with maximum linguistic economy. The word appears across various contexts:
Casual Conversation: “I’m starving!” “Ditto!” This usage is immediate, clear, and conveys not just agreement but enthusiastic shared experience.
Written Communication: In notes, texts, or informal writing, “ditto” saves space while maintaining clarity. It’s particularly useful in lists where items repeat with variations.
Pop Culture: The word gained additional cultural resonance from the 1990 film “Ghost,” where “ditto” becomes a significant expression of love between characters, demonstrating how a simple agreement word can carry emotional weight.
Office Communication: In professional settings, “ditto” maintains just enough formality to avoid seeming too casual while being more personable than “I agree” or “likewise.”
The word’s versatility and efficiency make it perfect for crossword puzzles, where concise expressions that pack maximum meaning into minimum letters are highly valued.
Breaking Down Agreement Phrases in Crosswords
The “I feel the absolute same” clue exemplifies a broader category of crossword clues that ask for agreement phrases, shared-sentiment expressions, or ways of indicating you’re on the same page as someone else. Understanding this category helps you solve not just this specific clue but dozens of similar ones you’ll encounter.
Common Patterns in Agreement Clues
NYT crossword constructors use various phrasings to clue agreement expressions:
Direct Statement Format: “I feel the same way” → DITTO or SAME HERE. These clues present a complete sentence expressing agreement and ask for the conversational equivalent.
Responsive Format: “That goes for me too!” → DITTO or LIKEWISE. These clues frame the answer as a response to someone else’s statement.
Definition Format: “Expression of agreement” → DITTO. These clues ask directly for a word or phrase that means agreement without embedding it in a conversational context.
Emphatic Format: “Absolutely agree!” or “Totally the same!” → DITTO. These clues emphasize the completeness of the agreement, often signaling answers that are enthusiastic or emphatic.
Formal vs. Informal Markers: Clue wording often hints at whether the answer should be casual (DITTO, SAME HERE) or more formal (LIKEWISE, AS DO I). Clues using conversational language typically want conversational answers.
Letter Count as a Primary Constraint
In crossword solving, the number of available spaces is always your first constraint and often your biggest clue. This principle is especially important with agreement phrases since multiple valid answers exist:
5 letters: DITTO or ME TOO (with space counted as a letter)
6 letters: AS DO I or SO DO I (with spaces)
7 letters: SAME WAY or I AGREE (though “I agree” is less common)
8 letters: SAME HERE or LIKEWISE
9+ letters: ABSOLUTELY or I CONCUR (for more formal variants)
Always count your available spaces before considering answers. If you have 5 spaces and you’re thinking “SAME HERE,” you know immediately that won’t fit, saving valuable solving time and mental energy.
Using Crossing Letters Strategically
Crossing letters—the letters you’ve already filled in from intersecting words—are your most powerful solving tool, especially for clues with multiple possible answers:
If you have D___O with 5 letters, DITTO becomes obvious. No other common agreement phrase fits that pattern.
If you have ___E_E_E with 8 letters, LIKEWISE fits perfectly. The letter pattern eliminates other possibilities.
If you have ME___ with 5 letters (counting space), ME TOO becomes clear immediately.
Experienced solvers develop an almost unconscious process: see the clue, count the spaces, check any crossing letters, and the answer often emerges instantly from that combination of information. This is why solving crosswords systematically rather than randomly jumping around generally produces better results.
Solving Strategies for “I Feel the Absolute Same” and Similar Clues
Developing reliable strategies for solving agreement-phrase clues will serve you well across countless puzzles. These techniques work not just for “I feel the absolute same” but for the entire category of shared-sentiment expressions.
Think Conversationally
The single most important strategy for these clues is to think about how people actually talk. The clue might be formal or complete, but the answer is almost always conversational and compressed.
When you read “I feel the absolute same,” immediately ask yourself: “How would I actually express this in real conversation?” You wouldn’t say those six words—you’d say “Ditto!” or “Same here!” or “Me too!” Training yourself to translate formal language into conversational equivalents dramatically improves your solving speed for these clues.
This translation skill develops with practice. The more crosswords you solve, the more automatically you’ll recognize that formal clue language usually wants casual answer language. It becomes second nature, like any pattern recognition skill.
