There’s a unique thrill that comes with unravelling a truly clever crossword clue, isn’t there? That moment when a seemingly nonsensical phrase suddenly clicks into perfect, elegant sense, revealing its hidden meaning. It’s the daily mental gym, the linguistic puzzle that brightens the morning or provides a perfect evening unwind. And today, we’re diving into one that’s particularly delightful, a prime example of the ingenious wordplay that makes cryptic crosswords so utterly captivating.
Our featured challenge for today is a real charmer:
“Calm destruction of sausage! (7)“
Now, at first blush, this particular crossword clue might conjure images of kitchen mishaps, or perhaps a rather zen approach to breakfast preparation. But that, my fellow word adventurers, is precisely the magic of the cryptic. Every element of a well-crafted cryptic crossword clue is there for a reason, designed to both define the answer and provide a cunning trail of wordplay leading directly to it. The trick, of course, is discerning which part is which, and how they interact.
When you encounter a crossword clue like this, your cryptic radar should immediately begin to ping at phrases like “destruction of.” This isn’t literal, of course. In the world of cryptic crosswords, such indicators are often signals for a specific type of wordplay. They hint that the letters of a word or phrase within the clue need to be jumbled, rearranged, or somehow “destroyed” from their original order to form the solution. Think of it as a scrambled egg of letters, waiting to be reassembled into something coherent.
So, if “destruction of” is our indicator, what’s being destroyed? We look to the word “sausage!” It’s a seven-letter word, just like our solution’s length indicator: (7). Could it be that the letters of “sausage” are destined for rearrangement? The beauty of this crossword clue lies in how it uses a common word in a deceptively active context. The exclamation mark adds to the surface reading, making it sound more like a dramatic culinary event, further camouflaging the clever wordplay at its heart.
Then we turn our attention to the other critical component of any cryptic crossword clue: the definition. In this instance, “Calm” stands out. So, our task is to find a seven-letter word, formed by rearranging the letters of “sausage,” that means “calm.” The setter has skillfully created a clue where the definition seems utterly unrelated to the chaotic image of the wordplay, yet they perfectly converge in the solution.
This type of crossword clue exemplifies the elegance and wit that setters bring to their craft. It’s not just about knowing words; it’s about understanding the playful, often mischievous, rules of the game. It demands a different kind of thinking, a willingness to look beyond the obvious and embrace the linguistic gymnastics.
Take a moment with this splendid crossword clue. Let the letters tumble around in your mind. Consider synonyms for “calm.” Think about how those letters from “sausage” could possibly combine to form such a word. The “aha!” moment, when the pieces click together, is incredibly satisfying. It’s the reward for seeing past the delicious distraction of a breakfast staple and appreciating the clever construction of a truly great crossword clue. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
ASSUAGE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 13 September 2025
Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 16 August 2025