DEAR ABBY: My friend and I have a disagreement. We do crossword puzzles together at the dog park. She says using a thesaurus/dictionary is cheating. I say that if I look something up and then write it down, I'm learning. What say you, Abby? -- WILLIAM IN OCEANSIDE, CALIF.
DEAR WILLIAM: I agree with you. For this friend to shame you because you need a little help with the answers isn't very nice. The next time she says it, smile and ask her what a five-letter word with a "t" in the middle is.