You sit there, staring at the screen or the paper. Maybe your coffee’s gone cold. Maybe it’s way past bedtime. And yet, one clue keeps glaring back at you:
“Bumped things.”
It looks simple. Just two words. But you’ve tried a dozen answers, all of them wrong. And now you’re wondering if you’re the only person in the world who doesn’t get it.
Let me say this first — you’re not alone. We’ve all been stuck here. Some of us still remember the exact clue that broke us for a whole Sunday morning. And this one? It’s a classic mind-bender. But we’ll break it down together, piece by piece.
What Does “Bumped Things” Actually Mean?
Let’s be honest — the first instinct is always the physical. Something bumped into something else, right?
You might think:
- Elbows (you bump them accidentally in crowds)
- Cars (like fender-benders)
- Heads (as in, “Oops, we bumped heads!”)
- Hips (in a dance or casual motion)
- Shoulders (in a tight space)
But the New York Times Crossword isn’t always about being literal. And that’s the magic of it — and sometimes, the nightmare.
Sometimes, “bumped” doesn’t mean hit. It can also mean:
- Something got moved or shifted (like getting bumped from a flight or a schedule)
- Something that made a sound (like a bass system “bumping” in a car)
- Something that got replaced or switched
So now let’s dig a little deeper — not just at the clue, but at how you should be thinking about these kinds of clues in general.
The Mindset of a Solver
1. It’s Not About Vocabulary — It’s About Flexibility
The best crossword solvers aren’t always the ones with the biggest vocabularies. They’re the ones who can see the word “bumped” and instantly imagine five different meanings. They can hold all those meanings in their mind at once and let the surrounding clues tell them which one fits.
That flexibility is key. When you train your brain to let go of the obvious, the puzzle opens up.
2. Clues Like This Want to Trick You — But Kindly
Yes, kindly. Because crossword puzzles don’t really want you to suffer. They want you to struggle just enough to make the solution feel earned. That’s why vague clues like “bumped things” exist. They create room for interpretation, and when you finally land on the right one, you’ll feel amazing.
3. Cross-Referencing Clues is a Game-Changer
Let’s say “bumped things” is a 4-letter clue. If you have even one letter filled in from the intersecting clues, that changes everything.
For example, one real answer for this clue has been “subs.”
Wait, what?
Yep. As in:
- Substitutes — players who replace others (they got bumped)
- Sandwiches — okay, less likely here, but sometimes used creatively
- Speakers — slang for subwoofers that “bump” loud music
Now you see how wide the field really is.
When I Got Stuck on This Clue (And What It Taught Me)
I still remember the first time I saw “bumped things” in a puzzle. It was a sleepy Sunday morning. I had my favorite mug in hand, the playlist was mellow, and I was feeling confident.
But then that clue hit me like a wall.
I tried elbows, hips, knobs, subs, and even balls (don’t ask). Nothing fit.
I stepped away. Took a walk. Came back. Still nothing.
Hours later — and after some silent cursing — I finally filled in enough across clues to reveal S-U-B-S.
It clicked.
Not only because the word made sense, but because the perspective shifted. It wasn’t about what got bumped into — it was about what replaced something else or what made the bumping sound. That changed how I thought about clues forever.
Why Clues Like These Matter
These aren’t just words on a grid. Clues like this teach you to:
- Think beyond the surface
- Explore double meanings
- Recognize how language evolves
- Accept that your first thought might not be the right one
And in some strange way, that mirrors life too.
Tips for Handling Vague Clues Like “Bumped Things”
Let me share some quick strategies that’ve helped me (and might help you too):
Reread the Clue with a Different Emphasis
Say it out loud. Emphasize different parts. “BUMPED things.” Then: “Bumped THINGS.” You’d be surprised what your brain hears differently.
Step Away and Reset
Seriously — take a break. Sometimes your brain needs time to rearrange ideas subconsciously.
Use What You Know
Fill in the clues you do know. Even one letter can lead to a cascade of insights.
Think Culturally
Words like “bump” don’t just belong to the dictionary. They belong to music, to slang, to everyday life. Let your mind wander there.
Why It Feels So Good When You Get It
That moment when you finally understand “bumped things” — or any clue like it — is like scratching an itch you didn’t know you had. It’s relief, excitement, and a little pride.
Because it means you didn’t just solve a puzzle. You navigated language. You connected dots. You changed your thinking.
And that is deeply satisfying.
The Real Gift of Crossword Clues Like These
They train you to:
- Be curious
- Be patient
- Enjoy the unknown
- Celebrate small victories
And more than anything, they remind you that frustration is part of the fun.
Yes, even when the clue is two tiny words like “bumped things.”
Still Stuck? Here’s How to Keep Going
Don’t quit. Take a deep breath. Maybe it’s subs, maybe it’s elbows, maybe it’s something entirely different. But now you know:
- How to think about it
- What it might mean
- Why it’s written this way
- And that you’re not alone
You’ve already gotten further than most. And next time? You’ll spot the trick faster.
One Final Thought
Solving a crossword isn’t just about knowing the answer. It’s about learning to see the world through a more playful lens. One where words dance, meanings shift, and even something as vague as “bumped things” can become a doorway into cleverness, culture, and self-discovery.
You’ve got this. And if you don’t yet — give it time. That “aha” moment is closer than you think.
