There’s nothing quite like a really good laugh, is there? That uncontrollable burst of joy that starts deep in your belly, ripples through your chest, and escapes as an uninhibited sound. It’s spontaneous, it’s cathartic, and as many a medical professional will tell you, it’s incredibly good for you. Beyond the psychological lift, the sheer act of laughter is a surprising physical workout, engaging parts of your body you might not even realize are participating in the hilarity.
This week, a particularly delightful
crossword clue
landed on my desk, perfectly encapsulating the magic of both laughter and the cleverness inherent in puzzle construction. It wasn’t your run-of-the-mill fill-in-the-blank, but rather one that required a moment of reflection, connecting a common human experience with a precise, albeit brief, anatomical reference. The
crossword clue
in question: “Muscles worked by laughter, briefly.”
What a fantastic challenge! This isn’t just about knowing your anatomy; it’s about recognizing how the physical act of laughter translates into a specific, concise term often found in medical or fitness contexts. That little word, “briefly,” is the key. It immediately signals that we’re looking for a short, punchy answer, not a lengthy description of the entire physiological process. It’s what makes solving a
crossword clue
like this so rewarding – the blend of general knowledge and the specific language of crosswords.
Think about it for a moment: what
does
happen when you laugh? It’s more than just a sound emanating from your throat. Your entire torso can get involved. You might feel a tightening, a jolt, a rhythmic contraction that echoes the mirth. It’s a forceful expulsion of air, a spontaneous spasm that can leave you feeling delightfully exhausted, almost as if you’ve just done a quick set of exercises. This is the beauty of this particular
crossword clue
– it prompts you to consider the often-overlooked physical mechanics of something we do every day without a second thought.
The satisfaction of cracking a tough
crossword clue
is unparalleled, isn’t it? That “aha!” moment when the jumbled letters in your mind suddenly click into place, forming the perfect word that fits the grid and the meaning. This type of
crossword clue
is especially gratifying because it bridges the gap between abstract concepts (like joy) and concrete physical reality. It makes you think laterally, associating an everyday action with its underlying biological machinery. It’s not just about recalling a word; it’s about understanding a concept and finding its most concise representation.
Whether you’re a seasoned puzzle master or just starting your journey into the delightful world of daily crosswords, tackling a
crossword clue
like “Muscles worked by laughter, briefly” offers a unique mental workout. It forces you to delve into your knowledge base, or perhaps encourages a quick trip to a reliable reference source (though we all prefer to solve them fair and square!). This is why we love our daily dose of crossword puzzles – they consistently surprise us with their ingenuity and their ability to make us smarter, one cleverly worded
crossword clue
at a time. The answer, when it finally dawns on you, perfectly illustrates the subtle genius behind so many of these beloved puzzles. Keep thinking about those spontaneous contractions!
Available Answers:
ABS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Summer 2025 Themeless Week, Puzzle 1 By Leo Tsai