Avoiding Malapropism

One thing about living in a foreign country and speaking a different language is that, over time, one seems to gradually lose confidence and glibness of speech in one's native tongue.  Nowadays, I liken my English to a slowly atrophying muscle. 

Looks like this is a case for Crossword Puzzles.

Once I attempted a crossword puzzle in Spanish.  I picked up a pen, read all the clues, and laughed at myself.  One's language skills may improve after living in and using that language every day, but when it comes to puns, idiomatic phrases, and culture-related trivia, the imperfect subjunctive is rendered irrelevant.  I mean, I can barely complete these things in English.  (This is the part where I wonder whether I can truly claim to speak any language at all with fluency.)

Do not be deceived by the part that says "easy." Will Shortz is a tricky guy. Did you know that he is the only person known to have earned a degree in enigmatology?  Yes.  Earlier today, it took the brainpower of myself plus two other people, a lot of time, and a little bit of cheating to complete one of these suckers.

But, far from making us despair, these puzzles inspire us to think, to learn, and yes - even to imitate:

I present to you the creation of my friend the Cake Baby: her very first crossword puzzle.  I think she shows great promise.  And it's always good to have an exercise buddy.

Pacino or Puccini's goodbye [4 letters],
me