There are those days, aren’t there, when a seemingly innocuous crossword clue throws an absolute curveball? You stare at the grid, convinced you know the answer, only for every single synonym that leaps to mind to stubbornly refuse to fit the allotted spaces. It’s a classic brain-teaser, the kind that makes you question your entire vocabulary. And then there are the clues that, while not overtly cryptic, carry such a breadth of interpretation that pinpointing the precise seven-letter solution becomes a delightful linguistic challenge.
Today, we’re unpacking one such head-scratcher: “Information passed on (7)“. At first glance, it feels straightforward. Information. Passed on. Seven letters. Easy, right? Not so fast. This particular crossword clue is a masterclass in ambiguity, designed to make you sift through a myriad of possibilities before arriving at that satisfying “aha!” moment.
Let’s break down the components of this intriguing crossword clue. “Information” itself is a vast ocean. Are we talking about data, facts, news, secrets, knowledge, or perhaps even something more abstract like a skill or a tradition? The scope is immense, and each interpretation opens up a new avenue for potential answers. Then there’s “passed on.” This phrase is equally rich with nuance. Does it imply a deliberate act of communication, like telling a story or delivering a message? Or does it suggest something inherited, like a genetic trait or a family legacy? Perhaps it’s something less formal, like gossip or a rumor that spreads from person to person. The method of transmission – verbal, written, hereditary, digital – also plays a crucial role in shaping the potential solutions.
The ‘7’ letter constraint is, of course, our ultimate guide, yet it can also feel like the most restrictive element when you’re brainstorming a long list of synonyms. You might think of multi-word phrases that perfectly capture the meaning, only to be forced back to the drawing board to find that single, concise word. This is where the magic of crossword solving truly lies: in the art of finding the perfect, economical word that encapsulates a complex idea. It’s about stripping away the superfluous and getting right to the etymological heart of the matter.
When faced with a crossword clue like “Information passed on (7),” a seasoned solver employs several strategies. First, consider the part of speech. Is it a noun? An adjective? Given the phrasing, a noun seems most likely, referring to the “thing” that is passed on. Next, begin a mental word association game. What are all the words that relate to “information”
and
“passing on”? Don’t censor yourself initially; just let the words flow. Then, filter them through the seven-letter requirement. Think about different contexts: biological, social, historical, digital. Could it be something a teacher does? A storyteller? A family?
Often, the brilliance of a good crossword clue is its ability to lead you down several plausible paths before guiding you to the one, undeniable solution. It’s a subtle dance between straightforward definition and clever wordplay. This isn’t a cryptic clue in the traditional sense, but it demands the same kind of precise thinking and an appreciation for the multifaceted nature of language. The satisfaction comes not just from filling in the squares, but from the mental workout itself, the journey of deduction that leads you to the answer. Keep thinking about all those subtle shades of meaning for “information passed on,” and the right word will surely reveal itself. The joy of solving a tricky crossword clue is truly unmatched.
Available Answers:
MESSAGE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Tuesday, 15 July 2025