NYT Connections April 4, 2025 #663 Hints & Answers

The word 'remainder' has a specific mathematical meaning in division that dates back to the 15th century. When a number doesn't divide evenly into another, the 'remainder' is what's left over. This concept is so fundamental that it has its own operation in computer programming languages called the 'modulo' operation, represented by the % symbol, which specifically calculates the remainder of division.

The term 'spin' for a casual car journey has etymology connected to the older usage of 'spin' meaning to draw out or extend, like spinning yarn. It became slang for a brief, recreational drive in the early 20th century as automobiles became more common. During the roaring twenties, 'taking a spin' in a new automobile was both a leisure activity and a status symbol, reflecting the growing car culture that would transform American society.

The term 'diamond' for the baseball playing field originated from the shape formed by the four bases. However, the actual dimensions create more of a square than a diamond. The 90-foot distance between bases has remained unchanged since 1857 when the New York Knickerbockers formalized the rules. This specific distance (90 feet) has been called 'divine' by baseball historians as it creates a perfect balance—an average grounder to an infielder and an average runner reach first base at almost exactly the same time, making the game more competitive.

The 'e' prefix became widespread during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s as a shorthand for 'electronic' and rapidly evolved into a branding trend. eBay, founded in 1995 as 'AuctionWeb,' was renamed in 1997 and became one of the earliest and most successful examples of this naming convention. While many e-prefixed companies didn't survive the dot-com crash of 2000-2001, those that did (like eBay and eTrade) became dominant forces in the digital economy, demonstrating the lasting power of this simple one-letter branding approach.