Summer Sparklers

I've been filling out crossword puzzles like nobody's business lately. I just can't seem to put my pen down and write a blogpost! It seems I've been neglecting this site, and my agent has been breathing down my neck to post. I told him you couldn't rush perfection. Then I asked him for a five-letter word for a nag. Just kidding.

Do you remember that Sandra Bullock movie where Sandra plays a cruciverbalist? I'm pretty sure she didn't win an oscar for it, but I laughed a lot, so that's a plus. That movie taught me the word, cruciverbalist: one who writes crossword puzzles. And as Sandra's character said, the words must "sparkle."

To celebrate cruciverbalism (not a real word), I've comprised a list of "sparklers" that keep making appearances in my May1998 crossword puzzle book. For some reason the good ones all start with "E."

Epee - a fencing sword; also the art of fencing.

Ewer - a pitcher of water kept next to the bed.

Elan - French for joy or exuberance. 

Ewe - (I know, not the most erudite word, but it's in every puzzle!) a female sheep.

Eclat - acclaim, reputation. (I think the real definition is more complicated than that, but I don't think I can explain it. It is also French.)