NYT Connections March 21, 2025 #649 Hints & Answers

The term 'milieu' comes from French and literally means 'middle place.' It was first introduced into English in the mid-19th century and has since become a sophisticated way to describe the environment or setting in which something takes place, particularly in artistic, literary, or social contexts.

The term 'luminary' derives from the Latin word 'luminare,' meaning 'to give light.' It was originally used to describe celestial bodies that gave off light, but by the 16th century had evolved to metaphorically describe individuals who 'illuminate' their fields with brilliance or influence. The concept of describing influential people as 'lions' dates back to medieval heraldry, where lions symbolized courage, nobility, and power.

The T-square was invented in the late 18th century and revolutionized technical drawing by allowing draftsmen to create perfectly parallel horizontal lines. Before computer-aided design (CAD) became widespread in the 1980s, architectural drawings were created entirely by hand using these traditional tools, requiring immense precision and patience. Even though digital tools have largely replaced these manual instruments, many architecture and design schools still teach hand drafting to develop spatial thinking and precision skills.

The term 'bar' in 'bar exam' originates from the physical barrier or railing that separates the general public from the court proceedings in a courtroom. When lawyers are 'admitted to the bar,' they are literally allowed to pass beyond this barrier and participate in court proceedings. This physical barrier dates back to medieval English courts and has become a metaphor for the legal profession itself.