This week, puzzle enthusiasts were treated to a particularly challenging brainteaser, as they weaved through the complex clues of the latest Sunday crossword. This grid of perplexing prompts proved to be a tantalizing treat for the keen-minded individuals seeking a mental workout to cap off their week.
With a collection of clues that spanned various topics, the crossword offered a wide-ranging test of knowledge and wordplay proficiency. For instance, clue number 5 hinted at “Bows found in war chest (6),” sending solvers on a hunt for a six-letter word that could mean both part of a warrior’s arsenal and a gesture of respect or defeat.
The German language played its part in clue number 9: “Guiding bovine in German (8).” Here, solvers had the dual task of thinking of the German word for guiding or leading, and then pairing it with the English word for a cow or ox.
A nod to culinary confusion came with clue number 10, “T-bone? Quite the opposite; it’s a rice dish (6),” where solvers might have initially had visions of steak before realizing the solution revolved around a type of food found in a completely different section of the menu.
Clue number 11 called upon popular culture and a bit of imagination, with “Then I get how playing vuvuzela perhaps is epic (4,4,3,4).” This riddle required one to ponder how the blaring of vuvuzelas might be interpreted as a sprawling and momentous event.
Music lovers had their knowledge tested with clue number 13 as they considered “Diana Ross’s colleague is kind of chicken (7).” A little research into Diana Ross’s career would reveal a connection to a fellow singer which is also a term for a particular poultry breed.
Family dynamics came into play with clue number 14, “Hide from ultimately hideous family (4).” This was a deceptively simple-sounding clue that asked for a synonym for family or lineage, but one that also suggested concealment or evasion.
The crossword offered a rhythmic twist with the clue, “This kind of jazz makes you leap back (4).” This was a clever play on words that challenged solvers to think of a style of jazz music that could also mean to jump or startle backwards.
An elegant and historical clue was presented in number 24, “Taking heads – extremely impatiently – ghastly husband, this Henry? (6).” Puzzle enthusiasts here needed to consider a famous Henry known for beheading his spouses and correlate it with a phase suggesting impatience and horror.
One particularly creative clue, “Remove somewhat obese para, temporarily (8),” required a quick linguistic switch to abbreviate a word that described an overweight individual and then tether it to a term signifying a short period of time.
In a whimsical twist, clue number 26 had individuals contemplating, “Drank heavily, like an ornamental fish? (6).” This prompted an unexpected comparison between the actions of overindulgence in drink and the lifestyle of a common pet found in many home aquariums.
Lastly, the clue, “Easiest trips taking in Italy, in my view (2,1,3,2),” offered a breezy end to the mental marathon. This clue’s answer lay in a commonly uttered phrase that conveyed a personal perspective and, when dissected, pointed towards an effortless journey involving the famous European country.
This robust and stimulating crossword delivered a Sunday full of cogitation and curiosity. Whether it was the intersection of linguistics and gastronomy, historical figures or animal analogies, solvers met each clue with fervor and determination. While some participants may have found immediate solutions, others lingered longer, savoring the cerebral challenge presented by this thought-provoking collection of clues.
