Another Head Scratcher Cracked: Decoding the “Boy, during month, gets illness (6)” Crossword Clue
Welcome back to the blog, fellow crossword enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving deep into a clue that had me circling my grid for a solid chunk of time: “Boy, during month, gets illness (6)“. At first glance, it seems straightforward enough, but the devil, as always, is in the details. This clue is a classic example of how crossword setters use misdirection and clever wordplay to challenge our lateral thinking skills.
The (6) at the end immediately tells us we’re looking for a six-letter word. This is a crucial piece of information, and we should always pay close attention to the number of letters required. Without it, we could be chasing ghosts and considering countless possibilities.
Let’s break down the components of the clue:
“Boy”
: This suggests a male child, but it could also be a common male name. Think of various names that might fit the bill.
“During month”
: This section hints at something happening within a specific month. It could be referencing a month directly, or perhaps indicating a temporal relationship. The word “during” is a keyword, suggesting that the month is somehow contained within the solution.
“Gets illness”
: This portion points to some form of sickness, disease, or ailment. Consider words related to feeling unwell, catching a bug, or suffering from a medical condition.
The key to unraveling this type of clue is to consider how each element might be used metaphorically or symbolically. Are we looking for a direct synonym for “illness,” or is the setter using a more creative interpretation? How does the “boy” interact with the “month”? Is the month acting as a container, a modifier, or something else entirely?
We need to consider homophones – words that sound alike but have different meanings. Sometimes, a clue will use a word that
sounds
like a month, rather than explicitly naming it. We also have to keep an eye out for abbreviations. A month might be abbreviated within the solution, or a common abbreviation for a boy’s name could be in play.
Another common crossword technique is to use anagrams, where the letters of a word or phrase are rearranged to form a new word. While it’s less likely given the specificity of this particular clue, it’s still worth keeping in the back of our minds. Could any of the words, when jumbled, create a word related to illness, and a boy’s name?
Finally, think about common prefixes and suffixes. Could adding a prefix or suffix to a word related to illness create a six-letter solution? For example, could “sick” become something else when combined with other letters?
This clue demands a combination of vocabulary, wordplay skills, and a willingness to think outside the box. It’s a delightful puzzle that requires us to dissect each element and consider multiple interpretations. So, grab your pencil, your thesaurus, and your favorite cup of coffee, and let’s see if we can crack this “Boy, during month, gets illness (6)” conundrum together. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
MALADY.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 26 July 2025