The phrase refers to the concise terms used in crossword puzzles as answers for clues related to specific muscle groups exercised by the bench press. For example, a clue might be “Chest muscle (short)” with the intended solution being “PECS.” These abbreviated answers are necessary due to the spatial constraints of the crossword grid.
Concise terminology plays a vital role in crossword puzzle construction. It allows for a wider range of concepts to be included within a limited grid space, enriching the puzzle’s thematic scope and challenging the solver’s knowledge. Historically, crosswords have utilized abbreviations and shortened forms to fit answers into the grid, a practice that continues to this day. This convention contributes to the puzzle’s complexity and requires solvers to think both broadly and specifically.