Jigsaw Puzzles Gain Fans

Jigsaw¹ puzzles for adults are becoming more popular in America. The puzzles have pieces of different shapes that, when put together, form a picture.

People attend puzzle nights at coffee shops and libraries. Manufacturers design puzzles that have original artwork or even family photos.

A.J. Jacobs is working on a book about puzzles, including jigsaws² and crosswords³.

"I was not as passionate⁴ about jigsaw puzzles at first, but once I started doing them, I saw the loveliness of these puzzles," he said. Jacobs added, "Puzzles are a very soothing⁵ and joyous⁶ way to spend a couple of hours."

Jigsaw fans say the puzzles help ease daily stress. In addition, the puzzles give them a chance to step away from electronic devices.

Abby Matson, age 37, found puzzles helpful after the death of her dog three years ago.

"The puzzle was the only thing I could do to keep from crying," she said.

Matson and her friend Abby McDaniel started a puzzle group that now has six members. Members send photos of a completed puzzle before mailing it to the next person.

"It brings out an inner competition," McDaniel said.

Many puzzlers - a name for people who like playing puzzles - prefer cardboard puzzles. But some like wooden ones. Some fans buy special frames, glue and other tools to preserve finished jigsaw puzzles.

Stave Puzzles, a company based in the state of Vermont, makes many kinds of wooden puzzles.

Speaking with the Associated Press, company founder⁷ Steve Richardson described an increase in sales in recent years. "Our sales are up 25 percent in the last decade," he said. Richardson added "We are now seeing orders from the children and grandchildren of some of our original customers."

Shelby Comstock Britten attended the launch of Jiggy Puzzles, a New York-based puzzle company. Britten, who is 29 years old, said a puzzle night with drinks sounded perfect.

She said she liked the idea of puzzles that are made for adults.

"I've always loved puzzles and will occasionally get a CVS puzzle, but it's kind of a bummer because it's made for an 8-year-old,'' she said. "I can't Instagram that."

Words in This Story

Jigsaw puzzle – n. a puzzle made of many small pieces that are cut into various shapes and can be fit together to form a picture

soothing – adj. producing feelings of comfort or relief

cardboard – n. a stiff and thick kind of paper that is used especially for making boxes

frame -- n. an open structure that holds something (such as glass or a picture)

decade -- n. a period of 10 years

original -- adj. happening or existing first or at the beginning

CVS – n. an American retail⁸ and drug store

bummer – n. something that is unpleasant or disappointing (informal)

1 jigsaw   

n.缕花锯，竖锯，拼图游戏；vt.用竖锯锯，使互相交错搭接

参考例句：

• A jigsaw puzzle can keep me absorbed for hours.一副拼图就能让我沉醉几个小时。
• Tom likes to work on jigsaw puzzles,too.汤姆也喜欢玩拼图游戏。

2 jigsaws   

n.线索( jigsaw的名词复数 )；拼图；拼板玩具；神秘莫测的事物

参考例句：

• She doesn't like jigsaws. 她不喜欢拼图游戏。 来自互联网
• Do they like jigsaws? 他们喜欢七巧板吗？ 来自互联网

3 crosswords   

纵横填字谜( crossword的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Doing crosswords gives the mind some exercise. 做纵横字谜游戏能锻炼脑筋。
• He spends all his time on crosswords and other trifles. 他把所有的时间都用在做纵横填字游戏和其他无聊的活动上。

4 passionate   

adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的

参考例句：

• He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
• He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。

5 soothing   

adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的

参考例句：

• Put on some nice soothing music.播放一些柔和舒缓的音乐。
• His casual, relaxed manner was very soothing.他随意而放松的举动让人很快便平静下来。

6 joyous   

adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的

参考例句：

• The lively dance heightened the joyous atmosphere of the scene.轻快的舞蹈给这场戏渲染了欢乐气氛。
• They conveyed the joyous news to us soon.他们把这一佳音很快地传递给我们。

7 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

8 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。