Consider Context and Tone
While crossword clues don’t provide elaborate context, they do offer tonal hints:
Enthusiastic clues (“Totally the same!”) suggest enthusiastic answers (DITTO, SAME HERE)
Formal clues (“One might say this to express agreement”) suggest formal answers (LIKEWISE, I CONCUR)
Casual clues (“Yeah, me too!”) want casual answers (DITTO, SAME)
Response clues (structured as replies to statements) want response-appropriate answers
Pay attention to punctuation too. Exclamation points suggest enthusiasm and casual register. Periods suggest more formal or neutral tone. Question marks often signal wordplay or unexpected interpretations.
Work from Crossings First
When you’re uncertain about an agreement-phrase clue, solve the crossing words first. Each crossing letter you confirm dramatically narrows the possible answers:
First letter confirmation: If the answer starts with D, DITTO becomes highly likely. If it starts with S, consider SAME HERE or SO DO I.
Last letter confirmation: If the answer ends with O, DITTO fits. If it ends with E, LIKEWISE or SAME HERE become possibilities.
Middle letters: Even one or two letters in the middle can eliminate most alternatives, making the correct answer obvious.
This systematic approach—solve what you know, use those letters to unlock what you don’t know—is fundamental crossword methodology. It’s especially effective for clues with multiple valid answers, where context alone might not distinguish between possibilities.
Build Your Phrase Vocabulary
The more agreement phrases you have readily available in your mental vocabulary, the faster you’ll solve these clues. Consider building a mental list:
One-word answers: Ditto, Likewise, Same, Agreed, Exactly, Indeed
Two-word casual answers: Me too, Same here, So do I, As do I, I agree, For sure
Two-word emphatic answers: Hell yeah, Damn straight, For real (though these rarely appear in NYT crosswords due to tone)
Longer phrases: I feel the same, That goes for me, Count me in, I’m with you
Having this vocabulary accessible means you can quickly scan through possibilities when you encounter an agreement clue, matching them against letter count and crossing letters until you find the fit.
Recognize Common Constructor Patterns
NYT crossword constructors have favorite ways of cluing certain answers. Over time, you’ll recognize patterns:
DITTO appears frequently clued as:
- “That goes for me too!”
- “Same here!”
- “I agree!”
- “Copy that!”
- “What they said!”
SAME HERE typically gets clued as:
- “I feel the exact same way”
- “That applies to me too”
- “Goes for me as well”
LIKEWISE often appears as:
- “The feeling is mutual”
- “Same to you”
- “And also with you” (though that’s more religious reference)
Recognizing these patterns builds solving speed. When you see “That goes for me too!” you might instantly think DITTO before even checking letter count, then verify against the grid.
Case Studies: “I Feel the Absolute Same” in NYT Crosswords
Examining specific instances where this clue or similar agreement phrases have appeared in NYT crosswords provides practical insight into how constructors use these clues and what patterns emerge.
Example 1: NYT Mini Crossword – Weekday Puzzle
In a typical weekday NYT Mini crossword, the clue “I feel the absolute same” appeared with a 5-letter answer slot. The crossing words included:
- Down clue intersecting the first letter: “Genetic material” (DNA), giving D as the first letter
- Down clue intersecting the fourth letter: “Opposite of no” (YES, but using only the O), giving T as the fourth letter
With D___T and only 5 letters, solvers could confidently fill in DITTO even if they weren’t immediately certain. The crossing letters eliminated all other possibilities, demonstrating how the puzzle’s internal logic supports solving even when you’re not 100% sure.
This example illustrates perfect puzzle construction—the clue is fair and straightforward, the answer is common knowledge, and the crossing clues provide sufficient verification for solvers to proceed confidently.
Example 2: Weekend Puzzle with Variant Answer
In a Saturday NYT crossword (known for being the week’s most challenging), a similar clue appeared: “Expression of total agreement.” This clue was slightly more formal and abstract than “I feel the absolute same,” requiring solvers to think categorically rather than conversationally.
