The phrase refers to a specific answer sought within the New York Times crossword puzzle, where the clue pertains to mathematical computations typically associated with the evening when election results are tallied. The solution encapsulates a process or figure relevant to understanding the progress of vote counting and potential outcomes.
The significance lies in the puzzle’s reflection of real-world events and the public’s engagement with civic processes. Successfully solving this clue requires not only general knowledge but also an understanding of the vocabulary and concepts associated with electoral predictions and analysis. Historically, election night analysis has relied on such computations to project winners and understand voting trends.
