Stumped by ‘Oars in Pairs’? Decode this Crossword Puzzle!

Certainly! The crossword clue “Oars in pairs” is commonly referring to the answer “SCULLS.” Let me break it down for you.

Sculls, in the context of rowing, are a type of oars used in pairs by a single rower. Essentially, a scull is a long, narrow oar that allows the rower to propel a boat through the water by pushing against the resistance of the water.

Now, you might wonder why they are called “sculls” specifically. The term “scull” originated from the Old English word “scolu,” which means “shovel.” This name is quite fitting because, just like a shovel, a scull is used to scoop and push water to generate propulsion for the boat.

The unique feature of sculls is that they are designed to be used in pairs, with a scull in each hand. Unlike other types of oars, sculls are usually of equal length and have a smaller blade at one end and a handle at the other end. This symmetrical design allows rowers to have balanced strokes, giving them better control and efficiency in maneuvering the boat.

Sculling is a widespread technique used in various forms of rowing, including competitive sports like singles sculling and doubles sculling, where one or two rowers respectively use a pair of sculls to race against others. Sculling is also commonly seen in recreational rowing and even in traditional methods of transportation in some parts of the world.

To summarize, “sculls” is the answer to the crossword clue “Oars in pairs.” It’s a term used to describe a specific type of oars that rowers use, with one scull in each hand, to propel boats through the water. The symmetrical design of sculls ensures balanced strokes, providing better control and efficiency for rowers.