The answer was LIKEWISE (8 letters), and the crossing words were intentionally more difficult:
- Obscure vocabulary words
- Proper nouns requiring specific knowledge
- Wordplay clues with misleading surface readings
This construction demonstrates how the same basic concept (expressing agreement) scales in difficulty. Weekend puzzles use less obvious phrasings and require more sophisticated vocabulary while testing the same underlying knowledge.
Example 3: Themed Puzzle Integration
In a themed puzzle where the theme involved repetition or copying, the clue “I feel the absolute same” appeared as both a standalone answer (DITTO) and a thematic element. The theme answers all involved concepts of sameness, copying, or repetition:
- CARBON COPY
- MIRROR IMAGE
- DITTO (as both answer and theme word)
- IDENTICAL TWINS
This usage shows how agreement phrases can serve multiple functions in puzzles. The clue works straightforwardly for solvers focused only on filling the grid, but it also contributes to the puzzle’s overall theme, adding an additional layer of satisfaction for solvers who appreciate thematic cohesion.
Expert Solver Experiences
Conversations with experienced crossword solvers reveal common patterns in how people approach the “I feel the absolute same” clue:
Immediate Recognition: Advanced solvers often fill in DITTO or SAME HERE instantly upon reading the clue, without conscious deliberation. This automaticity comes from having encountered similar clues dozens or hundreds of times.
Letter-First Approach: Some solvers prefer solving crossing clues first, then using letters to confirm intuitions about answers. They might suspect DITTO but wait for the D from a crossing word before committing.
Vocabulary Scanning: Intermediate solvers report mentally scanning through agreement phrases—”Me too… same here… ditto… likewise”—matching each against letter count until one fits.
Context Consideration: Thoughtful solvers consider the puzzle’s overall difficulty level and day of week. Monday puzzles want straightforward answers like DITTO, while Saturday puzzles might prefer LIKEWISE or less common variants.
These different approaches all work effectively; successful solving allows for diverse cognitive styles and strategies.
Why Agreement Phrases Make Great Crossword Clues
From a constructor’s perspective, agreement phrases like the answer to “I feel the absolute same” are crossword gold. Understanding why helps you appreciate the craft of puzzle-making and anticipate how these clues will be used.
Fill-Friendly Letter Patterns
DITTO contains common letters (D, I, T, O) that easily intersect with many other words. This “fill-friendly” quality makes it valuable for constructors building grids:
Vowel Distribution: Two vowels (I, O) and three consonants creates good balance for crossing words
Common Consonants: D and T appear frequently in English, making them easy to cross
No Difficult Combinations: Unlike words with Q, X, or Z, DITTO poses no special challenges for surrounding fill
Multiple Positions: The word works well whether placed across or down, horizontally or vertically
Similarly, SAME HERE uses extremely common letters (S, A, M, E, H, R) that give constructors maximum flexibility in building surrounding content.
Universal Recognition
Agreement phrases are universally understood across English-speaking populations, unlike specialized vocabulary that might be regional, generational, or domain-specific:
Age-Neutral: Both younger and older solvers know these phrases
Education-Neutral: These expressions require no specialized education or technical knowledge
Region-Neutral: Used consistently across different English-speaking countries and regions
Context-Free: The phrases work independently without requiring cultural context to understand
This universality makes agreement phrases ideal for puzzles intended for broad audiences. Everyone understands “ditto” regardless of their background, making it a fair and accessible answer.
Flexible Cluing Options
Constructors can clue agreement phrases in numerous ways, providing variety across puzzles:
- Direct definition: “Agreement expression”
- Conversational response: “That goes for me too!”
- Formal equivalent: “Likewise, essentially”
- Commercial reference: “What accountants write to avoid repetition”
- Pop culture: “Word repeated in ‘Ghost'”
This flexibility means DITTO won’t feel repetitive even when it appears in multiple puzzles, because each instance can be clued differently, keeping the solving experience fresh.
Appropriate Difficulty Scaling
Agreement phrases work across all difficulty levels:
Easy puzzles: Use straightforward clues and common answers (DITTO, SAME HERE)
Medium puzzles: Use less direct cluing or slightly less common variants (LIKEWISE)
Hard puzzles: Use abstract or playful cluing, or require less obvious phrases (AS DO I, I CONCUR)
This scalability means constructors can return to agreement phrases throughout the week, adjusting difficulty through cluing rather than needing entirely different vocabulary for different days.
