Crossword puzzles flex one very specific piece of cognition--the ability to find words, which is also known as fluency. Fluency is a type of process based in the speech and language centers of the brain. So doing crosswords might help you get better at word finding, but that's the sum total of their positive benefits to your brain.
misnomer. n. 1. an incorrect or unsuitable name or term for a person or thing. 2. the act of referring to a person by the wrong name.
mean adj adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, a tall girl, an interesting book, a big house. (low in rank, station) misero agg : miserabile agg : My grandmother was just a mean factory worker. Mia nonna era solo una misera operaia. mean adj adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, a tall girl, an interesting book, a big house. (inferior) mediocre agg : miserabile, spoglio agg : That's a mean imitation of an artwork. Ã un'imitazione mediocre di un'opera d'arte.