The New York Times Crossword · 52-Across · 12 letters
"Ah, that's where things get difficult" ... or what can be said about 20-, 35- and 40-Across? The New York Times Crossword clue
Editorially reviewed October 5, 2026
Answer · 12 letters
THERE'S THE RUB
In the grid: THERESTHERUB · no spaces
THERESTHERUB is the twelve-letter revealer, with spaces and apostrophe removed. The phrase identifies a snag or difficulty, as in Hamlet, but it also points literally to rubbing at three entries: a MASSAGE TABLE, SPARE RIBS seasoned with a spice rub, and Aladdin's MAGIC LAMP. The shared verb connects otherwise different answers.
Different crossing letters? Check another fit →Start with the idiom
In ordinary speech, 'there's the rub' means 'that's the difficulty.' Hamlet uses the expression in the 'To be or not to be' soliloquy. That accounts for the quoted first half of the clue and the twelve grid letters THERESTHERUB once punctuation and spaces disappear.
Then test each numbered entry literally
The second half of the clue asks where a rub happens: at a MASSAGE TABLE a therapist rubs muscles, SPARE RIBS can take a spice rub, and Aladdin rubs a MAGIC LAMP. Those are three different senses of the same word, not a claim that the long answers share the same definition.
References behind this explanation
- October 5 NYT 52-Across and reviewed theme entries
- Independent numbered revealer and answer
- Folger Shakespeare Library: Hamlet, Act 3 Scene 1
These references support the meaning or background; they are not publisher endorsements.
Where this clue appeared
52-Across in The New York Times Crossword puzzle for October 5, 2026.
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