Wrestling with Waffling: Decoding Today’s Crossword Clue
Hey crossword aficionados! Welcome back to the blog, where we dissect the daily dose of puzzling pronouncements that test our vocabularies and challenge our lateral thinking. Today, we’re grappling with a particularly intriguing clue that falls into that delightful category of “sounds easy,
is
deceptively tricky.” The clue? “
Delay deciding, informally.
“
On the surface, this seems straightforward enough. We’re looking for a colloquial term, a casual phrase suggesting procrastination or indecision. However, the beauty (and sometimes the frustration) of crossword clues lies in their multi-layered nature. It’s rarely a simple, direct synonym. We have to consider the context of the puzzle, the surrounding words, and the dreaded word count to truly unravel the mystery.
Let’s unpack the key components of this clue:
“Delay deciding”
: This is our core instruction. We know we’re dealing with the act of postponing a decision, of putting off the moment of judgment. It speaks to a lack of commitment, a hesitancy to commit to a particular course of action. Think about situations where you’ve consciously delayed a decision – perhaps choosing what to order at a restaurant, deciding whether to accept a job offer, or even something as simple as responding to an email. What verbs or phrases accurately capture that feeling of deferral?
“Informally”
: This is our crucial modifier. This indicates that we’re not looking for a formal or technical term. “Defer,” “postpone,” or “adjourn” are likely too stuffy for this particular puzzle. Instead, we need a word or phrase that fits into everyday conversation, something you might say to a friend or colleague. The “informally” hints at a more relaxed, possibly even slightly humorous, connotation.
So, how do we bridge the gap between the action and the tone? Consider the range of informal ways we express indecision. Perhaps the answer involves a whimsical action, a lazy expression, or even a humorous exaggeration of the act of procrastination.
Think about the scenarios where you might use the answer. Are you “on the fence” about something? Are you “stalling” for time? Are you perhaps doing something that sounds like delaying? The clue is pushing you towards a word that is natural and flows with the conversational “informally”.
Don’t forget to consider potential double meanings. A word that relates to inaction might also have another, unrelated definition. Crossword constructors are notorious for employing these playful ambiguities to throw us off the scent. Could there be a metaphorical interpretation lurking beneath the surface?
To crack this clue, you need to marry the core meaning (“delay deciding”) with the informal tone. It’s a dance between meaning and style, between the literal and the figurative. Consider how people actually talk about putting things off, and focus on words that don’t feel excessively formal or stiff.
Good luck, and happy solving! Let me know in the comments below if this post gave you a little nudge in the right direction. And remember, the thrill of the crossword is not just about finding the answer, but about the journey of discovery. We’ll revisit the solution in the next post!
Available Answers:
PUNT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 0625-25 NY Times Crossword 25 Jun 25, Wednesday