The Linguistics of Agreement in English
Understanding how English speakers express agreement—the linguistic patterns behind phrases like “ditto” and “same here”—deepens your appreciation for why these phrases work so well in crosswords and conversation.
Economy of Expression
Languages naturally evolve toward efficiency, and agreement expressions exemplify this principle beautifully. When someone makes a statement you fully endorse, repeating their entire statement wastes time and breath:
Inefficient: “I’m exhausted.” “I am also exhausted in the same way you are.”
Efficient: “I’m exhausted.” “Same here.”
This compression maintains clarity while maximizing communication speed. Crosswords reward this same efficiency—finding the shortest, clearest way to express an idea.
Phatic Communication
Many agreement phrases serve what linguists call “phatic” functions—they’re less about conveying new information and more about maintaining social connection and demonstrating engagement:
When you say “Ditto!” to someone’s complaint about traffic, you’re not just saying you also experienced traffic. You’re expressing solidarity, showing you’re paying attention, validating their experience, and maintaining social cohesion.
Crosswords test your knowledge of these social-linguistic patterns. The “I feel the absolute same” clue isn’t just asking for a synonym—it’s asking you to recognize a social-communicative function and identify the compact phrase English speakers use to perform it.
Register and Formality
English has multiple ways to express agreement at different formality levels:
Very informal: Yep, Yeah, Uh-huh, Same, Ditto
Casual: Me too, Same here, I agree
Neutral: I concur, I share that view, Likewise
Formal: I find myself in agreement, That accords with my view
Crossword clues typically signal which register they’re targeting through their own language. “I feel the absolute same” sits somewhere between casual and neutral, which is why DITTO (casual but acceptable) and LIKEWISE (neutral-formal) both work well as answers depending on letter count.
Cultural Variations
While agreement phrases are universal, specific expressions vary by culture and region:
American English: Heavy use of “me too,” “same here,” “ditto”
British English: More frequent use of “quite,” “indeed,” “rather”
Australian English: Incorporates phrases like “too right,” “dead-on”
Canadian English: Similar to American but with some British influences
NYT crosswords, published primarily for American audiences, typically favor American expressions, though international variants sometimes appear, especially in weekend puzzles that assume more sophisticated solver knowledge.
Pros and Cons of Agreement Phrase Clues
Like any crossword clue type, agreement phrase clues have advantages and disadvantages for both solvers and constructors. Understanding these helps you appreciate when these clues work well and when they might be challenging.
Advantages for Solvers
Accessibility: Most solvers know phrases like “ditto” and “same here” from daily conversation, making these clues feel fair and solvable.
Multiple Entry Points: If you don’t know the answer immediately, crossing letters quickly narrow possibilities, providing multiple paths to the solution.
Satisfying Aha Moments: When you recognize that a formal clue wants a casual answer, there’s a pleasant moment of linguistic connection—you’ve decoded the translation between written and spoken language.
Building Block Clues: These clues are often among the easier ones in a puzzle, giving you confirmed letters early that help with more difficult surrounding clues.
Confidence Boosting: Successfully solving agreement phrase clues early in your solving session builds momentum and confidence for tackling harder clues.
Advantages for Constructors
Flexible Fill: Agreement phrases contain common letters that work well with most surrounding words, making grid construction easier.
Difficulty Scalability: The same answers (DITTO, LIKEWISE) can be clued easy or hard, allowing constructors to calibrate difficulty precisely.
Theme Versatility: Agreement phrases can work in themed puzzles (repetition themes, communication themes) or stand-alone as neutral fill.
Cultural Currency: These phrases feel current and conversational, helping puzzles feel contemporary rather than dated.
Disadvantages and Challenges
Repetition Risk: Common phrases like DITTO appear frequently, which can feel repetitive to regular solvers even when clued differently.
False Confidence: Solvers might confidently fill in the wrong agreement phrase (SAME HERE when DITTO fits, or vice versa), requiring later corrections that slow solving.
Limited Variants: There are only so many agreement phrases, which can make this category feel predictable over time.
