Anagrams
Anagrams are a type of puzzle that is created by arranging pre-existing words to make other words. They can be simple or they can be very intricate. For example, the word ‘intricate’ that was used in the previous sentence also contains the words in, cat, tin, and tea. There are likely more. People who are passionate about anagrams make it their own personal challenge to make sure that they find all the possible words they can. For people who are passionate about these types of puzzles or ‘wordplay’ know that they are part of a long tradition. They were said to have been developed by a Greek poet named Lycophron. They were popular in the Middle Ages all over Europe after they were invented and still have a lot of popularity today.
When people think of games, or wordplay, they often believe that it is only for children. Yes, a lot of children are exposed to anagrams in school. But, they are not the only ones who could benefit from them. Studies show that when adults do games such as these, it helps keep their mind fresh and active. While that may not seem like much when you are in your 20’s, into your senior years it could mean that you are less likely to get things like dementia or Alzheimer’s. As you age, if you do not use your brain enough, it could make you less sharp than you could be.
The good news is that by doing puzzle such as crosswords and anagrams that you could stave off this type of aging. If you poll people in this culture who have lived well into their 90’s and beyond, you may notice that all of them still do things such as read, complete puzzles, and keep their minds sharp and fresh. In fact, their memories are so amazing that they can recall dates that people much younger than them cannot even do.
If you want to enjoy anagrams, there are a lot of resources on the internet. Or, you can buy cooks on the subject, rent them from the library, or search in magazines. Some anagrams are more challenging than others so you will want to find a resource that will make that distinction if you are a beginner.