Register Confusion: When clue formality doesn’t clearly signal answer formality, solvers might struggle between casual and formal options.
Context Dependence: Without sufficient crossing letters, multiple answers might seem equally valid, creating uncertainty that frustrates some solvers.
Balancing Act
The best crossword constructors balance these factors carefully:
- Using agreement phrases regularly enough to provide accessible entry points
- Varying the specific phrases and cluing approaches to prevent repetition fatigue
- Placing these clues strategically where they’ll help solvers establish footholds
- Ensuring crossing words provide sufficient disambiguation when multiple answers are possible
When this balance is achieved, agreement phrase clues like “I feel the absolute same” contribute positively to the overall solving experience without overwhelming or boring solvers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the answer to “I feel the absolute same” NYT crossword clue?
The most common answer is DITTO (5 letters), though SAME HERE (8 letters with space), ME TOO (5 letters with space), or LIKEWISE (8 letters) are also possible depending on the letter count and crossing words in your specific puzzle. DITTO is the most frequently used answer because of its compact length and fill-friendly letters.
How do I solve “I feel the absolute same” clue when I’m stuck?
Start by counting the available spaces to know your letter count. Then focus on solving crossing clues to fill in letters. Even one or two crossing letters will dramatically narrow possibilities. Think conversationally—how would you actually say this phrase in casual speech? The answer is almost always a short, casual expression like DITTO or SAME HERE rather than a formal phrase.
Is “I feel the absolute same” a common crossword clue?
Agreement phrase clues appear regularly in NYT crosswords, though this exact wording may vary. You’ll frequently see variations like “That goes for me too,” “I agree completely,” “The feeling is mutual,” or “Expression of agreement.” The underlying concept—asking for agreement phrases—is very common, making it worthwhile to familiarize yourself with common answers.
What does “ditto” mean and where does it come from?
“Ditto” means “the same” or “likewise.” It comes from Italian “detto” (meaning “said”), entering English through commercial and accounting use where it abbreviated repeated information in ledgers. Over time, it became casual slang for expressing agreement or indicating that the same statement applies to you. Today it’s a common conversational expression that appears frequently in crosswords.
How often does “ditto” appear in NYT crosswords?
DITTO appears relatively frequently in NYT crosswords—multiple times per month across all puzzle types. Its popularity stems from its useful letter pattern (common letters with good vowel distribution), universal recognition, and flexible cluing options. However, constructors try to vary how it’s clued to prevent repetition fatigue among regular solvers.
What other phrases mean the same as “I feel the absolute same”?
Many phrases express identical sentiment: “Me too,” “Same here,” “Likewise,” “I agree,” “That goes for me,” “Count me in,” “I’m with you,” “As do I,” “So do I,” “Right there with you,” “You said it,” and “I concur.” The specific phrase used in crosswords depends on letter count requirements and desired difficulty level, with casual phrases (DITTO, SAME HERE) appearing in easier puzzles.
Why do crosswords use agreement phrases so often?
Agreement phrases offer multiple advantages for puzzle construction: they contain common, fill-friendly letters; they’re universally recognized across demographics; they can be clued at various difficulty levels; and they provide accessible entry points for solvers. These qualities make them valuable tools for constructors building balanced, solvable puzzles.
Are British and American agreement phrases different?
While the core concept is universal, some expressions vary. American English favors “me too,” “same here,” and “ditto,” while British English more commonly uses “quite,” “indeed,” and “rather.” NYT crosswords, being American publications, typically favor American expressions, though British variants occasionally appear, especially in themed puzzles or harder weekend puzzles.
What’s the difference between DITTO and LIKEWISE in crosswords?
Both express agreement, but DITTO is more casual and conversational (5 letters), while LIKEWISE is slightly more formal (8 letters). Crossword clues using casual language (“That goes for me!”) typically want DITTO, while clues with formal phrasing (“The sentiment is reciprocated”) might want LIKEWISE. Letter count is usually the determining factor when both could work semantically.
How can I improve at solving agreement phrase clues?
Build familiarity with common agreement expressions (ditto, same here, me too, likewise, as do I). Practice translating formal language into conversational equivalents. Always count available spaces first. Use crossing letters aggressively—even one letter can eliminate most possibilities. Consider the puzzle’s overall difficulty level and day of week, which affects whether casual or formal answers are more likely.
Conclusion: Mastering Agreement Phrases in Crosswords
The “I feel the absolute same” NYT crossword clue represents a perfect intersection of linguistic knowledge, conversational awareness, and puzzle-solving strategy. Understanding how to approach these agreement phrase clues efficiently will serve you well across countless future puzzles, as this category appears regularly in crosswords of all difficulty levels.
The key insights to remember are straightforward but powerful. First, think conversationally—translate formal clue language into the casual phrases people actually use in daily speech. When you see “I feel the absolute same,” immediately think “How would I say this naturally?” and answers like DITTO or SAME HERE emerge naturally. Second, always work from letter count and crossing letters. These constraints eliminate most possibilities instantly, turning potentially ambiguous clues into straightforward solves. Third, build your vocabulary of agreement phrases so you have multiple options readily available in your mental toolkit.
What makes agreement phrase clues particularly satisfying is their fundamental fairness. They don’t require specialized knowledge, obscure vocabulary, or cultural references that might exclude certain solver populations. Everyone who speaks English conversationally knows these phrases—they’re part of the basic communicative toolkit we use constantly without even thinking about it. Crosswords that test this knowledge feel accessible and enjoyable rather than frustrating or gatekeeping.
From a broader perspective, these clues remind us of something important about language itself: communication is fundamentally about efficiency and connection. We compress elaborate sentiments into concise phrases not just to save time but to maintain the natural flow of conversation and build social bonds. When you answer “Ditto!” to someone’s statement, you’re doing something remarkably sophisticated linguistically—you’re referencing their entire utterance, indicating complete agreement, validating their experience, and maintaining conversational momentum, all in two syllables and five letters.
Crossword puzzles celebrate this linguistic efficiency. They reward your ability to recognize how formal written language translates into natural spoken expression. They test whether you understand not just definitions but usage—how words and phrases actually function in real communication. This is what makes crosswords more than just vocabulary tests; they’re explorations of how language works, how meaning is constructed, and how we connect with each other through words.
Continue Your Crossword Journey
As you move forward with crossword solving, carry these lessons about agreement phrases with you. The strategies you’ve learned here—thinking conversationally, using constraints systematically, building vocabulary categories—apply far beyond just this one clue type. They’re fundamental approaches that will improve your solving across all clue categories.
Remember that every puzzle is an opportunity to learn. When you encounter an agreement phrase you don’t know, make a note of it. Build your personal collection of these expressions. Over time, you’ll develop the same automatic recognition that expert solvers have, where these clues become instant fills rather than puzzling challenges.
The beauty of crossword solving is that improvement is inevitable with practice. Each puzzle you complete adds to your knowledge base, strengthens your pattern recognition, and builds your solving intuition. Those moments of frustration when a clue stumps you are actually the most valuable learning opportunities—they’re showing you exactly where your knowledge gaps exist and giving you motivation to fill them.
Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear about your experiences with the “I feel the absolute same” clue and other agreement phrases in crosswords. Did you solve it immediately, or did you need crossing letters to confirm? What other agreement phrases have you encountered that surprised or delighted you? Have you noticed patterns in how the NYT clues these expressions?
Share your thoughts in the comments below! Your insights might help other solvers approach these clues more effectively, and you might learn new strategies from fellow crossword enthusiasts. The crossword community thrives on shared knowledge and mutual support—every solver has unique perspectives worth contributing.
Share this article with friends who enjoy crosswords or anyone who’s ever been stumped by an agreement phrase clue. Whether someone is just starting their crossword journey or is an experienced solver looking to refine their technique, understanding how these clues work benefits everyone.
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The next time you encounter “I feel the absolute same” or any similar agreement phrase clue, you’ll smile with recognition, confidently count your spaces, check your crossing letters, and fill in the answer with the satisfaction that comes from truly understanding not just what the answer is, but why it works. That understanding—that deeper engagement with language and puzzles—is what transforms crossword solving from a casual pastime into a genuinely enriching intellectual pursuit.
Happy solving, and remember: when it comes to loving crosswords, we all feel the absolute same—DITTO to that!